AN EXCURSION REPORT

DONE AT
POMOLOGY AND AGRO SERVICES FARMS LIMITED
ODANBON, SURULERE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, OGBOMOSO, OYO
STATE

BY

ILUGBO Victoria Oriade

MATRIC NUMBER: 162826

SUBMITTED TO
THE DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

FACULTY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

LADOKE AKINTOLA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, OGBOMOSO,
OYO STATE, NIGERIA

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE

AWARD OF A BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY (B.TECH) DEGREE IN
AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

NOVEMBER, 2021.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page Title……………………………………………………………………1
Table of Contents……………………………………………………………2

CHAPTER 1:INTRODUCTION
1.1.1 Brief history of the establishment
1.2 Purpose of the excursion

CHAPTER 2: SPECIAL ACTIVITIES PERFORMED AT POMOLOGY AND AGRO

SERVICES FARMS LIMITED
2.1 Fish farming
2.1.1 Fertilizer application
2.1.2 Stocking
2.1.3 Common cultivars of catfish in Nigeria
2.1.4 Feed and feeding
2.1.5 Sorting
2.2.1 Pineapple orchard
2.2.2 Land preparation
2.2.3 Stripping
2.2.4 Planting pattern and spacing
2.2.5 Common cultivars of pineapple
2.2.6 Fertilizer application and method
2.2.7 Induction
2.2.8 Mulching
2.2.9 Disease control

CHAPTER 3: FACULTY LECTURE SERIES

CHAPTER 4:CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

4.1 Conclusion
4.2 Recommendation

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 CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Excursion is a field visit which simply means a trip made to an agricultural concern area,
like plantation of crops, animal unit or units etc. for practical demonstration. The trip gave us
opportunity to interact and relate with other people in the same profession to exchange ideas and
sharing experiences with one another.

1.1 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT

Pomology and Agro Services farms limited was established in 2016 and founded by Mr.
Sunday Olufemi who is a graduate of LAUTECH. The farm plants fruit crops which is branch of
agriculture called pomology. Pomology is a branch of horticulture which deals with the science and
practice of growing fruit crops. This farm is into pineapple production majorly. The farm sited on
25 acres of land and still increasing with pineapple planted on 90% of the land. The aim of the farm
is to increase food security of the nation and provide employment for the youth.

1.2 PURPOSE OF THE EXCURSION

 The purpose of the excursion is to enable the students add more practical knowledge and
experiences for better understanding of what to expect after graduation.
 To have a better knowledge and understanding of a particular crop or animal like pineapple,
among others.

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 CHAPTER TWO
2.0 SPECIAL ACTIVITIES PERFORMED AT POMOLOGY AND AGRO SERVICES
FARMS LIMITED

2.1 FISH FARMING

Fish farming is a major form of aquaculture. it is an act of raising fish for commercially
purposes. Fish can be raise in an earthen pond, tarpaulin, tanks, or concrete pond.In Nigeria, catfish
and tilapia are being raised commercially for sale and consumption.

Fig 1; An Earthen pond

As shown in the picture above, this farm is using earthen pond to rear their fish. After the
pond is dung, there’s a need for bagging to control and prevent erosion which can lead to the loss of
the fishes. Before stocking the fishes, the pond must be poisoned. Poisoning is done to kill the
organisms in the water. The chemical called phosposin is used to poison the water. The chemical
expires after 5 days of application but it can be left alone between 7-10 days for safety sake.

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Fig 2; An earthen pond with bagged soil to prevent and control erosion

2.1.1 FERTILIZER APPLICATION

The pond must be fertilized after poisoning to add nutrients to the pond. It can either be
done by organic method or inorganic method.
For the organic method, poultry droppings, cow or animal dung can be added to the water for 4-5
days. After which the water color will change to green color. The change in the color is an
indication that the pond has been fertilized. Inorganically, NPK fertilizer can be added into the
water.

2.1.2 STOCKING
Before stocking fish, liming should occur first by using potassium and manganese to prevent
rodent and some other predators. Before liming, both inlet and outlet should be blocked but the
pond must be drained and 2 weeks later we should observe the condition of the pond and drain it.
We should net the surface of the pond to prevent predators. There are two (2) types of net;

1. Gum net

2. Predator net

The net should be removed early in the morning because it is rubber to avoid expansion and when
untied the net wound or injury may occur as a result of this care must be taken when removing the
net.
2.1.3 COMMON SPECIES OF CATFISH
1. Clarias gariepinus
2. Hetero branchus
3. Hetero clarias

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2.1.4 FEED AND FEEDING
Feeding is one of the important aspects in any livestock production because it determines the
productivity of the animals. Two types of feed in fishery are;

1. Floating feed: this kind of feed float on the surface of the water and usually imported i.e.
foreign made
2. Sinking feed: this feed go down the pond and it is home made

The feeds are of vary sizes ranging from 0.2mm-5mm. Fingerlings feed on 0.2mm and they should
be fed little by little, when feeding little by little they will eat more dice. Foreign feed cost and it
contain some nutrients that local feed lacks. Feed must be able to stand for at least 10 minutes
before fading out.

2.1.5 SORTING
Sorting is the process of removing the shooters from the small fishes to prevent cannibalism.
Sorting is done between 3-5 weeks of stocking. The shooters are separate into another pond to
enable the small ones to grow.
The fishes can be harvested and sold when they reach preferable market size.

