Home » JAMB Syllabus » The JAMB UTME agricultural science syllabus is an invaluable resource for students preparing for the JAMB exam. It outlines the key topics as well as the main areas of focus that will be covered in the exam, such as general agriculture, animal production, and agronomy. It also provides a list of recommended textbooks and other resources that will help you prepare.
By studying the syllabus carefully, you can be rest assured that you are well-prepared for the exam and have a high success rate.
The syllabus is divided into five sections as given below:
The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) syllabus in Agriculture is to prepare the candidates for the Board’s examination. It is designed to test their achievement of the course objectives, which are to:
| AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE | ||
|---|---|---|
| SN | TOPICS | OBJECTIVES |
| 1 | GENERAL AGRICULTURE | |
| 1. Meaning and Scope of Agriculture: Definition of Agriculture Branches of Agriculture Types of Agriculture i.e subsistence and commercial 2. Importance of Agriculture Provision of raw materials for agro-allied industries Provision of employment Development of rural areas, etc 3. Agricultural Ecology Ecological zones of West Africa Agricultural products of each ecological zone Environmental factors and their effects on crop and livestock production 4. Genetics First and second laws of Mendel Cell division Terminologies e.g locus, alleles, genotype, dominance 5. Farm Inputs planting materials, agrochemicals, e.t.c. 6. History of Agricultural Development in West Africa Agricultural systems e.g. shifting cultivation, bush fallowing e.t.c Problems of Agricultural development e.g land tenure systems, inadequate infrastructures, finance for agriculture, pollution, etc. Establishment of national research institutes e.g. NCRI, IAR, IAR&T, CRIN, NIFOR, FRIN, RRI, NRCRI, NIHORT, LCRI, e.t.c. and international research institutes e.g. IITA, ILRI, ICRISAT, WARDA e.t.c., leading to increased application of science to the development of agriculture. Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) e.g. RTEP, FADAMA, etc. National agricultural programmes such as OFN, NAFPP, NALDA, Green Revolution, NCRPs, NARP, Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) e.t.c 7. Roles of Government and NGOs in Agricultural Development. Development of fiscal policies favorable to agricultural production e.g. import duties, ban on importation, e.t.c. Agricultural laws and reforms e.g Land Use Act. Government programmes aimed at agricultural development e.g. subsidies, credit facilities, e.t.c. Provision of infrastructures e.g. transport systems, communication systems, e.t.c. Contribution of NGOs to agricultural development | Candidates should be able to: i. use the definition of Agriculture in modern terms as it relates to production, processing and marketing. ii. differentiate between the various branches of Agriculture. iii. Differentiate between the various types of Agriculture. Candidates should be able to: i. relate agro-allied industries to their respective raw materials ii. relate the various contributions of Agriculture to economic development in West Africa. Candidates should be able to: i. differentiate between the features of the ecological zones in West Africa. ii. classify agricultural products according to each ecological zone. iii. differentiate abiotic from biotic factors affecting agricultural production. Candidates should be able to: a. i. apply the first and second laws of Mendel to genetics. ii. differentiate between the types of cell division. b. i. determine the outcome of genetic crossing involving homozygous and heterozygous traits. ii. compute simple probability ratios Candidates should be able to: i. classify different types of farm inputs and their uses. Candidates should be able to: a. compare various agricultural systems. b. identify the problems and proffer solutions i. trace the history of research institutes from past to present. ii. assess their role in the development of agriculture. iii. give reasons for the establishment of ADPs. iv. evaluate the contributions of national agricultural programmes. Candidates should be able to: a. evaluate the effects of government policies on agricultural development. b. identify agricultural laws and their effect on agricultural production i. identify the various agricultural incentives provided by the government. ii. assess their effects on agricultural development. c. compare the various infrastructural facilities provided by the government and their uses. d. examine the roles of NGOs in the development of agriculture. | |
