STRAITGATE HIGH SCHOOL

SUBJECT: AGRICULTURE 3RD TERM 2024/2025 ACADEMIC SESSION

TEACHER: MR ATOLOYE, M.O
DATE TOPIC/sub- topics REFERENCES
Monday 2nd– Forest and forest products  Pre-vocational studies. WABP Junior
Friday 20th June, secondary school. Agriculture for
2025 Nigerian schools 2. Anthony
Youdeowei et al. page 89-90.
WEEK 8-10  Pre-vocational studies. Agriculture
YEAR INSTRUCTIONAL for JSS1 by Dairo S.D. et al. pages
MATERIALS 34-36.
8  https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Interactive white board, v=jrfn75QuOFg
textbooks, pictures and  The Holy Bible
charts, video clip.
DURATION INTERACTIVE / HANDS ON SESSION
40minutes (x6)  Teacher introduces the lesson by
asking the students questions about
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
what they know about forests
At the end of this lesson, students should be able
 Students watch a short video on
to;
forest and its products
1. Define forest
 Students identify the various
2. Describe forest
vegetation zones in Nigeria
3. Divide Nigeria into different vegetation
 Teacher explains the topic based on
belts
the content of the lesson.
 Students are given room to ask
questions relevant to the lesson.
 Teacher summarises the lesson by
giving the students a class work to
do.

CONTENT

BIBLE REFERENCE; Ezekiel 15: 6 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; As the vine tree
among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give the
inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Forests and forest products

A Forest is a large area of land covered with trees, shrubs and other plants. It could be
natural in nature or planted by man for a purpose. Forests are common in the southern part
of Nigeria because of much rainfall. Forestry is a branch of agriculture which deals with the
control and management of forest or forest resources.
Important Forest Trees
Some trees commonly found in tropical rainforests include:
1. Mahogany
2. Iroko
3. African Walnut
4. Obeche
5. Opepe
6. Black Afara
7. Mansonia
8. Omo
9. Ebony
10. Gmelina
11. Teak
12. Rubber
Types of forests
1. Mangrove forest
The mangrove swamp is found in the coastal areas of South-south and south-west
states of Nigeria. They are in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Rivers, Ondo, Ogun and
Lagos states. Mangrove swamps carry mangrove species of trees, which are tall and
could reach height of 45 metres. Mangrove swamps also provide local people with fish
which is a major source of protein for them.
2. Rain forest
It lies to the north of the mangrove swamp and fresh water swamp. The rain forest
carries a dense collection of big, tall trees. The area is of great importance for forestry
and agricultural production. Trees like Iroko, Obeche, Afara, Oil palm, Mahoganies and
Africa walnuts are found in the Rain forest in Nigeria.
Forest resources
There are numbers of useful materials which are derived from the forest. The usefulness
of each is determined by the culture, taste, environment and the level of social and industrial
development. The following are some examples of resources found in the forest:
 1. Trees
2. Wildlife
3. Fruits and vegetable products
4. Various herb (bark of trees)
5. Shelter
6. Industrial resources
Forest Resources and its uses
The table below shows some of the resources from the forest and their uses.
N0 Plant products Uses
1. Timber For poles, planks, furniture, paper, export
2. Leaves, roots, bark For medicine, broad leaves for shelter and
of plants wrapping
3. Gums For making industrial gums.
4. Dyes and Resins For dying clothes and other materials
5. Wood, charcoal For fuel (making fire), for heating.
6. Fibres For making bags
7. Ropes & canes For weaving baskets, for making chairs
8. Fruits , nuts, For food
vegetables,
Honey, cinnamon,
other spices
9. Flowers For beautifying our homes
10 Trees For wind breaks.
Animal products Uses
1. Animals For meat, scientific study, pets, ceremonies
2. Animal’s skin For leather works. E.g bags, drums, belts, and
shoes
3. Tucks from For decorations, traditional ceremonies, exports
elephant, feathers
from parrot

Uses of forest resources

There are some other benefits of the forest which cannot be quantified in terms of
monetary value but which is of great importance to people. These are:
 1. Forest checks erosion of soil.
2. It provides man with sources of food, shelter and protection.
3. It is a source of raw materials for industries.
4. It provides good sources of foreign exchange earnings.
5. Forest resources provide recreational facilities.
6. It provides employment opportunities for people as guards.
7. Forest provides shelter for wildlife and serves as a tourist centre.
8. Forest provides medicinal herbs.
9. It is an important source of fuel for people.

