Agricultural Science is the study of the principles and practices involved in farming and the cultivation of plants and animals for human use. It covers a wide range of topics, including crop production, animal husbandry, soil science, horticulture, and agricultural economics, and applies scientific knowledge to enhance agricultural productivity, sustainability, and efficiency.
The Lagos state unified scheme of work for Agricultural Science in SSS3 is carefully crafted to equip students with the essential knowledge and practical skills needed for both academic and real-world applications in agriculture. The scheme covers a broad range of topics including crop production, animal husbandry, soil science, agricultural economics, and modern agricultural technologies.
Also, the Lagos State unified scheme of work emphasizes practical, hands-on experiences, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. It serves as a compass for secondary education, offering students the tools and knowledge necessary for success in the WASSCE and beyond. It prepares them to become informed, skilled, and innovative contributors to Nigeria’s agricultural sector, which remains a cornerstone of the nation’s economy and sustenance.
Understanding Agricultural Science is crucial for SSS3 students preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) because they are well-prepared to tackle the diverse and challenging questions posed in the WASSCE.
SSS3 students in Nigeria are assessed in Agricultural Science through continuous assessments and the WASSCE. Continuous assessments include class tests, assignments, oral presentations, projects, and class participation. The WASSCE consists of multiple-choice questions, essays, and practical exercises. These assessments evaluate a range of skills, ensuring holistic evaluation, skill development, preparation for higher education and careers, and identification of areas for improvement.
| LAGOS STATE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION: UNIFIED SCHEMES OF WORK FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS | ||
| Agricultural Science Scheme of Work for Senior Secondary Schools 3(SSS3) | ||
| Class | S.S.S 3 | |
| Subject | Agricultural Science | |
| Term | First Term | |
| Week | Topic | Breakdown |
| THEME: CROP PRODUCTION | ||
| 1 | Crop improvement. | 1. Aim of crop improvement – increase yield – improve quality of produce etc 2. Methods of crop improvement – proper timing of planting – the adoption of better cultivation methods etc 3. Mendel’s law of inheritance i. Definition of some genetic terms – the character of traits, chromosomes, genes, etc ii. Mendel’s 1st law of segregation of genes. iii. Mendel’s 2nd law of independent assortment of genes;give examples 4. Advantages of crop improvement |
| THEME 2: ANIMAL SCIENCE | ||
| 2 | Animal improvement I | 1. Meaning of animal science. 2. Aims of animal improvement. 3. Methods of animal improvement. – introduction – selection -types of selection – breeding -types of breeding |
| 3 | Animal improvement II [ Artificial insemination] | Meaning of artificial insemination – methods of collecting semen – advantages and disadvantages of artificial insemination. |
| 4 | Animal health management I | 1. Meaning of disease. 2. Causal organisms – viruses – bacteria – fungi – protozoa 3a. Factors that could predispose animals to diseases. – the health status of animals – nutrition – management etc 3b. Reactions of animals to diseases, susceptibility, and resistance to diseases. |
| 5 | Animal health management II | Symptoms, effects, and mode of transmission of selected diseases e.g. i. Viral diseases – foot and mouth rinderpest – new castle etc ii. bacterial – anthrax – brucellosis – tuberculosis etc iii. protozoa – trypanosomiasis – coccidiosis etc. iv. fungal – scabies – ringworm etc v. parasite – meaning of parasites. – types of parasite – Mode of transmission and life cycles of some selected livestock parasites. |
| 6 | Animal health management III | 1. General methods of prevention and control of diseases and parasites – Quarantine, inoculation, etc 2. Control of parasites – Dipping, drenching, spraying, and deworming. |
| 7 | Aqua-culture | 1. Meaning of aqua-culture. 2. Different types of aquaculture – fish farming – crab faring, etc 3. Meaning of fish farming. 4. Importance of fish farming. 5. Conditions for siting a fish pond – adequate water supply – vegetation etc 6. Establishment and maintenance of fish ponds. 7. Fishing regulations – meaning of regulations like close season, catch quota, regular stocking, etc 8. Fishing methods and tools. |
