Ecological Distribution of Crops in Nigeria – JSS 1 Agricultural Science

Lesson Plan: Ecological Distribution of Crops in Nigeria

Class: Junior Secondary School (JSS 1)

Subject: Agricultural Science

Term: Second Term

Week: 3

Topic: Ecological Distribution of Crops in Nigeria

Sub-topics:

Distribution of Crops in Nigeria
Factors Affecting the Distribution of Crops

Duration: 40 minutes

Age Group: 10 – 12 years

Behavioral Objectives

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

Define the distribution of crops and explain its importance in agriculture.
Identify the three ecological regions in Nigeria and how crops are suited to each region.
Explain the factors that influence the distribution of crops, with examples.
List examples of crops that grow in each ecological region based on environmental factors like soil, climate, and human influence.

Keywords

Ecology – The study of how organisms interact with their environment.
Distribution – The spread or arrangement of crops in different regions.
Savanna – A grassland region with scattered trees and seasonal rainfall.
Rainforest – A dense, tropical forest with high rainfall.
Sahel – A dry, semi-arid region bordering the desert.
Climatic factors – Elements such as rainfall, temperature, and humidity that affect plant growth.

Set Induction (Introduction to the Lesson)

The teacher asks students questions to spark their interest:

Have you ever traveled to another part of Nigeria? What crops did you see there?
Why do some crops grow well in one place but not in another?
Can palm trees grow in the desert? Why or why not?

The teacher then introduces the lesson by explaining that crops grow in different parts of Nigeria based on climate, soil, and human activities.

Entry Behavior

Students have previous knowledge of different types of crops and their uses.

Learning Resources and Materials

Chart showing the ecological zones of Nigeria.
Pictures or samples of different crops grown in each zone.
Map of Nigeria showing ecological distribution.

Building Background / Connection to Prior Knowledge

The teacher reminds students of the previous lesson on the classification of crops based on their uses (food, industrial, and ornamental crops). The teacher then explains that crops grow better in specific areas due to factors like rainfall, soil type, and temperature.

Embedded Core Skills

Critical Thinking: Understanding how environmental factors affect crop growth.
Communication: Explaining why certain crops grow in particular regions.
Collaboration: Group discussion on crops found in different ecological regions.
Observation: Identifying crops in their local environment.

Learning Materials

Reference Books: Lagos State Scheme of Work, Agricultural Science Textbook (JSS 1)
Instructional Materials: Map of Nigeria, charts of ecological zones, flashcards with crop names

Lesson Presentation

Step 1: Revision of the Previous Lesson

The teacher asks students to recall the classification of crops based on their uses.
Students mention examples of food, industrial, and ornamental crops.

Step 2: Introduction of the New Topic

The teacher defines ecological distribution as the way crops are spread across different regions based on environmental conditions.

Step 3: Explanation of Ecological Regions in Nigeria

Nigeria has three major ecological zones:

Rainforest Zone (Southern Nigeria)
- High rainfall, warm temperature, and fertile soil.
- Crops grown: Cocoa, oil palm, rubber, yam, banana, kola nut, cassava.
Savanna Zone (Central Nigeria)
- Moderate rainfall, open grasslands, and fertile soil.
- Crops grown: Sorghum, millet, maize, rice, groundnut, cotton.
Sahel and Semi-Arid Zone (Northern Nigeria)
- Low rainfall, dry climate, sandy soil.
- Crops grown: Millet, date palm, guinea corn, onion, tomatoes.

Step 4: Explanation of Factors Affecting Crop Distribution

Several factors determine where crops can grow:

Climatic Factors:
- Rainfall (e.g., cocoa needs high rainfall).
- Temperature (e.g., tomatoes need moderate temperatures).
Soil Type:
- Sandy soil (e.g., groundnut grows well).
- Loamy soil (e.g., maize and rice grow well).
Human Activities:
- Farming practices (e.g., irrigation allows rice to grow in drier areas).
- Deforestation and urbanization.
Pests and Diseases:
- Certain pests only affect crops in specific regions.

Teacher’s Activities

Explains ecological zones using charts and maps.
Asks students to identify crops they have seen in their area.
Shows pictures of different crops and asks students where they grow best.

Learners’ Activities

Students discuss crops they have seen in different parts of Nigeria.
Students match crops to their ecological zones.
Students answer oral questions about factors affecting crop distribution.

Evaluation Questions (Fill-in-the-Blank with Multiple Choice Options)

The way crops are spread across different regions is called ______.
a) Crop rotation
b) Ecological distribution
c) Industrial farming
d) Irrigation
The three major ecological regions in Nigeria are ______.
a) Rainforest, Savanna, Sahel
b) Desert, Ocean, Forest
c) Swamp, Mountain, Valley
d) Tundra, Taiga, Steppe
______ crops are mainly grown in the rainforest region.
a) Cocoa and oil palm
b) Millet and sorghum
c) Date palm and onion
d) Cotton and groundnut
The best soil for maize is ______.
a) Sandy
b) Loamy
c) Clay
d) Rocky
Low rainfall and dry climate are characteristics of the ______ region.
a) Savanna
b) Rainforest
c) Sahel
d) Swamp

Class Activity Discussion (15 FAQs with Answers)

What is ecological distribution?
It is the way crops are spread across different regions based on environmental conditions.
How many ecological zones are in Nigeria?
Three – Rainforest, Savanna, and Sahel.
Why do crops grow better in some places than others?
Due to differences in rainfall, soil, and temperature.
Which crops grow well in the Savanna region?
Sorghum, millet, rice, maize, and groundnut.
What is the main factor affecting crop distribution?
Climate, soil, and human activities.

