Ecological Distributions of Crops in Nigeria Agricultural Science

Lesson Plan

Class: Junior Secondary School (JSS 1)
Subject: Agricultural Science
Topic: Ecological Distribution of Crops in Nigeria
Sub-topics:

1. Distribution of Crops
2. Factors Affecting the Distribution of Crops

Week: 3
Term: Second Term
Date: ……………………
Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives

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

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

Keywords

• Distribution: The spread or location where crops are grown in different regions of Nigeria.
• Ecological Regions: Areas with specific environmental characteristics that support different types of crops.
• Climatic Factors: Environmental elements such as temperature, rainfall, and humidity that affect crop growth.
• Adaptability: The ability of a crop to grow successfully in a particular environment.

Learning Materials

• Map of Nigeria showing crop distribution.
• Chart of climatic zones in Nigeria (Coastal, Rainforest, Savanna).
• Pictures of crops (e.g., rubber, millet, cocoa, oil palm).

Embedded Core Skills

• Critical thinking: Analyzing how environmental conditions affect crops.
• Observation: Identifying crops and regions in a map.
• Analytical skills: Comparing and contrasting factors influencing crop distribution.

Set Induction

Begin the lesson by asking students questions like:

• “What types of crops do you see around your community?”
• “Why do you think some crops grow better in certain areas than others?”
  This will introduce them to the idea of crop distribution and its relationship with the environment.

Instructional Steps

Step 1: Revision

• Review the previous topic: Classification of Crops (e.g., food crops, cash crops, cereals).
• Ask students to list examples of crops and categorize them.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Pose questions to students about different crop types.
  Learner’s Activities:
• Respond to the teacher’s questions using previous knowledge.

Step 2: Introduction of New Topic

Definition of Distribution of Crops

• The distribution of crops refers to the way crops are spread across different regions in Nigeria. Certain crops are found more in one area than others because of the environment (climate, soil type) in which they grow best.

Three Ecological Regions in Nigeria

1. Coastal Region: This area is close to the sea and is marked by mangrove forests. The climate here is humid and receives a lot of rainfall.
   • Crops grown: Paddy rice, rubber, coconut. These crops thrive in areas with high rainfall and humidity, and they need a lot of water to grow.
2. Rainforest Region (South): This region experiences high rainfall throughout the year and has lush vegetation.
   • Crops grown: Oil palm, cocoa, bananas, plantains, kola nuts, tubers (cassava, yam), and rubber. These crops thrive in the humid climate and fertile soil found here.
3. Savanna Region (North): The savanna has a dry and wet season with less rainfall than the rainforest region. It consists of grasslands with few trees.
   • Crops grown: Cereals (millet, sorghum, maize), legumes (groundnut, soybeans), and cotton. These crops are adapted to the drier, warmer climate of the savanna and require less water.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Use a map to show students the locations of these regions and highlight where each crop is grown.
  Learner’s Activities:
• Observe the map and take notes. Ask questions to clarify doubts about crop locations.

Step 3: Explanation of Factors Affecting Crop Distribution

Factors that Influence Crop Distribution

1. Climatic Factors:
   • Rainfall: Different crops require varying amounts of water. Crops like rice and rubber need a lot of water, so they are grown in regions with heavy rainfall, like the coastal and rainforest regions. Crops like millet and sorghum need less water, so they are more suited to the drier savanna region.
     • Example: Banana requires constant rainfall and is grown in the humid south. On the other hand, millet, which needs little water, thrives in the dry north.
   • Temperature: Temperature affects crop growth. Some crops thrive in cooler temperatures, while others require higher temperatures. Crops like Irish potatoes and vegetables like cabbage are grown in cooler areas like Jos (northern Nigeria). Crops like cassava, which require warmer temperatures, are mostly grown in the southern and central parts of Nigeria.
     • Example: Irish potatoes need cooler temperatures and are grown in areas like Jos, while cassava requires warmer conditions and is commonly grown in the south.
   • Relative Humidity: The level of moisture in the air can affect crop health. Crops like cocoa and oil palm thrive in areas with high humidity. Crops like millet, which require less moisture, grow better in drier regions.
     • Example: Cocoa requires high humidity and is grown in the rainforest region.
   • Sunshine: Sunshine is important for photosynthesis, the process by which plants make their food. Some crops need long hours of sunshine to grow well, while others, like cocoyam, require less sunlight.
     • Example: Cereal crops like maize need plenty of sunshine, while cocoyam thrives with less direct sunlight.
2. Soil Conditions:
   • Soil Type: Different crops require different types of soil. Some need sandy soils (e.g., groundnuts), while others thrive in clayey or loamy soils (e.g., swamp rice).
     • Example: Groundnuts grow best in sandy soils, while swamp rice is suited to marshy, clayey soils.
   • Soil pH: The pH level of the soil (whether it is acidic, neutral, or alkaline) also affects plant growth. Crops like tomatoes thrive in slightly acidic soils, while others, like cocoa, require neutral to slightly acidic soils.
     • Example: Cocoa grows best in neutral soils, while groundnuts grow better in slightly acidic soils.
3. Human Activities:
   • Irrigation: In areas with insufficient rainfall, human activities like irrigation help supply water to crops. For example, crops that require a lot of water can be grown in dry areas using irrigation.
     • Example: In the northern savanna, crops like rice are grown with the help of irrigation systems, as the region does not receive enough rainfall.
   • Fertilizer and Soil Management: Humans apply fertilizers to improve soil fertility and enhance crop growth.
     • Example: Fertilizer application in the rainforest helps crops like cocoa and oil palm grow more successfully in the fertile but often nutrient-poor soils.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Discuss each factor with examples of crops and regions. Use visuals to show how the factors affect crop growth.
  Learner’s Activities:
• Relate each factor to crops they know. Ask questions for further clarification.

Evaluation

Part A: Fill-in-the-Blank Questions

1. The distribution of crops refers to the __________ of crops in different regions.
   a) planting
   b) location
   c) harvesting
   d) selling
2. __________ is used for growing crops like paddy rice and rubber.
   a) Rainforest
   b) Coastal region
   c) Savanna
3. Oil palm is mostly grown in the __________ region.
   a) northern
   b) rainforest
   c) coastal
4. Millet and sorghum thrive in the __________ region.
   a) southern
   b) savanna
   c) coastal
5. __________ is an important climatic factor for crop growth.
   a) Rainfall
   b) Fertilizer
   c) Temperature
6. __________ crops require high rainfall and are grown in the south.
   a) Cereals
   b) Tuber
   c) Paddy rice
7. __________ soils are suitable for growing groundnuts.
   a) Sandy
   b) Clayey
   c) Loamy
8. __________ helps to provide water to crops in dry areas.
   a) Irrigation
   b) Rainfall
   c) Fertilizer
9. Sunshine is essential for __________ activity in plants.
   a) photosynthetic
   b) planting
   c) harvesting
10. The __________ region is suitable for crops like kola nut and cocoa.
    a) rainforest
    b) savanna
    c) coastal

Part B: Theory Questions

1. Name three ecological regions in Nigeria and one crop grown in each region.
2. Explain two ways climate affects the growth of crops.
3. List three examples of human activities that influence crop distribution.
4. Why is rainfall important for crop growth?
5. Draw a map of Nigeria showing the distribution of crops.

Conclusion

Summarize the lesson by revisiting the three ecological regions and the factors affecting crop distribution.