THIRD TERM SCHEME OF WORK

1. FARM MACHINERY AND IMPLEMENT

2. FARM BUILDING AND STRUCTURE

3. FISH AND FISHERIES: MEANING, CLASSIFICATION, WAYS OF HARVESTING

AND PRESERVING FISHES.

4. AGRICULTURAL MARKETING AND CHANNEL

5. EXPORT PROMOTIONS IN AGRICULTURE

6. ROLES OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT.

7. ROLES OF GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES IN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT.

8. ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT THROUGH AGRICULTURE.

9. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN AGRICULTURE

10. REVISION

11. EXAMINATION
 FARM MACHINERY AND IMPLEMENT
CONTENT:

1. Farm machinery- Tractor, Bulldozer, Sheller, Dryers, Incubators.

2. Tractor- coupled implements: Plough, Harrow, Ridgers, Planters, Harvesters, Sprayer.

SUB TOPIC 1: FARM MACHINERY:

Farm machinery refers to complex machine and implement used for carrying out farming operations.
Examples includes: Tractors, Bulldozer, Sheller, Dryer and Incubator. The most important implement or
machines in the farm, which is used for operating many farm implements is the Tractor.
These farm machines and implement can be classified into three groups based on source and generation
of power as follows:

(a) Primary Machines: These are the machines that can supply power to other machines and implement
for their farming operations. An example is the Tractor.
(b) Secondary Machines: These are tractors coupled or mounted machinery or implement used for
different operations. Examples are Ploughs, harrows, ridgers, planters, harvesters, and sprayers.
(c) Intermediate Machines: These are powered by a tractor, electricity, or an electric generating set.
Examples include grinding machines, incubators.

Examples of this Farm Machinery are:

1. Tractor: It is a powerful multi-purpose farm machine capable of using its power to perform various
farm operations. A draw bar attached to the tractor is used in coupling other farm implement to it.
Tractors are of different types:

 Two-wheeled tractor: - These are tractors with two wheels, used on small farms and in vegetable
gardens. They are operated by a man walking behind them and used mainly for light cultivation.
 General – purpose tractor: - This is the most common type of tractor. It has power rating of
between 30 to 60 horse powers.
 Heavy – wheeled tractors: - These are large tractors with rubbers tyres used for heavy work on the
farm such as falling of big trees and stumping power rating.
 Track laying Tractors: - These tractors are sometimes called crawler or bulldozer. They differ from
the heavy wheeled tractors in that they move on tracks instead of rubber tyres. They can be used for
cleaning very thick bush and falling of trees when equipped with a heavy steel blade.

TRACTORS DESCRIPTION

 The tractor is a powerful and expensive multi-purpose motor vehicle used for lifting or pulling
farm implements
 It is equipped with a governor system
 It has a power take off(P.T.O) shaft used in drawing farm implements like ploughs, harrows,
harvesters, planters, etc
 It has hydraulic control system which lifts mounted implements under the control of the
operator
 It consists of an internal combustion engine which uses diesel or petrol without spark plugs.
 It has four wheels with rubber tyres.
 Popular brands or models of tractors are: David brown, Massey Ferguson, Ford and Fiat.
USES OF A TRACTOR

 A tractor is used to pull farm implements like ploughs, harrows, ridgers for land cultivation.
 It is used for transporting farm inputs such as chemicals, fertilizers, manure and farm out puts
when coupled with a trailer.
 It can also be used to transport workers within the farm.
 It can be used to apply herbicides, pesticides and plant seeds.
 It can also be used to operate a grinder thresher or pump.
 It can be connected to an electric motor to generate electricity.

2. Bulldozer: This is a very powerful machine that has an internal combustion engine powered in diesel
oil. It has a broad steel blade in front to raise vegetation and other obstacles. It moves on track
wheels.

BULLDOZERS DESCRIPTION
 Bulldozers are powerful tractors and expensive machines with a broad steel blade or shealt at
the front
 It has track-type metal plate use fpr its movement
 It consist of internal combustion engine which uses diesel or petrol
 The bulldozers which has track metal chains moves by the aid of driven sprockets, track rollers
and idler rollers

USES

 It is used for falling big trees

 It is used for stumping
 It can be used for leveling and moving of the earth on the farm.
 It can be used on the farm to construct fish pond.
 Bulldozer is used in road construction, irrigation and drainage channels.