Fig 3; The instructor giving the lecture

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2.2 PINEAPPLE OCHARD
2.2.1 LAND PREPARATION
The botanical name of pineapple is Ananas comosus. Pineapples grow well on a well-
drained loamy soil or sand-loam soil. Water-logged area must be avoided because the pineapple
will not strive well in this type of land and this can also leads to poor and stunted growth of the
crop. The land can be prepared manually and mechanically through the use of farm implements. By
using mechanical method, first and second ploughing is done 8 days or a week interval.
The planting materials must be gotten from a reputable farm to avoid disease being transferred and
materials that will be suitable for planting. Planting materials can be suckers, slips, and crown. The
best planting material is the suckers which emerge at the base of the mother plant.

Fig 4; A pineapple sucker

2.2.2 STRIPPING
Tripping the process of removing the lower leaves at the root of the sucker in the root zone
to expose some diseases that might have been harbored at the root base. The sucker is then dip
inside a treated water solution of insecticide or fungicide. This prevents transportation and
spreading of diseases from the farm where it was procured to where it will be planted. Also, it
enables the sucker to germinate within 2 weeks after planting. Stripping is not suitable for
commercial production because of the suckers that are needed in large quantity.
After clearing and ploughing of the land, the suckers can be planted on ridges or flat land without
ridges.

2.2.3 PLANT SPACING

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  Single row system: - The pineapple sucker is planted on a single row with spacing of
40cm x 90cm.
 Double row system:- In this system, the pineapple is planted on a double rowing
opposite each other with spacing of 40cm x40cmx 90cm.
 Multiple row system:- The pineapple is planted on a multiple row opposite each
other with the spacing of 40cm x 40cm x 40cm x 90cm. Multiple row is good when
intercropping with other crops.

2.2.4 CULTIVARS OF PINEAPPLE

1. Smooth cayenne
2. Red Spanish
3. Sugar loaves
4. MD2

2.2.5 FERTILIZER APPLICATION

Fertilizer application is carried out a month after planting. By then, the suckers will have
been attached to the soil.
Fertilizer is a material or substance that can be added into the soil to improve soil fertility and
availability essential nutrient for the crop to grow and yield. Nitrogenous fertilizers i.e urea which
contains 46% nitrogen element is used.
In pineapple, top dressing or band placement method is being used.
In top dressing method, the fertilizer is applied evenly at the base of the plant after planting while in
band placement, the fertilizer is applied not close to the plant.

2.2.6 INDUCTION
Induction is the artificial way of forcing pineapple fruits to flower uniformly in order to
ensure maximum production. It is done 10-12 months after planting. Ethylene releasing chemicals
such as etephon,dilate, ethanol, and acetylene-releasing calcium carbide (CaC2), also iced block,
ordinary urea, and ethylene + urea at 1:1 can be used. Calcium carbide must be avoided because of
its dangerous and adverse effects on the final consumer. It also causes cancer and liver damage.
Induction allows uniform growth and maximum yield of pineapple. It will take 45 days after
inducing the pineapple before it will flower. After 4-5 months of flowering, the pineapple is ready
for harvesting.
The best period to apply the chemical is very early in the morning when the plant stomata. The
stomata open in the morning and closes in the evening.

2.2.7 MULCHING
Mulching is done during dry season to prevent and protect the fruit when the sun is hot. If this is not
properly done or not done at all, it might leads to great loss on the farm because the direct sunlight
will affect the fruits adversely.

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 Fig 5; Mulching in pineapple

2.2.8 DIESEASE CONTROL

The major disease of pineapple is mealybug and it can be prevented by planting diseased
resistant cultivars and also by using insecticide.
The pineapple can be harvested when the fruit turns yellow. The fruits can then be taking to
market for selling.
One of the advantages of pineapple is that it can use up to 5-6 years after planting if properly
managed under good conditions.

CHAPTER THREE
3.1 FACULTY LECTURE SERIES
The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences lecture series was titled Self-reliance and Its
Importance. Alhaji Adeyemi Murthada Adeniji, the Chief Executive Officer of Starlink Global
& Ideal Ltd was the speaker and he talked about how the company started from nothing to
become a leading and one of the best in the nation and in Africa. In specific, he implored the
students to have the following in their business pursuit which can help them become the best;

Integrity: He said integrity in the real deal behind successful people and businesses and
cannot be negotiated for anything. If a person must succeed in life, then he must be able to
take his stand and never compromise.
Relationship: Good relationship with people brings connection, you might be one
connection away from the path of success. He said we need other people to do our
businesses.

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A very good vision: A person must have the foresight of what he wants, where he is going,
and how to get there.
Entrepreneurial spirit: Ability to take risk
Commitment: Ability to continue going despite all odds. He said we must develop the
ability never to walk away from an agreement.
Never be afraid of embarrassment
In conclusion of the lecture, he said self-reliance is a sure key to success and happiness and
a Self-reliant person always depend on his energy, capacity, and hardwork.

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 CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

4.1 CONCLUSION
The excursion training programme is indeed an avenue for LAUTECH students to acquire
farm skills and experience in their course of study. It has not only exposed me to work method and
techniques in handling equipment and machinery that are not available in my institution but has also
provide me with an opportunity to apply my theoretical knowledge in real work situation. I have
really been prepared for the situation I might likely meet after my graduation.

4.2 RECOMMENDATION
The following are issues to be carefully considered in order to assist student undertaking the scheme
in future.

 The institution should be involved in the placement of student to organizations. This will
enable student to receive the required training which is related to his/her course of study.
 The organization of attachment should assist practically in the scheme by rotating the
students in the various department that may be available in the organization.
 Since the practical application of the theoretical experience are the best gained knowledge, it
will be of good advantages if the period of excursion is increased.

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