SYLLABUS.d… · Web viewAGRICULTURAL SCIENCE. PREAMBLE. This syllabus has been designed to portray Agricultural Science as an applied science with. emphasis on the acquisition

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

PREAMBLE

This syllabus has been designed to portray Agricultural Science as an applied science with

emphasis on the acquisition of knowledge and skills associated with the content. A general

review of the Junior Secondary School Agricultural Science syllabus is presumed.

Candidates will be expected to answer questions on all the topics set out in the column headed

syllabus. The notes therein are intended to indicate the scope of the questions which will be set,

but they are not to be considered as an exhaustive list of limitations and illustration.

Every school offering Agricultural Science must:

(i) establish a farm where crops are grown;

(ii) keep at least one species of ruminant and one non ruminant;

(iii) establish a fish pond where feasible.

Candidates should have practical notebooks which should contain records of individual

activities based on laboratory and individual observations carried out on the school farms, field

trips and also records of specimens collected. In order to enhance effective teaching/learning

process and better performance of candidates, continuous assessment of candidates is

recommended.

Since the main objectives of the Senior Secondary School Agricultural Science Curriculum are

to:

(i)

(ii)

stimulate and sustain students interest in agriculture;

enable students acquire functional knowledge and practical skills to prepare them for

further studies and occupation in agriculture;

it is recommended that the study of Agricultural Science in the Senior Secondary School be

supplemented by visits to well established government and private experimental and

commercial farms, agricultural research institutes and other institutions related to agriculture.

EXAMINATION SCHEME

There will be three papers: Papers 1, 2 and 3 all of which must be taken. Papers 1 and 2

will be a composite paper to be taken at one sitting.

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PAPER 1:

Will consist of fifty multiple choice questions to be answered within 50

minutes for 50 marks.

PAPER 2:

Will consist of six essay questions with each drawn from at least two

themes in the syllabus. Candidates will be required to answer five of the

questions within 2 hours 10 minutes for 90 marks.

PAPER 3:

Will be a practical paper for school candidates and alternative to practical

paper for private candidates. It will consist of four questions, all of which

should be answered within 1 hours for 60 marks.

2. Problems of agricultural development and

possible solutions

(a) Problems related to:

(i)land tenure;

(ii)basic amenities;

(iii) finance;

(iv)transportation;

(v)storage and processing facilities;

(vi)agricultural education and extension

(vii) tools and machinery;

(viii) farm inputs;

(ix)marketing system;

(x)environmental degradation.

(b) Possible solutions to identified problems

3. Meaning and differences between subsistence

and commercial agriculture

NOTES

Assessment would include

incidence of pests and diseases,

vagaries of weather, labour and

government policy.

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DETAILED

SYLLABUS

CONTENTS

A. BASIC CONCEPTS

1. Meaning and importance of agriculture

(a) Definition and branches of agricultural

science.

(b) Importance of agriculture to the

individual, community and nation.


(a) Meaning of subsistence and

commercial agriculture.

(b) Differences between subsistence and

commercial agriculture based on their

characteristics.

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(c) Advantages and disadvantages of

subsistence and commercial agriculture.

(d) Problems of subsistence and commercial

agriculture.

4. Roles of government in agricultural

development

(a) Agricultural finance:

(i) credit;

(ii) subsidy.

(b) Agricultural education

(c) Agricultural extension services.

(d) Agricultural policies and programmes

5. Role of non-governmental organizations in

agricultural development

Assessment would cover past and

present programmes e.g. OFN,

ADP, Farm Settlement,

Agricultural Sector Rehabilitation

Project (ASRP) and National Aids

Coordination Secretariat.

(a) Meaning of non-governmental

organizations (NGOs).

Examples of NGOs West African

Rice Development Association

(b) Roles of NGOs in agricultural

development.

(WARDA), International Institute

for Tropical Agriculture (IITA),

International Livestock Centre for

Africa (ILCA), International Crop

Research Institute for Semi-Arid

Tropics (ICRISAT) would be

assessed.

6.

7. Agricultural laws and reforms

(a) Land tenure systems in West Africa.

(b) Government laws on land use in West

Africa.

(c) Advantages and disadvantages of the land

use Act (Decree) and reforms in West

Africa.

Assessment would include land

use Act (Decree), Land Reforms

in West Africa.

B. AGRICULTURAL ECOLOGY

1. Meaning and importance of

agricultural ecology

(a) Meaning of agricultural ecology and

ecosystem.

(b) Components of farm ecosystem e.g. biotic

and abiotic


(c) Interactions of the components in the

terrestrial and aquatic agro-ecosystem.

Interaction of farm crops/animals

with other components of the

ecosystem in farm settings such as

mono or sole cropping system,

mixed cropping system, mixed

farming system, fish ponds and

forest (rain or savannah) would be

assessed.

2. Land and its uses

(a) Meaning of land.

(b) Characteristics of land free gift of

nature, immobile, limited in supply etc.

(c) Uses of land:

(i)agricultural purposes:

- crop production;

- wild life conservation/game

Assessment would include of uses

of land for aquaculture, forestry

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-

reserve;

livestock production etc.

and apiculture.

(ii)

non-agricultural purposes:

- industry;

- housing;

- transport etc.

Non-agricultural uses of land such

as health centres, church/mosque,

mining, recreational centres,

schools and markets would be

assessed.

3. Factors affecting land availability for

agricultural purpose

(a) Physical factors:

(i)soil type;

(ii)topography;

(iii) land degradation;

(iv)soil pollution.

(b) Economic factors:

(i)population pressure;

(ii)expansion of industries;

(iii) mining/mineral exploitation;

(iv)recreation/tourism.

(c) Socio-cultural factors:

(i)land tenure system;

(ii)religious purpose (church, mosque

and shrine) etc.

4. Agro-allied industries and relationship

between agriculture and industry


(a) Agro-based industries and raw materials:

(i) paper industry pulp wood;

(ii) beverage industry cocoa, tea etc;

textile industry cotton;

(iv) soap industry oil, seeds

etc.

(b) Relationship betweenagriculture

and industries:

(i)Agriculture provides market for

industrial products e.g. farm

machinery, chemicals;

(ii)Agriculture provides food for

Assessment would include other

agro-based industries and raw

materials e.g. leather industry

hides and skin, canning industry

meat and fish.

(iii)

Assessment would include other

relationship between agriculture

and industries.

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industrial workers.

5. Environmental factors affecting crop and

animal distribution and production

(a) Climatic factors e.g. rainfall, temperature,

light, wind, relative humidity.

(b) Biotic factors e.g. predators, parasites, soil

micro-organisms, pests, pathogens and

weeds; interrelationship such as

competition, parasitism, mutualism

(symbiosis).

(c) Edaphic factors:

soil pH, soil texture, soil structure, soil

type etc.

6. Rock formation

(a) Types of rock:

(i) igneous;

(ii) sedimentary;

(iii) metamorphic.

Assessment would cover

identification, description and

examples of rock types.

(b) Processes of rock formation.

Assessment would cover how

igneous, sedimentary and

metamorphic rocks are formed.

7. Soil formation and profile development

(a) Factors of soil formation: the parent rock,

organisms, climate, topography and time.

(b) Processes of soil formation:

(i)physical weathering;

(ii)chemical weathering.

(c) Soil profile development.

The role played by each factor in

soil formation would be assessed.

The meaning, importance,


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identification and description of

each horizon of the soil profile

would be assessed.

8. Types, composition and properties of soil

(a) Types of soil.

(b) Chemical and biological composition of

soil:

(i)soil macro and micro nutrients;

(ii)soil water;

(iii) soil macro-organisms;

(iv)soil microbes;

(v)soil air.

(c) Soil pH.

(d) Physical properties of soil:

(i)soil texture;

(ii)soil structure;

Assessment would cover types of

soil and their separation into sand,

silt and clay fractions, water

holding capacity, porosity,

capillarity, consistency etc.

Determination of soil pH, causes

and correction of soil

acidity/alkalinity would be

assessed.

CONTENTS

NOTES

9. Plant nutrients and nutrient cycle

(a) Macro and micro nutrients; their functions and

deficiency symptoms in crops.