| 2 | AGRONOMY | |
| 1. Rocks and Soil formation Factors affecting rock weathering and soil formation Physical properties of soil i. Soil profile ii. Soil texture and structure Chemical properties of soil i. Soil acidity and alkalinity ii. Chemical component of soil e.g silicate. 2. Soil Water and Soil Conservation Soil water: its importance, sources, movement, management and conservation. Soil conservation: meaning and importance, causes, effects, prevention and control of leaching, erosion, continuous cropping, burning and oxidation of organic matter. Irrigation and drainage methods 3. Soil Fertility Macro and micro-nutrients and their roles in plant nutrition: carbon, water and nitrogen cycles The living population of the soil (flora and fauna), and their roles in soil fertility Maintenance of soil fertility. Methods of maintaining soil fertility e.g. use of cover crops, application of organic manures, e.t.c. Nutrient deficiency symptoms e.g. chlorosis, sickle leaves, stunting, apical necrosis e.t.c. 4. Land Preparation and Soil Tillage Principles and practices of land preparation and soil tillage Factors affecting choice of tillage methods: Zero tillage, minimum tillage, e.t.c. 5. Plant Forms and functions Parts of monocot and dicot crop plants and their functions The anatomy and morphology of the storage organs of common crop plants. 6. Growth, Development, and Reproduction Gametogenesis Pollination Fertilization Embryo formation and development 7. Plant Propagation Methods Sexual: the use of seeds, seed viability, viability test, seed rate and seed germination Asexual (vegetative propagation) e.g. cutting, budding, grafting, layering, e.t.c. Nursery and nursery management 8. Cropping Systems, Planting Patterns and Plant Densities Cropping systems: Monocropping, mixed-, multiple-, inter-, relay-, strip- and rotational cropping Planting patterns: Broadcasting, row spacing, and drilling Plant densities: single, double, and multiple stand 9. Crop Husbandry Common and scientific names, gross morphology, anatomy of storage organs, methods of propagation, husbandry practices, harvesting, processing and storage, common diseases and pests, economic importance of the following groups of crops. Group 1: Cereals e.g maize, guinea corn, rice Group 2: Legumes e.g cowpea, groundnut, soyabean Group 3: Tubers e.g yam, cassava, sweet potatoes Group 4: Vegetables and Spices e.g tomatoes, eggplant, pepper, onion, okro, cabbage, amaranthus sp. Group 5: Fruits e.g citrus, pineapple, pawpaw Group 6: Beverages e.g cocoa, kola, coffee Group 7: Oils e.g oil palm, coconut, shea butter Group 8: Latex e.g para rubber, gum arabic Group 9: Fibers e.g jute, cotton, sisal hemp Group 10: Sugars e.g sugarcane, beet 10. Pasture and Forage Crops Study of gross morphology, methods of propagation, and husbandry of common pasture grasses and legumes. Establishment, maintenance, conservation and uses of pastures and forage crops. Study of natural grasslands and their distribution in West Africa Range management 11. Floriculture Identification, establishment, maintenance, and uses of ornamental trees, shrubs, and flowers 12. Weeds Gross morphology, methods of reproduction, dispersal, and effect of weeds Weed control methods – weeding, mulching, cover cropping, tillage, herbicides, and trap cropping 13. Crop Diseases Identification of disease-causing organisms both in store and in the field. A simple account of diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, nematodes and viruses; the nature of the damage, methods of transmission and common methods of control. Side effects of application of preventive and control methods e.g pollution, poisoning, and distribution of ecosystems. 14. Crop pests General account of pests of agricultural plants both in the field and in the store, their types, importance, principles and methods of prevention and control Life cycles of: biting insects e.g. grasshopper; boring insects e.g. weevils; sucking insects e.g. aphids and cotton strainer. Common pesticides and their side effects 15. Forest management (Silviculture) Importance: Source of wood, pulp, fiber and other forest products Conservation: regulation, exploitation, regeneration, afforestation, agro-forestry and taungya system 16. Crop improvement Methods of crop improvement e.g. introduction, selection, crossing, quarantine e.t.c. | Candidates should be able to: a. identify major types and properties of rocks and soils; factors and processes of soil formation. b. differentiate between the horizons in a soil profile. i. differentiate between the components of soil. ii. compute the proportion of soil constituents. iii. analyze soil into its constituent