AGRICCS98 MY2022: Unit 1 15/06/2022

By the end of this unit, the learner

must be able to:
INTRODUCTION TO
AGRICULTURAL CROPS 1. Explain the relevance of agricultural crops
production in the agriculture sector;
PRODUCTION
Unit 1 2. Determine the qualities of a farm worker;
and

3. Explain the various agricultural phases.

Aflatoxin – the toxin produced by some strains of the fungi

Aspergilus flavus and Aspergilus parasticus; the most potent
carcinogen yet discovered.
Agronomy – the application of the various soil and plant
1.1. DEFINITION sciences to soil management and raising of crops.

OF TERMS Agronomic crops – may include coarse grains, grain legumes,

coffee, coconuts, cotton, soya beans, peanuts and sugar
cane.
Agricultural crops – may include fruits, vegetables, herbs,
flowers, foliage, bulbs, tubers, nuts, mushrooms, wild harvest
plants and oils.

Chelly S. Alovera, Department of Soil Science

Central Mindanao University 1
AGRICCS98 MY2022: Unit 1 15/06/2022

ACIAR – Australian Center for International Agricultural Research

Ambient condition– ordinary room temperature and relative
humidity. AFHB – ASEAN Food Handling Bureau

Ambient air – the surrounding air (atmospheric). BPRE – Bureau of Post harvest Research & Extension

Ambient storage – any treatment or practice extending post Curing – process of toughening and self-healing of bruises and
harvest life of harvested commodity beyond that of similar skinned areas in root and tubes crops or the rapid closing of the
commodity held under ambient conditions without neck of bulb crops under favorable conditions
treatment. Driller – a machine for sowing in furrows
Airflow rate – the amount of air passing through an Drip Irrigation – application of water through small tubes and
obstruction per unit of time. orifices or emitters which discharge small quantity of water to
the base of the plant

Dry-bulb temperature – the temperature of air indicated by Fumigant – a chemical compound which acts in the
a standard temperature gaseous state to destroy insects and their larvae.

Equilibrium moisture content – the moisture content at Fumigation – the process of treating stored products with
which moisture in a product is in equilibrium with the insecticides/pesticides and the like in fumes or vapor form.
surrounding air. The product does not gain or loss moisture.
Furrow Irrigation – a method of supplying water through a
Fogging – to cover or envelope with fog canal system wherein water flows down or across the slope
of the field
Foliar Fertilizer – fertilizer formulation containing nitrogen,
phosphorous and potassium plus selected micronutrient Furrowing – final step in land preparation by making furrows
element such as (Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cl, B, Cu, S) applied by or beds for planting
spraying on the leaves
GATT – General Agreement on Tariff and Trade

Chelly S. Alovera, Department of Soil Science

Central Mindanao University 2
AGRICCS98 MY2022: Unit 1 15/06/2022

Harrowing – breaking of large soil clods that are caused by

Grading – the process of classifying into groups according to plowing
a set of recognized criteria of quality and size, each group
bearing an accepted name and size grouping. Hilling-Up – the process of covering the applied fertilizer
material by raising the soil towards the base of the plant to
Growing Medium – mixture of different materials such as further stabilize its stand for better plant growth.
soil, sand, compost, coir dust, rice hull, perlite, peat, etc. for
growing seedlings Hygrometer – an instrument that measures humidity.

HACCP – Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points Insect pest – a destructive or harmful insect.
Irrigation - any method of supplying water to sustain plant
Hardening – the process of gradually withholding water and
growth
exposing to direct sunlight to prevent seedlings from
transplanting stress/shock Larvae – the first stage of the life cycle of insects after leaving
the egg.

Manometer – an instrument that measures air pressure. NFA – National Food Authority
Maturity – the quality or state of ripeness, or of being fully Packaging – technology or process to ensure adequate
developed grain. protection and safe delivery of a product from the produces to
the ultimate consumer.
Maturity index – signs or indications that a commodity is
mature and is ready to be harvested. Packing – act of putting commodities in a container.
Moisture content – the conventional index used to determine Packing house – place where the preparatory steps for storage
whether the seed is dry enough for safe storage or for milling or marketing are done.
usually expressed in percent (% M.C.).
Pallet – low portable platform made of wood or metal or in
Molds – superficial often woolly growth produced on various combination to facilitate handling, storage or transport of
forms of organic matter, especially when damp or decaying. materials as a unit load using forklift.

