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Table of Contents – Weekly Scheme of Work
- Week 1: Revision (Weed And Pest Control)
- Week 2: Factors of Production – Land
- Week 3: Factors of Production – Labour
- Week 4: Factors of Production – Capital
- Week 5: Factors of Production – Management
- Week 6: Field Trip
- Week 7: Farm Manager – Definition and Functions
- Week 8: Problems of Farm Managers
- Week 9: Revision of Previous Work
- Week 10: Revision of Second Term Work
- Week 11: General Revision
- Week 12: Examination
Objective Questions
- Which of the following is a major cause of pest infestation on farms?
A. Lack of rainfall
B. Poor sanitation practices
C. Use of improved seeds
D. Timely harvesting - One of the disadvantages of weeds is that they:
A. Improve soil structure
B. Serve as food for animals
C. Compete with crops for nutrients
D. Attract beneficial insects - The most common method of weed control in rural Nigerian farms is:
A. Chemical spraying
B. Mechanical weeding
C. Mulching
D. Biological control - Land as a factor of production in agriculture refers to:
A. The money used to buy farm tools
B. The physical space where farming occurs
C. The storage facility for inputs
D. The labour hired for planting - Which of the following is a characteristic of land?
A. It depreciates over time
B. It is artificial
C. It is fixed in supply
D. It is renewable by humans - The fertility of agricultural land can be improved through:
A. Use of concrete blocks
B. Continuous cropping
C. Application of fertilizers
D. Land fragmentation - Labour in agriculture refers to:
A. The tractor used on the farm
B. The market where produce is sold
C. The human effort in production
D. The quantity of crops harvested - Which of the following is a type of labour?
A. Mental and social
B. Skilled and unskilled
C. Manual and digital
D. Organic and inorganic - One key problem of labour in agriculture is:
A. Excess availability
B. Lack of training institutions
C. Urban migration
D. Technological advancement - Capital in farming includes all the following EXCEPT:
A. Tractors
B. Seeds
C. Farmland
D. Farm buildings - Which of the following is a working capital item?
A. Harvested maize
B. Land
C. Tractor
D. Farm manager - Which best describes management as a factor of production?
A. Borrowing funds
B. Organising and coordinating inputs
C. Purchasing land
D. Harvesting crops - A good farm manager should have all these qualities EXCEPT:
A. Decision-making ability
B. Laziness
C. Record keeping skill
D. Leadership - Which of these is a problem of farm management in Nigeria?
A. Excess land availability
B. Inadequate technical knowledge
C. Surplus labour
D. Unlimited capital - The process of observing agricultural practices in other locations is best achieved through:
A. Farm excursion
B. Farm settlement
C. Laboratory test
D. Market survey - During a field trip, students are expected to:
A. Fight pests
B. Observe and record farm activities
C. Buy farm produce
D. Harvest crops for sale - What is the major role of a farm manager?
A. Transporting goods
B. Monitoring and supervising farm operations
C. Cultivating all the crops alone
D. Importing machinery - A well-prepared farm record is important because it:
A. Helps inflate expenses
B. Misleads investors
C. Tracks productivity and income
D. Confuses competitors - Weeds reduce crop yield because they:
A. Attract animals
B. Provide shelter for birds
C. Compete for sunlight and water
D. Prevent pests - Pest control can be achieved by all the following EXCEPT:
A. Use of pesticides
B. Cultural practices
C. Ignoring them
D. Biological agents - A factor of production that is immobile and cannot be increased in quantity is:
A. Labour
B. Management
C. Land
D. Capital - The brain behind all farm planning and coordination is the:
A. Investor
B. Government
C. Farm manager
D. Labourer - The major challenge with using unskilled labour on farms is:
A. High cost
B. Risk of poor productivity
C. Lack of land
D. Overuse of machinery - Capital can be categorized into:
A. Simple and Complex
B. Active and Passive
C. Fixed and Working
D. Productive and Non-productive - Which of these is an example of fixed capital?
A. Farm produce
B. Livestock
C. Tools and buildings
D. Fertilizers - Field trips are beneficial because they:
A. Reduce the need for classroom learning
B. Replace textbooks
C. Provide practical exposure
D. Eliminate theory exams - One reason why many Nigerian farm managers fail is:
A. Low pest infestation
B. Absence of improved seeds
C. Lack of managerial training
D. Excess capital - The effective use of all production resources is ensured by the:
A. Farm worker
B. Tractor
C. Farm manager
D. Government agency - Which of the following is NOT a major function of farm management?
A. Planning
B. Financing
C. Organizing
D. Destruction - Which one is most likely to be covered during revision periods?
A. Civic duties
B. Farm management
C. Religious studies
D. Algebra - All the following are examples of pests EXCEPT:
A. Weevils
B. Grasshoppers
C. Tsetse flies
D. Maize - Weeds can be classified according to:
A. Smell and taste
B. Colour and height
C. Life cycle and growth habit
D. Market value - The scarcity of capital in agriculture leads to:
A. Increased production
B. Decreased farm operations
C. Use of modern tools
D. Surplus investment - Which production factor is most affected by rural-urban migration?
A. Capital
B. Land
C. Management
D. Labour - A farm manager’s decision directly affects:
A. Climate
B. Farm output
C. National economy
D. Market trend - The manager who fails to keep records will find it difficult to:
A. Travel abroad
B. Sell produce
C. Know profit and loss