Disadvantages of using bulldozer for land preparation

 it destroy soil structure

 it lead to reduction of soil fertility
 it causes compaction of the soil
 it can cause air and noise pollution
 the bulldozer is an expensive machine that cannot be afforded by peasant farmers
 it can cause soil erosion and water logging

3. Sheller’s: These are equipment fabricated for removing grains from their cobs or pods at a fast rate.
They can be operated manually, mechanically or with electricity. They can be spring or cylinder
shape.

USES OF SHELLER

(a) They separate grains from cobs or pods.

(b) They can be used to remove hard outer covering of nuts as in groundnuts.
(c) It can be used for maize, rice, walnut, coconut and palm kennel.
4. Incubators: This is equipment used by farmers to provide necessary condition to fertilized eggs for
hatching. It is electrically. The incubators may be in form of table incubators or cabinet incubators.

Components of Incubators include:

 Turner which turns eggs at an hour interval.

 Trolleys or trays for setting eggs.
 Thermostat for temperature regulation. The temperature is usually maintained between 37.5 OC and
39.5 OC.
 Setter – the platform where the eggs stay from the 1 st to 18th day of incubation.
 Hatcher – the platform where the eggs stay from the 19 th to 20th day of incubation.
 Hygrometer to regulate humidity which is usually set at 60%.
 Alarms – which alert someone if there is a deviation in the temperature and relative humidity and to
indicate end of incubation.
 Fan/vent – for ventilation.
 Heater eg. Lantern, heater or electric heater. It supplies heat.
 Thermometer : to detect the degree of hotness or coldness of the machine
 Insulator : to prevent heat loss
 Egg tray: it is used in filling eggs i.e eggs are arranged in it.

5. Dryer: this an electrically operated machine used in drying agricultural products such as tobacco
leaves, tanning of leather fruits and grain crops. dryers pump in hot air or heated air which absorbs
the moisture in the products to be dried
6. Milking Machine: This is equipment for milking or extracting fresh milk from the udder of dairy
animals like cow nanny goats, and sheep.

ASSIGNMENT 1
i. Mention five examples of farm machinery
ii. Mention four types of tractor
iii. State four uses of a tractor
iv. State four uses of bulldozer
v. List five major parts of an incubator.

SUB TOPIC 2: TRACTOR COUPLED IMPLEMENTS

Tractor coupled implements are the implement that are usually attracted to the tractor in order to
effectively carry out farm operations. These include:

1. Plough: -This is a primary tillage or soil cultivation implement used in land preparation. There are
two types of plough
(a) Mould board plough (b) Disc plough
 Mould board plough consists of mould board, share and land slide. It is used in the temperate
region where the soil is free of rocks, stones and tough plant roots and where the soil is soft.
(b) Disc plough: This is made up of a beam, furrow wheel, disc, scraper, disc standard, etc. It is used in
the tropics where the soil is tough and sticky and there is the presence of stones, rocks and stumps.
 2. Harrow: This is a secondary tillage implement which is used immediately after ploughing. They are
used to break soil clods into fine tilt and to drag roots and big stones out of the ground. There are
different types of harrow. They include:
(a) Disc harrow: -This consists of sets of concave disc. The discs are smaller, move in row and spaced
closer unlike disc plough. The most common disc is the tandem discs in which the discs are dragged in
four gaps.
(b) Spike tooth harrow: - This consists of rigid times which are curved and made of spring steel that
absorbs shock. When the shear comes in contact with a stump this type is useful in rocky or stumpy
soil.
(c) Chain harrow: It comprises of a flexible chain link mat that is pulled behind the tractor. It is useful for
weed collection and manure mixing.
3. Ridger: This consists of two sets of opposed single discs mounted on a frame. Two discs in each set
make two full ridges while the remaining disc makes half a ridge. There are two types:
(a) Disc ridger (b) mould board ridger

Ridger is used to make ridges. It improves soil aeration and water percolation.