(b) Factors affecting availability of nutrients in soil

such as pH, excess of other nutrients, leaching,

crop removal, oxidation and burning.

(c) Methods of replenishing lost nutrients, e.g. crop

rotation, organic manuring, fertilizer application,

fallowing, liming, cover-cropping.

(d) Nitrogen, carbon, water and phosphorus cycles.

Macro-nutrients such as

N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S and

Micronutrients such as

Zn, Fe, Mo, Co, Bo, Cu

would be assessed.

Types of fertilizers and

methods of fertilizer

application would be

assessed.

(e) Organic agriculture meaning and importance.

10. Irrigation

(a) Meaning of irrigation system.

(b) Types of irrigation systems:

(i) overhead e.g. sprinkler;

(ii) surface e.g. flooding, furrow/channel, basin,

border;

(iii) underground e.g. perforated pipes, drips.

(c) Advantages and disadvantages of irrigation

systems.

(d) Importance of irrigation.

(e) Problems associated with irrigation.


the description and

importance of nitrogen,

carbon and water cycles.


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11. Drainage

(a) Meaning of drainage.

(b) Importance of drainage.

(c) Types of drainage systems:

(i) surface drainage e.g.channel, furrow;

(ii) subsurface/underground drainage.

(d) Advantages and disadvantages of drainage

systems.

12. Agricultural pollution

(a) Meaning of agricultural pollution.

(b) Causes/sources of pollution of agricultural lands

and fish ponds:

(i) excessive application of agricultural

chemicals;

(ii) marine and oil spillage;

(iii) livestock waste and dung disposal etc.

(c) Effects of land/pond pollution on farmers and

agricultural productivity.

Ways of minimizing

land/pond pollution would

be assessed.

C. AGRICULTURAL

ENGINEERING/MECHANIZATION

1.

Simple farm tools

(a) Meaning of simple farm tools.

(b) Types of simple farm tools

- cutlass, hoe, spade, shovel etc.

(c) General maintenance of simple farm tools.

2. Farm machinery and implements

(a) Farm machinery:

(i) tractor;

(ii) bulldozer;


identification, description

and uses of each of the

tools.

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

(vi)

(vii)

shellers;

dryers;

incubators;

milking machines;

combine harvester etc.

(b) Tractor-coupled implements:

(i) ploughs;

(ii) harrows;

(iii) ridgers;

(iv) planters;

(v) harvesters;

(vi) sprayers etc.


the meaning,

uses/functions and

identification of different

parts of each of the farm

machinery and

implements. Engineering

details are however not

required.


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3. Maintenance practices and precautionary measures

(a) Reasons for maintaining farmmachines.

(b) Maintenance of farm machinery:

(i) check water and oil levels regularly;

(ii) carry out routine service;

(iii) keep machines clean etc.


precautionary measures in

the use of farm machinery.

4. Agricultural mechanization

(a) Meaning of agricultural mechanization.

(b) Mechanized agricultural operations.

(c) Advantages and disadvantages of agricultural

mechanization.

(d) Limitations of agricultural mechanization.

Mechanized agricultural

operations: ploughing,

harrowing, planting,

harvesting, milking etc

would be assessed.

5. Prospects of agricultural mechanization

6. Farm power

(a) Sources of farm power.

(b) Advantages and disadvantages of different

sources of farm power.

Possible ways of

improving agricultural

mechanization such as

developing less expensive

machines and establishing

agricultural engineering

schools for personnel

would be assessed.

7. Farm surveying

(a) Meaning of farm surveying.

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Common survey equipment.

Uses of farm survey equipment.

Maintenance of farm survey equipment.

Importance of farm surveying.

8. Farm planning

(a) Meaning of farm planning.

(b) Factors to be considered in farm planning.

(c) Importance of farm planning.

Engineering details are not

required.

9. Principles of farmstead planning

(a) Meaning of farmstead.

(b) Importance of farmstead planning.

(c) Factors to be considered in the design of a

farmstead.

(d) Farmstead layout.


site selection, location of

structures and sketching of

farm layout.


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D. CROP PRODUCTION

1. Classification of crops

(a) Classification of crops based on their uses e.g.

cereals, pulses, roots and tubers, vegetables.

(b) Classification based on their life cycle e.g.

annual, biennial, perennial, ephemeral.

(c) Classification based on their morphology e.g.

monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous crops.

A general knowledge of

husbandry of all the crops

listed is presumed.

2. Husbandry of selected crops:-

botanical names and common names of the crop,

varieties/types, climatic and soil requirements, land

preparation, methods of propagation, planting date,

seed rate, spacing, sowing depth and nursery

requirements, cultural practices: supplying, thinning,

manuring and fertilizer requirement and application,

weeding, pests and disease control, harvesting,

processing and storage of at least one representative

crop from each of the following crop groupings:

(a) Cereals e.g. maize, rice, guinea corn, millet;

(b) Pulses (grain legumes) e.g.

cowpea, soya bean, pigeon pea.

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

(g)

(h)

(i)

(j)

(k)

Roots and tubers e.g. cassava, yam, potatoes;

Vegetables e.g. tomatoes, onion, amaranthus,

okro, cauliflower, spinach;

Fruits e.g. citrus, banana, pineapple;

Beverages e.g. cocoa, tea, coffee;

Spices e.g. pepper, ginger;

Oils e.g. groundnut, sheabutter, sunflower, oil

palm;

Fibres e.g. cotton, jute, sissal hemp;

Latex e.g. rubber;

Others sugar cane etc.

3. Pasture and forage crops

(a)Meaning of pasture and forage crops.

(b) Uses of forage crops.

(c) Types of pasture.

(d) Common grasses and legumes used for grazing

livestock.

(e) Factors affecting the distribution and productivity

of pasture.

(f) Establishment of pasture.

(g) Management practices of pasture.

4. Crop improvement

(a) Aims of crop improvement.


the botanical names and

characteristics of common

grasses and legumes used

for grazing livestock.


the meaning of crop


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(b) Methods/processes of crop improvement e.g.

introduction, selection, breeding.

(c) Mendels laws of inheritance.

(d) Advantages and disadvantages of crop

improvement.

E. FORESTRY

1. Forest management

(a) Meaning of forest and forestry.

(b) Importance of forestry.

(c) Forest regulations.

(d) Forest management practices.

(e) Implications of deforestation.

improvement.

Definition of some genetic

terms: characters or traits,

chromosomes, genes,

Mendels 1st and 2nd laws

would be assessed.

CONTENTS

2. Agro-forestry practices in West Africa

(a) Meaning of agro-forestry.

(b) Agro-forestry practices:

(i) taungya system;

(ii) alley cropping;

(iii)ley farming etc.

NOTES

Common tree species

suitable for agro-forestry

practices would be

assessed.

F. ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

Meaning and importance of

ornamental plants

(a) Meaning of ornamental plants.

(b) Importance of ornamental plants.

1.

2. Common types of ornamental plants

(a) Types of ornamental plants according to their

uses:

(i) bedding plants (mostly flowering plants);

(ii) hedging plants;

(iii) lawn grasses etc.

(b) Examples of ornamental plants.


identification of various

types of ornamental

plants.

3. Settings and location for planting ornamental plants.

4. Methods of cultivating ornamental plants:

(i)by seed;

(ii)vegetative propagation.

The common and

botanical names would be

assessed.

5. Maintenance of ornamental plants.

Importance of each

method and examples of

ornamental plants

propagated through such

method would be

assessed.


11

G. CROP PROTECTION

1. Diseases of crops

(a) Meaning of disease

(b) General effects of diseases on crop production.

(c) Disease: causal organism,economic

importance, mode of

transmission, symptoms,prevention and

control

Reasons for carrying out

maintenance operations:

watering, mulching,

pruning etc would be

assessed.

CONTENTS

measures of the diseases of the following crops:

(i)cereals smut, rice blast, leaf rust etc;

(ii)legumes cercospora leaf spot, rosette

etc;

(iii) beverages cocoa blackpod, swollen

shoot, coffee leaf rust etc;

(iv)tubers cassava mosaic, bacterial leaf

blight etc;

(v)fruits- citrus gummosis, dieback etc

(vi)fibre black arm/bacterial blight of cotton

etc;

(vii) vegetables root knot of tomato or okro,

damping off, onion twister etc;

(viii) stored produce mould etc.