Chelly S. Alovera, Department of Soil Science

Central Mindanao University 3
AGRICCS98 MY2022: Unit 1 15/06/2022

Post harvest infection – infection that takes place after Refrigeration – process of removing heat from a compartment
harvest. or substance so that temperature is lowered and then
maintained at a desirable level, usually refers to refrigeration
Post harvest life – period of time during which a commodity is by mechanical means.
still acceptable for its intended purpose.
Relative humidity – the actual vapor pressure of the air relative
Pre cooling – strictly, it means the rapid cooling (48 hours or to saturation.
less) of a commodity to a desired transit or storage
temperature soon after harvest before it is stored or moved in Respiration – biological process by which organic materials are
transit. broken down to simpler forms accompanied by the release of
energy and heat.
Pupa – an intermediate stage of an insect that preys on one or
more plants and animals that man wishes to preserve for his Ripening – the state of development of a fruit when it becomes
own use. soft and edible applies strictly to climacteric type fruit.

Rodents – refer to rats and mice which destroy grains and Synthetic Mulch – mulching materials made either of
other stored products. polyethylene or non-woven fabric
Senescence – final phase in the life of an organ in which a Sorting – the process of classifying into groups designated by
series of normally irreversible events are initiated leading to the person classifying crops or commodities the produce either
cellular breakdown or death of the organ. according to a set criteria.
Side-Dress Fertilizer – additional amount of any fertilizer Standard – the set of criteria and specifications of quality
materials applied at the onset of flowering to complete the determining the grades, described as product characteristics
nutritional requirement of the crop. such as maturity, color, cleanliness, shape, free from decay and
blemishes and uniformity of size.
Sprinkler Irrigation – a mechanical method of supplying water
over the standing crop by means of a nozzle which is rotated by Storage life – the longest time produce can be kept in a sound
water pressure marketable condition.

Chelly S. Alovera, Department of Soil Science

Central Mindanao University 4
AGRICCS98 MY2022: Unit 1 15/06/2022

Storage – process of keeping horticultural crops in a structure

designed to protect the stored products from inclement
weather and pests for a short or long period of time to await Velometer – an instrument that measures velocity of air flow
processing or movement to other location.
Waxing – application of a thin film of surface coating to fruits
Tachometer – an instrument that measures revolutions per and vegetables.
minute
Wet-bulb temperature – temperature of moist air indicated
Tillage – the mechanical manipulation of the soil by a thermometer whose bulb is covered with a moist wick
which the air flow passing over has a velocity of 15 ft per
Transplants – vegetable seedlings produced for transplanting second.
Trellis – a support structure for vinyl crops and can either be T,
I, Y, A shaped

1.2. BASIC CONCEPTS

OF CROP PRODUCTION

Chelly S. Alovera, Department of Soil Science

Central Mindanao University 5
AGRICCS98 MY2022: Unit 1 15/06/2022

Agriculture includes forestry, crop production, Relevance of Agricultural Crop Production

livestock farming and aquaculture cultivation.
About 40 percent of Filipino workers in the agriculture
One of the main agricultural enterprises is crop sector contribute an average of 20 percent to the
cultivation. Major agricultural systems in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (FAO).
Philippines include lowland irrigated farming,
rainfed farming, and upland farming while the In their 2020 report on food security and nutrition,
major agricultural products in the country include nearly 690 million people in the world are hungry,
rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, equating to 8.9 percent of the world population.
pineapples, and mangoes (FAO, n.d.). Additionally, most of the undernourished (381 million)
are found in Asia.

Qualities of a Farm Worker Agriculture in the Philippines

- includes all the skills and attitude needed in
performing nursery operations, planting, caring, and
Vibrant agriculture is the key to transform Philippine
maintaining crops as well as carrying out harvest
and postharvest operations agriculture into a ‘dynamic, high-growth sector’ to
speed up recovery, poverty reduction, and inclusive
• Participating in workplace communication growth. With the rise of the pandemic, the need for
• Working in a team environment the modernization of the country’s farming and food
• Practicing career professionalism and occupational health
systems would resort to stronger food security and
and safety procedures
affordable, nutritious food especially in the rural
• Applying safety measures in farm operations
• Using farm tools and equipment setting.
• Performing estimation and calculations
• Processing farm wastes; and World Bank (2020)
• Performing record keeping

Chelly S. Alovera, Department of Soil Science

Central Mindanao University 6
AGRICCS98 MY2022: Unit 1 15/06/2022

Country’s Vision: Philippines Agricultural Crops

“Food-secure and resilient Philippines Major Others

with prosperous farmers and fisherfolk” Rice Coconut Onion Rubber
William Dar, DA Sec. Corn Tobacco Garlic Legumes
Sugarcane Abaca Vegetables Nuts
Banana Mango Calamansi
Rice is a primary food crop produced in the country,
which is also a staple food in Filipino households. The Pineapple Coffee Cacao
Philippines is the eight largest rice producer and also
one of the world’s largest rice importers, as reported Crop production in the country plays a large role since the
by New Agriculturist (2012). country is an exporter of agricultural products in the world.

