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: 2nd Term
Week: 4
Grade code: 1.3.1.LI.2
Strand code: 3
Sub-strand code: 1
Content standard code: 1.3.1.CS.3
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 different ways we can group, or classify, the farm animals we see around us in Ghana. Understanding how to classify animals is not just for examinations; it is a fundamental skill for any successful farmer or agriculturalist. Knowing an animal's classification helps us understand what it eats, what products it gives us (like meat, milk, or eggs), and how to best care for it to ensure it is healthy and productive. Whether it's the goat in our backyard, the chickens scratching for food, or the tilapia in a pond, classification helps us make smart decisions that improve food production for our families, communities, and the nation.
What is Classification?
In agriculture, classification simply means grouping farm animals based on their shared features or characteristics. This helps us to study, manage, and raise them more effectively. We will explore three main ways to classify them. Classification 1: Based on Type of Stomach (Digestive System)
This is one of the most important classifications because it determines what an animal can eat.
a) Monogastric Animals (Simple Stomach Animals) These are animals that have a single-compartment stomach, much like humans. Their digestive system cannot break down tough, fibrous plant materials like grass very well. They need to be fed on high-quality, easily digestible foods like grains (maize, wheat bran), tubers, and protein concentrates. Key Characteristics: One stomach chamber. Cannot digest cellulose (fibre) efficiently. Often compete with humans for food (e.g., maize). Ghanaian Examples: Pigs: Fed on kitchen scraps, maize, cassava. Poultry (Chickens, Ducks, Turkeys, Guinea Fowls): Fed on mixed grains (poultry feed). Rabbits & Grasscutters (Akrantie): These are a special type called "pseudo-ruminants" or "hindgut fermenters". They have a simple stomach but a large caecum (a pouch in the large intestine) where fibre is broken down by microbes. Rabbits also practice coprophagy (eating their own soft faecal pellets) to absorb more nutrients.