D. Pay workers - Pesticides should be handled with care because they are:
A. Useless
B. Harmless
C. Toxic
D. Edible - Which of the following is an advantage of capital in farming?
A. Increases cost
B. Aids production
C. Reduces profit
D. Destroys pest - An example of biological weed control is:
A. Hand weeding
B. Use of goat to graze
C. Spraying herbicide
D. Burning fields - One challenge during field trips is:
A. High rainfall
B. Lack of transport
C. Insect bites
D. Crop harvest
Theory Questions
- Explain the term “weed” and describe five harmful effects of weeds on agricultural production.
- What is pest control in agriculture? Discuss four methods of controlling pests, highlighting one advantage and one disadvantage of each method.
- Define the term “land” as a factor of production. Mention four characteristics of land and explain how each affects agricultural productivity.
- Differentiate between fixed capital and working capital in agriculture. Give four examples of each.
- Discuss the concept of labour as a factor of agricultural production. Identify and explain three types of agricultural labour, and state two problems associated with each type.
- Describe the role of a farm manager in a successful farm operation. Mention and explain five important functions of a farm manager.
- What is agricultural management? List and explain five problems that farm managers commonly face in Nigeria.
- Explain the significance of field trips in agricultural science. Outline four things students are expected to do before, during, and after a field trip.
- Discuss five reasons why capital is important in agricultural production. How can farmers in rural areas access capital for their farm business?
- Write short notes on the following:
(a) Illiteracy among farm labourers
(b) Record keeping in farm management
(c) Manual method of weed control
(d) Land tenure system in Nigeria
Objective Answers
- B — Poor sanitation attracts pests and encourages infestation.
- C — Weeds compete with crops for water, nutrients, and sunlight.
- B — Mechanical weeding (cutlasses and hoes) is common in rural farms.
- B — Land refers to the natural space used for farming activities.
- C — Land is fixed in supply; humans can’t increase its total quantity.
- C — Fertilizers improve soil fertility and productivity.
- C — Labour refers to human effort used in farming operations.
- B — Labour types include skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled (e.g., manual).
- C — Migration from rural to urban areas reduces available farm labour.
- C — Farmland is a natural resource, not capital.
- A — Harvested maize is a product of the farm (working capital).
- B — Management involves planning and coordinating inputs/resources.
- B — Laziness is not a good quality in any manager.
- B — Many farm managers lack technical training, leading to inefficiency.
- A — Farm excursions allow students to observe and learn directly.
- B — Students should observe and record real-time activities.
- B — The farm manager supervises farm work and operations.
- C — Good farm records help monitor productivity and income.
- C — Weeds reduce yield by competing with crops for essentials.
- C — Ignoring pests leads to uncontrolled damage.
- C — Land is immobile and its supply cannot be increased.
- C — The farm manager is responsible for planning and decision-making.
- B — Unskilled labourers may lack proper training, reducing output.
- C — Capital is either fixed (long-term) or working (short-term).
- C — Fixed capital includes tools, machines, and farm buildings.
- C — Field trips expose students to practical farm techniques.
- C — Without managerial training, farms are poorly run.
- C — The farm manager ensures resources are effectively used.
- D — Destruction is not a function of farm management.
- B — Revision often covers key topics like farm management.
- D — Maize is a crop, not a pest.
- C — Weeds are classified by life cycle (annual, biennial, perennial).
- B — Lack of capital slows down farm activities.
- D — Labour is reduced when people leave villages for cities.
- B — Decisions made by the manager directly affect farm production.
- C — Records help track profit and loss.
- C — Pesticides contain chemicals and must be used carefully.
- B — Capital (machines, tools) supports and enhances production.
- B — Grazing animals like goats eat weeds — a biological method.
- B — Transportation is a common problem during educational field trips.
Theory Answers
1. Explain the term “weed” and describe five harmful effects of weeds on agricultural production.
Weeds are unwanted plants that grow among cultivated crops and compete with them for nutrients, water, space, and sunlight. They are considered undesirable because they interfere with the growth and productivity of useful plants.
Harmful effects of weeds:
- Competition for nutrients: Weeds absorb essential nutrients from the soil, reducing their availability to crops.
- Reduction in crop yield: Weeds reduce the yield and quality of crops by stunting their growth.
- Harbouring pests and diseases: Weeds serve as alternate hosts for pests and diseases that may affect crops.
- Increased cost of production: Farmers spend more on weed control, labour, and herbicides.
- Difficulty in harvesting: The presence of weeds makes harvesting more difficult and reduces efficiency.
2. What is pest control in agriculture? Discuss four methods of controlling pests, highlighting one advantage and one disadvantage of each method.
Pest control in agriculture refers to the techniques used to prevent, reduce, or eliminate the presence of pests that damage crops and reduce agricultural productivity.