4. Planters: -These are implements designed for planting of seeds. They are so designed to measure
planting distance and depth. There are different types of planter. They include:
 Broadcasting Planter scatters the seed about the field randomly. It is used for planting crops like
rice, millet, vegetable seeds.
 Drilling Planter: - This put the correct number of seed into the soil at the required depth and spacing
between rows.
 Precision Planter: -This places the correct number of seeds in a hole, taking into consideration the
spacing between and within rows and the planting depth.

5. Harvesters: -These are machines used for harvesting various crops like grasses, maize, rice sorghum
and soya bean. The different types of harvesters are:
(a) Mower: - This is usually mounted on a tractor. It is designed to harvest hay and chop grasses from
the lawn.
(b) Forage harvester: - This is designed for cutting grasses and chop them either to feed the animals
directly or to prepare silage and hay.
(c) Combine harvester: - This is a large machine used for harvesting and threshing of grain crops. It also
helps to separate grains from chaffs. It is used for harvesting crops like maize, sorghum, rice, and
wheat.
(d) Corn Picker: - This is designed to cut off only the mature maize cob or ear within row.
(e) Root crop harvesters: - These are machines used for harvesting root crops like Irish Potato, sweet
potatoes, cassava, sugar beet etc.

6. Sprayer: - This is a machine designed for the spraying of agro-chemicals on the farm. There are
different types of sprayer:
(a) Knapsack sprayer
(b) Tractor-mounted sprayer
(c) Helicopter mounted sprayer.
(d) Boom Sprayer
Sprayers are used to spray herbicides for controlling weeds. They are also used to spray insecticide or
pesticide to eradicate pests. They can equally be used to spray disinfectants on livestock.
 ASSIGNMENT 2
1. Briefly state the uses of the following machinery on the farm (a) Incubator (b) Sheller (c) Milking
machine.
2. State four tractors coupled implement and discuss the use of the implements.
3. State four reasons why disc plough is more commonly used than mould board plough in West
Africa.

MAINTENANCE PRACTICES AND PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES

CONTENT:

1. Reasons for maintaining farm machine.

2. Maintenance of farm machinery

SUB TOPIC 1: REASONS FOR MAINTANING FARM MACHINE

The reasons for maintenance practice are as follows:

1. To ensure maximum or efficient use of farm machine

2. To keep the machines in a good working condition.
3. To increase their useful life or life span
4. To prevent them from becoming obsolete or from deteriorating
5. To detect or spot the potential machine failure and safety from hazards
6. To prevent vibrations that can produce irritating noise on the farm.
7. Checking oil and water levels regularly prevents any overheating or seizure of the engine.
8. Maintenance of farm machines at times reduces cost, that is, the cost of purchasing new ones
may be high.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE OF FARM MACHINERY

The following maintenance practices or operations can be carried out on farm machinery.

1. Keep the machine clean by removing all trash or mud and excess grease oil from machines at
the start or at the end of operation.
2. Adhere strictly to manual or manufacturer’s instruction
3. Always use the machine or the implements for the operation for which it was designed.
4. Employ a competent and experienced operator and technicians to handle the machines.
5. Store machines and implement in a cool and dry place, usually under shade.
6. Regularly service the machines.
7. Check water and oil levels of machines regularly where applicable to ensure that they are at
their normal levels to prevent any overheating or seizure.
8. Check hydraulic system where applicable before operation
9. Ensure complete implement before setting out for work.
10. Ensure that nuts, bolts, screws, or shield are checked and tightened at regular intervals.
11. Worn out tyres, nuts screws, or shield and other parts of the machine should be replaced.
12. Moving parts or joints of farm machines should be oil or greased regularly.
13. Sharpen the blades and repair broken blades where applicable.
14. Do not overload the machines, i.e, operate at appropriate speed for field operations and avoid
using it under conditions that are not favorable.
15. Check electrical system where applicable.
.
 ROLES OF GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES IN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
In the past agriculture used to be the main stay of Nigeria economy but when petroleum was discovered
agriculture was neglected, food production became relatively low and a lot of money was spent
importing food from overseas.

