Agricultural Science Primary 5 Second Term Lesson Notes

Week 3: Effects of Weeds on Farmers

Subject: Agricultural Science

Class: Primary 5
Term: Second Term
Week: 3
Age: 9–10 years
Topic: Effects of Weeds on Farmers

Sub-Topic: Identifying Effects of Weeds and Suggesting Solutions

Duration: 40 Minutes

Behavioral Objectives

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

1. Identify the effects of weeds on crops and farmers.
2. Suggest possible solutions to weed problems.

Keywords: Weeds, effects, farmers, crops, solutions

Set Induction

The teacher displays pictures showing farms with heavy weed growth and those with minimal or no weeds. Pupils are asked to compare the two scenarios and discuss their observations.

Entry Behavior

Pupils know what weeds are and can identify common farm weeds from the previous lesson.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Pictures of weed-infested farms and healthy farms
• Charts showing effects of weeds
• Flashcards with suggested solutions

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

Pupils learned about weeds and their characteristics in the previous lesson. This lesson builds on that knowledge by exploring the negative impact of weeds and ways to control them.

Embedded Core Skills

• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Communication

Content

Effects of Weeds on Crops and Farmers

1. Reduced Crop Yield
   • Weeds compete with crops for sunlight, water, and nutrients.
   • This leads to poor growth and lower harvests.
2. Increased Farming Costs
   • Farmers spend more money on labor, tools, and herbicides to control weeds.
3. Harboring of Pests and Diseases
   • Weeds provide shelter for harmful pests and diseases that can damage crops.
4. Poor Quality of Crops
   • Crops growing among weeds may be smaller or less healthy.
5. Difficulty in Harvesting
   • Thick weed growth can make it hard to access crops for harvesting.
6. Health Risks to Farmers
   • Manual weeding may cause back pain or injuries, while improper herbicide use can harm the farmer’s health.

Possible Solutions to Weed Problems

1. Manual Control
   • Use tools like hoes or cutlasses to remove weeds by hand.
2. Chemical Control
   • Apply herbicides to kill weeds.
3. Cultural Practices
   • Use methods like mulching and crop rotation to reduce weed growth.
4. Regular Weeding
   • Remove weeds regularly before they grow too much.
5. Planting Cover Crops
   • Cover crops like beans and groundnuts prevent weeds from growing.

Evaluation

Fill-in-the-blank Questions
Choose the correct option (a, b, c, or d).

1. Weeds reduce crop ____.
   a. yield
   b. price
   c. flavor
   d. height
   Answer: a
2. One solution to weed problems is ____.
   a. planting weeds
   b. removing crops
   c. using herbicides
   d. storing weeds
   Answer: c
3. Weeds harbor ____.
   a. pests and diseases
   b. good seeds
   c. healthy fruits
   d. clean water
   Answer: a
4. The manual method of controlling weeds requires ____.
   a. herbicides
   b. machines
   c. tools like hoes
   d. chemicals
   Answer: c
5. Planting cover crops helps to ____.
   a. attract pests
   b. reduce weed growth
   c. grow more weeds
   d. increase soil erosion
   Answer: b

Class Activity Discussion (FAQs)

Q1: How do weeds affect crop yield?
A1: Weeds compete with crops for water, sunlight, and nutrients, leading to reduced yields.

Q2: Why do farmers spend more money because of weeds?
A2: Farmers need to buy tools, pay laborers, or purchase herbicides to control weeds.

Q3: How can weeds cause health risks to farmers?
A3: Manual weeding can lead to back pain, and improper herbicide use can harm the farmer’s health.

Q4: What is mulching?
A4: Mulching is covering the soil with leaves, straw, or plastic to reduce weed growth.

Q5: Mention two ways to control weeds.
A5: Manual control and chemical control.

Presentation Steps

1. Teacher’s Activities:
   • Explain the effects of weeds on crops and farmers.
   • Demonstrate how to control weeds using tools and pictures.
   • Lead a discussion on the best ways to reduce weed problems.
2. Learners’ Activities:
   • Identify effects of weeds from pictures and discussions.
   • Suggest solutions to weed problems.
   • Participate in the class activity and answer questions.

Assessment

Short-answer Questions

1. How do weeds reduce crop yield?
2. List two effects of weeds on farmers.
3. What is herbicide?
4. Mention one health risk of manual weeding.
5. Give two solutions to weed problems.

Conclusion

The teacher summarizes the lesson by reviewing the effects of weeds on farmers and crops. Pupils are reminded to suggest possible solutions to weed problems during the next farming activity or project.