Methods:
- Cultural control: Involves practices such as crop rotation and proper sanitation.
- Advantage: Environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
- Disadvantage: May be slow and less effective for severe infestations.
- Biological control: Uses natural predators or parasites of pests.
- Advantage: Safe for humans and the environment.
- Disadvantage: May be species-specific and take time to establish.
- Chemical control: Involves the use of pesticides and insecticides.
- Advantage: Quick and effective.
- Disadvantage: Can cause pollution and harm beneficial organisms.
- Mechanical control: Physical methods like traps, barriers, and handpicking.
- Advantage: Immediate results in small farms.
- Disadvantage: Labour-intensive and impractical for large-scale use.
3. Define the term “land” as a factor of production. Mention four characteristics of land and explain how each affects agricultural productivity.
Land refers to all natural resources used in agricultural production. It includes the physical space for farming and the natural fertility that supports plant growth.
Characteristics:
- Immobility: Land cannot be moved; this limits its location and suitability for certain crops.
- Indestructibility: Land remains, but its value and fertility can change due to usage.
- Heterogeneity: No two pieces of land are the same, affecting how crops grow.
- Fixed Supply: Land is limited; hence, its use must be optimized for best productivity.
4. Differentiate between fixed capital and working capital in agriculture. Give four examples of each.
Fixed capital refers to long-term assets used repeatedly over time in farming, while working capital includes short-term resources used up in the production process.
Examples of fixed capital:
- Tractors
- Farm buildings
- Irrigation systems
- Tools and machinery
Examples of working capital:
- Seeds
- Fertilizers
- Animal feed
- Pesticides
5. Discuss the concept of labour as a factor of agricultural production. Identify and explain three types of agricultural labour, and state two problems associated with each type.
Labour in agriculture refers to the human effort used in farm operations, including planting, weeding, harvesting, and processing.
Types:
- Family labour: Provided by family members.
- Problems: Not always available; may lack expertise.
- Hired labour: Paid workers employed temporarily or permanently.
- Problems: Expensive; may lack commitment.
- Casual labour: Seasonal or temporary workers.
- Problems: Inconsistent availability; less skilled.
6. Describe the role of a farm manager in a successful farm operation. Mention and explain five important functions of a farm manager.
A farm manager oversees the planning, organizing, and supervision of farm activities to ensure efficient production.
Functions:
- Planning: Setting production goals and arranging inputs.
- Organizing: Allocating resources and assigning duties.
- Controlling: Monitoring progress and ensuring standards.
- Decision-making: Making strategic choices about crops, labour, and finance.
- Record-keeping: Documenting expenses, yields, and other farm data.
7. What is agricultural management? List and explain five problems that farm managers commonly face in Nigeria.
Agricultural management involves the application of business principles to the organization and operation of a farm.
Problems:
- Inadequate capital: Limits expansion and mechanization.
- Poor infrastructure: Inaccessible roads and lack of electricity hinder operations.
- Unskilled labour: Difficulty finding workers with modern agricultural skills.
- Pest and disease outbreaks: Reduce yields and increase costs.
- Climatic uncertainties: Unpredictable weather affects planning and production.
8. Explain the significance of field trips in agricultural science. Outline four things students are expected to do before, during, and after a field trip.
Field trips provide students with practical exposure to real-life farming environments and operations, helping to reinforce classroom learning.
Before:
- Research the location
- Prepare questions
- Wear appropriate clothing
- Bring writing materials
During:
- Observe attentively
- Take notes
- Ask relevant questions
- Follow safety rules
After:
- Write a report
- Share findings
- Discuss experiences in class
- Evaluate what was learned
9. Discuss five reasons why capital is important in agricultural production. How can farmers in rural areas access capital for their farm business?
Capital is essential for acquiring resources, improving productivity, and sustaining farm operations.
Importance:
- Purchasing inputs: Seeds, fertilizer, and chemicals.
- Buying equipment: Tools and machinery.
- Hiring labour: For seasonal or full-time work.
- Expanding farm size: Renting or buying more land.
- Accessing technology: Irrigation, greenhouse systems.
Access to capital:
- Cooperative societies
- Agricultural banks (e.g., BOA)
- Microfinance institutions
- Government grants or loans
10. Write short notes on the following:
(a) Illiteracy among farm labourers: Limits the ability to adopt new technologies or understand written instructions, reducing farm efficiency.
(b) Record keeping in farm management: Essential for tracking production, income, and expenditure; helps with planning and decision-making.
(c) Manual method of weed control: Involves hand-pulling or hoeing; labour-intensive but effective for small farms.
(d) Land tenure system in Nigeria: Refers to the methods by which land is owned or accessed. Includes inheritance, leasehold, and communal ownership; affects investment and land use decisions.
Conclusion
To excel in Agricultural Science, students must study all 12 weeks of the third-term scheme thoroughly. Focus on understanding concepts like production factors, weed and pest control, and farm management. Practice consistently with past questions and avoid all forms of examination malpractice. Discipline and steady revision are the keys to success.