🌾 SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE CURRICULUM (SSS 1 – 3)
🟩 SSS 1 CURRICULUM
1. Meaning and Importance of Agriculture
Definition of agriculture.
Historical development of agriculture.
Importance to individuals, society, and the economy.
2. Branches of Agriculture
Crop production
Animal husbandry
Fisheries
Forestry
Horticulture
Agricultural engineering
Agricultural economics and extension
3. Agro-allied Industries
Meaning and examples (e.g., food processing, fertilizer production).
Relationship between agriculture and industries.
Importance to national development.
4. Agricultural Ecology
Meaning of agricultural ecology and ecosystem.
Components: biotic and abiotic factors.
Climatic factors affecting agriculture (rainfall, temperature, wind, humidity).
Edaphic factors (soil texture, structure, pH, fertility).
5. Land and Its Uses
Types of land: arable, pasture, forest land, etc.
Uses: crop farming, livestock rearing, forestry, etc.
Land tenure systems: freehold, leasehold, communal, gift, inheritance.
Effects of land tenure on agriculture.
6. Soil Science
Soil formation processes.
Types of soil and characteristics.
Soil profile and horizons.
Soil fertility and methods of maintenance.
Soil conservation practices.
7. Agricultural Tools and Machines
Simple tools: cutlass, hoe, rake, etc.
Mechanized tools: plough, harrow, planter, tractor.
Maintenance and care of tools and machines.
8. Crop Production
Classification of crops (duration, usage, etc.).
Factors affecting crop production.
Practices: land preparation, planting, cultural practices, harvesting.
9. Plant Propagation Methods
Sexual and asexual propagation.
Nursery practices and transplanting.
🟩 SSS 2 CURRICULUM
1. Farm Structures and Buildings
Types: barn, silo, pens, poultry houses, greenhouses, etc.
Uses and maintenance.
2. Livestock Production
Classification of animals (ruminants vs. non-ruminants).
Characteristics and examples.
Housing, feeding, and management practices.
Breeding systems: inbreeding, outbreeding, crossbreeding.
Reproductive systems and processes.
3. Animal Nutrition
Nutrients and their functions: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals.
Classes of feeds: concentrates and roughages.
Feed formulation and rationing.
4. Animal Health
Causes and symptoms of common diseases.
Prevention and control of diseases.
Parasites: ecto- and endoparasites.
Methods of controlling parasites.
5. Pasture and Forage Crops
Types and characteristics of pasture and forage crops.
Establishment and maintenance of pasture.
Methods of grazing: rotational, strip, zero grazing.
6. Fishery
Types of fisheries: artisanal, industrial, aquaculture.
Fish pond management.
Fish harvesting and preservation.
Common fish species in Nigeria.
7. Forestry
Importance of forests.
Forest products and conservation.
Afforestation and deforestation.
8. Agricultural Marketing
Functions of marketing.
Channels of distribution.
Problems of marketing agricultural produce.
Price determination and government agencies involved.
9. Agricultural Extension
Meaning and importance.
Roles of extension agents.
Communication methods in extension.
Problems of agricultural extension in Nigeria.
🟩 SSS 3 CURRICULUM
1. Agricultural Economics
Principles of demand and supply.
Factors of production: land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship.
Farm budgeting and planning.
Cost concepts: fixed, variable, total, marginal cost.
2. Agricultural Finance
Sources of finance: personal savings, cooperatives, banks, government schemes.
Problems in securing credit.
Role of government in agricultural finance.
3. Farm Records and Accounts
Types of records: inventory, input/output, production, income, expenditure.
Importance of record-keeping.
Simple bookkeeping (single and double entry).
4. Agricultural Development in Nigeria
Roles of agriculture in national development.
Contributions of government and NGOs.
Agricultural policies, programs, and institutions (e.g., NALDA, ADPs, River Basin Authorities).
5. Environmental Factors and Climate Change
Climate change and its impact on agriculture.
Sustainable agricultural practices.
Soil and water conservation strategies.
Pollution and environmental protection.
6. Processing and Storage of Agricultural Produce
Methods of processing: manual, mechanical.
Storage methods: silos, cribs, barns, warehouses.
Importance of processing and storage.
Preservation techniques: drying, salting, smoking, refrigeration.
7. Agricultural Biotechnology
Introduction to biotechnology in agriculture.
Uses of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Benefits and risks of biotechnology.
Modern tools: tissue culture, cloning, molecular markers.
🌿 NOTES:
Practical Sessions should accompany each class: school garden, livestock units, aquaculture
demos, visits to farms/industries.
Assessment Types: Class tests, practicals, farm projects, mid-term & final exams.
Extracurriculars: Young Farmers’ Club, agricultural fairs/exhibitions.