2. Pests of crops

(a) Meaning of pests.

(b) Classification of pests:

(i) insect-pests;

(ii) non-insect pests.

NOTES


at least two fungal, two

viral, two bacterial and

one nematode diseases of

the crops chosen from the

list.

(c) Classification of insect-pests based on mouth

parts with examples:

(i) biting and chewing;

(ii) piercing and sucking;

(iii) boring.

(d) Important insect-pests of major crops;

field and storage pests, life cycle, economic

importance, nature of damage, preventive and

control measures of the following major insect-

pests of crops:

(i) cereals stem borer, army worm, ear worm

etc;


12

NOTES

(e) Non-insect pests e.g. birds, rodents etc.

(f) Side effects of preventive and control methods:

(i) chemical pollution, poisoning;

(ii) biological - disruption of the ecosystem etc;

(iii) cultural harmful effects of burning etc.

(g) General effects/economic importance of pests.

3. Weeds

(a) Meaning of weeds.

(b) Types of weeds.

CONTENTS

(ii) legumes pod borer, aphids, sucking bugs

and leaf beetle;

(iii) beverages cocoa myrids (capsids);

(iv) tubers yam beetle, cassava mealybugs,

green spidermites, variegated grasshopper;

(v) fibre cotton stainer, bollworms;

(vi) fruits and vegetables thrips, grasshopper,

leaf roller, leaf beetle, scale insect;

(vii) stored produce grain weevils, bean beetle.

(c) Effects of weeds on crops and economy.

(d) Characteristic features of weeds.

(e) Methods of controlling weeds: cultural,

biological, chemical, physical and mechanical

methods.

Nature of damage,

economic importance,

preventive and control

measures of each of the

non-insect pests would be

assessed

Common and botanical

names would be

assessed.

H. ANIMAL PRODUCTION

1. Types and classification of farm animals

(a) Types of farm animals: cattle, sheep, goat,

poultry, pig, rabbit, fish etc.

(b) Classification of farm animals according to:

(i) habitat terrestrial and aquatic.

(ii) uses food, protection, petetc.

2. Anatomy and physiology of farm animals

(a) Parts of farm animals.

(b) Organs of farm animals e.g. heart, liver, lungs.

(c) Systems of farm animals e.g.

digestive system, circulatory

respiratory system.

system,

Drawing and labeling of

parts of farm animals

would be assessed.

Identification of important

organs and their functions

would be assessed.


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3. Animal reproduction

(a) Meaning of reproduction.

(b) Roles of hormones in reproduction of farm

animals.

(c) Reproductive systems of farm animals.

(d) Processes of reproduction in farm animals.

(e) Egg formation in poultry.


the digestive system of

poultry, differences

between the monogastric

and ruminant digestive

systems.

Environmental physiology

(a) Meaning of environmental

physiology.

(b) Effects of changes in climatic factors such as:

(i) temperature;

(ii) relative humidity; and

(iii) light on:

growth, reproduction, milk production, egg

production etc.

4.


oestrus cycle, heat period,

mating, gestation period,

parturition, lactation,

colostrum, mammary

glands, signs of heat,

ovulation etc.

CONTENTS

5. Livestock management

(a) Meaning of livestock management.

(b) Requirements for livestock management:

housing; feeding; hygiene and finishing of at least

one ruminant and one non-ruminant from birth to

market weight.

(c) Importance of management practices.

NOTES


extensive, intensive and

semi-intensive systems of

management and record

keeping in livestock

management.

The biochemical details of

the nutrients are not

required.

6. Animal nutrition

(a) Meaning of animal nutrition.

(b) Classification of feeds.

(c) Sources and functions of feed nutrients.

(d) Types of ration/diet and their uses; components of

a balanced diet, production and maintenance

rations.

(e) Causes and symptoms of malnutrition and their

correction in farm animals.

7. Rangeland and pasture management

(a) Meaning and importance of rangeland/pasture to

livestock and the characteristics of range land.

(b) Common grasses and legumes in rangeland.

(c) Factors affecting the level of production of

herbage; rainfall, grass/legume composition,

grazing etc.

(d) Methods of rangeland and pasture

improvement:

controlled stocking, rotational grazing, use of

fertilizers, introduction of legumes, reseeding,

weed control, burning, pest and disease control.


the types of diet for the

various classes of animals,

their characteristics and

supplementary feeding.


malnutrition related

conditions such as ketosis,

rickets.


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CONTENTS

8. Animal improvement

(a) Meaning of animal improvement.

(b) Aims of animal improvement.

(c) Methods of animal improvement:

(i) introduction;

(ii) selection;

(iii) breeding.

(d) Artificial insemination.

(i) meaning of artificial insemination.

(ii) methods of collecting semen.

(iii) advantages and disadvantages of artificial

insemination.

NOTES


differences and

similarities between

breeds (local, exotic and

cross/hybrid) and

performance of animals.

9. Animal health management

(a) Meaning of disease.

(b) Causal organisms: viruses, bacteria, fungi and

protozoa.

(c) Factors that could predispose animals to diseases:

health status of animals, nutrition, management

etc.

(d) Reaction of animals to diseases: susceptibility and

resistance to diseases.

(e) Causal organisms, symptoms, mode of

transmission, effects, prevention and control of

the following selected livestock diseases:

(i) viral-foot and mouth, rinderpest, newcastle;

(ii) bacterial anthrax,

brucellosis, tuberculosis;

(iii) fungal aspergillosis, ringworm, scabies;

(iv)protozoa trypanosomiasis,

coccidiosis.

The economic importance

of the diseases would be

assessed.

CONTENTS

(f) Parasites.

(i) meaning of parasite.

(ii) types of parasites.

(iii) mode of transmission, life cycle, economic

importance and control of the following

selected livestock parasites:

endoparasites tapeworm, liverfluke and

roundworm;

ectoparasites ticks, lice.

NOTES


15


aeration, stocking,

feeding, harvesting,

processing and

preservation of fish.

(g) General methods of prevention and control of

diseases and parasites:

quarantine, inoculation/immunization, hygiene,

breeding for resistance etc.

10. Aquaculture

(a) Meaning of aquaculture.

(b) Different types of aquaculture:

(i) fish farming;

(ii) shrimp farming;

(iii) crab farming.

(c) Meaning and importance of fish farming.

(d) Conditions necessary for siting

a fish pond.

(e) Establishment and maintenance of fish pond.

(f) Fishery regulations meaning and regulations.

(g) Fishing methods and tools.

CONTENTS

11. Apiculture or bee keeping

(a) Meaning of apiculture or bee

keeping.

(b) Types of bees:

(i) indigenous bees;

(ii) exotic bees.

(c) Importance of bee keeping.

(d) Methods of bee keeping:

(i) traditional method;

(ii) modern bee keeping.

(e) Bee keeping equipment:

bee hives, hive tools like suits,

smokers, jungle boots, brushes

etc.

(f) Precautionary measures in bee keeping:

(i) locate apiaries far from human dwellings;

(ii) put warning symbols near

apiary etc.

NOTES

I. AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND EXTENSION

Basic economic principles:

(a) scarcity;

(b) choice;

(c) scale of preference;

(d) law of diminishing returns.

1.

Factors of production:

(a) land;

(b) capital;

(c) labour characteristics and

2.

classification;

(d) management or entrepreneur.

Principles of demand

(a) Definition of demand.

3.

Rural-urban migration and

how it affects labour

availability in agricultural

production would be

assessed.


16

(b) Law of demand.

(c) Factors affecting demand for

agricultural produce.

CONTENTS

(d) Movements along the demand curve.

(e) Shifts in the demand curve.

4. Principles of supply

(a) Definition of supply.

(b) Law of supply.

(c) Movements along supply curve.

(d) Shifts in the supply curve.

(e) Factors affecting the supply of

agricultural produce.

NOTES

Implications of demand and supply for

agricultural production

(a) Price support.

(b) Price control.

(c) Subsidy programme and its effects on

agricultural production.

5.

Functions of a farm manager

(a) Meaning of a farm manager.

6.

