A

TECHNICAL REPORT

ON

STUDENTS INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME

(SIWES)

UNDERTAKEN AT

EKITI STATE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

EKITI STATE

BY

OLOYEDE DEBORAH OLUWAYEMISI

FPI/AGT/19/047

i
 A

TECHNICAL REPORT

ON

STUDENTS INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME

(SIWES)

UNDERTAKEN AT

EKITI STATE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

BY

OLOYEDE DEBORAH OLUWAYEMISI

FPI/AGT/19/047

SUBMITTED TO

THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY,

SCHOOL OF APPLIED SCIENCES,

ONDO STATE, NIGERIA.

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF

NATIONAL DIPLOMA (ND) IN AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY,

JULY, 2021.

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 CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that I, OLOYEDE DEBORAH OLUWAYEMISI with Matriculation Number

FPI/AGT/19/047 of the Department of Agricultural Technology in Federal Polytechnic Ile-Oluji,

Ondo State, Nigeria did my three (3) months Student Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) at Ekiti

State Agricultural Development Programme, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.

OLOYEDE DEBORAH OLUWAYEMISI ______________________________

Signature & Date

This is to certify that this report is for the SIWES carried out by OLOYEDE DEBORAH

OLUWAYEMISI with Matriculation Number: FPI/AGT/19/047

MR. ADEBAYO S. A. ____________________________

SIWES SUPERVISOR Signature & Date

ENGR. DR. AKINFIRESOYE W.A ____________________________

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT Signature & Date

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Firstly, I want to thank the almighty God that guided me thorough this programme. I also want to

express my appreciations to the Head of Department of Agricultural Technology; Engr. (Dr.)

Akinfesoye W.A, my SIWES coordinator, my supervisor Mr. Adebayo S. A. and all my lecturers

in the Department of Agricultural Technology. A special thanks to my parents and siblings for

their constant support, guidance and counselling.

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 SUMMARY

Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a Federal Government-initiated

program aimed at preparing students for industrial work situations, exposing them to work

method and techniques, bridging the gap between theories and practical, and creating avenue to

acquire industrial skills and techniques. During this my three (3) month SIWES period, I was

able to understand Seed Processing, Seed Testing, identify industrial machine for enhancing the

operations of Agriculture in our society

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

CERTIFICATION…………………………………………………………………………..…..iii

SUMMARY………………………..…………………………………………………………….v

TABLE OF CONTENT ……………..…………………………………………………………..vi

LIST OF FIGURES………………………………………………………………………….…vii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………1

1.1 Background of Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES)…………….…...1

1.2 Aim and Objectives of SIWES…………….…………………………………………….3

1.3 Bodies involved in the Management of SIWES………………………………..………..3

1.4 History of Ekiti State Agricultural Development Programme …………………….…….3

1.5 Aim and Objectives of Ekiti State Agricultural Development Programme……………...4

1.6 Organogram of Ekiti State Agricultural Development Programme ……………………..4

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Experience Gained………………………………………………………………………..5

2.1 Seed…………..…………………………………………………………………….……..5

2.2 Seed Treatment……………………..…………………………………………………….6

2.3 Seed Processing Procedures...…………………………………………………………….6

2.4 Seed Testing……………………………………………………………………………….7

2.5 Scale…………………………………………………….....................................................8

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2.6 Tractor……………………………………………………………………………………8

2.7 Seed processing Machine……………………………………………………………….10

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 My Contributions to Ekiti State Agricultural Development Programme …………..………13

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Conclusion and Recommendations……………..…………………………………….....14

4.1 Conclusion…….…………………………………………………………………….…...14

4.2 Recommendations………………………………………………………………….…….14

REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………….……….....15

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 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure1.1 Organogram of Ekiti State Agricultural Development Programme 4

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 CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION TO SIWES

The Students' Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a Training Scheme by which a