Common Agricultural Agricultural Laws in the Philippines

Problems in the Philippines RA 7900
Also known as the High Value Crops Development Act of
1995, it aims to promote production, processing, marketing,
and distribution of high-value crops in he country.
RA 10068
Also known as the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, it aims
to promote, propagate, develop further and implement the
practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines. It also
establishes a comprehensive organic agricultural program and
a National Organic Agricultural Board to carry out the policies
and program.

Chelly S. Alovera, Department of Soil Science

Central Mindanao University 7
AGRICCS98 MY2022: Unit 1 15/06/2022

Agricultural Laws in the Philippines Agricultural Laws in the Philippines

RA 11511
Also known as the amendment to Organic Agriculture Act of RA 10601
2010 (RA 10068), it seeks to improve the national organic Also known as the Agricultural and Fisheries (AFMech) Law,
agriculture program and encourage the consumption of organic it aims to promote agricultural and fisheries mechanization
products through a nationwide educational awareness development in the country.
campaign for consumers.
RA 8550
RA 8435
Also known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, it
Also known as the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization
aims to provide for the development, management, and
Act of 1997, it aims to modernize the agriculture and fisheries
conservation of the fisheries and aquatic resources.
sectors of the country to enhance their profitability and
prepare these sectors for globalization.

Agricultural Laws in the Philippines

RA 7607 Take note however, that these are just some of

Also known as the Magna Carta for Small Farmers, it aims the many agricultural laws in the country.
to empower smallholder farmers in their economic endeavors.

RA 8800
Also known as the Safeguard Measures Act, it aims to Check out this link to see other agricultural laws:
protect local industries by providing safeguard measures in https://www.cardph.com/republic-acts
response to increased imports in the country.

RA 10816
Aims to develop and promote farm tourism in the country.

Chelly S. Alovera, Department of Soil Science

Central Mindanao University 8
AGRICCS98 MY2022: Unit 1 15/06/2022

Types of Agricultural Operations

1.3. CLASSIFICATION OF
AGRICULTURAL
OPERATIONS

Agriculture operations primarily include: Agriculture operations primarily include:

1. Forestry –include everything in the operations

3. Livestock farming – include everything in
of tree farms, forest nurseries, and activities
keeping, grazing, and feeding of livestock
such as reforestation and gathering of forest
animals.
products.
2. Crop production – include all establishments 4. Aquaculture cultivation – include everything
such as farms, orchards, greenhouses, and engaged in fish production including shellfish in
nurseries in the production of crops, plants, a controlled space.
vines, and trees as well as production of
mushrooms, flowers, vegetables seeds, and Take note that forestry, livestock farming, and
hydroponics. aquaculture are not part of the ACP NC II Qualification.

Chelly S. Alovera, Department of Soil Science

Central Mindanao University 9
AGRICCS98 MY2022: Unit 1 15/06/2022

A person who has achieved the Agricultural

Crops Production NC III Qualification can
Reporting: Farming Operations
become either of the following: Category 1: Nursery Operations
*Planting material selection, growing media preparation, plant propagation
techniques
•Farmer/Grower - operates establishments which produce crops, Category 2: Pre-planting Operations
livestock, and other agricultural outputs.
*Land clearing, plowing, harrowing, furrowing, liming
•Farmer manager - supervise staff, monitor crops and animals, and
handle various administrative tasks Category 3: Planting Operations and Fertilization
•Farm worker - hired worker in the farm employed for specific on-farm *Seedbed preparation, sowing/transplanting, fertilization
jobs (e.g. fruit picking) Category 4: Care and Maintenance
•Nursery operator - farm worker primarily assigned in nursery farm *Weeding, Off-barring/Hilling-up, Trellising, Watering/Irrigation, Pest control
operations
•Farm aide - assists farm workers in various agricultural activities Category 5: Harvesting and Post-harvesting
•Farm caretaker - maintains farm property and guards equipment, *Harvesting, packaging, hauling/transportation, storage,
crops, and other farm essentials cleaning/sanitizing/disinfecting

Reporting: Farming Operations

Sub-topics:
* Importance
* How to operate (conventional vs. modern technique)
* Safety measures

Requirements:
* maximum of 10 slides
* maximum of 5 minutes
* question and answer
* peer evaluation

Chelly S. Alovera, Department of Soil Science

Central Mindanao University 10