Functions of a farm manager.

(b)

Problems faced by farm managers

7.

Assessment would include the

meaning of farm management

Agricultural finance

(a) Meaning of agricultural finance.

(b) Importance of agricultural finance.

(c) Sources of farm finance.

(d) Classes of farm credit:

(i) classification based on length of

time:

- short-term credit;

- medium term credit;

- long-term credit.

(ii) classification based on source of

credit:

8.

- institutional credit;

- non-institutional credit.

(iii) classification based on liquidity:

- loan in-cash;

- loan in-kind.

CONTENTS

NOTES


17

(e) Problems faced by farmers in procuring

agricultural credit.

- high interest rate;

- lack or inadequate collateral etc.

(f) Problems faced by institutions in

granting loans to farmers:

-lack of records andaccounts etc.

(g) Capital market.

(i) meaning of capital market,

institutions that deal with medium

and long term loans for agricultural Assessment would include the

business.

meaning of agri-business.

(ii) institutions involved in the capital

market

(iii) sources of funds for the capital

market:

- bonds;

- insurance companies;

- merchant banks;

- the stock exchange (sales and

purchases of shares).

(iv) roles of capital markets in

agricultural business:

- mobilization of long term funds

for on-lending;

- reduce over reliance on money

market etc.

Farm records and accounts

(a) Importance of farm records.

(b) Types of farm records:

9.

(i) inventory records;

(ii) production records;

(iii) income and expenditure records;

(iv)supplementary or special

records.

(c) Designing farm records

CONTENTS

NOTES

(d) Farm accounts:

(i) expenditure/ purchases account;

(ii) income/sales account;

(iii) profit and loss account;

(iv) balance sheet.

Assessment would include terms

such as salvage value, appreciation,

farm budget, depreciation, inventory,

their importance and their uses in

calculating profit and loss of farm

items like crops, livestock, farm

machinery and tools in the farm.


18

Marketing of agricultural produce

(a) Meaning and importance of marketing

of agricultural produce.

(b) Marketing agents and their functions.

(c) Marketing functions:

(i) assembling;

(ii) transportation;

(iii) processing etc.

(d) Marketing of export crops.

(e) Export crops in West Africa.

(f) Guidelines for exporting crops in West

Africa.

(g) Corporate bodies, cooperative societies

and individuals engaged in exporting

agricultural produce e.g ANCE -

Association of Nigerian Cooperative

Exporters.

(h) Importance of exporting agricultural

produce.

(i) Problems of marketing

agricultural produce .

10.

Advantages and disadvantages of the

marketing agents would be assessed.

Agricultural insurance

(a) Meaning of agricultural insurance.

(b) Importance of agricultural insurance.

(c) Types of insurance policies for

agricultural production:

(i) specific enterprise insurance e.g.

crop insurance, livestock

insurance;

11.

CONTENTS NOTES

(ii) farm vehicle insurance;

(iii) fire disaster insurance or machines

and buildings insurance;

(iv) life assurance (farmers, farm

workers and farmers household).

(d) Insurance premium

(e) Problems of agricultural insurance:

- uncertainties of weather;

- losses due to natural disaster

etc.


19

12. Agricultural extension

(a) Meaning and importance of

agricultural extension

(b) Agricultural extension methods:

(i) individual contact methods;

(ii) group contact methods etc.

(c) Agricultural extension

programmes in West Africa e.g ADP,

NDE, Agro-service centres, state

ministries of agriculture and natural

resources

(d) Problems of agricultural extension in

West Africa. e.g. illiteracy among

farmers, inadequate transport facilities

etc.

Qualities of a good extension worker

would be assessed.

CONTENTS

PRACTICAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

A. AGRICULTURAL ECOLOGY

1. Soil

NOTES

Soil samples are to be examined for

texture by manual feeling of wet and

dry soil.

Examination of fertile and infertile

soils and note distinguishing features

of soils colour, texture and

structure, presence of organic matter

and living things.

2. Soil profile

Simple description and identification

of soil profile would be assessed.

3. Rocks

Identification of common rock types:

igneous, sedimentary and

metamorphic would be assessed.

4. Laboratory work on physical properties of

soil.

(a) Mechanical analysis by sedimentation

and also by use of hydrometer method

or sieves

(b) Determination of bulk density and total

pore space.

(c) Determination of moisture content of a


20

moist soil sample.

(d) Determination of maximum water

holding capacity.

(e) Determination of wilting point.

(f) Determination of capillary action.

5. Laboratory work on chemical properties of

soil.

(a) Determination of soil acidity using pH

meter and/or any other gadget or

simple equipment.

(b) Common types of chemical

fertilizers.

Identification, methods and rates of

application of nitrogen, phosphorus,

potassium and compound fertilizers

would be assessed.

(c) Organic manure:

(i) green manure;

(ii) farm yard;

(iii) compost.

Identification, method of preparation

and application of compost would be

assessed.

6. Irrigation and drainage

Identification and uses of irrigation

and drainage equipment e.g.

watering can, sprinkler, pump, pipes

would be assessed.


identification, description, uses and

maintenance of various garden tools

and equipment e.g. hoe, cutlass,

garden trowel, hand fork, shovel,

spade, rake, sickle, secateurs, shears,

long handle hoe, pruner, budding

knife, emasculator.


identification, description, uses and

maintenance of tractor and animal-

drawn implements e.g. ploughs,

harrows, ridgers, planters,

cultivators; identification of the

major parts of the implements and

B. AGRICULTURAL

ENGINEERING/MECHANIZATION

1. Farm tools and equipment

2. Tractor and animal drawn implement


21

their functions.


identification, description and uses

of harvesting, processing and storage

equipment e.g. dehuskers, shellers,

winnowers, dryers, processors,

graters, refrigerators, cutlasses,

scythe, groundnut lifters.

Identification of the major

components of the farm tractor,

servicing and maintenance would be

assessed.

3. Harvesting, processing and storage

equipment.

4. Farm tractor

5. Uses and maintenance of horticultural tools Identification, uses and maintenance

of the following horticultural

tools:and implements.

shears, dibber, pruning knife,

secateurs, budding knife, measuring

tapes, hand fork, hand trowel, hoe,

fork would be assessed.

6. Livestock and fishing equipment

Identification, description, uses and

care of livestock and fishing

equipment e.g. waterers, feeders,

milking machines, nets, hook and

line, branding machine, egg candler

would be assessed.


identification, uses, and care of

simple surveying equipment e.g.

measuring tape, pins or arrows,

ranging poles, plum bob, offset staff,

compass, gunters chains, pegs,

theodolite.

7. Farm surveying equipment

C. CROP PRODUCTION

Seeds, seedlings, fruits and

storage organs of crops.

1.

Identification of seeds, seedlings,

fruits, storage organs and essential

parts of the common crop plants,

pasture grasses and legumes would

be assessed.

Main pests and diseases of crops

2.


identification and control of the main

field and storage pests e.g. cotton

stainer, yam beetles, weevils etc and

the damage they cause to crops;

identification of main diseases of

crops, their causal agents and

characteristic symptoms, prevention

and control.


22

Planting dates, seed rates, plant population

and seed quality tests of the more common

local crop plants.

3.

Preparation of seedbeds, fertilizer

application, mulching, use of pesticides ,

watering, vegetative propagation,

germination tests etc.

4.

Forest products and by-products.

5.

Methods of propagation of horticultural

plants.

6.

Assessment would include the

following propagation methods

direct sowing, transplanting,

layering, grafting and budding.

External features, mode of dispersal

and methods of controlling weeds on

the farm would be assessed.

Common weeds

7.

D. ANIMAL PRODUCTION

Common breeds of animals and types of

animals available in the locality.

Major internal organs of farm animals, e.g.

organs of the digestive system,

reproductive and excretory systems.

1.

2.

Identification of breeds, methods of

restraints, handling and grooming of

farm animals would be assessed.

Animal by-products

3.


identification and functions of the

major internal organs.

Identification of animal by-products

e.g. hides and skin, fur, feather, horn

would be assessed.

Assessment would cover the

identification and uses of feeds and

feed stuffs(e.g. fish meal, groundnut

cake, rice bran); types of diets/ration.


identification of common

ectoparasites(e.g. ticks, lice) and

Animal feeds and feed stuffs and their

local sources.