Student can go through down to earth preparing inside a supported mechanical, undertaking

having explicit measure of fixed resources or turnover of settled up share capital. The plan is a

participatory program including University, Polytechnics and Technical Colleges, and

understudy of different establishments of Nigeria. The Student Industrial Work Experience

Scheme (SIWES) is supported mutually by Industrial Training Fund (ITF). Preparing is a

fundamental factor in upgrading an aptitude of the work power particularly readies the

understudies in tertiary establishment to be outfitted with all the specialized ability that will

improve their productivity and adequacy in labor market. The Student Industrial Work

Experience Scheme (SIWES) is an ability securing preparing program that structures portions of

the base scholastic prerequisite norm in different degree organization which incorporate

agribusiness instruction, science and innovation, ecological plan understudies and other chose

region in this way, empowering understudies of authorize discipline in different foundations of

higher figuring out how to get viable information and sufficient abilities of their space of study.

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDENT INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME

(SIWES)

The Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a skills training programme

designed to expose and prepare students of universities and other tertiary institutions for the

Industrial Work situation they are likely to meet after graduation. This report summarizes the

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practical experience and exposure gained during my industrial training program, undertaken at

Ekiti State Agricultural Development Project (ADP).

SIWES (Student’s Industrial Work Experience Scheme) is a scheme for the duration of twelve

weeks (3 month). SIWES is done after the first year in polytechnics (ND1); and done after

Second year or third year in Universities depending on the institutions.

1.2 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF SIWES

Objectives of SIWES are:

i. Provide avenues for students to acquire Industrial Skills for experience during their

course of study.

ii. Expose student to work methods and techniques in handling equipment and machineries

that may not be available in the University.

iii. Prepare students for Industrial work situation they are likely to meet after graduation.

iv. Provide students with the opportunities to apply their educational knowledge in real work

situation, thereby bringing the gaps between theories for practice student contact for later

job placement.

1.3 BODIES INVOLVED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SIWES

The bodies involved are: Federal Government, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Other

Supervising Agencies are: National University Commission (NUC), National Board for

Technical Education (NBTE) & National Council for Colleges of Education (NCCE). The

functions of these agencies above include among others to:

i. Ensure adequate funding of the scheme.

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 ii. Establish SIWES and accredit SIWES unit in the approved institutions.

iii. Formulate policies and guideline for participating bodies and institutions as well as

appointing SIWES coordinators and supporting staff.

iv. Supervise students at their places of attachment and sign their log-book and ITF Forms.

1.4 HISTORY OF EKITI STATE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

PROGRAMME

Ekiti State Agricultural Development Programme was established in the year 1996 as a result of

the creation of Ekiti State out of formal Ondo State. All the existing departments and

programmes in the formal Ondo State Agricultural Developments Project were been replicated in

Ekiti State. The Headquarters of Ekiti State Agricultural Development Programme is situated at

Ilesa-Isu road, Ikole Ekiti with three zonal headquarters situated in each senatorial district of the

State. Ekiti State ADP embarked on so many programmes like

1. PSPFS – Special program for Food Security (SPFS)

2. Rice expansion programme, etc.

1.5 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF EKITI STATE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

PROGRAMME

1. Dissemination of information to farmers

2. Periodical training of farmers about the technology in agricultural production.

3. To improve food production and efficiency of farmers

4. To Facilitate credit to farmers.

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 1.6 ORGANOGRAM OF EKITI STATE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

PROGRAMME

Programme Manager/ Accounting

Office

Planning Accounting Agric Extension Human Engineering

Evaluation Finance Services Services Resources Services

Seed Block Extension

Development Unit Unit

Fig 1.1: Organogram of Ekiti State Agric. Dev. Programme

CHAPTER TWO
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2.0 EXPERIENCE GAINED

The knowledge gained during my attachment as a trainee or SIWES student at Ekiti State

Agricultural Development Programme was generally on my field which is Agricultural

Technology, I learnt the procedures of seed processing, identification of laboratory equipment

used for seed testing, identification of tractor and its components with their functions, different

types of scales and seed. This chapter explains the experienced gained in my three months

SIWES.

