Pre-Planting Operations in Farming Agricultural Science JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 4

Lesson Plan for Agricultural Science JSS 2

Subject: Agricultural Science
Class: JSS 2
Term: First Term
Week: 4
Age: 12-13 years
Topic: Cultural Practices
Sub-topics:
I. Definition of Cultural Practices
II. Explanation of Pre-Planting Operations – Harrowing, Ploughing, Ridging, etc.
Duration: 80 minutes

Behavioral Objectives

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

1. Define cultural practices in agriculture.
2. Identify and explain different pre-planting operations such as harrowing, ploughing, and ridging.
3. Understand the importance of pre-planting operations for soil preparation and crop yield.

Keywords

• Cultural practices
• Pre-planting operations
• Harrowing
• Ploughing
• Ridging

Set Induction

The teacher will show a short video clip or pictures of farmers preparing land for planting and ask students to describe what they see. This will lead into a discussion on cultural practices and pre-planting operations.

Entry Behavior

Students have some knowledge of farming practices from their environment or family farms and may have seen farmers preparing land for planting.

Learning Resources

• Video clips or pictures showing land preparation methods
• A ploughing tool or ridging tool model
• A chart listing pre-planting operations

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

The teacher will relate the lesson to the students’ understanding of farm structures and how cultural practices help maintain farm productivity. This lesson will emphasize the importance of preparing the soil properly before planting crops.

Embedded Core Skills

• Critical thinking
• Observation
• Problem-solving

Learning Materials

• Lagos State Scheme of Work for Agricultural Science JSS 2
• Agricultural Science textbook for Junior Secondary Schools by O. Adeniyi

Reference Books

• Lagos State Scheme of Work for Agricultural Science JSS 2
• Agricultural Science for Junior Secondary Schools by O. Adeniyi

Instructional Materials

• Video or picture slides of farm operations such as ploughing and harrowing
• Models or images of farming equipment used for pre-planting operations (plough, harrow, ridger)

Content

I. Definition of Cultural Practices

Cultural practices are the various farming operations carried out on the farm to ensure successful crop growth. These practices include all activities that are done on the farm before, during, and after planting to promote good crop yield. They can be classified into:

1. Pre-planting operations
2. Planting operations
3. Post-planting operations

II. Pre-Planting Operations

Pre-planting operations are activities carried out before seeds are sown in the soil to prepare the land for planting. These operations include:

1. Ploughing
   • Ploughing is the first operation carried out on the farm. It involves turning over the soil using a plough, either manually or mechanically.
   • Importance:
     • It loosens the soil, allowing air and water to penetrate deeper into the ground.
     • It helps to remove weeds and exposes pests to the surface.
     • It enhances soil fertility by bringing nutrients to the surface.
2. Harrowing
   • After ploughing, harrowing is done to break up clods of soil and level the land. A harrow, which is a farming tool, is used for this operation.
   • Importance:
     • It creates a fine soil surface for easy planting.
     • It removes smaller weeds and improves soil texture.
     • It helps to distribute organic matter evenly in the soil.
3. Ridging
   • Ridging involves creating raised rows of soil (ridges) where crops will be planted. It is usually done after harrowing.
   • Importance:
     • It improves drainage, preventing waterlogging.
     • It helps to control soil erosion.
     • It allows for proper root development of crops like yam and cassava.
4. Fertilizer Application (Optional)
   • Fertilizers can be added to the soil during land preparation to enhance soil fertility before planting.

