- Soil science
- Crop science
- Horticulture
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agricultural Extension
BRANCHES OF AGRICULTURE
This refers to the various field of study in agriculture. It goes beyond that to explain different areas in
which a person interested in practicing agriculture might decide to specialize in. As we have learnt in
the previous lessons that agriculture encompasses the production of food of all kinds be it plant
produce or produce from animals this tells us that there are vast areas in which an agriculturist, farmer,
researcher, trader or even student can dive into. The following are the some of the prominent
branches in agriculture. Under each branch there could be a whole lot of sub branches.
1) SOIL SCIENCE
Soil science is the science which deals with the study of the soil, its formation,the physical and
chemical properties of the soil. The soil is the home of the roots of plants. The roots spread in all
directions and by holding on the soil, the plant is kept in position. Plants draw all their water and
nourishment from the soil. The soil is therefore the source of food for plant, animal and man.
2) CROP SCIENCE
Crop science teaches the principle and practice of cultivating and managing crop plants grown for
human and animal consumption or for industrial uses. Crops include maize, rice, yam, cowpea, tomato
etc. When this study is widened to include other plants which are not eaten by human beings or
animals, it is known as Plant Science. When crop science and soil science are combined to form one
field of study, then we have Agronomy.
EVALUATION
CONTENT
- What are the branches of Agriculture?
- What is Soil Science?
- What is Crop Science?
3) HORTICULTURE
This is the scientific, study or practice of growing fruits, vegetable, ornamental plants/flowers and
plantation crops for profit or pleasure .Ornamental plants are used in beautifying places. E.g. Palm tree,
Christmas tree, Allamanda, Rose flower.
EVALUATION - What is Horticulture?
- What is Animal Science?
4)AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
Agricultural Economics deals with the business aspects and development of agriculture. It is more
concerned with the financial or economical aspect of Agriculture. It handles the marketing area of
agricultural products.
5) AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING
Agricultural Engineering is concerned with the repairs and fabrication of different simple and heavy
duty mechanical implement.Agricultural implement can be broadly classified into simple tools and
heavy machines. The simple tools such as cutlass, hoe, spade e.t c. are used mainly by small
scale/local farmers.
The heavy machines worked by mechanical power include ploughs, ridgers, cultivator, etc.
6)AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
This is the process or system which assists farmers through educational procedure in improving farm
methods and techniques. Methods of disseminating new ideals and techniques to farmers include
mass media, individual method and group method.
EVALUATION - What is Agricultural Engineering?
- Mention two examples of simple tools.
GENERAL EVALUATION - List five areas of Agriculture.
- What is Agricultural Engineering?
- What is Agricultural Extension?
- What is Horticulture?
- List five Agricultural farm tools.
READING ASSIGNMENT
Junior Secondary Agriculture for Nigerian Schools by A.YondeoweiBk 1 Chapter 2, pages 8-12.
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT - The area of agriculture that deals with the business aspects and development is otherwise
known as (a) agricultural economics (b) agriculture finance (c) agriculture business (d)
agriculture marketing. - The area of agriculture that concerns the repairs and fabrication of different simple and heavy
machine is called (a) agriculture Engineering (b) agriculture repairer (c) agriculture mechanic
(d) machine fabricator - The study of composition of the soil is …………… A. Soil science B. Crop science C. Animal
science D. Medicine - The personnel concerned with the teaching of local farmers the improved modern methods of
agriculture is called __ (a) Extension Agent (b) Agriculture Teacher (c) Farmers
Teacher (d)Extension Activist. - The following are methods of disseminating new ideal to local farmers except __
(a) phoning (b) mass media (c) individual method (d) group method.
THEORY - State and define any five branches of Agriculture.
- Differentiate between Crop Science and Animal science