2.1 SEED PROCESSING UNIT

A seed is an embryonic plant enclosed in a protective outer covering. The formation of the seed

is part of the process of reproduction in seed plants, the spermatophytes, including the

gymnosperm and angiosperm plants. The cotyledons of the plant embryo within the seed are

used as a basis in classifying angiosperms. Dicots are angiosperms that have two cotyledons.

Monocots are those with only one cotyledon.

2.2 SEED TREATMENT

Seed treatment refers to the application of fungicide, insecticide, or a combination of both, to

seeds so as to disinfect and disinfect them from seed-borne or soil-borne pathogenic organisms

and storage insects. It also refers to the subjecting of seeds to solar energy exposure, immersion

in conditioned water, etc.

2.3 SEED PROCESSING PROCEDURES

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Procedure for approval. Processing of seeds is done based on the one or more differing physical

characters of seed (i.e.) seed size, length, weight, shape, surface texture, color, affinity to liquid

and electrical conductivity. Seed processing is a vital part of the total technology involved in

making available high-quality seed. In ADP, the term seed processing includes drying, cleaning,

seed treatment, packaging and storage.

DRYING

The purpose of drying is to remove moisture from the seed to maintain safe moisture content

thereby reducing or eliminating growth of microorganisms. The method of drying in ADP is sun

drying of the cobs (in maize), paddy (in rice) or any other form on a raised concrete platform

known as the concrete slab, and turning it over at intervals. When drying, care is taking in other

not to lose the seed viability and quality therefore the seeds are not over dried under sunlight to

prevent cracking that leads to loss of viability.

SHELLING/THRESHING:

This is the process of removing the seed from their cobs or paddy as the case may be. At ADP,

the power maize Sheller which can shell about 1500 kilogram per hour is used for shelling

maize. The un-shelled maize is poured into hopper of the power Sheller and comes out through

the grain outlet while the cob goes out through the trash outlet. A rice thresher is used for the

threshing of rice.

CLEANING, SEPARATION AND GRADING:

Cleaning is the removal of foreign and dissimilar material from the seeds. Separation is the

sorting of clean products into various fractions of quality on the basis of size, shape, density,

texture and colour. Grading is sorting on the basis of quality, uniformity or class to obtain a very

high grade sample. The overall objective of cleaning, separation and grading is to obtain clean

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and quality seeds from shelled/threshed grains hence, discouraging mould growth. In ADP, this

process is carried out by pneumatic sorting machine.

PACKAGING:

To prevent contamination and spoilage after cleaning, it is necessary to keep seeds in a safe

package. In ADP, the seeds are packaged in polypropylene laminate bags (hessian bags) which

allow minimum interaction with the environment therefore reducing the rate of contamination.

The seeds are weighed to ensure that only ten (10) kilogram is poured into each bag. Samples

of the seeds are taken to the laboratory to carry out mechanical, germination, moisture content

determination and seed health tests to determine the necessary treatment to be administered and

indications to be present on the label.

The seeds are then treated with the necessary chemicals; aluminum phosphide

(phostoxin) to eliminate any insect present. After treatment the bags are sealed with a sewing

machine and labelled with tags. At this stage, the seeds are ready for storage.

SEED STORAGE

The ultimate role of storage is to reduce deterioration of produce from harvest to end use to the

barest minimum. ADP is equipped with various storage facilities.

There are two large warehouses each with a capacity to hold thousands of bags of seeds. The

walls are built with breeze blocks painted cream to reflect light, the roof frames are constructed

in a way that the weight is transferred to the walls to form a roof without internal support pillars

in other to facilitate easy pest management, the ventilation and illumination openings are fitted

with rodent proofs.