4.

Main pests and parasites of farm animals.

5.


23

endoparasites(e.g tapeworms, liver

flukes, roundworms); the damage

caused on their hosts and their

control; and their life cycles.

Diseases of farm animals.

6.

Methods of prevention and control of

diseases of farm animals, e.g.

drugging, drenching, dipping,

spraying and simple methods of farm

sanitation would be assessed.

Assessment would cover the

identification of equipment/tools

used for routine management

practices.

Routine management practices in farm

animals, e.g. selection of livestock and

poultry for breeding, culling, ear-notching,

tattooing, horn or skin branding,

debeaking, dehorning, castration.

7.

Fish harvesting and preservation.

8.

Methods of harvesting, processing

and preservation of fish would be

assessed.


24


ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

1.

PREAMBLE

The syllabus has been structured to assess candidates basic knowledge and skills in the

production, processing, storage, packaging and marketing of farm animals and their products. It is also intended to assess the capability of the candidates to pursue further training at the tertiary level.

2.

AIMS OF THE SYLLABUS

The syllabus will therefore seek to assess candidates knowledge and skills in

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

basic animal production practices such as feeding, housing, pest and disease control;

the efficient and effective management of animal enterprises;

the application of environmentally friendly practices to sustain production;

the identification of basic problems hindering the improvement of the Animal Industry;

the efficient processing, preservation, packaging, storage and marketing of animals and their products.

3.

REQUIREMENTS

1.

Schools offering Animal Husbandry are expected to raise at least one species of farm animals from each of the following groups:

(a)

(b)

(b)

2.

Monogastrics e.g. poultry, pigs, rabbits.

Ruminants e.g. goats, sheep, cattle.

Non-traditional farm animals e.g. grasscutters,snails

It is recommended that the schools should have agriculture laboratories where specimens, equipment and chemicals would be kept.

It is also recommended that candidates keep practical notebooks which should contain

records of activities undertaken and observations made on the school farm and on field trips and of specimens collected.

3.

4.

EXAMINATION SCHEME

For candidates in Ghana only


There will be three papers, Papers 1, 2 and 3, all of which must be taken. Papers 1 and 2


PAPER 1: Will consist of fifty multiple choice objective questions all of which must be

answered within 1 hour for 50 marks.

PAPER 2: Will consist of six essay-type questions. Candidates will be required to

answer four questions within 2 hours for 80 marks.

PAPER 3: Will be a practical paper for school candidates or a test of practical paper for

private candidates. The paper will consist of four questions all of which must

be answered within 2 hours for 60 marks.

CONTENTS

A. INTRODUCTION TO

ANIMAL

HUSBANDRY

NOTES

1. Meaning, scope and

importance of animal

husbandry

Knowledge of the meaning (rearing of

farm animals), scope (nutrition, health,

etc.) and importance (source of food,

employment, income, etc) of farm

animals are required.

Knowledge and understanding of the

problems in animal production in West

Africa and possible solutions to the

problems will be assessed.

Description of the quality and safety

standards of animal food products.

Practices for maintaining standards,

effect of consuming poor animal

products and roles of agencies involved

in the animal food products safety and

quality will be assessed.

Classification based on;

2. Problems in animal

production

3.Quality and Safety


standard of animal food

products

poultry, pigs

(c) Non-ruminant herbivores e.g.

rabbits, grasscutter, guinea pigs.

2.

Concept of traditional

(cattle, sheep, goat) and

non-traditional farmanimals

(rabbit, grasscutter, snails).

4. Classification of farm

animals

Understanding of the terms anatomy

and physiology; and knowledge of parts

and positions of the various external

parts (orientation) of farm animals e.g.

the head of the cow is anterior to the

hind limb or udder; will be assessed.

The main features of the digestive

systems of ruminants, non-ruminant

herbivores and monogastrics and the

differences in structure and functions

will be assessed.

Candidates understanding of digestion

processes in the various classes of farm

animals, the role of specific enzymes in

the digestion of specific nutrients e.g.

carbohydrates, proteins, fats and oils in

farm animals, and the structures and

processes involved in absorption of

nutrients will be assessed.

B. ANATOMY AND

PHYSIOLOGY OF

FARM

ANIMALS

Knowledge of the functions of the ANS

is required. The ability to explain how

nerve impulses are transmitted and how

Ability to identify the parts of the CNS

and ANS and describe the mode of

action of the CNS and ANS is required.

1. Digestive system

(a) Ruminants e.g. sheep, goat, cattle

(b) Non-ruminants (monogastrics) eg.

homeostasis is ensured will also be

assessed.


Knowledge of what endocrine glands

are, their location in the body and

functions will be assessed.

Hormones, their functions and mode of

action, and understanding of the need to

administer synthetic hormones will be

assessed

1. Meaning of the terms:

anatomy, physiology

and the external

orientation of farm

animals

2. Digestive System

(a) Comparative

anatomy of digestive

system of farm

animals

The structure and functions of the

integumentary (skin), skeletal and

muscular systems will be assessed.

Understanding of reproductive terms

e.g. puberty, oestrous cycle,

oestrus/anoestrus, ovulation,

fertilization, libido, etc will be assessed.

(b) Digestion and

Absorption

processes in the

various classes

of farm animals

Knowledge of the main features of the

reproductive system of poultry and

livestock will be assessed.

Knowledge of the functions of the

organs and parts of the reproductive

system will be assessed.

3. Central Nervous

System

The various stages in the reproductive

process (from puberty through mating

to parturition); differences between the

reproductive processes in poultry and

livestock will be assessed.

Knowledge of reproductive hormones

and their functions is also required.

Assessment will be on the various

organs of the system e.g. heart, blood

(a) Parts of the Central

Nervous System

(CNS) and

Autonomic

Nervous System

(ANS)

vessels; tissues (blood, lymph) and cells

(blood cells); and their functions.

Differences between pulmonary and

systemic circulation will also be

assessed.


Meaning of heart and pulse rate and the

interpretation of their values will be

assessed.

Understanding of the term respiration

and its importance will be assessed.

(b) Functions of the

ANS

The structure and functions of the parts

of the respiratory system of livestock

will be required.

Understanding of the term excretion and

its importance is required

(c) Endocrine System

(i) Endocrine glands

and their functions

The structure and functions of the parts

of the excretory system of livestock will

be required.

(ii) Hormones and

their functions

Examples of excretory products and

how they are eliminated from the body

is required.

4. Integumentary, skeletal

and muscular systems

Understanding of the term nutrition and

its importance/role in animal production

e.g. improves body resistance,

production level, etc. will be assessed.

Understanding of basic nutrition terms

such as nutrients, diet, ration,

roughages, malnutrition, concentrates,

etc will also be required.

The differences in the various modes of

feeding in non-ruminant herbivores,

ruminants, carnivores and omnivores

will be required.

The influence of the type of dentition on

the mode of feeding of the animals will

also be required.

Feedstuffs and supplements, their main

composition and functions of the major

nutrients will be required

(b) Functions of organs

5. Reproductive System

(a) Anatomy of the

reproductive system

of poultry and

livestock

and parts of the

reproductive system


Ability to group feedstuffs according to

the major nutrients they supply will also

be assessed.

Ability to use simple food tests to detect

the presence of carbohydrates, fats and

oils, proteins in feedstuffs is required.

Knowledge of major producers and

suppliers of feedstuffs in the country is

also required

(c) Reproductive

processes

Understanding of the common terms

used in formulation such as dry matter,

diet, metabolizable energy, malnutrition

etc. will be assessed.

Factors considered in the formulation of

rations e.g. age, physiological state of

the animal, cost of feed ingredients etc.

will be required.

6. Circulatory System

Ability to use the Pearson Square

(a) Structure and

functions

Method to formulate a balanced ration

is required.

Importance of feed storage and

features of the various feed storage

structures/containers will be required.

(b) Heart and Pulse

rate

Factors which affect the quality of

stored feed e.g. storage

temperature/ambient temperature,

humidity, water content, pests and

rodents will be required.

Ability to follow procedures /practices

in the handling of stored feed e.g.

drying, fumigation, will also be

assessed.

