Farming and Cropping System I (Lesson note)

Detailed Lesson Note

Subject: Agricultural Science
Class: JSS 2 (Grade 8)
Duration: 40 minutes
Topic: Farming and Cropping System
Sub-topic: Farming Systems

Week: Ten
Date: To be inserted by the teacher
Period: To be inserted by the teacher

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Instructional Objectives (Specific & Measurable):

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define farming system correctly. (Knowledge – Lower Domain)
2. Identify and describe at least three types of farming systems practiced in Nigeria. (Comprehension/Application – Middle Domain)
3. Differentiate between subsistence and commercial farming in terms of features, advantages, and disadvantages. (Analysis – Higher Domain)
4. Classify examples of farm practices into the correct farming system during group activity. (Application/Creation – Higher Domain)

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Instructional Materials/Resources:

• Flashcards or charts showing farming activities
• Pictures/posters of subsistence and commercial farms
• Chalkboard/marker

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Reference Materials:

• Junior Secondary Agricultural Science Textbook (JSS2)
• Teacher’s Agric lesson notes

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Lesson Development

Step 1: Introduction (5 minutes)

• Teacher’s Activity: Greets students and ensures they are settled. Teacher asks:
  “How does your family farm at home – mainly for food to eat or to sell in the market?”
• Students’ Activity: Students respond with different experiences (some say they farm mainly to eat, others say they farm to sell).
• Link: Teacher uses responses to introduce the topic: Farming Systems.

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Step 2: Presentation (25 minutes)

a. Teacher’s Activity (Explanation – 10 minutes)

• Teacher explains that a Farming System is the method or pattern by which farming is practiced.
• Teacher discusses major types of farming systems in Nigeria:

1. Subsistence Farming – Small scale, mainly for family consumption.
• Example: A family farm producing yam for eating.
2. Commercial Farming – Large scale, mainly for sale and profit.
• Example: Mechanized rice farm.
3. Mixed Farming – Combination of crop production and animal rearing.
• Example: Maize farm with poultry.
4. Pastoral Farming – Rearing animals, usually by moving them around.
• Example: Fulani cattle rearing.
5. Arable Farming – Cultivation of only crops.
• Example: Rice farm, maize farm.
6. Plantation Farming – Large-scale production of one cash crop.
• Example: Cocoa plantation, oil palm plantation.

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b. Teacher’s Activity (Demonstration – 5 minutes)

• Teacher shows pictures of a small family yam farm (subsistence) and a large mechanized farm (commercial).
• Teacher guides students to observe and note differences between them.

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c. Students’ Activity (Group Work – 10 minutes)

• Teacher divides class into groups and gives each group a list of farm practices:
• Small yam farm for family use
• Cocoa plantation
• Maize farm with poultry
• Fulani cattle rearing
• Task: Students classify these practices into the correct farming system.
• Presentation: Groups present their answers while teacher corrects and reinforces learning.

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Step 3: Evaluation (7 minutes)

Teacher evaluates the lesson by asking:

1. What is a farming system?
2. Mention three types of farming systems practiced in Nigeria.
3. Differentiate between subsistence and commercial farming.
4. Classify this example: A farmer grows maize and rears goats. Which farming system is this?

(Teacher checks students’ responses, corrects mistakes, and praises correct answers.)

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Step 4: Conclusion (3 minutes)

• Teacher’s Activity: Summarizes the lesson:
• A farming system is the method of practicing farming.
• Types include: Subsistence, Commercial, Mixed, Pastoral, Arable, and Plantation farming.
• Emphasizes the importance of farming systems in food production and the economy.

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Assignment:

Write short notes on any four types of farming systems practiced in Nigeria.