There are wooden pallets in the store where the bags are properly stacked in a specific regular

pattern one meter to the wall and between rows to allow adequate aeration and free movement

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when carrying out controls, surface treatment, fumigation and other storage activities. Adequate

space is left between the stack and roof also the bags are allowed to overlap in different areas for

free current of air under the stack and facilitate aeration from below. The temperature and

moisture content of the produce in the store is checked from time to time to avoid deterioration

and loss of viability.

There is a smaller store fitted with air conditioners for cool and dry storage which is the best way

of storage but is not effective due to power failure so the seeds are planted close to the planting

season and stored for a shorter period to avoid loss of viability due to long storage.

2.4 SEED TESTING

Seed testing is the science of evaluating the quality of seeds to determine their value for planting.

Though initially developed for field and garden seeds, seed testing is equally valuable for

determining the seed quality of turf, flowers, herbs, shrubs, trees and native species. Seed testing

is required to assess the seed quality attributes of the seed lots which have to be offered for sale.

These quality attributes are seed moisture content, germination and vigour, physical and genetic

purity, freedom from seed borne diseases and insect infestation. The purpose of seed testing is to

maintain and make available to farmers high-quality and genetically pure seeds of superior

cultivars. Certified seed is high in genetic purity, high in germination and vigor, and of good

quality (i.e., free from disease and from damaged or immature seed). They also require special

skills to conduct and interpret. Example of seed testing equipment or instruments are mixer,

meter, pestles, moisture, germinator. One types of seeding testing;

i. Germination Test: Reports the percentage of seed that germinated. In commercial

settings, tests are usually made in either 200 or 400 seed samples

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2.5 SCALE

A scale or balance is a device to measure weight or mass. These are also known as mass scales,

weight scales, mass balances, and weight balances.

ENGINEERING SECTOR

In this sector, I was introduced to the different parts of tractor () and their various functions.

2.6 TRACTOR

Tractor is a self-propelled power unit having wheels or tracks for operating agricultural

implements and machines including trailers. Tractor engine is used as a prime mover for

active tools and stationary farm machinery through power take-off shaft (PTO) or belt

pulley. A tractor is the go-to piece of equipment for anyone looking to pull, move, haul, plow,

or till soil or land. A tractor can be fitted with a tiller, aerator, rotary cutters, cultivators, disc

harrows, pallet forks, and many other kinds of attachments. A tractor is a diverse piece of

equipment used by many. The tractor has a powerful motor and is designed with larger wheels in

the back than the front. This design is to help the equipment achieve maximum torque power at

slow speeds. Most modern tractors feature an enclosed cab. Mainly used on farms for hauling

equipment and trailers, tractors can be used for snow-removal as well.

Parts of tractor and their functions

CROP UNITS

This unit is where fruits and vegetables are grown for human consumption. Fruits and vegetables
grown includes: - tomatoes, onions, cabbage, water melon, green beans, pepper, etc. Among all
crops produced for sale in this section Tomatoes were produced on a larger scale.

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 During my SIWES period, I worked fully in nursery preparation of tomatoes and green
beans.

Procedure in Preparing Nursery

Nursery Stage:

i. You can plant tomatoes by seed indoors for a head start. Sow seeds a ½ inch deep in

small trays 6 to 8 weeks before the average last spring frost date.

ii. Harden off your own seedlings for a week before transplanting them in the ground.

Set them outdoors in the shade for a few hours on the first day. Gradually increase

this time each day to include some direct sunlight.

Transplanting Stage:

i. Transplant your seedlings or nursery-grown plants after all danger of frost has passed

and the soil is at least 60°F.

ii. Place tomato stakes or cages in the soil at planting. Staking and caging keep

developing fruit off the ground (to avoid disease and pests) and also help the plant to

stay upright.

iii. When you transplant tomatoes, add a handful of organic tomato fertilizer or bone

meal (a good source of phosphorus) to the planting hole.

iv. When planting seedlings, pinch off a few of the lower leaves.