7. Respiratory System

(a) Meaning and

Importance of

Respiration

Ability to keep feed records and

estimate the cost of prepared feed will

be assessed.

(b) Structure and

Functions of the

Respiratory System

8. Excretory System

(a) Meaning and

Importance of the

Excretion

(b) Structure and

Functions of the


Ability to identify common pests of

stored feeds, the effects of pests on

stored feed (e.g. damage,

contamination), preventive and control

measures of pests in feed will be

assessed.

Candidates will be assessed on their

understanding of the terms: disease,

pest and parasite.

Knowledge of the characteristics of

healthy and sick animals and ability to

describe the signs and symptoms of

disease in farm animals will be

assessed.

Understanding of the factors and how

they predispose animals to diseases e.g.

over crowding, poor nutrition, poor

housing,

Causes of stress and measures to reduce

stress in farm animals will be assessed.

Excretory System

Understanding of the effects of diseases,

pests and parasites on the economic

value of animals/ animal products and

income e.g. reduced value/output, loss

of income, reduced quality of products,

will be assessed.

(c) Excretory Products

Understanding of the term zoonotic

disease and its importance e.g. effect on

human health and preventive methods

will be assessed.

C. ANIMAL NUTRITION

1. Introduction to Animal

Nutrition

(a) Meaning and

Importance

Knowledge of the various classes of

pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi and

protozoa)

Common pathogenic diseases and their

economic importance in animal

production will be assessed.

(b) Modes of feeding

2. Feedstuffs and Feed

Supplements

(a) Types, composition

and functions of

the feed nutrients

(b) Classification of

feedstuffs

(c) Food tests

(d) Producers and

suppliers of

feedstuffs and

supplements

3. Formulation and

Preparation of Animal

Feeds

(a) Common terms

used in feed

formulation

(b) Factors considered

in the formulation of ration

(c) Steps in the

formulation of ration


Principles for prevention and control of

diseases (e.g. nutrition, vaccination, )

with respect to cost, suitability and

efficiency;

Ability to use prophylactics

(coccidiostat, anti-biotics, anti-stress

drugs, vitamins) to control animal

diseases will be assessed.


Practices such as deworming, dipping,

dusting, treatment of wounds and sores,

spraying and fumigation of animal

houses, drug administration and

precautions to be taken in the use of

drugs for disease control will be

assessed.

Knowledge of the two main types of

parasites (ecto and endoparasites) and

examples is required.

The structure, life cycle and mode of

feeding of the common types of endo-

and ectoparasites will be required.

Conditions that affect parasite

population, and how they could be

changed to reduce parasite population

will be assessed.

Measures such as deworming,

drenching, dipping, farm sanitation etc,

the use of appropriate equipment and

chemicals in the prevention and control

of parasites will be assessed.

The economic importance of

ectoparasites and endoparasites (i) on

the host e.g. ectoparasites damage skin

and hides, suck blood. Endoparasites

damage internal organs

(ii) on animal products e.g. loss of

income, increased expenditure due to

control measures, etc. will be assessed.

4. Handling and Storage of

Animal Feeds

(a) Importance of feed

storage and

features of

storage structures

(b) Factors that affect

the quality of stored

feed

5. Record keeping and

estimation of cost of

prepared feed

6. Pests of stored feed and

their control

D. ANIMAL HEALTH

1. Meaning of terms

2. Signs of good and ill-

health

3. Factors that pre-

dispose animals to

diseases


understanding of heredity and

associated genetic terms (e.g. gene,

genotype, phenotype, sex-linkage) in

animals, the processes of cell division

(meiosis and mitosis) and inheritance of

traits;

Mendels first law of inheritance of

genes

Understanding of the term animal

improvement and knowledge of the

objectives and benefits of animal

improvement e.g. disease resistance,

better growth rate, will be assessed.

Ability to analyze data to determine

superiority of improved animals based

on genotype and phenotype will be

assessed.

The different methods of animal

improvement (introduction, selection,

breeding), types of breeding (e.g. cross

breeding, line breeding), advantages and

disadvantages of the different methods

of animal improvement will be required.

Nutritional and environmental factors

that affect animal improvement will be

assessed

Understanding of the term artificial

insemination, the ability to describe A.I.

technique and name of tools and

equipment used in the process are

required.

Advantages in the use of A.I. will be

required.

4. Effects of diseases,

pests and parasites on

animal production

5. Zoonotic diseases; their

importance and

prevention

6. Pathogens of farm

animal diseases

The importance of the production of the

various types of poultry will be

assessed.

(a) Classification of

pathogens

(b) Pathogenic

diseases and their

economic

importance

(c) Principles for

prevention and

control of

diseases of farm

animals

(d) Management

practices in the

prevention and

control of diseases

of farm animals

7. Ectoparasites and

endoparasites

(a) Types and

examples

of parasites

(b) Structure, life cycle

and mode of

feeding

(c) Conditions that

influence parasite

population

8. Prevention and control

of parasites

9. Economic importance

of parasites


Ability to detect heat in farm animals

through knowledge of signs of heat and

the proper handling procedures in the

collection and storage of semen will be

assessed

Candidates will be assessed on what

constitutes the internal environment

(e.g. blood glucose level, body

temperature) and external environment

(e.g. ambient temperature, humidity,

wind) of animals and examples of

acceptable levels of constituents of

these environments

The role of the nervous and endocrine

systems in creating environmental

awareness in animals, their responses to

stimuli and maintenance of homeostasis

e.g. normal levels of body

Temperature

espiration; heart rate is required.

Knowledge of physiological and

behavioural responses of animals to

heat, cold, exercise, etc is also required.

Knowledge of equipment employed in

the measurement of temperature,

humidity, respiration rate, heart beat,

etc. and the ability to use the equipment

and interpretation of generated data are

required

Indirect and direct effects of climate on

farm animals (e.g. disease prevalence,

feed quality and quantity, heat stress,

increased abortion) will be assessed.

Understanding of the terms thermo-

neutral zone and optimum temperature

and their relation to animal productivity

will be assessed.

E. GENETIC

PRINCIPLES AND

ANIMAL

IMPROVEMENT

1. Heredity, basic genetic

terms and Mendels first

law of inheritance

2. Meaning, objectives

and benefits of animal

improvement

3. Performance traits of

improved and

unimproved animals

4. Methods of animal

improvement;

advantages and

disadvantages

5. Nutritional and

environmental factors

affecting animal

improvement

6. Artificial Insemination

(a) Meaning and

process of

artificial

insemination

(A.I.)


Ways of modifying the environment

e.g. provision of appropriate housing,

shading, cooling; and management (e.g.

better feeding, time of grazing, etc.) on

improved animal productivity will be

assessed. Strategies to minimize stress

e.g. design and lay-out of houses,

provision of cool water, modified feeds,

proper timing of drug administration

will also be assessed.


understanding of the term poultry and

knowledge of the characteristics of

poultry e.g. possession of beaks, wings,

feathers.

Knowledge of the different types of

poultry e.g. chicken, turkey, ducks,

Guinea fowls and ostriches will be

assessed.

Knowledge of the breeds of the various

types of poultry:

Chicken e.g Rhode Island Red,

Plymouth Rock;

Guinea fowl e.g.Grey, Red-wattled

(Pearl variety);

Turkey e.g. Broad Breasted Bronze:

Ducks e.g. Muscovy, Khaki Campbell;

Ostriches e.g. Blue Neck, Red Neck

will be assessed.

The various systems of poultry keeping

and the advantages and disadvantages

of the various production systems:

extensive, intensive, semi-intensive

systems will be required.

(b) Advantages of

A.I.

(c) Signs of heat

(oestrus) and

handling

procedures in the

collection and

storage of semen

F. INTRODUCTION TO

ENVIRONMENTAL

PHYSIOLOGY

1. Internal and external

environment of animals

2. The role of the nervous

and endocrine systems

in homeostasis and

animals response to

stimuli


Understanding of terms such as fertile

egg, hatchability, incubation and

broodiness will be assessed.

Ability to describe and differentiate

between natural and artificial

incubation, the advantages and

disadvantages of each method of

incubation will be assessed.

