Exploring Agricultural Practices: Systems that Shape Our Farms Agricultural Science JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 8

Lesson Plan for Agricultural Science JSS 2

Subject: Agricultural Science
Class: JSS 2
Term: First Term
Week: 8
Age: 12-13 years
Topic: Agricultural Practices
Sub-topics:
I. Definition of Terms: Farming Systems (Mixed Farming, etc.)
II. Cropping Systems (Mono Cropping, Sole Cropping, Mixed Cropping, etc.)
III. Advantages and Disadvantages of Each System
Duration: 80 minutes

Behavioral Objectives

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

1. Define key terms related to farming and cropping systems.
2. Explain different farming and cropping systems.
3. Identify the advantages and disadvantages of each system.

Keywords

• Farming systems
• Mixed farming
• Mono cropping
• Sole cropping
• Mixed cropping
• Advantages
• Disadvantages

Set Induction

The teacher will begin by asking students what types of farming they are familiar with, guiding them to think about different methods used by farmers.

Entry Behavior

Students have prior knowledge of basic farming concepts and practices from earlier lessons.

Learning Resources

• Diagrams of different farming and cropping systems
• Charts showing advantages and disadvantages of each system
• Case studies of farms using various systems

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

This lesson connects to previous discussions on planting operations and crop management, expanding into broader farming and cropping strategies.

Embedded Core Skills

• Analytical thinking
• Comparison and contrast
• Group discussion

Learning Materials

• Agricultural Science textbooks
• Visual aids (charts, diagrams)
• Real-life examples of farming systems

Reference Books

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

Instructional Materials

• Charts illustrating farming and cropping systems
• Diagrams comparing advantages and disadvantages
• Case studies of different farming practices

Content

I. Definition of Terms

1. Farming Systems: The method and organization of agricultural production on a farm, including the type of crops grown and animals raised.
   • Mixed Farming: Involves growing crops and raising livestock on the same farm, maximizing land use and resources.
2. Cropping Systems: The arrangement and management of crops on a farm.
   • Mono Cropping: Growing a single crop species in a given area.
   • Sole Cropping: Similar to mono cropping; only one type of crop is cultivated in a specific area.
   • Mixed Cropping: Growing two or more different crops simultaneously in the same field.

II. Advantages and Disadvantages of Each System

1. Mixed Farming
   • Advantages:
     • Diversifies income sources.
     • Reduces risks of total crop failure.
     • Provides manure from livestock for crops.
   • Disadvantages:
     • Requires more management skills.
     • Higher initial investment and resources.
2. Mono Cropping
   • Advantages:
     • Simplified management and harvesting.
     • Higher yields for specific crops.
   • Disadvantages:
     • Increased vulnerability to pests and diseases.
     • Soil depletion due to lack of diversity.
3. Sole Cropping
   • Advantages:
     • Focused resource use on one crop.
     • Potentially higher profits for marketable crops.
   • Disadvantages:
     • Similar vulnerabilities as mono cropping.
     • Less resilience to market fluctuations.
4. Mixed Cropping
   • Advantages:
     • Maximizes land use efficiency.
     • Reduces weed competition and pest outbreaks.
   • Disadvantages:
     • Complex management and planning.
     • Possible competition for nutrients among crops.

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions (15)

