Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURE IN FOOD PRODUCTION
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PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURE IN FOOD PRODUCTION
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Agriculture
Class: SHS 1
Term: 1st Term
Week: 20
Grade code: 1.3.1.LI.2
Strand code: 3
Sub-strand code: 1
Content standard code: 1.3.1.CS.2
Indicator code: 1.3.1.LI.2
Theme: FOOD PRODUCTION AND NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION
Subtheme: PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURE IN FOOD PRODUCTION
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This lesson introduces the fundamental stages and practices involved in producing the food we eat every day in Ghana. From the maize for our *banku* and *kenkey* to the tomatoes for our stews and the yams for our fufu, every crop goes through a systematic process from the farm to our tables. Understanding these stages is crucial for anyone interested in agriculture, whether for a career, a home garden, or simply to appreciate the effort that goes into our national food supply. This knowledge empowers students to think critically about food security, farming efficiency, and sustainable practices in our local communities.
The journey of growing a crop can be divided into distinct stages, each with its own set of activities or practices. Success in farming depends on carrying out these practices correctly and at the right time. The Four Main Stages of Crop Production
We will discuss these stages in a logical order: Pre-Planting Stage: All activities done *before* the seed is sown. Planting Stage: The actual process of sowing the seed or planting the seedling. Post-Planting Stage: All the care and maintenance activities from germination to maturity. Post-Harvesting Stage: All activities performed *after* the crop has been harvested from the field.
Stage 1: Pre-Planting Operations
This is the preparatory stage. A good foundation is key to a good harvest. The main goal here is to prepare the land to receive the planting material. A. Site Selection: What it is: Choosing the best possible piece of land for the specific crop you want to grow. Why it's important: Different crops have different needs. A farmer must consider: Soil Type: Is the soil loamy for maize, or well-drained sandy-loam for cassava? Topography: Is the land flat or gentle-sloped to prevent erosion, or is it steep and rocky? Water Availability: Is there a nearby river, or does the area receive adequate rainfall for the crop? Previous Cropping History: What was grown on the land before? This can affect soil fertility and the presence of pests. Example: A farmer in the Ashanti Region wanting to plant cocoa will look for deep, well-drained forest ochrosol soils, not waterlogged clay soils near a river bank. B. Land Clearing: What it is: Removing existing vegetation (trees, shrubs, weeds) from the selected site. Methods in Ghana: Manual: Using tools like a cutlass and hoe. Common for small-scale farms. Mechanical: Using machinery like bulldozers and tractors. Used on large commercial farms. Slashing and Burning: A common traditional method where vegetation is cut down, allowed to dry, and then burned. While this quickly clears the land and adds some ash (potash) to the soil, it destroys soil organic matter, kills beneficial soil organisms, and causes air pollution. C. Tillage (Land Preparation): What it is: The physical manipulation of the soil to create a suitable seedbed for crops. Primary Tillage (Ploughing): The first and deepest tilling operation. It breaks up hard, compacted soil. It can be done with a hoe, a bullock-drawn plough, or a tractor-drawn plough. *Purpose:* To improve soil aeration (air supply), water infiltration, and make it easier for roots to grow. It also helps to bury weeds and crop residues. Secondary Tillage (Harrowing): Done after ploughing to break down the large soil clods into a finer, smoother surface. *Purpose:* To create a fine tilth (soil texture) suitable for small seeds like tomato or pepper to germinate. Making Beds, Ridges, or Mounds: Ridges: Long, raised heaps of soil. Yam, cassava, and maize are often planted on ridges. They help with drainage in high-rainfall areas and make harvesting root/tuber crops easier. Mounds: Heaps of soil made for planting crops like yam.