Scribd
Upload
94 views5 pages

Week #1 & 2 (NOTES) Conventional and Non-Conventional Farming

Uploaded by

berryrachel950
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
94 views5 pages

Week #1 & 2 (NOTES) Conventional and Non-Conventional Farming

Uploaded by

berryrachel950
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Saraswati Vidya Niketan

DIVALI TERM 2021


LESSON PLAN
Week 1

Teacher: Avinash ji
Subject: Agricultural Science
Topic: INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE
Class: Form 4 D, L & S
Time: 60 minutes
CONTENT
- Agriculture is the cultivation of crops and rearing of animals including bees and
fishes,
Agricultural Science involves the use of techniques such as:
1. Production methods
2. Irrigation methods
3. Husbandry practices

- Agricultural Science also include Research and Development on:


1. Production techniques- example: irrigation management, land preparation, etc.

2. Improving agricultural productivity in terms of quantity and quality- example: selection


of drought resistant crops, pest resistant crops and animals formulating new pesticides.

3. Transformation of primary products into secondary production- example: converting


apple to apple juice. This also includes packaging, advertising, pricing, etc.

4. Prevention and correction of adverse environmental effects- example: soil degradation,


pollution, erosion, etc.

1. Differentiate between Agriculture and Agricultural Science.


2. List six (6) roles of Agriculture in the National and Regional Economy.
3. Differentiate between Conventional and non-conventional agriculture and list at least
three (3) examples of each.
WEEK 2
Conventional and Non-Conventional Agriculture:
CONVENTIONAL FARMING
This is the cultivation of crops and rearing of animals on a large scale. It involves using
soil, chemicals (weedicides, pesticides and growth hormones), machinery and labour to produce
products for human consumption.
Examples of conventional farming:
 Monoculture
 Mixed farming
 Monocropping
 Mixed cropping

NON- CONVENTIONAL FARMING


This is a system which has developed in a response to the concerns of effects of intensive
systems on the environment and the quality of food produced (need for food grown without
chemicals). Examples of Non-Conventional Farming are:
1. Organic Farming
2. Hydroponics
3. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
4. Grow Boxes
5. Trough Culture
6. Urban and Peri- Urban Farming
7. Aqua-ponics

1. ORGANIC FARMING
In organic farming, the use of herbicides and pesticides are restricted. The principles of
organic farming are to maintain ecological balance and biodiversity, manage soil fertility and
control pests and weeds without the use of harmful chemicals. In order to increase and maintain
soil fertility, farmers usually practice the following:
1. Crop Rotation- this is the planting of different families of crops on the same plot of land
at different time intervals.
Benefits of crop rotation:
 Life cycle of pest and pathogens are broken
 With the inclusion of a legume, it increases the nitrogen content of the soil.
 Different crops need different methods of cultivation so this improves the soil
texture.

2. Intercropping- this is where secondary crops (legumes) are planted between primary
crops. It is important to intercrop with a legume so as to add back nutrients (nitrogen) to
the soil.
Benefits of Intercropping:
 It adds nitrogen back to the soil
 Helps to reduce erosion
 A second crop can reduce competition from weeds

3. Use of Organic Manure- this is where animal waste is used to add nutrients to the soil.
Benefits of Organic Manure:
 Plants grow healthy; has all the nutrients
 Can produce to its genetic potential
 Helps aeration and drainage in clay soil
 Helps retain water in sandy soil

4. Green Manuring- this is the ploughing back of a crop (legumes) into the soil. When it
decomposes, it releases its nutrients into the soil.
Benefits of Green Manure:
 Improves soil fertility
 Helps to reduce erosion
 Provides cover to prevent run-off during the wet season (Use as a mulch)

WEED CONTROL ON AN ORGANIC FARM


On an organic farm, weeds can be controlled by the following methods:
1. Cultural-this involves the use of methods such as mulching, hand-weeding, hand-pulling,
flooding, burning, hoeing, use of an axe, etc.
2. Mechanical- this is the use of machinery such as weeding machine, lawn-mowers, and
chainsaws to control weeds.
3. Biological- this is the use of organisms to control the weeds.
PEST CONTROL ON AN ORGANIC FARM
On an organic farm, pest can be controlled by the following methods:
1. Cultural- hand-pulling, field sanitization, flooding, burning, use of resistant varieties
2. Biological- this is the use of natural enemy such as a predator to control the pest.
3. Chemical- this is the use of organic insecticides such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt),
Pytethrum (Chrysanthemum or Tanacetum), Rotenone.
4. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) - this involves the use of all of the above methods
combined together to control the pest.

CERTIFICATION OF ORGANIC FARMS


Farmers who want to sell their produce as organic must obtain certification. This must be
carried out by a legitimate agency. The process involves inspection of irrigation water, soil, the
crop itself and surrounding farms for chemical residues. To qualify for organic status, a farm
must be inspected and certified.

2. HYDROPONICS
This is the practice of growing plants in a nutrient solution without soil. This allows plants to be
grown in smaller spaces. Hydroponic plants are not at risk of attack from pests or diseases found
in soil. Therefore, hydroponics plants reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides and insecticides.

3. NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE (NFT)


The NFT is a circulating system which supplies plant roots with oxygen and nutrients. The plant
are grown in troughs, with roots embedded in rock wool or some other inert material, supplied
with nutrient solution. The solution is then pumped into the troughs, circulated around the roots,
collected in a tank and is then re-circulated.
The Nft is usually carried out in glasshouses, where temperature and light can be controlled.
Disadvantage: Costs of installing and running this are high.
Advantage: 1. High yields as plants get all the nutrients they require
2. Soil-borne diseases are eliminated
3. Produce is clean and not covered with soil.
4. GROW BOXES
A grow box is an enclosed box used to grow plants in a self- contained environment. The box
has a hydroponic system, a built-in light and a means of ventilation. Grow boxes are used by
people who have no garden and for growing plants out of season.

5. TROUGH CULTURE
Trough culture involves growing crops in shallow troughs, 15-20 cm deep and 60-70 cm wide.
Troughs can be filled with an inert, soil-less medium, such as rocks, wool and are connected to a
drip system which supplies water and nutrients in solution. Once the troughs are set up, they are
easy and inexpensive to maintain.

6. URBAN AND PERI-URBAN FARMING


Urban and Peri- Urban Farming is the cultivation of small areas of land, usually less that 2
hectares, in or near cities, towns and villages. The small farms, or market gardens as they are
sometimes called, produce fresh vegetables, fruit and meat for urban consumers. Produce is
harvested by the farmer, often with the help of his family, who also get it ready for market.
The benefits of urban farms include:
1. A reduction in transport costs as food is grown locally
2. Fewer pesticides, which make food production more sustainable
3. No food preservatives as food does not have to travel long distances.
4. Employment for local people

7. AQUAPONICS
Aqua-ponics is a farming method that combines the benefits of aquaculture and hydroponics. A
nitrifying bacteria convert the wastes that fish produce. They, then serve as an organic nutrient
source for the plants. This is possible by harvesting both fish for a protein source and fresh plant
produce.

LIVESTOCK FARMING SYSTEMS


Livestock agriculture is concerned with raising and maintaining livestock, primarily for the
purposes of producing meat, milk, and eggs. Livestock agriculture also includes wool and leather
production and may include animals kept for recreation (riding or racing) and draft.

You might also like