AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE - (BSc or BEd) EDUCATION/ CXC /CSEC

Cosmos flower

1. 8 petals

2. yellow/orange/pink colours.

3. seeds/flowers/seedlings

"Agri"

comes from the Latin 'agrarius' meaning 'of the land'

culture

comes from the word 'cultura' meaning 'to till or cultivate'

Agriculture

is the business of growing crops and rearing animals through the application of scientific principles and facts, acquired over a period of time" (A. I Henry, Bk I)

is defined as purposeful work through which the elements in nature are harnessed to produce plants and animals to meet human needs.

Agriculture (more info)

both a "science" and an "art" of cultivation of the land to produce food, and the rearing of farm animals.

The science of cultivating the soils, producing crops, and raising livestock and the preparation of these products for local and other market.

What is the difference between agriculture, agricultural science, and farming?

Research this.

Agricultural science

is a broad multi-disciplinary field that encompasses the natural, economic, and social sciences

that are used in the practice and

understanding of agriculture.

These fields include five specialized areas:

Horticulture, Agronomy, Animal Science,

Agronomy

the management of soils and

the growing of crops

Horticulture

the cultivation of vegetables, fruits and ornamental crops

Agricultural engineering

the knowledge of farm machines, equipment, tools, and other implements, as well as farm structures;

Agricultural economics

the business aspects of farming

Animal science -

the breeding and care of animals for specific purposes;

Farming

the practicing of agriculture

The aim of agriculture is to:

1. Produce food for man and his animals;

2. Supply clothing;

3. Provide shelter;

4. Provide products such as drinks, stimulants and medicines;

5. Conserve lands and habitats;

6. Generate income, profits;

7. Help improve the economy of the country.

IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE

1. The production of food for man

2. Supply clothing

3. Provide Shelter

4. The production of 'goods'

Articles that have been made from several other raw materials

eg. Cotton - textiles

Sugar cane - sugar, rum etc.

Fruits - fruit juices, jams, jelly

Cereals - flour, bread

IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE (more info)

5. Agriculture creates employment

Manufacturing

Equipment producers

Food processing

Food catering

Plant breeding

6. Provides a market for industrial goods

7. Foreign exchange

8. The production of food for animals

IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE (more info 2)

Provides leisure time activities

10. Drugs / medicines / stimulants etc.

11. Land conservation

12. Provide habitat for animals

13. Lumber / timber industry

IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE (more info 3)

14. Environmental control

- recycle wastes

- control soil erosion

- recycle gases (global warming prevention)

- dust pollution control

- noise pollution control

- windbreaks

Why should we learn and study agriculture?

Food prices keep rising. If you know how to produce even some of your own food, this will help to improve your nutrition and save you some money;

If you can produce some extra food to sell, you can help supplement your family income;

You will be protecting you and your family's health, since you will know what chemicals will be or not be in your produce;

Growing vegetables in your own garden is a useful and rewarding leisure activity for the whole family;

CAREERS IN AGRICULTURE

Careers are viewed under three categories:

a. Training Opportunities

b. Specialized fields of Study

c. Employment Opportunities

Training Opportunities

1. Primary level

2. Secondary level - CXC

3. Youth camps

4. Farm schools, e.g., Kendall in Guyana

5. Guyana School of Agriculture

6. Eastern Caribbean Institute of

Agriculture and Forestry (ECIAF)

Diploma in Agriculture ECIAF

Entry Requirements: 5 '0' Levels (including English,

Maths, Science)

7. Jamaica School of Agriculture

8. The University of the West Indies

B.Sc. in Agriculture

Entry Requirements: `A* Levels in Chemistry, Biology or Diploma from ECIAF)

9. Vocational Schools

Specialized Fields of Study

1. Horticulturist - Grows flowering and foliage plants

2. Extension Officer - is the link between the farmer and the government or researcher.

3. Animal Nutritionist - determines the best possible mix to feed animal for maximum production.

4. Veterinarian - treats and prevents diseases in animals.

Specialized Fields of Study (more info)

5. Entomologist - studies the control and use of insects.

6. Plant Pathologist - identifies, prevents and controls diseases in plants.

7. Post Harvest Technologist - determines the appropriate treatments, techniques and pre- harvest measures to maintain product quality.

8. Agricultural Engineer

designs, modifies and maintains buildings, machinery and equipment.

Employment Opportunities

This area can be divided into six categories:

1. Sales

2. Service

3. Education

4. Production

5. Marketing

6. Agro-processing

PROBLEMS IN LOCAL & CARIBBEAN AGRICULTURE

Land Tenure. (land ownership)

Marketing.

Technical knowledge.

Rural infrastructure.

Credit.

Praedial larceny.

Climatic factors.

Topography.

Environmental.

Trade.

Gender.

Factors Which Affect Agriculture

1. Climatic factors

- weather

- temperature

- rainfall

- humidity

- wind

2. Soil factors

- Slope (topography)

- Physical nature of the soil

- Chemical nature of the soil

3. Human factors

- Availability of labour

- Quality of labour

- Praedial larceny

Question

List as many things you can do as an agricultural science teacher to bring about a positive change in attitude towards agriculture in your class?

CLASSIFICATION OF FARMS - Size

A. Large farms -

More than 25 hectares

Mainly one crop

Geared for export

Corporation or government owned

Skilled labour involvement

Highly mechanized

Repatriation of profits.

CLASSIFICATION OF FARMS - Size (info 2)

B. Medium Farms:

2.5 to 25 hectares in size

owned and operated by farmer

higher labour required

could produce a variety of

crops/livestock for domestic use.

C . Small farms

less than .5 to 2.5 hectares

Owned and operated by farmer and family labour

Production for local market

Simple tools and equipment used.

CLASSIFICATION OF FARMS - Produce

Crop Farms

Livestock farms

Mixed farms

SYSTEMS OF FARMING

Shifting vs. sedentary agriculture

Extensive vs. intensive

Mono-cropping vs. mixed cropping

Subsistence vs. commercialized farming

Mixed cropping vs. mixed farming

Inter cropping vs. crop rotation

Undercover system vs. hydroponics system