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions (15)

1. Cultural practices are farming activities that help improve ____ (a) harvest, (b) storage, (c) crop yield, (d) irrigation).
2. Ploughing helps to ____ the soil for planting (a) break, (b) harden, (c) loosen, (d) water).
3. Harrowing is done after ____ (a) planting, (b) ploughing, (c) weeding, (d) ridging).
4. The purpose of ridging is to improve soil ____ (a) drainage, (b) fertility, (c) structure, (d) color).
5. Pre-planting operations help prepare the land for ____ (a) watering, (b) building, (c) planting, (d) harvesting).
6. The tool used for harrowing is called a ____ (a) shovel, (b) plough, (c) harrow, (d) spade).
7. Fertilizer can be applied during ____ operations (a) planting, (b) pre-planting, (c) post-planting, (d) post-harvest).
8. Ploughing helps expose ____ to the surface, improving soil fertility (a) stones, (b) nutrients, (c) seeds, (d) crops).
9. Ridging helps to control soil ____ (a) erosion, (b) temperature, (c) hardness, (d) pests).
10. Harrowing creates a ____ soil surface for planting (a) hard, (b) rough, (c) fine, (d) wet).
11. The process of turning over the soil before planting is called ____ (a) ridging, (b) harrowing, (c) ploughing, (d) weeding).
12. Ploughing can be done using ____ tools or machines (a) manual, (b) automatic, (c) electronic, (d) irrigation).
13. Harrowing helps to improve soil ____ (a) heat, (b) texture, (c) depth, (d) moisture).
14. Fertilizer application helps improve soil ____ (a) texture, (b) fertility, (c) heat, (d) structure).
15. Ridging is important for crops like ____ (a) maize, (b) yam, (c) lettuce, (d) tomatoes).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are cultural practices in farming?
   Cultural practices are activities carried out on the farm to promote successful crop production.
2. Why is ploughing important?
   Ploughing loosens the soil, helps in removing weeds, and improves soil fertility.
3. What is harrowing?
   Harrowing is the process of breaking up large clods of soil and leveling the field after ploughing.
4. Why do farmers ridge the soil?
   Ridging helps improve drainage, prevents waterlogging, and promotes proper root growth for crops.
5. What tools are used for ploughing?
   Ploughs are used for ploughing, and they can be operated manually or by machines.
6. When should fertilizer be applied?
   Fertilizer can be applied during pre-planting to improve soil fertility.
7. How does harrowing benefit the soil?
   Harrowing creates a smooth surface for planting and removes smaller weeds.
8. Which crops benefit from ridging?
   Crops like yam and cassava benefit from ridging as it helps their roots grow properly.
9. What happens if pre-planting operations are not done?
   Without pre-planting operations, the soil may not be ready for planting, leading to poor crop growth and yield.
10. How do cultural practices impact crop yield?
    Cultural practices ensure that the soil is prepared and managed properly, which leads to better crop yields.

Presentation

1. Step 1: Revising the previous lesson on farm structures and their importance.
2. Step 2: Introducing the definition of cultural practices and their importance in farming.
3. Step 3: Explaining pre-planting operations such as ploughing, harrowing, and ridging in detail.
4. Step 4: Discussing how these practices help in preparing the soil for planting and enhancing crop productivity.
5. Step 5: Demonstrating the use of farming tools like the plough and harrow through pictures or models.

Teacher’s Activities

• Define cultural practices and explain the different types.
• Demonstrate the use of tools like ploughs and harrows using models or diagrams.
• Guide students in understanding the importance of each pre-planting operation through practical examples.

Learners’ Activities

• Listen attentively to the teacher’s explanations and ask questions for clarification.
• Participate in class discussions about the importance of pre-planting operations.
• Analyze pictures or videos of land preparation and identify the operations being carried out.

Assessment

• Define cultural practices and list the types of pre-planting operations.
• Explain the importance of ploughing, harrowing, and ridging in crop production.
• Describe how these operations affect the soil and crop growth.

Evaluation Questions

1. What are cultural practices in agriculture?
2. List two pre-planting operations and explain their importance.
3. What is the purpose of ridging?
4. Why is ploughing necessary before planting?
5. How does harrowing improve soil quality?
6. What happens if the land is not ploughed before planting?
7. What is the role of fertilizer in pre-planting operations?
8. Name one tool used for ploughing.
9. Why is soil drainage important in pre-planting?
10. What kind of crops require ridging?

Conclusion

• Mark students’ work and provide feedback.
• Summarize the lesson by asking students to mention one key pre-planting operation and its importance.

More Useful Links

• TYPES OF AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES IN THE LOCALITIES