Page 132 - Agriculture_Form_3

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Activity 8.2
1. Visit a field of pigeon pea or use the internet to gather real-life information
and find out how farmers plan, grow, manage, harvest, and sell pigeon peas.

2. Create a calendar that will guide you in pigeon pea production on the school
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
farm based on local climatic patterns. The calendar should include:
(a) Key activities to be done, for example, land preparation, sowing, weeding,
and harvesting;

(b) A simple budget showing production requirements and their expected
costs for the cropping season; and
3. Summarise your work and keep in a portfolio.

Site selection and land preparation for pigeon pea production
Pigeon pea requires suitable growing conditions for good growth and high yields.
The crop does well on areas with gentle slope, sandy loam or loamy, with good
drainage and soil pH of 5 to 8. The crop is adapted to altitudes ranging from 0
to 1800 metres above sea level and temperatures of 18 °C to 30 °C. Pigeon pea
tolerates drought and can survive even under very dry conditions compared to
most other crops due to its deep root system. However, it does well in areas
receiving well-distributed annual rainfall ranging from 600 mm to 1,000 mm and
full sunlight.

Land preparation should begin before the onset of the rains by clearing bushes,
weeds, and plant residues. The soil is then ploughed to loosen it and improve water
flow and root development. After ploughing, large soil clods should be broken
up and the land levelled. Good land preparation helps improve soil conditions,
facilitates seed germination and plant growth and weeds control at early stages
of crop growth.

Activity 8.3

Follow the steps below to effectively select a suitable site and prepare the land for
pigeon pea cultivation in your school farm:
(a) Identify a suitable area for pigeon pea cultivation (consider factors such as
soil texture, drainage, slope, and shade that may affect pigeon pea growth;
(b) Measure and mark a field for planting pigeon peas;

(c) Clear the area, plough, level, and mark rows for sowing; then,

Student’s Book Form Three 123

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AGRICULTURE F3.indd 123