🌾 SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE CURRICULUM (SSS 1 – 3)
🟩 SSS 1 CURRICULUM
1. Meaning, Importance, and Scope of Agriculture
Definition and Branches of Agriculture
Importance of Agriculture to the Individual, Nation, and Economy
Problems Facing Agriculture in Nigeria
Solutions to Agricultural Problems
2. Agricultural Ecology
Meaning and Components of Agricultural Ecology
Types of Environment: Biotic and Abiotic Factors
Interactions Between Crops and Environment
Climatic and Edaphic Factors Affecting Agriculture
3. Land and Its Uses
Types of Land and Uses of Land in Agriculture
Land Tenure Systems in Nigeria
o Communal, freehold, leasehold, inheritance, gift, tenancy
Advantages and Disadvantages of Each System
4. Soil Science
Formation and Profile of Soil
Physical and Chemical Properties of Soil
Soil Texture, Structure, and Water Holding Capacity
Soil pH and Its Effects on Crop Production
Soil Fertility and Nutrient Cycle
5. Crop Production
Classification of Crops (cereals, legumes, root and tuber crops, vegetables, fruits, beverages)
Cultural Practices:
o Land preparation, planting, weeding, fertilizing, irrigation, harvesting
Propagation Methods:
o Sexual (seeds) and asexual (stem cuttings, grafting, budding)
6. Farm Inputs
Meaning and Types of Inputs:
o Seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, implements, labor
Sources of Farm Inputs
7. Farm Structures and Buildings
Types and Functions:
o Barns, silos, pens, paddocks, greenhouses, storehouses, irrigation systems
Maintenance of Farm Structures
8. Agricultural Tools and Machines
Simple Farm Tools and Their Uses
Farm Machinery:
o Tractor, plough, harrow, planter, harvester
Maintenance and Safety Measures
🟩 SSS 2 CURRICULUM
1. Animal Production
Types of Farm Animals
Characteristics of Ruminants and Non-Ruminants
Systems of Animal Rearing:
o Extensive, intensive, semi-intensive
Feeds and Feeding:
o Classes of feeds, feed ingredients, formulation of balanced rations
2. Animal Improvement
Meaning and Objectives
Methods:
o Inbreeding, line breeding, crossbreeding, artificial insemination
3. Animal Health
Common Animal Diseases and Symptoms:
o Viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic
Prevention and Control
Routine Practices:
o Vaccination, deworming, sanitation, castration, debeaking, dipping
4. Crop Protection
Pests of Crops:
o Insects, rodents, birds, nematodes
Diseases of Crops:
o Viral, bacterial, fungal
Pest and Disease Control Methods:
o Cultural, chemical, biological, integrated control
5. Agricultural Extension
Meaning and Importance
Roles of Extension Agents
Channels and Methods of Communication:
o Farm visits, demonstrations, mass media
6. Agricultural Economics and Marketing
Basic Economic Principles in Agriculture:
o Demand, supply, utility, scale of preference
Factors of Production:
o Land, labor, capital, and management
Agricultural Finance:
o Sources of funds (banks, cooperatives, government)
Marketing of Agricultural Produce
o Market types, problems of marketing, middlemen, price fluctuations
7. Farm Records and Accounts
Types of Records:
o Input-output records, inventory, cashbook, journal, ledger
Importance of Record Keeping
🟩 SSS 3 CURRICULUM
1. Agricultural Production and Planning
Types of Farming Systems:
o Mixed farming, monoculture, crop rotation, pastoral farming
Planning a Farm Business:
o Factors to consider (capital, land, labor, enterprise)
Types of Farm Planning:
o Operational, strategic, enterprise budgeting
2. Soil and Water Conservation
Erosion:
o Types (sheet, rill, gully), causes, control methods
Water Conservation Techniques:
o Irrigation, mulching, contour ploughing, water harvesting
3. Irrigation and Drainage
Types of Irrigation:
o Surface, sprinkler, drip, subsurface
Importance and Problems of Irrigation
Drainage Methods:
o Surface and subsurface drainage
4. Agro-forestry and Fishery
Agro-forestry Systems and Importance
Fish Farming (Aquaculture):
o Types of fish, fish pond construction, fish feed, harvesting
5. Forestry and Wildlife Conservation
Definition and Importance of Forests
Types of Forests
Forest Management
Conservation of Wildlife Resources
Causes and Effects of Deforestation
6. Agricultural Development in Nigeria
Development Institutions:
o River Basin Authorities, ADPs, NALDA, REFILS, etc.
Government Policies and Programmes:
o Operation Feed the Nation, Green Revolution, etc.
Roles of NGOs and International Agencies:
o FAO, IFAD, UNDP, etc.
🧪 Recommended Practical Activities (for all levels)
Soil testing and texture analysis
Planting and maintaining crops
Identification of tools, pests, and diseases
Dissecting farm animals (basic anatomy)
Preparing feed rations
Record keeping exercises
Field visits to farms, processing centers, research institutes