Knowledge of the characteristics of

eggs suitable for hatching and the

ability to select them for hatching are

required.

Knowledge of the incubation period of

the types of poultry and the conditions

necessary for hatching of eggs will be

assessed.

Ability to describe the process of

incubation and knowledge of hatchery

practices that would ensure production

of healthy chicks e.g. fumigation,

temperature will be assessed.

Understanding of the process of

candling of eggs is required.

Techniques and precautions for the

marketing of day-old chicks will be

assessed.

Management practices i.e. housing,

breeding, brooding, feeding, sanitation,

pest and disease control, identification,

record keeping, etc. will be assessed.

Knowledge and understanding of the

activities involved in the processing and

marketing of poultry i.e. slaughtering

and Processing, Quality Control,

Packaging, Preservation and Storage,

Marketing Outlets, transportation and

advertisement will be assessed.

3. Determination of room

temperature, body

temperature and

respiration rate in farm

animals

4. Effects of climate on

farm animals

5. Modification of animal

environment and

management pratices to

reduce stress on

animals

G. MONOGASTRIC

AND

DOMESTIC PET

PRODUCTION

1. Poultry production

(a) Definition and

characteristics of

poultry

(b) Classes of poultry

(c) Breeds and types

of poultry


The prospects for keeping the various

types of poultry, consumer preferences,

market availability, cost etc will be

assessed.


knowledge of

(i)Types of pig. i.e. bacon,

lard and pork types

(ii) Breeds of pig e.g.,

Yorkshire, Ashanti

Black, Large White, Landrace, and

(iii)The characteristics of the breeds of

pig.The importance of pig production to the economy i.e. source of employment,

income, insulin used in pharmaceutical

industries etc will be assessed.

Candidates understanding of and ability

to describe the various management

systems of pig production i.e. Intensive,

Semi-intensive and Extensive systems

will be assessed.

The advantages and disadvantages of

each of the management systems will

also be assessed.

The various management practices used

in pig production e.g. breeding, housing

amd feeding will be assessed.

Knowledge and techniques of

slaughtering, processing and marketing

practices, e.g. bacon making, quality

control, packaging, storage,

identification of marketing outlets,

advertisements etc. will be assessed.

The meaning of the term pet; (e.g. cat,

dog, parrot) and the important roles pets

(d) Importance/role of

poultry production

(e) Systems of poultry

Production

(f) Incubation and

Hatchery Practices

(i) Terminologies

(ii) Natural and

Artificial

Incubation

(iii) Selection of eggs

for Hatching

(iv) Conditions

necessary for

hatching of eggs


play in the society e.g. security, income,

shepherding, companionship are

required.

The management practices in the raising

of pets such as housing, feeding,

sanitation, breeding, grooming and care,

pests and diseases and their control will

be assessed. The importance of pet

licencing and regular vaccination will

be assessed.

Knowledge of animal behaviour and

reasons for training of pets is required.

Marketing strategies and value chain

process in the marketing of pets will be

assessed.

The common breeds of sheep and goats

and their geographical distribution will

be assessed.

The distinguishing features between

sheep and goats, as well as the

characteristics of the breeds e.g. body

size, nature of hair cover and horn shape

will also be assessed.

The importance of sheep and goats i.e.

Social e.g. religious; Economic e.g.

income, hides and skin for leather etc;

Nutrition e.g. meat for food etc. is

required.

Production requirements using a value

chain approach is required.

Management practices in the production

of sheep and goats such as

hoof trimming, housing, feeding,

sanitation, disease and pest control are

also required. Ability to determine the

age of sheep and goat by the dentition

will be assessed.

(v) Incubation Process

(vi) Candling of Eggs

(vii) Marketing of day-

old chicks

(g) Management Practices

(h) Processing

and marketing

of Poultry


Common parasites (ticks and worms)

and diseases of sheep and goats e.g

anthrax, mastitis, foot rot;

signs/symptoms of infection and control

measures will be assessed.

Techniques involved in the processing

and marketing of sheep and goats to

ensure meat quality, safety and

consumer satisfaction including

slaughtering and processing, quality

control, preservation and storage,

packaging, advertising and marketing

outlets will be assessed.

Common breeds of beef cattle in West

Africa and Europe; and the

characteristics and general structure of

breef breeds will be assessed.

The importance of beef cattle

production i.e. nutritional value of beef,

use of hides, horns, bones and manure,

social and economic value of beef and

live cattle will be assessed.

The common production systems of

beef cattle e.g. Extensive, pastoral,

agropastoral, semi-intensive, intensive

feedlot,pastures), their characteristics

and the strengths and weaknesses of

each system will be

assessed.

The requirements, using value chain

approach for producing beef cattle;

selection of management system,

foundation stock, and qualities of bulls

and cows to be selected for traction will

be assessed.

Skills in carrying out practices such as

housing, feeding, breeding, fattening,

etc. Knowledge of training of yoked

cattle will be assessed.

(i) Prospects of producing

the various types of

poultry

2. Pig Production

(a) Types, breeds and

characteristics

(b) Importance of pig

production

(c) Systems of

keeping pigs

(d) Management

practices

(e) Slaughtering,

processing and

marketing of pigs

3. Domestic Pets

(a) Meaning and

Importance of pets


Techniques of slaughtering and

processing of carcass, maintenance of

safety standards, packaging and sale of

meat products will be assessed.

The negative effects of poor

management of beef cattle on the

environment, as well as problems of

feed and water shortages, cattle theft

,pestsetc and their solutions will be

assessed.

.

Examples of pure and cross bred dairy

breeds in tropical and temperate

regions; and the distinguishing features

of dairy cow will be assessed.

Knowledge of the composition and

nutritional value of fresh milk will be

assessed.

Knowledge of sources of milk such as

goats, sheep, buffaloes, camels and

cattle and the importance of milk from

dairy cattle including food,

income,employment, trade etc. will be

assessed.

The requirements, using a value chain

approach, for producing milk from dairy

cattle e.g. market demand for milk and

dairy products, inputs for producing

wholesome /healthy milk etc. Selecting

suitable breeds and management

systems will be assessed.

Knowledge of symptoms and methods

of controlling mastitis, tuberculosis and

ketosis is required.

(b) Management of pets

(c) Training of Pets

(d) Marketing of pets

(H) RUMINANT

PRODUCTION

1. Sheep and goat

production.

(a) Common

Breeds,

Distribution and

Characteristics

(b) Importance of

sheep and goats

(c) Management

Practices


Equipment and tools required for

milking, milk handling and processing;

pasteurization of milk; examples of

products e.g. yoghurt, cottage cheese,

tinned milk, powdered milk will be

assessed.

(i) Knowledge of consequences of

consuming contaminated milk will be

assessed.

(ii) Knowledge in maintaining quality

and safety standards in milk processing

and marketing will be assessed.

Knowledge of packaging,storage and

marketing practices will also be

assessed.

Effects of warm climate on dairy

animals and milk production; and the

solutions to the problems will be

assessed.


understanding of the basic terms in pasture

and range management e.g. pasture, pasture

rotation, stocking rate, range, forage crops

Types of pasture (natural/range and

artificial/cultivated) and their features will be assessed.

The role of forage and pasture crops in

animal production will be assessed.

The factors that affect the productivity

of different types of pasture eg. rainfall,

soil fertility, temperature, weeds, etc. is

required

Knowledge of the common and

scientific names of the major forage

crops and their classification are

required.

(d) Common parasites

and diseases and

their control

(e) Processing and

marketing

2. Beef Cattle Production

(a) Breeds and

(b) Importance of

characteristics

beef cattle

production

(c) Common

Production

Systems

(d) Planning,production

and management of

cattle for beef and

traction

Knowledge of poisonous plants in

pasture e.g. Lantana camara,

Crotalaria rotundusis required.

Knowledge of qualitites of good pasture

and forage species e.g. high

productivity,

palatability and fast growth is required.

Cultural practices associated with

pasture establishment e.g. site selection,

land preparation, methods of

propagation of pasture, their merits and

demerits, i.e. seeding, vegetative means

will be assessed.

Understanding of the need to improve

natural pastures and the techniques for

improving natural pastures will be

required.

