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
- Cereals – rice, maize, millet, corn
- Legumes – beans, cowpea, soya beans
- 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.