Effects of forest on the environment

i. Forest trees form a thick cover on the land thereby prevention of soil erosion
through water and wind
ii. Serves as wind breaks
iii. Reduction of water evaporation
iv. Purification of air
v. Formation of cloud cover
vi. Helps to prevent excessive leaching
vii. Prevention of weed infestation
viii. Helps to increase soil fertility
ix. Forest acts as wild life habitat
x. It improves soil structure
xi. It beautify the environment
xii. It helps in cloud formation

Human activities that affect the forest

A number of human activities have been identified to be a threat to the development
and survival of the forest. Examples of such include:
1. Clearing or deforestation: This is the process of indiscriminate felling of trees in the
forest. Deforestation is also done when a farm is about to be started especially in the rain
forest region
2. Bush burning: Bush burning also leads to the exposure of land to direct sunlight, rain
and windstorm which in turn causes soil erosion and degradation of soil structure.
3. Farming activities: Farming of a new piece of land, especially in rain forest regions,
leads to deforestation
4. Poaching/illegal hunting: Many people engage in illegal hunting of animals and felling of
forest tree without taking permission or license from the government.
5. Industrialization and mining: Many plants and animal species are wiped out of the
forest as a result of clearing forest land for industry and mining activities.
6. Construction of buildings, road and commercial places
Management of the forest
The following management techniques are important so as to ensure the continuous
supply of forest products. They include:
1. Forest regulation
These are laws promulgated by government in form of decrees, edicts, and bye-laws to
prevent people from exploiting the forest trees. The regulations in Nigeria include:
i. Encouraging people to plant trees
ii. The prohibition of bush burning, the cutting down of timber trees, except with an
official permit and the cutting down of trees in a forest reserve.
iii. Prohibiting the harvesting of an under-aged tree, i.e., the tree could only be
harvested when it is about 20-25 years old.
2. Selective exploitation
This is the process of cutting or harvesting only mature trees. Maturity is attained at
about 20 or 25 years when a particular girth or size is reached.
3. Regeneration
This is the process by which trees make provision for their lost parts. The forest reserve
may accidentally be blown down by rain or wind storm or being selectively exploited.
The ability of new sprouts to come out within a very short time is where regeneration is
important. Forest trees with high regeneration quality are preferred to those with low
regeneration quality.
4. Afforestation
Afforestation is the process by which new seedlings are planted to replace the already
harvested trees. In Nigeria, it is known as tree planting scheme or campaign in which
two seedlings are planted to replace any one harvested. This will help to check desert
encroachment, check erosion and provide more forest produce at a reduced price.
5. Wildlife conservation
The intelligent use and management of forest and its resources without disturbing the
balance in nature is called wildlife conservation. Wildlife is conserved in game reserves or
forest reserves. The animals and the trees in these reserves are protected by law enacted by
the government. Great efforts are also made to prevent fire, which kills many wild animals
and other organisms.
Forest reserves in Nigeria
 1. Shasha River Forest reserve in Ogun State
2. Omo Forest reserve in Ogun state
3. Okomu Forest reserve in Edo state
4. Mamu river forest reserve in Anambra state
5. Oba hills forest reserve in Plateau state
6. Anara Forest reserve in Kaduna state
7. Zamfara Forest reserve in Zamfara state
8. Yankari game reserve in Bauchi state
9. Obudu cattle ranch in Cross River state

EVALUATION HOMEWORK
Pre-vocational studies theme 1: Agriculture for
JSS3 workbook. Page4-7.

REMARKS:
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SECTIONAL HEAD’S SIGNATURE AND DATE:

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