parts. iv. determine the water-holding capacity of soil c. determine the soil pH. Candidates should be able to: a. i. compare capillary, gravitational and hygroscopic water. ii. determine water-holding capacity, wilting points, and plant available/unavailable water. b. i. identify the causes of erosion and leaching. ii. determine control methods. c. i. classify irrigation and drainage systems. ii. examine the importance and challenges of irrigation and drainage. Candidates should be able to: a. i. classify plant nutrients. ii. identify factors affecting their availability. b. examine the roles of soil flora and fauna in maintaining soil fertility. c. i. compare the different methods of maintaining soil fertility. ii. differentiate between organic and inorganic fertilizer and their methods of application. iii. determine common fertilizer ratios. d. i. identify the deficiency symptoms and their causes. ii. suggest remedies Candidates should be able to: a. i. compare the different methods of land preparation and soil tillage in relation to different groups of crops. ii. give reasons for the advantages and the disadvantages of land preparation and soil tillage. b. give reasons for the choice of tillage methods. Candidates should be able to: a. i. identify crop plant parts and their functions. ii. distinguish between monocot and dicot crop plants b. differentiate the various storage organs of crop plants. Candidates should be able to: i. Examine the process of gamete formation. ii. Give reasons for different types of pollination. iii. Analyze the process of fertilization. iv. Trace the process of embryo formation and development to the formation of seeds and fruits. Candidates should be able to: a. i. classify crops propagated by sexual methods. ii. determine seed viability and seed rate. iii. differentiate between types of seed germination. iv. examine the conditions for seed germination. b.classify crops into different vegetative propagation methods. c. i. determine appropriate nursery sites, types; their advantages and disadvantages. ii. apply the techniques of transplanting seedlings Candidates should be able to: a. i. compare cropping systems. ii. apply different cropping systems to solve problems in agriculture. b. differentiate between the various planting patterns. c. i. examine the various types of plant densities and their effects on crop yield. ii. compute plant density per hectare Candidates should be able to: i. apply the different methods of crop propagation, husbandry, harvesting, processing and storage for each crop. ii. identify common diseases and pests and their effects on crop yield. iii. determine the economic importance of each of the crops. iv. relate their importance to national economic development. Candidates should be able to: a. i. classify common grasses and legumes used as pastures and forage ii. differentiate between pasture and forage crops by their common and scientific names. iii. distinguish between the various methods of conserving pastures e.g. hay- and silage-making. b. relate different vegetational zones to their dominant pasture species. c. determine range types and utilization of range resources in Nigeria Candidates should be able to: i. distinguish between common ornamental trees, shrubs, and flowers. ii. determine their uses and maintenance Candidates should be able to: i. identify weeds with their common and scientific names. ii. classify weeds according to their mode of dispersal. iii. apply various weed control methods. Candidates should be able to: a. distinguish between common store and field disease-causing organisms. i. relate various disease-causing organisms to the damage caused, symptoms and their mode of spread. ii. apply appropriate control methods. b. relate each control method to its side effect. Candidates should be able to: a. i. identify the various fields and store pests. ii. assess their economic importance. iii. relate various prevention and control methods to different pests. b. i. describe the life cycles of various insects. ii. apply the knowledge of the life cycles of insect pests to their prevention and control. c. i. differentiate between common pesticides. ii. examine their mode of action on pests. Candidates should be able to: a. relate various forest products to their uses. i. compare different forest conservation methods. ii. apply the various methods appropriately Candidates should be able to: i. give reasons for crop improvement. ii. distinguish between various methods of crop improvement. | |
| 3 | ANIMAL PRODUCTION | |