To safe guard the situation and solve the numerous problems which resulted in the poor
development of agriculture, the government has to play an important role in the development of
agriculture.
The role of the government in agricultural production is broadly given as these two major roles:
 To set up good and functioning policies
 To formulate good and functioning programmes

1. To set up good and functioning policies: A policy is a set of rules set up by the
ministry/government towards achieving a goal. polices sometimes changes as government
changes, but the basic objectives of a good policy may include the following:
 To provide both qualitative and quantitative food
 To produce animals and plants that is rich in protein and at a minimum cost for both rich and poor in
the society.
 To increase the supply of animals and plants that can attain market weight in the shortest possible
time
 To develop local agro-based industries that will employ the citizen as well as provide finished
products.
 To increase the supply of local raw materials like timber, cotton, groundnut, gum Arabic etc.
 To produce plants and animals for export purpose.
 To regulate the influx of foreign agricultural products so as not kill agro-based industries in the
country.
 Mechanizing farming for increased output and income for farmers.

2. To formulate good and functioning programme: Agricultural programmes are drawn by the
government or its agencies at the ministry of agriculture. Some of the programmes are:

i. PROVISION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: The government through its various agencies has helped in
the provision of financial assistance to farmers in form of loans and subsidies. Such agencies include:
N. A. C.B: Nigerian Agricultural and Co-operative bank.
A. C. G. S: Agricultural Credit Guarantee scheme.
N. D. E: National Directorate of Employment.
All these were established to give loans to farmers. The government also directs commercial banks to
give loans to farmer in order to boost the production. The government can also assist farmers in form of
credit or subsidies.
AGRICULTURAL CREDITS: This is a refundable loan given to a farmer with the aim that the farmer will
repay it after a specified period of time.
AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES: These are non-refundable aids granted to a farmer. Subsidies are given to
farmers in cash or in kind without the intention of paying back, examples of agricultural subsidies
include: Reduction in price of inputs such as fertilizers, improved seeds chemicals etc.
The government in providing agricultural subsidies is to raise the standard of living of the
farmers so as to meet the other sectors of the economy. To also help in keeping down the consumer
price of agricultural produce. It also encourages farmers to increase their production.
ii. AGRICULTURAL REGULATIONS: These are the rules made by the government to control
agricultural activities. They vary from to place. For example it is illegal to fell trees, set fire on savannah
lands, or hunt in government reserves. It is also criminal to use chemicals to kill fish.
iii. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION: Adult literacy programmes in the rural area to educate our
farmers so that the farmers will be able to appreciate modern method of farming. The teaching of
agricultural science is encouraged in government primary and secondary schools.
Government establishes university of agriculture to enhance the teaching of agriculture.
All our tertiary institutions such as colleges of education, polytechnics and universities have department
that trains students and make researches.

OTHER AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMMES INCLUDES:

(a) Agricultural loan scheme
(b) River basin development
(c) Cocoa rehabilitation scheme
(d) Farm settlement scheme
(e) Operation feed the nation
(f) Green revolution
(g) Agricultural development project ( ADP)
(h) Fertilizer production scheme
(i) National agricultural land development ( NALDA)
(j) Directorate for food road and rural infrastructure ( DFFRI)
(k) National accelerated industrial crop production (NAICPS)
(l) National accelerated food production programme ( NAFPP)
(m) Agro service centre
(n) Farm settlement scheme
(o) Co-operative farming

iv. PROVISION OF RESEARCH WORK: The government also set up numerous research institutes to
provide solution to the problems of local crops and animals so as to increase production.
Examples of research institutes established by government include.
(a) National cereals research institute (NCRI) Badagri.
(b) Cocoa research institute of Nigeria (CRIN) Ibadan.
(c) Nigeria institute for oil palm research (NIFOR) Benin.
(d) National institute of tripanosomiasis(NITR).
(e) National horticultural research institute (NIHORT) Ibadan.
(f) Rubber research institute of Nigeria (RRIN).
(g) National root crop research institute (NRCRI) Umudike.
(h) Forest research institute of Nigeria (FRIN) Ibadan.
(i) National veterinary research institute of Nigeria ( NVRI) VOM
(j) International institute of tropical agriculture (IITA) Ibadan.
(k) Lake chard research of Nigeria Zaria.

