Distribution of Farm Animals in Nigeria: Factors and Locations

Comprehensive Lesson Plan: Distribution of Farm Animals in Nigeria

Subject: Agricultural Science

Class: Junior Secondary School 1 (JSS 1)

Term: First Term

Week: 10

Age: 10 – 12 years

Topic: Distribution of Farm Animals in Nigeria

Sub-topic: Factors Affecting the Distribution of Farm Animals

Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioural Objectives

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

1. Define the distribution of farm animals.
2. Identify common farm animals and their locations in Nigeria.
3. List factors that affect the distribution of farm animals.
4. Explain how climate, culture, and religion influence where farm animals are found.
5. Give examples of states where specific farm animals are commonly reared.

Keywords

• Farm animals – Domesticated animals reared for food, work, or companionship.
• Distribution – The way farm animals are spread across different regions.
• Climate – The average weather conditions of a place.
• Culture – The way of life of a group of people.
• Religion – A belief system that affects what animals are reared or consumed.
• Pasture – Natural grassland where animals graze.

Set Induction (Introduction)

The teacher begins by asking students questions:

• “Have you seen cattle before? Where did you see them?”
• “Why do we find more goats in some places than others?”
• “Can pigs be found everywhere in Nigeria?”
• “What factors do you think affect where these animals are kept?”

Students will give responses, and the teacher will link their answers to today’s lesson.

Entry Behaviour

Students already know about different breeds of farm animals such as cattle, goats, sheep, poultry, pigs, and rabbits from the previous lesson.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Wall charts showing the distribution of farm animals in Nigeria.
• Pictures of different farm animals.
• Flashcards displaying farm animals and their locations.
• Videos on farm animals in Nigeria.

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

• The teacher reminds students of the different breeds of farm animals.
• The teacher asks students to mention farm animals found in their communities.
• The teacher connects this to why certain animals are found in particular places.

Embedded Core Skills

• Critical thinking – Understanding why animals are found in different regions.
• Communication skills – Expressing ideas about animal distribution.
• Collaboration – Working in groups to discuss factors affecting farm animals.
• Problem-solving – Identifying challenges in animal distribution.

Learning Materials

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Basic Agricultural Science Textbooks
• 9-Year Basic Education Curriculum

Instructional Materials

• Charts of Nigerian states with farm animals.
• Pictures of farm animals in different regions.
• A short video clip on farm animal distribution.
• Flashcards with images of farm animals.

Content Development

Definition of Distribution of Farm Animals

The distribution of farm animals refers to how different types of animals are spread across various regions due to environmental, cultural, and economic factors.

Common Farm Animals and Their Locations in Nigeria

1. Cattle – Found mostly in Kano, Sokoto, and Kaduna.
2. Goats/Sheep – Common in northern states, as well as Oyo, Ondo, and Ekiti.
3. Poultry – Raised in major cities across Nigeria.
4. Fish – Found in states with large water bodies such as Rivers, Lagos, and Delta.
5. Pigs – Reared in southern states like Edo, Delta, and Rivers.
6. Rabbits – Common in cities where poultry is raised.

Factors Affecting the Distribution of Farm Animals in Nigeria

1. Culture of the People

   • In northern Nigeria, cattle and sheep rearing is a traditional occupation.
   • Southern Nigerians focus more on poultry and fish farming.

2. Climate

   • The north has low rainfall, making it suitable for cattle, goats, and sheep.
   • The south has high rainfall, which encourages poultry and fish farming but increases pests and diseases.

3. Religion

   • Muslims do not eat pigs, so pigs are not commonly found in northern Nigeria.
   • Sheep and goats are abundant in Muslim regions because they are used for festivals.

4. Availability of Natural Pasture

   • The northern region has more grasslands, making it suitable for cattle, goats, and sheep.

5. Incidence of Pests and Diseases

   • Tsetse flies, which cause trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness in cattle), are more common in the southern region.

Evaluation Questions

Distribution of Farm Animals in Nigeria

1. Cattle are mostly found in _______.
   (a) Rivers
   (b) Kano
   (c) Lagos
   (d) Enugu

2. Fish are mostly reared in states with _______.
   (a) Large farms
   (b) Water bodies
   (c) Cold weather
   (d) Dry land

3. _______ is a major factor affecting farm animal distribution.
   (a) Road network
   (b) Religion
   (c) Electricity
   (d) Schools

4. Pigs are mostly reared in _______ Nigeria.
   (a) Northern
   (b) Southern
   (c) Eastern
   (d) Western

5. Tsetse flies affect the rearing of _______.
   (a) Fish
   (b) Pigs
   (c) Cattle
   (d) Poultry

Class Activity Discussion Distribution of Farm Animals in Nigeria

1. Q: Why are cattle mostly found in the north?
   A: The north has large grasslands and a culture of cattle rearing.

2. Q: What kind of farm animals are reared in water-rich areas?
   A: Fish and poultry.

3. Q: Why are pigs mostly found in the south?
   A: Most people in the north do not eat pork due to religious beliefs.

4. Q: How does climate affect farm animal distribution?
   A: Rainfall and temperature determine which animals can survive in a region.

5. Q: Why do goats and sheep thrive in the north?
   A: The dry climate and natural grasslands make it easier to rear them.

Presentation

Step 1: The teacher revises the previous lesson on breeds of farm animals.
Step 2: The teacher introduces the topic by asking thought-provoking questions.
Step 3: The teacher allows students to contribute examples and corrects them when necessary.

Teacher’s and Learners’ Activities

• Teacher’s Activities: Explains concepts, asks questions, displays charts, and guides discussions.
• Learners’ Activities: Listen, answer questions, participate in discussions, and take notes.