| 1. Forms and classification of major farm animals in West Africa Species, breeds and distribution External features of cattle, sheep, goat, pigs, rabbits and poultry 2. General terminology in animal production Common terms used in animal husbandry, e.g. calving, kidding, castrate, capon, veal, mutton, e.t.c. 3. Anatomy and physiology of farm animals a. Functions of tissues and organs of farm animals b. Animal body systems e.g. digestive (ruminants and non-ruminants), reproductive, respiratory, urinary (excretory), and nervous systems. c. Effect of environmental changes on physiological development of farm animals e.g climate change. 4. Reproduction in farm animals Gametogenesis, oestrus cycle, signs of heat and heat periods, secondary sexual characters, gestation periods, parturition and the role of hormones in reproduction. Development, nourishment and birth of the young. Mammary glands and lactation in farm animals. Egg formation, incubation and hatching in poultry. 5. Animal nutrition Feed nutrients and functions Feeds and feeding: Simple ration formulation – balanced ration, common pasture/forage crops e.g. guinea grass, elephant grass, giant star grass. Andropogon sp, Calopogonium sp. Hay and silage preparation, different types of rations, namely maintenance ration and production ration. Nutrient deficiencies: Causes and symptoms of malnutrition and their correction in farm animals. 6. Livestock Management Housing, feeding, sanitation and veterinary care of ruminants, pigs, rabbits and poultry under intensive, semi-intensive and extensive systems of management from birth to slaughter. 7. Animal Health Animal diseases (pathology) i. Environmental factors, predisposing animals to diseases; causal organisms, symptoms, transmission, and effects. ii. Preventive and curative methods for diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. Parasites (parasitology) i. Life cycles and economic importance of livestock parasites e.g. endoparasites, ectoparasites, and disease vectors. ii. Prevention and control dipping spraying deworming sanitation 8. Fisheries and Wildlife Fish culture systems; Common types of fishes e. g Tilapia, Catfish, etc. i. Extensive systems: inland and deep-sea fishing, lakes and rivers. ii. Semi-intensive systems: dams iii. Intensive systems: fish ponds – Factors to consider in ponds establishment and pond management e.g. pond fertilization, liming, and desilting. Fish harvesting and processing methods i. Use of drag nets, hook and line, etc. ii. Curing, sun-drying, and smoking. iii. Fishery regulations Wildlife management i. Habitat conservation, feeding, domestication, harvesting, processing and wildlife regulations 9. Bee-keeping (Apiculture) Meaning and importance of apiculture Types of bees e.g exotic and indigenous bees Methods of bee-keeping e.g traditional and modern bee-keeping Equipment and safety measures in bee-keeping. 10. Animal Improvement Methods of animal improvement e. g. introduction, breeding, quarantine, and selection: Breeding systems – inbreeding, line-breeding, cross-breeding, artificial insemination | Candidates should be able to: i. classify various breeds of farm animals. ii. locate where they are found. iii. identify their characteristic features. Candidates should be able to: i) use various terms in animal husbandry. Candidates should be able to: i.distinguish between various functions of tissues and organs of farm animals. compare different body systems in farm animals. ii.determine the effects of climate change on farm animals Candidates should be able to: i. give an account of the process of reproduction in farm animals. ii. determine the role of hormones in reproduction. iii. trace the development in farm animals from fertilization to birth and care of the young. iv. trace the process of egg formation and incubation in poultry. Candidates should be able to: a. identify the various feed nutrients, their sources and functions. b. i. differentiate between the types of animal feeds and their formulation. ii. relate the various types of rations to different classes of livestock. c. i. trace symptoms to nutrient deficiencies in farm animals. ii. apply appropriate corrective measures to nutrient deficiencies in farm animals. Candidates should be able to: i. apply the different management practices for farm animals. Candidates should be able to: i. identify diseases of farm animals and causative agents. ii. classify livestock diseases based on symptoms and mode of transmission. iii. apply appropriate preventive and curative measures against diseases caused by these pathogens. i. classify livestock parasites. ii. determine their role in disease transmission. iii. trace life cycles of parasites from egg to adult stage. iv. apply appropriate prevention and control methods