| 8 | Apiculture or beekeeping | 1. Meaning of apiculture or beekeeping. 2. Types of bees i. indigenous bees ii. exotic bees 3. Importance of beekeeping -Job/wealth creation – bees and bee products are medicinal etc 4. Methods of beekeeping. 5.Bee keeping equipment i.e. bee hives, hives tools like suits, smokers, jungle boots, brusher, etc 6. Precautionary measures in bee keeping -local apiaries far from human dwellings -put warning symbols near your apiary etc. |
| THEME 3: AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND EXTENSION | ||
| 9 | Agricultural finance I | 1. Meaning of agricultural finance. 2. Importance of agricultural finance. 3. Sources of farm financing – personal savings – commercial banks – cooperative societies – government [Local, State, and Federal] – non-governmental organizations etc. |
| 10 | Agricultural finance II | 1. Classes of credit a. Classification based on lengths of period i.e. period i. Short-term credit ii. medium-term credit iii. long-term credit b. classification-based sources of credit i. institutional credit e.g. banks, cooperatives, government, NGOs ii. Non-institutional credit e.g. personal savings, friends and relatives, and money merchants. c. Classification based on liquidity i. Loan in cash ii. Loan in bond. |
| 11 | Revision | |
| 12 | Examination | |
| Term | Second Term | |
| Week | Topic | Breakdown |
| 1 | Agricultural finance (capital market I agriculture) III | a. Meaning of capital market institution that deals with medium and long-term loans for agricultural business. b. Institutions involved in the capital market – commercial banks – mortgage banks – Nigerian Agric co-operative and rural development bank etc. c. sources of funds for the capital market – bonds – insurance – merchant banks – the stock exchange sales and purchase of shares d. roles of capital markets – mobilization of long-term funds for lending – reduce over reliance on the money market etc. |
| 2 | Farm records and accounts I | 1. Importance of farm records – performance evaluation of farms – farm management decisions etc 2. Types of farm records. – inventory records – production records – income and expenditure records. – supplementary or special records 3. Design farm records. |
| 3 | Farm records and accounts II | Farm accounts i. expenditure accounts (purchase account) ii. income/sales account iii. profit and loss account iv. Balance sheet. |
| 4 | Marketing of agricultural produces I | 1. Meaning and importance of marketing – marketing agents e.g. retailers and whole sellers (middleman) 2. Marketing functions i. assembling ii. transportation iii. processing etc. |
| 5 | Marketing of agricultural produce [export promotion] | 1. Marketing of export crops. 2. Export crops in Nigeria – cocoa, cotton, oil palm, rubber, etc 3. Guideline for exporting crops in Nigeria. 4. corporate bodies, cooperative societies, and individuals engaged in exporting agricultural products e.g. ANCE, Association of Nigeria Cooperative Exporters, etc 5. Importance of exporting agricultural products – foreign exchange earning – wealth creation for farmers etc 6. Problems of marketing agricultural products – inadequate processing and storage facilities etc. |
| 6 | Agricultural insurance | 1. Meaning of agricultural insurance. 2. Importance of agricultural insurance. 3. Types of insurance policies for agricultural production – Specific enterprise insurance e.g. crop insurance, livestock insurance. -Farm vehicle insurance – Fire disaster insurance or machine and building. – life assurance [farmers, farm workers, and farmers household] 4. Insurance premiums. 5. Problems of agricultural insurance – uncertainties of weather -Losses due to natural disasters etc. |
| 7 | Agricultural extension I | 1. Meaning of agricultural extension as a teaching and learning process 2. Agricultural extension programme 3. Extension methods. |
| 8 | Agricultural extension II | 1. Agricultural extension programmes in Nigeria e.g. ADP, NDE, Agro-service centres, state ministries of Agricultural Resources. 2. Problems faced by agricultural extension in Nigeria e.g. illiteracy among farmers. – inadequate transport facilities etc. |
| 9 | Revision and Examination |
At the end of SSS3, students can;
The recommended Agricultural Science textbooks for SSS3 include but are not limited to the following:
Longman Group Ltd
Mis-Fav Publishers SS 1-3