1. ____ farming involves growing crops and raising livestock on the same farm (a) Mono, (b) Mixed, (c) Sole, (d) Organic).
2. Mono cropping means growing a ____ crop species in a given area (a) few, (b) different, (c) single, (d) all).
3. One advantage of mixed farming is that it diversifies ____ sources (a) labor, (b) water, (c) income, (d) fertilizer).
4. A disadvantage of mono cropping is increased vulnerability to ____ (a) machinery, (b) pests, (c) rain, (d) soil).
5. Mixed cropping helps maximize land use ____ (a) efficiency, (b) waste, (c) cost, (d) management).
6. Sole cropping focuses on one type of crop to maximize ____ (a) soil, (b) profit, (c) labor, (d) water).
7. Mixed cropping can reduce ____ competition among plants (a) nutrient, (b) light, (c) space, (d) water).
8. Mono cropping simplifies management and ____ (a) planning, (b) watering, (c) harvesting, (d) planting).
9. Mixed farming requires more management ____ (a) money, (b) skills, (c) land, (d) time).
10. One disadvantage of mixed cropping is that it can be ____ to manage (a) easy, (b) difficult, (c) simple, (d) fun).
11. The practice of growing two or more different crops simultaneously is called ____ cropping (a) sole, (b) mono, (c) mixed, (d) organic).
12. One benefit of mixed farming is that it reduces risks of total crop ____ (a) growth, (b) planting, (c) failure, (d) harvesting).
13. Soil depletion is a disadvantage of ____ cropping (a) mixed, (b) sole, (c) organic, (d) mono).
14. Growing a single crop can lead to increased ____ for that crop (a) yield, (b) variety, (c) price, (d) risk).
15. Diversification in farming systems can lead to better financial ____ (a) loss, (b) planning, (c) management, (d) stability).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a farming system?
   A farming system is the organization of agricultural production, including crops and livestock.
2. What is mixed farming?
   Mixed farming combines crop cultivation and livestock rearing on the same farm.
3. What are the benefits of mono cropping?
   Mono cropping allows for higher yields for specific crops and simplified management.
4. What is mixed cropping?
   Mixed cropping involves growing multiple crops in the same area to maximize land use.
5. What is a disadvantage of sole cropping?
   Sole cropping can lead to increased vulnerability to market changes and crop diseases.
6. Why is soil depletion a concern?
   Soil depletion occurs due to repeated planting of the same crop, leading to nutrient loss.
7. How does mixed farming reduce risks?
   By diversifying income sources, mixed farming minimizes the impact of crop failure.
8. What are the main types of cropping systems?
   The main types include mono cropping, sole cropping, and mixed cropping.
9. How can mixed cropping benefit pest management?
   Growing different crops can reduce pest outbreaks by disrupting their habitat.
10. What factors should farmers consider when choosing a farming system?
    Farmers should consider resources, market demand, soil type, and climate conditions.

Presentation

1. Step 1: Review previous concepts related to planting operations.
2. Step 2: Define farming systems and discuss mixed farming.
3. Step 3: Explain cropping systems, emphasizing the differences between mono, sole, and mixed cropping.
4. Step 4: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each system using visual aids.
5. Step 5: Engage students in discussions about their experiences and preferences regarding farming systems.

Teacher’s Activities

• Introduce the key terms and definitions.
• Facilitate group discussions on the advantages and disadvantages of each system.
• Use visual aids to enhance understanding.
• Encourage students to share personal experiences related to farming.

Learners’ Activities

• Participate in discussions and ask questions.
• Work in groups to list advantages and disadvantages of different systems.
• Engage with visual aids and contribute to class discussions.

Assessment

• Monitor group discussions for understanding.
• Ask students to summarize what they learned about each system.
• Use fill-in-the-blank questions to assess knowledge retention.

Evaluation Questions

1. Define mixed farming.
2. List two advantages of mono cropping.
3. What are the disadvantages of mixed cropping?
4. Explain the concept of sole cropping.
5. Why is crop diversity important in farming?
6. What is a major disadvantage of mono cropping?
7. Describe one benefit of mixed farming.
8. What challenges might a farmer face with sole cropping?
9. How does mixed cropping help with pest management?
10. Why is soil health important in agricultural practices?

Conclusion

• Review the main points covered in the lesson.
• Encourage students to think about which farming system they believe is most effective and why.
• Collect any written work for assessment and provide feedback.

More Useful Links

• Revision of JSS 1 Work Agricultural Science JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 1
• Sitting of Farm and Layout of Farm Structures Agricultural Science JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 3
• Post-Planting Success: Fertilizer, Harvesting, and Beyond Agricultural Science JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 6