Assessment (Distribution of Farm Animals in Nigeria) 

1. Name five farm animals and the states where they are mostly found.
2. List four factors that affect the distribution of farm animals.
3. Why is pig farming rare in northern Nigeria?
4. How does climate affect poultry farming?
5. What is the effect of tsetse flies on cattle?

Conclusion

• The teacher summarizes the lesson.
• The teacher moves around to check students’ notes.
• The teacher gives homework on the topic.

Distribution of Farm Animals in Nigeria

Questions (Multiple Choice)

1. The distribution of farm animals refers to how they are ______ across different regions.
   a) Eaten
   b) Traded
   c) Spread
   d) Sold

2. Cattle are commonly found in ______.
   a) Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa
   b) Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna
   c) Abia, Imo, Enugu
   d) Ogun, Oyo, Osun

3. Poultry farming is common in ______.
   a) Major cities
   b) Only in the north
   c) Only in the east
   d) Rural areas only

4. Fish farming is mainly done in ______ areas.
   a) Desert
   b) Water-rich
   c) Dry land
   d) Cold regions

5. Pigs are mostly reared in ______ Nigeria.
   a) Northern
   b) Southern
   c) Eastern
   d) Western

6. One major factor affecting farm animal distribution is ______.
   a) Climate
   b) Politics
   c) Banking
   d) Fashion

7. The major religion that forbids the consumption of pork is ______.
   a) Christianity
   b) Islam
   c) Buddhism
   d) Hinduism

8. ______ is the practice of keeping farm animals for food and other uses.
   a) Cultivation
   b) Farming
   c) Animal husbandry
   d) Irrigation

9. Sheep and goats are mostly found in ______ Nigeria.
   a) Southern
   b) Eastern
   c) Northern
   d) Western

10. Cattle farming is encouraged in the north because of the availability of ______.
    a) Large farmlands
    b) More water bodies
    c) Thick forests
    d) Natural pasture

11. The tsetse fly is known for spreading ______.
    a) Malaria
    b) Trypanosomiasis
    c) Cholera
    d) Yellow fever

12. The high humidity and rainfall in the south encourage ______ farming.
    a) Poultry and fish
    b) Cattle and sheep
    c) Pigs and goats
    d) Donkeys and camels

13. One reason why goats and sheep thrive in the north is ______.
    a) The people eat more meat
    b) Availability of pastures
    c) High rainfall
    d) More rivers and lakes

14. ______ farming is common in areas with water bodies.
    a) Fish
    b) Cattle
    c) Goat
    d) Rabbit

15. The availability of ______ determines where farm animals can survive.
    a) Climate and pasture
    b) Banks and schools
    c) Cars and roads
    d) Houses and shops

15 Frequently Asked Questions Distribution of Farm Animals in Nigeria (FAQs) and Answers

1. Q: What is farm animal distribution?
   A: It refers to how farm animals are spread across different regions due to factors like climate and culture.

2. Q: Why are cattle mostly found in the north?
   A: Because of the availability of grasslands and dry climate, which is suitable for their survival.

3. Q: What are the major farm animals reared in Nigeria?
   A: Cattle, goats, sheep, poultry, fish, pigs, and rabbits.

4. Q: Why is fish farming common in the southern part of Nigeria?
   A: Because of the presence of rivers, lakes, and the ocean, which provide good conditions for fish farming.

5. Q: How does climate affect animal distribution?
   A: Climate determines the availability of pasture and water, which affect where animals can be reared.

6. Q: What role does religion play in animal distribution?
   A: Some religions, like Islam, forbid the consumption of pigs, so pig farming is uncommon in Muslim-dominated areas.

7. Q: Why are poultry farms found in most major cities?
   A: Poultry farming does not require much space, and chickens grow fast, making them suitable for urban areas.

8. Q: What is trypanosomiasis, and how does it affect animal distribution?
   A: It is a disease caused by tsetse flies, making cattle farming difficult in the southern parts of Nigeria.

9. Q: What is natural pasture?
   A: It refers to grasslands where farm animals graze freely.

10. Q: Why do pigs thrive more in southern Nigeria?
    A: The southern climate is suitable for pig farming, and there are fewer religious restrictions on pork consumption.

11. Q: Which farm animals are mostly reared in northern Nigeria?
    A: Cattle, goats, and sheep.

12. Q: Why is goat farming common in both the north and southwest?
    A: Because goats can survive in different climates and are widely consumed.

13. Q: What are some challenges farmers face in distributing farm animals?
    A: Poor roads, climate changes, pests, and diseases.

14. Q: How do economic factors affect the distribution of farm animals?
    A: Areas with better markets and transportation tend to have more farm animals.

15. Q: What are some solutions to improve farm animal distribution in Nigeria?
    A: Better roads, veterinary services, improved breeding techniques, and better disease control.

Distribution of Farm Animals in Nigeria Evaluation Questions 

1. What is the meaning of farm animal distribution?
2. List five farm animals and their major producing states.
3. Mention three factors that affect the distribution of farm animals.
4. Why is pig farming uncommon in northern Nigeria?
5. Name three farm animals commonly reared in the south.
6. How does climate affect farm animal distribution?
7. What role does religion play in the distribution of farm animals?
8. What is trypanosomiasis, and how does it affect farm animals?
9. Why are poultry farms found in most major cities?
10. What is the effect of pasture availability on animal distribution?

This lesson plan provides a structured and comprehensive learning experience for students, ensuring they understand why farm animals are found in different parts of Nigeria.