Assessment (Short Answer Evaluation Questions)

Define ecological distribution of crops.
List the three ecological zones in Nigeria.
Mention three crops grown in the rainforest region.
Why does millet grow well in the Sahel region?
How does human activity affect crop distribution?

Conclusion

The teacher summarizes the key points.
The teacher gives students an assignment to research more crops grown in each ecological region.
The teacher provides feedback and marks students’ work.

Weekend Assignment

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions (Multiple Choice Options)

The way crops are spread across different regions is called ______.
a) Crop rotation
b) Ecological distribution
c) Industrial farming
d) Irrigation
The ecological distribution of crops is influenced by ______.
a) Only human activities
b) Only temperature
c) Rainfall, soil, and climate
d) None of the above
The three major ecological regions in Nigeria are ______.
a) Rainforest, Savanna, Sahel
b) Desert, Ocean, Forest
c) Swamp, Mountain, Valley
d) Tundra, Taiga, Steppe
The rainforest region in Nigeria is located in the ______ part of the country.
a) Northern
b) Southern
c) Western
d) Central
The best soil for growing maize is ______.
a) Sandy
b) Loamy
c) Clay
d) Rocky
______ crops are mainly grown in the rainforest region.
a) Cocoa and oil palm
b) Millet and sorghum
c) Date palm and onion
d) Cotton and groundnut
The Sahel region is best suited for growing ______.
a) Cocoa and rubber
b) Oil palm and cassava
c) Millet and date palm
d) Rice and yam
The major cash crop grown in the rainforest region is ______.
a) Groundnut
b) Millet
c) Cocoa
d) Sorghum
The savanna region is known for growing ______ crops.
a) Maize, sorghum, and groundnut
b) Cocoa, oil palm, and rubber
c) Date palm and onion
d) Mango and pineapple
The dry Sahel region experiences ______ rainfall.
a) High
b) Moderate
c) Low
d) Excessive
A major factor that affects the distribution of crops is ______.
a) Climate
b) Human activity
c) Soil type
d) All of the above
Which of these crops is NOT commonly grown in the savanna region?
a) Sorghum
b) Millet
c) Cocoa
d) Groundnut
The type of soil that retains the most water is ______.
a) Sandy
b) Clay
c) Loamy
d) Rocky
Human activities such as deforestation can affect crop distribution by ______.
a) Making the soil more fertile
b) Reducing soil nutrients and increasing erosion
c) Increasing rainfall
d) Stopping pests from attacking crops
Which of these is an industrial crop commonly grown in the rainforest region?
a) Cocoa
b) Millet
c) Sorghum
d) Groundnut

15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) with Answers

What is ecological distribution of crops?
Ecological distribution refers to how crops are spread across different regions based on climate, soil, and human activities.
How many ecological zones are in Nigeria?
There are three major ecological zones: Rainforest, Savanna, and Sahel.
Why do different crops grow in different regions?
Crops grow in specific regions due to differences in rainfall, temperature, soil type, and human influence.
Which crops are commonly grown in the rainforest region?
Crops such as cocoa, oil palm, rubber, yam, and cassava are common in the rainforest.
What type of crops are suited for the savanna region?
The savanna is best for growing maize, sorghum, millet, rice, and groundnut.
Which crops are grown in the Sahel region?
The Sahel region supports crops like millet, date palm, and guinea corn.
What role does climate play in crop distribution?
Climate determines the amount of rainfall, temperature, and humidity, which affect crop growth.
What is the best soil type for crop farming?
Loamy soil is the best because it retains moisture and nutrients for plant growth.
Why is irrigation important in dry regions?
Irrigation provides water to crops in areas with low rainfall, improving yield.
How do human activities affect crop distribution?
Farming practices, deforestation, and urbanization can change where crops grow.
What industrial crops are grown in Nigeria?
Examples include cocoa, rubber, cotton, and oil palm.
Why is the rainforest region good for agriculture?
It has fertile soil, high rainfall, and a warm climate that supports many crops.
How does soil type affect crop distribution?
Different crops require specific soil types; for example, groundnut grows well in sandy soil.
What are cash crops?
Cash crops are grown mainly for sale rather than for local consumption, such as cocoa and cotton.
What measures can be taken to improve crop production in dry areas?
Farmers can use irrigation, drought-resistant crops, and soil conservation techniques.

10 Evaluation Questions (Short Answer Questions)

Define ecological distribution of crops.
List the three major ecological regions in Nigeria.
Mention three crops grown in the rainforest region.
Why does millet grow well in the Sahel region?
How does human activity affect crop distribution?
Explain how climate affects the growth of crops.
Which ecological zone is most suitable for growing groundnut?
What is the best type of soil for growing maize?
Name two industrial crops grown in Nigeria.
Suggest two ways to improve crop farming in dry regions.

Tags:Agricultural Science JSS 1 Second Term Lesson Notes

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