HOW TO RAISE CROPS LIKE LEGUMES

Subject : 

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

Term :

SECOND TERM

Week:

WEEK 2

Class :

Primary 5

Topic :

HOW TO RAISE CROPS

Previous lesson: 

The pupils have previous knowledge of

Classification of farm animals based on their mode of breeding

that was taught as a topic in the previous lesson

Behavioural objectives :

At the end of the lesson, the pupils should be able to

• Say how to raise crops

Instructional Materials:

• Wall charts
• Pictures
• Related Online Video
• Flash Cards

Methods of Teaching:

• Class Discussion
• Group Discussion
• Asking Questions
• Explanation
• Role Modelling
• Role Delegation

Reference Materials:

• Scheme of Work
• Online Information
• Textbooks
• Workbooks
• 9 Year Basic Education Curriculum
• Workbooks

Content:

HOW TO RAISE CROPS :Crops are plants that are cultivated by Farmers either for sales of for consumption. These crops may be field crops, cash crops or food crops

EXAMPLES OF FIELD CROPS

1. Cereals – rice, maize, millet, corn
2. Legumes – beans, cowpea, soya beans
3. Tubers – examples are yam/cassava

PROCEDURE FOR RAISING FIELD CROPS

Examples of legumes that are commonly grown in Nigeria are cowpeas, soya beans, bambara nuts and groundnuts. Legumes are generally rich in protein. Groundnut is also rich in fat and oil. Legume crops grow well on sandy loam soil and under an average rainfall of 500 –1 000 ml.

Land clearing :  Already existing vegetation is cleared off the land in preparation for the planting of the legumes . The grass is packed and burnt. The land has to be cleared of bush either by tractor or by human labor. After clearing, it is better to leave the dead leaves, stems and roots to decay on the soil. Do not burn the remains of the plants so as not to destroy the soil.

Planting

Legumes are planted on ridges or flats. Only good seeds are selected for sowing. This is carried out at the beginning of the rainy season.WeedingThe first weeding is done with hoes about three weeks after germination. A second or third weeding may be done by hand picking.Tilling and stumping

Ploughing and Stumping : The soil is plough and stumps are removed. Ploughing is the turning up and mixture of the top soil with the other layers of soil. Stumping deals with the removal of the leftover of tree parts that are still remaining in the soil. Stumps are uprooted and packed away Land for growing legume crops requires light tillage. Animal traction maybe used for making ridges. Tractors or hoes May also be used.

Ridges and Mounds Making

This is done by heaping to soil into a row. Ridging is good for better crop yield. Ridging soften the soil. It brings nutrients closer to the plant roots.

Fertilizer application

In the cultivation of legumes, fertilizer is usually not applied. However, where necessary, fertilizer is applied after the first weeding is done, that is, about three weeks after germination. Fertilizer may be applied in ring form or in holes.

Harvesting

It is the pods which legumes produce that are harvested. Harvesting is done when the pods are mature and dry. Harvested pods are sundried and shelled to release the seeds.

Processing and Preservation

Shelled or threshed legume seeds are separated from the pods by winnowing. The seeds are dried again in the sun to reduce the moisture content. They are then packed in metal or plastic containers or in jute bags. They are also treated with chemical to prevent weevil attack.

Presentation

The topic is presented step by step

Step 1:

The class teacher revises the previous topics

Step 2.

He introduces the new topic

Step 3:

The class teacher allows the pupils to give their own examples and he corrects them when the needs arise

Evaluation

Discuss the producing of legumes under the following headings

1. Bush clearing

2. Stumping

3.. Ploughing

4. Harvesting

5. Preservation

Conclusion

The class teacher wraps up or concludes the lesson by giving out short notes to summarize the topic that he or she has just taught.

The class teacher also goes round to make sure that the notes are well copied or well written by the pupils.

He or she does the necessary corrections when and where the needs arise.