LESSON 1 WEEK ONE
MEANING OF AGRICULTURE:
The word agriculture was derived from two Latin words namely: Ager means land or
field while cultural means cultivation.
Definition of Agriculture: Agriculture can be define as a art and science of cultivating
crops and rearing livestock (animals) for man use
Origin of Agriculture
The early man was engaged in wandering, gathering fruits and hunting animal for his
survival
Classwork: What is the meaning of Ager and Cultural. Define the term Agriculture.
Note: Lesson 2
Meaning of Agriculture: The tern Agriculture was derived from two Latin words; that is
Ager and cultural. While ager means land, field, cultural means cultivation. Therefore
the term Agriculture means land cultivation. However, Agriculture also involves also
involves the keeping of livestock. Agriculture is the cultivation of crops and rearing of
livestock. It is the production of crops and animals.
Definition: Agriculture can be defined as the art and science of cultivating crops and
rearing of livestock for man use. It is an art in the sense that it is what the farmer
practices everyday and it is his way of life. It is a science because it involves the use of
scientific methods for the production of both plants and animals it equally involve the
application of scientific and technological knowledge.
Other aspects of agriculture includes the processing marketing and distribution of crops
and manufacturing of tools and machine for agricultural use.
Origin of Agriculture
The early man was wandering about in search of food. He equally was gathering fruits.
He noticed that the fruits he threw away grew. He decided to plant them. He cleared the
land first with stick and later with stone. He equally brought home the young animals
after killing their mother. That was how he started the domesticate animals.
Assignment: Briefly describe the origin of Agriculture
TOPIC: IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE
Importance of agricultural to farmers in the society
Provision of food
Provision of materials for clothing
Provision of shelter materials
Provision of income
Development of rural farming settlement
Importance of agricultural to the nation
Provision of foreign exchange earning
Provision of market for industries
Provision of market for industrial goods
Source of revenue to government
Afforestation
Establishment
Class work: objective questions in the textbook on pages 8 and 9
Assignment: (1) Essay question on page 8 of the text
(ii) Questions on pages 2 and 3 of the workbook
Note: lesson 2
Importance of agriculture
Agriculture is important to the farmer, society and the nation in various ways.
Importance of agriculture to farmer and the society
Provision of food
Agriculture provides food which is one of the basic needs of human existence. Food is
needed for growth, energy, body repair and good health. Some of food include: maize, rice,
yam =, cowpea cattle, sheep, goat poultry etc.
Food is the most importance aspect of Agriculture.
Clothing: The materials used for making textile are obtained from cotton which is a
product of crop plant or wool, silk hides band skin which are obtained from animals. Cloth
is another basic need of man.
Shelter materials for roofing are obtained from timber (wood) leaves and palm fronds are
products of agriculture. Wood is equally used for making windows and doors.
Provision of employment
Agriculture provide job for majority of rural dwellers who cultivate crops and rear
livestock’s it equal provides job opportunities for marketers and processors of agriculture
products researches and teachers.
Provision of income: The farmers obtain income by the sale of crops and animals. Those
engaged in marketing, teaching, researching in agricultural sector get income in form of
wages and salaries.
Development of rural areas: Rural areas.
Rural roads are constructed, schools health facilities and agro-allied industries are
established in the rural farming communities electricity and pipe borne water are equally
provided.
Importance of agriculture to the nation
1. Provision of foreign exchange earning.
Agricultural products such as cocoa, rubber, hides and skin that are sold to foreign
countries are paid for in foreign currencies such as dollar, pound sterlin lira.
Therefore, foreign exchange earning are obtained by these sales. These can be used to buy
machinery electronics, fertilizer, chemicals etc.
2. Provision of raw materials for industries. Agro-allied industries obtain the supply
of their raw materials from agriculture. For instance, feed mills use, cereals,
beverage industries use cocoa, coffee, textile depends on cotton wood and silk
other include fruit juice (oranges, pineapples, mangoes, tyre (rubber latex and
leather industry hids and skin).
3. Provision of market for industrial goods. There is ready mark for farm machinery,
chemicals, fertilizer in Agricultural production.
4. Afforestation some agriculture practice include tree planting with food crops. This
practice is called taunya farming. The trees check erosion, provide good climate
and materials for making electric poles and roofing of house.
5. Establishment of parks and game reserves.
This provides facilities for recreation and tourism. Examples include Yankari game
reserve, Old Oyo National park, Obudu cattle ranch. Some animals are also used
for sports, bullfight, Polo game and Horse race.
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