v. PROVISION OF FARM INPUT: Farm inputs like chemicals, farm tools and implements, fertilizer,
improved seeds were not provided by the government in sufficient quantities but were subsidized to
enable peasant farmers buy and use them.
vi. PROVISION OF BASIC AMENITIES: In order to discourage the migration of able bodied men and
youth from rural to urban areas. The government decided to provide basic amenities such as electricity,
health care service and pipe borne water in rural areas. These amenities enable people to stay in the
rural areas farm.
vii. PROVISION OF STORAGE AND PROCESSING FACILITIES: In order to prevent food wastage and
provide food in periods of scarcity, the government decided to provide storage and processing facilities
in all parts of the country.
viii. PROVISION OF EFFECTIVE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK: The government through its agencies
like directorate for food, road and rural infrastructure DFFRI has helped in the construction of road in
rural areas to ease the transportation of produce from without good roads and vehicles most of the
produce will be wasted and this may discourage the farmers.
ix. PROVISION OF EXTENSION SERVICES: Extension services enable new ideas and innovations to
get to the rural farmers. Government has helped to employ qualified and experienced officers to
perform this role.
x. PROVISION OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION: In view of the fact that majority of Nigeria farmers
are illiterate, the government decided to provide adult education e g nomadic education form cattle
Fulani in order to enable them to read and write, apply modern system of farming and also promote
easy acceptance of new techniques and innovations in agriculture. Government also encourages the
teaching agriculture in schools.

GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN IMPROVING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN WEST

AFRICA
1. Agricultural development projects ( ADPs)
2. River Basin Development Authorities
3. National Agricultural Land Development Authority ( NALDA)
4. Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) or any Agricultural Bank e g N.A.C.B
5. National Agricultural insurance company NAIC
6. Any of the National Agricultural Research institutes

ASSIGNMENT 3
1. Name six governments’ programmes that are involved in the improvement of agricultural production
in West Africa.
2. State five ways in which government contribute to agricultural productivity in West Africa.
3. Enumerate five roles of government in agricultural production

FISH AND FISHERIES

Fish: They are cold blooded animals that are specially adapted to live in the water. They are also called
aquatic animals.

FEATURES/CHARACTERISTICS OF FISH

1. Stream Line Body: It enables them to move or swim freely in the water.
2. Swim Bladder: It enables fishes to float and to maintain balance in the water.
3. Gills: They are used for respiration (breathing)
4. Lateral Lines: They are used to sense or detect the presence of their predators or enemies.
5. Eyes: They are used for sight or vision.

TERMS USED IN FISH

 Fishery: This deals with the study and rearing of fishes in a water body e.g Pond (Earthen, Plastic
and concrete ponds)
 Fingerlings/Fry: Young or baby fishes
 Hatchery: A place where eggs of fishes are hatched.
 Juvenile: Young fishes that are older than fingerlings
 Stocking: The act of putting fishes into a pond
 School: group of fishes
 CLASSIFICATION OF FISHES

Fishes can be classified into two (2)

 Classification based on their habitat

 Classification based on their morphology (Body Structure)

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON THEIR HABITAT

Base on this, fishes can be classified into

 Fresh Water Fish

 Salt Water Fish

FRESH WATER FISHES

These are fishes that carry out all its activities in water that is free from salt. Examples of these fishes
include Tilapia, Cat Fish, Mud Fish, Mackerel, Nile Perch and Moon Fish e.t.c. The following are examples
of fresh water which these fishes can live are River, Stream, Lake and Pond e.t.c. These types of water
are free from salt and are mainly used for irrigation farming.

SALT WATER FISHES

These are fishes that lives and reproduces in water that contains salt. Examples of salt water are Ocean,
Lagoon and Sea. Fishes found in salt water include Mackerel, Shark, Dog fish and Croaker.