Growing in Containers:

i. Use a large pot or container (at least 20 inches in diameter) with drainage holes in

the bottom.

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 ii. Use loose, well-draining soil (e.g., at least 12 inches of a good “potting mix” with

added organic material).

iii. A tray of some sort should be placed under the pot to catch any excess water that

drains out the bottom.

iv. Choose bush or dwarf varieties; many cherry tomatoes grow well in pots. Taller

varieties may need to be staked.

i. Plant one tomato plant per pot and give each at least 6 hours of sun per day.

ii. Keep soil moist. Containers will dry out more quickly than garden soil, so check daily

and provide extra water during heat waves.

Watering/Care:

i. Monitor tomato plants daily, checking under leaves, checking fruit, and checking near

the soil.

ii. To dislodge many pests like aphids, spray plants with with a good jet stream from

the hose.

iii. Handpick insects bigger insects like tomato hornworm with gloves on, dropping into

a bucket of soapy water.

i. Apply insecticidal soap directly to the insect on the plant; this works for smaller pests

such as aphids and spider mites.

ii. Apply horticultural oils or sprays diluted in water. Neem oil sprays block an insect’s

air holes.

Harvesting:

i. Leave tomatoes on the vine as long as possible.

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 ii. Harvest tomatoes when they are firm and very red in color, regardless of size, with

perhaps some yellow remaining around the stem. Harvest tomatoes of other colors

(orange, yellow, purple, or another rainbow shade) when they turn the correct color.

Storage:

i. Never refrigerate fresh garden tomatoes. Doing so spoils the flavor and texture that

give them that garden tomato taste.

ii. To freeze, core fresh and unblemished tomatoes and place them whole in freezer bags

or containers. Seal, label, and freeze. The skins will slip off when they thaw.

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 CHAPTER THREE

3.0 CONTRIBUTION TO EKITI STATE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

PROGRAMME

During my three (3) Months of SIWES training at Ekiti State Agricultural Development

Programme.

The following are my contribution in the course of my training at Ekiti State Agricultural

Development Programme

a. Planting of seed E.g Tomatoes, Garbage, onion

b. I participated in processing and packaging of seed.

c. I participated in Hand picking of dirt in maize and rice to achieved purified ones.

d. Engage in Sun drying of seed to achieved the moisture content

e. Application of fertilizer using side dressing method

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 CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMENDATIONS

The Federal Government’s efforts at improving the nation’s technical know-how and increasing

the efficiency of middle level manpower are not restricted to the industries alone. Efforts were

made to involve institutions of higher learning and hence the birth of. Based on the findings of

this study, it is evident that skills development and utilization cannot be achieved in isolation,

rather, the relevant stakeholders must be committed to the course and be fully involved, which

means students and teachers form institutions of higher learning, corporate industries and

commercial bodies, and Federal Government must be involved. This cooperative machinery

between industrial and institutions of higher learning will produce effective results under the

supervision and control of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). My three (3) months Industrial

Training at Ekiti State Agricultural Development Programme, I was able to understand Seed

Processing, Seed Testing, identify industrial machine for enhancing the operations of Agriculture

in our society

4.2 RECOMMENDATIONS

i. Schools should provide places of attachments for students.

ii. Allowances should be paid to students during their program just like NYSC and not after.

This would help them a great deal to handle some financial problems during their

training course.

iii. Supervisor should always visit students monthly in their various places of attachments.

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 REFERENCES

ITF (2004). Information and guidelines for Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme:

Reviewed, Jos, Nigeria.

Mason, R.E. , Haines P.O., and Furthado L.T. (1981). Occupational Education and Work

Experience in Curriculum,

Nigerian Journal of Technical Education.(l&2), 153-169

Organic seed processing and storage guide [Online]. 2004-2010. J. H. McCormack, Ph.D.

Available at: http://www.savingourseeds.org/publications.html (verified 12 Mar 2014).

Excellent information on all aspects of seed processing and saving for all vegetable seed

growers

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