Skills in managing cultivated pastures

e.g. control of fire, proper stocking rate,

disease prevention and control will be

assessed.

Knowledge of tools/equipment for

harvesting forage crops and yield

determination will be assessed.

Forage conservation and its importance;

the various forms of conserved forage

e.g. hay and silage; and differences

between hay and silage based on the

physical,chemical and nutritive

properties will be assessed

The processes and precautions in the

preparation of hay and silage e.g.

cutting herbage at the right time, proper

compacting, use of additives,etc will be

assessed.

(e) General management

practices

(f) Processing and

marketing

(g) Major Problems in

beef cattle production

3. Dairy cattle production

(a) Breeds and

features of dairy cow

(b) Characteristics,

sources and

importance of milk

(c) Management practices

(d) Diseases and their

control

The different types of crop residue, the

merits and demerits of using

residue for feeding ruminants is

required.

Knowledge of the common breeds of

rabbits and grasscutter will be assessed.

Importance of producing the animals

e.g. source of meat, pelt, income, will

be assessed.

Production and management practices

i.e. housing, feeding, sanitation,

breeding, disease and pest control,

record keeping will be assessed.

Activities involved in the processing

and marketing of rabbits and grascutter

will be assessed.

Meaning and importance of snail

farming are required.

Knowledge of external features of snails

and their functions is required.

Knowledge of types of species used for snail farming is required.

Factors to consider in site selection is

required.

Management practices: housing, feeding, sanitation, breeding, pest and disease

control, record keeping, processing and

marketing is required.

Steps involved in processing snail as well as marketing will be assessed.

(e) Production, processing

and marketing of milk

and dairy products

(f) Problems of dairy

cattle production in

warm climates

I. RANGE AND

PASTURE

MANAGEMENT

1. Introduction to range

and pastures

(a) Basic

terminologies in

pasture and range

management

(b) Types of pasture

and their features

(c) Importance of

pastures and forage

crops in animal

production

(d) Factors that affect the

productivity of

different types of

pasture

(e) Major forage crops

(f) Poisonous plants in

pasture

Pasture establishment

2.

and management

(a) Qualities of good

pasture and forage

species

(i) Knowledge of animal production

enterprises

(ii) Factors to be considered and

procedures in establishing animal

production enterprise will be

assessed.

Ability to identify common types and

breeds of farm animals is required.

Ability to classify farm animals based

on the type of digestive system i.e

ruminants, non- ruminant

(monogastrics) and non-

ruminant herbivores is required.

Ability to describe the orientation of

external parts of farm animals and to

draw and label animals and their parts

will be assessed.

Ability to identify and draw the major

anatomical structures in the various

body systems; the differences between

the structures and their functions will

also be assessed.

Ability to identify common feedstuffs

and supplements e.g. maize, fish meal,

oyster shell; and state the major

nutrients they contain is required.

Ability to perform simple food tests for

carbohydrates, fats and oils and protein

is required.

Ability to formulate feed using the

Pearson Square Method, estimate cost

of prepared feed and keep feed records

will be assessed.

Ability to identify pests of stored feed

and feedstuffs; their effects and control

measures will be assessed.

(b) Establishment of

pasture

(c) Improving natural

Pastures

(d) Management of

cultivated pastures

(e) Harvesting of forage

crops

3. Forage conservation

and utilization

(a) Forage

conservation and

its importance

(b) Preparation of hay

and silage

(c) Utilization of crop

residue in feeding

animals

(J) NON-TRADITIONAL

ANIMAL PRODUCTION

1. Rabbit and Grasscutter

Producation

Common breeds

(a)

Ability to identify the main pests and

parasites of farm animals ( ectoparasites

and endoparasites); their effects and

control will be assessed.

Ability to draw and label the life cycles

of tapeworm and roundworm is

required.

Ability to identify the main diseases of

farm animals, and causal agents is

required.

Simple preventive and control measures

such as drenching, dipping, spraying,

vaccination; and the various equipment

and tools used in their control are also

required.

Ability to identify the tools and

equipment used in artificial

insemination and their uses will be

assessed.

Ability to identify and use equipment to

determine parameters such as

temperature, relative humidity,

respiration rate and heart beat; and

interpret data will be assessed.

Ability to identify tools and equipment

used for management practices such as

housing, breeding, brooding, feeding,

identification, debeaking,

castration,dehorning, and candling; and

their maintenance will be assessed.

Ability to identify, and knowledge of

the uses of animal products and by-

products such as milk, skin, blood meal

and feathers will be assessed.

Ability to identify forage crops e.g.

Panicum maximum; Poisonous plants

e.g. Lantana camara; and conserved

forage e.g.hay and silage is required.

(b)

Importance of

producing rabbits

and grasscutters

(c) Manangement

Practices

(d) Processing and

Marketing

(a) Meaning and

2. Snail Farming

importance

(b) External features of

Snails

(c) Types of species

(d) Site selection

(e) Management Practices

Ability to identify tools and equipment

used in the cultivation and managment

of pastures and conservation of forage is

also required.

Ability to identify suitable material to

use in constructing animal houses and

structures e.g. cement, bamboo, wire

mesh and wood is required.

Ability to identify appropriate structures

for various farm animals e.g. hutches

for rabbits, open -sided houses for pigs.

(f) Processing and marketing of snails

Establishing

(g)

enterprises in animal

husbandry

1. Breeds of

Farm Animals.

2. Classification of farm

Animals.

3. Anatomy and

Physiology of Farm

Animals.

4. Animal Nutrition

5. Main Pests and

Parasites of farm animals

6. Diseases of farm

animals; their

prevention

and control

7. Artificial Insemination

8. Environmental

Physiology

9. Management Practices

10 Animal Products

and By-products

11. Range and Pasture

Management

12. Animal Housing and

Structures

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY (ALT B)

1. PREAMBLE

This syllabus has been designed to portray animal husbandry as a trade for livelihood with

emphasis on the acquisition of knowledge and entrepreneurial skills in animal husbandry.

Candidates will be expected to answer questions on all the topics set out in the column

headed Syllabus. The notes therein are intended to indicate the scope of the questions which

will be set, but they are not to be considered as an exhaustive list of limitations and

illustrations.

2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The syllabus will therefore seek to assess candidates knowledge and skills in:

(1) basic animal production practices such as feeding, housing, pest and disease control;

(2) efficient and effective management of animal enterprise;

(3) efficient processing, preservation, packaging, storage and marketing of animal products;

(4) basic entrepreneurial skills in animal husbandry related vocations;

(5) basic knowledge and skills in animal improvement and health.

3. REQUIREMENTS

(1) Schools offering Animal Husbandry are expected to raise at least one species of farm

animals from each of the following groups:

(a) monogastrics e.g. poultry, pigs, snails, camel, donkey, horse, rabbit, bee.

(b) ruminants e.g. cattle, sheep and goat.

(2) It is recommended that the schools should have agricultural laboratories.

(3) It is also recommended that candidates keep practical notebooks and specimen albums

which should contain records of activities undertaken and observations made on the

school farm and field trips and of specimens collected.

1

(4) It is also expected that the study would be supplemented by visits to well established

livestock and poultry farms, abattoirs, feed mills, animal product-based companies and

other institutions related to animal

SCHEME OF EXAMINATION

For candidates in Nigeria only

EXAMINATION SCHEME

There will be three papers, Papers 1, 2 and 3 all of which must be taken. Papers 1 and 2


PAPER 1:

Will consist of forty multiple choice questions all of which should be

answered within 40 minutes for 40 marks.

PAPER 2:

Will consist of six essay questions drawn from the entire syllabus. Each

question carries 20 marks. Candidates will be required to answer four

questions within 2 hours for a total of 80 marks.

PAPER 3:

Will be a practical paper for school candidates and a test of practical work

paper for private candidates. Each version will consist of four questions all

of which should be answered within 1 hours for 60 marks.

DETAILED SYLLABUS

CONTENTS

A. LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

(1) Importance of farm animals.

NOTES

Discussion shou

Documents

SYLLABUS.d… · Web viewAGRICULTURAL SCIENCE. PREAMBLE. This syllabus has been designed to portray Agricultural Science as an applied science with. emphasis on the acquisition