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON THEIR BODY STRUCTURE (MORPHOLOGY)

Base on this, fishes can be classified into

 Bony Fish
 Cartilaginous Fish

BONY FISH

These are fishes that their body structure is made up of bones. Examples include Croaker, Mackerel, Cat
fish, Tilapia, Common Carp e.t.c

CARTILAGINOUS FISH

These are fishes that their body structure is made up of cartilages instead of bones. Examples include
Ray Fish and Dog Fish e.t.c.

FISHING METHODS

The way or methods used in harvesting (catching) fishes depends on the following factors;

1. The Number of Fish to Harvest: If large number of fishes is required to be harvested, then, a fishing
tool like nets is used while if the number of fishes to be harvested is little, then Hook and Line,
Harpoons e.t.c. can be used.
2. Depth of Water: Simple farming tools are used in shallow water e.g hook and line, fishing basket
The following are fishing methods and equipment’s (tools or gears).

 Spearing or Wounding Equipment: This method involves the use of spears or harpoons to injure
fishes by impaling. They are thrown into the water, aiming at the fish. When the fish is seriously
injured, it can now be caught or harvested.
 Trapping Method or Use of Traps: The following tools are classified as fishing traps
 Hook and Line
 Fishing Basket
 Funnel Entrance Trap

A. Hook and Line: This method involves setting of hook which is baited into a shallow water to catch
fish.
Materials Used in Hook and Line Fishing
 Fishing Rod: It is used for holding hook and line
 Fishing Line: It is used to attach float and hook to a fishing rod.
 Hook: Used for catching fishes
 Float: Used for detecting whether fish has be caught

B. Fishing Basket: It is designed with canes to form a basket. It has bait for attracting fish and a trigger
to close the basket when fish is caught.

 Netting or Use of Net: Nets are usually used for harvesting fishes in large quantities. The types of
fishing nets we have include
1. Scoop Net: This type of net is used for partial harvesting of fish during test cropping to check for
growth of fishes and infected fishes.
2. Gill Net: This type of net is used in shallow water for catching fishes at their gill part. A float is used
to keep the net upward while a sinker or weight is used to keep the net to the bottom of the water.
3. Cast Net: They are used in deep waters with the help of fishing boats or canoes for harvesting in
large quantities.
4. Trawl Net: They are used in deep waters with the help of fishing boats or canoes for harvesting in
large quantities.

 Electro Fishing: This involves passing of electric current around a region where fishes are, to kill
them by electrocution. This fishing method is very dangerous because it can also lead to the death
of fishermen.
 Draining of Pond: Fish ponds can be completely drained so that fishes can easily be caught using
other fishing methods.
 Use of Poison Bait: This involves poisoning pond substances and pouring them inside water for
fishes to eat and die. This method is not generally acceptable as it may lead to death of people
when such fishes are consumed.

METHODS OF PRESERVING FISHES

To avoid wastage and spoilage, many preservative methods are used. They include

 Canning: This involves preserving fishes in cans which have been sterilized by heating to kill
microorganisms that cause spoilage.
 Smoking: Fishes are placed on top of fire using wire gauze to reduce the moisture content. The fish
is turned regularly to avoid being burnt.
 Freezing or Cold Stage: This involves storing fishes in a fridge or freezer under a very low
temperature that affects the activities of microorganisms that causes fish spoilage.
 Salting: Fishes can be preserved by rubbing or applying salt on its body to kill microorganisms that
causes fish spoilage. This method can only preserve fishes for a very short period of time.
 Sun Drying: This involves placing fishes under the sun to reduce its moisture content and to prevent
spoilage. Fishes preserved by sun drying include crayfish and stock fish e.t.c.

USES OF FISH AND FISH PRODUCTS

1. Fishes can be used as a source of income.

2. Fish products like Oyster shells and Periwinkles are used for decoration.
3. Fishes can be used as a source of protein in food.
4. Fishes can be used for entertainment e.g Angel fish
5. Fishes can be processed as feeds for farm animals.