against livestock parasites. Candidates should be able to: a) i. identify the common types of fishes in West Africa. ii. differentiate between various systems of fish farming in West Africa. iii. determine the factors to be considered in intensive fish farming. b) i. assess the advantages and disadvantages of different fish harvesting and processing methods. ii. use the various methods of catching fish. iii. apply the various methods of fish preservation. iv.apply fishery regulations in Nigeria. c) i. identify animals found in West African game reserves. ii. give reasons for the establishment of game reserves. iii. apply common wildlife regulations. Candidates should be able to: i. relate bee-keeping to economic development ii. differentiate between various types of bees iii. classify methods of bee-keeping iv. identify bee-keeping equipment and their uses Candidates should be able to: i. give reasons for animal improvement. ii. differentiate between the various methods of animal improvement. | |
| 4 | AGRICULTURE ECONOMICS AND EXTENSION | |
| 1. Factors of agricultural production Land: i. Types of land ownership in West Africa Labour Capital Management 2. Basic Economic Principles Demand and supply Production function: Input/input, Output/output Input/output relationships; stages of production, concepts of diminishing returns, scale of preference, and choice. 3. Characteristic Features of Agricultural Production Smallness of farm holdings: biological limits of farm production and susceptibility of farm production to climate, seasonality of farm productions, price elasticity in demand and supply of agricultural produce. 4. Labour Management Labour relations: Supervision, etc. Types of labor: Permanent labor etc. National labor laws and regulations 5. Farm Management Qualities, functions, and problems of a farm manager. Records and record-keeping: Types and importance of record-keeping – livestock records, profit and loss account book. Stock evaluation: i. gross and net profits in farm management. ii. Appreciation, depreciation and salvage value Agricultural insurance: i. Meaning, importance and types of agricultural insurance ii. Problems of agricultural insurance 6. Marketing of Agricultural Produce Importance of Marketing. Marketing channels. Characteristic features of agricultural product affecting their marketing 7. Agricultural Extension Meaning and importance. The role of Agricultural Development programmes, universities, research institutes, and farmers’ organizations (Cooperative societies). Extension methods including demonstration plots, use of visual aids, mass media, etc. Problems of agricultural extension in West Africa and possible solutions. | Candidates should be able to: a. i. understand the meaning of land and state its uses ii. identify the various forms of land ownership. iii. examine their effects of land ownership on agriculture. iv. differentiate between the various features of land and their effects on land use. b. differentiate between the types and sources of labor and their effects on agricultural production. c. compare the sources of capital and associated problems. d. determine the function of a farm manager in an agricultural enterprise. Candidates should be able to: i. relate demand to supply in agricultural production. ii. interpret geographical representation of demand and supply. iii. relate input to output. iv. deduce economic concepts from graphic representation. Candidates should be able to: i. distinguish between the common features of agricultural production and produce. ii. compute elasticity of demand and supply. Candidates should be able to: i. identify the various ways of achieving labor efficiency. ii. differentiate between the various types and sources of labor. iii. apply national labor laws and regulations. Candidates should be able to: a. identify the qualities, functions, and problems of a farm manager. b. i. differentiate between the types of farm records. ii. give reasons for keeping farm records. c. determine gross and net margins, appreciation, depreciation and salvage value. d. i. examine the relevance of agricultural insurance ii. determine the appropriate agricultural insurance scheme iii. determine the problems associated with agricultural insurance. Candidates should be able to: a. evaluate the importance of agricultural marketing b. i. classify marketing agents and their functions. ii. determine the various ways in which marketing channels pose problems in agricultural production. c. determine the characteristics of agricultural products affecting their marketing. Candidates should be able to: i. identify the importance of agricultural extension. ii. analyze the roles of government and non-governmental organizations in agricultural extension education. iii. differentiate between the various extension methods. iv. examine the problems of agricultural extension in West Africa. v. provide possible solutions. | |
| AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY | ||
| 1. Farm surveying and farmstead planning Meaning and importance Common surveying equipment, their uses, and care Common survey methods Principles of farmstead outlay. 2. Simple Farm Tools 3. Farm machinery and implements Types i. Machinery e.g tractor, milking machine, etc. ii. Implements Uses and maintenance of farm machinery and implements 4. Mechanization and sources of farm power Sources of farm power e. g. animal and machines Advantages and disadvantages of agricultural mechanization Problems and prospects of mechanized agriculture in West Africa 5. Processing and storage Processing: traditional and modern methods of food processing e.g. garri, rice and groundnut processing, etc. Storage 6. Introduction to biotechnology (a) Basic terms, e.g. tissue and another culture in vitro fertilization and genetic engineering. 7. Application of ICT in agriculture Features of computers Uses of computers in agriculture: disease and weather forecasting, ration formulation, database and simulation studies, etc. Use of communication gadgets to enhance agricultural production e.g mobile phone, internet, etc. 8. Introduction to agricultural research and statistics Basic concepts in planning agricultural experiments e.g hypothesis, treatment, and control, etc Interpretation of results, e.g. measures of central tendency and experimental errors. | Candidates should be able to: i. examine the relevance of farm surveying to agriculture. ii. classify common surveying equipment, their uses, and care. iii. differentiate between the common survey methods. iv. apply survey principles to farmstead outlay. Candidates should be able to: i. identify simple farm tools. ii. use and maintain farm tools. iii. compare the advantages and disadvantages of simple farm tools. Candidates should be able to: i. identify common farm machinery and implements. ii. classify farm machinery according to their uses. iii. apply appropriate maintenance routines on farm machines and implements. iv. operate farm machines and implements. Candidates should be able to: i. compare the advantages and disadvantages of various sources of farm power and their application. ii. distinguish between the advantages and disadvantages of mechanization. iii. assess the problems and prospects of mechanized agriculture in West Africa. Candidates should be able to: i. identify the importance of agricultural processing. ii. differentiate between the various methods of processing agricultural produce. i. compare different storage methods. ii. apply different storage methods. Candidates should be able to: i. use basic terms in biotechnology. ii. provide reasons for the importance and application of biotechnology. Candidates should be able to: i. identify the various components of a computer. ii. use the computer to enhance agricultural practices. iii. use communication gadgets to enhance agricultural production. Candidates should be able to: a. use basic concepts in agricultural experiments. b. i. draw inferences from experimental results. ii. compute simple measures of central tendency | |
There is no official pass mark, but scores above 50 are considered good. However,you should try to score as high as you can because the higher you score, the better your chances of admission for your chosen course and institution.
The entire exam takes 2 hours. While there is no estimated time for each subject, We would advise you to spend about 30-45 seconds on each question so you can have enough time to go over your work again. Do not spend too much time on questions you do not know.
The UTME Agricultural Science exam covers Agricultural Technology, Agriculture Economics and Extension and Agronomy. A full list of topics to study is listed above
Aside from The Use of English, each question in the remaining 3 subjects is graded 2.5 marks. Hence, the three subjects carry 300 marks.
For example: If you get 28 questions right in your Agricultural Science exam, the calculation will be 28 x 2.5 = 70% (in percentage).
You will be tasked to answer 40 questions.
If you are interested in pursuing careers in the agricultural industry you will have to write Agricultural Science in JAMB. Like careers in agriculture, agronomy, food science, and more. Please consult your brochure to see the recommended subject combinations for each course and specific requirements for schools.
