Page 15 - Agriculture_Form_3

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

The importance of cereal and pulse crops
Cereal and pulse crops play a vital role to people, animals, and the environment.
They serve as food, animal feed, and a source of income for farmers while also
contributing to soil health.
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(a) Food for people
Cereal crops like maize and rice are basic foods that give us energy. Pulse crops
such as beans and peas are a source of protein and other important nutrients. The
combination of cereal and pulse, when eaten, helps us stay healthy. When dried
properly, cereals and pulses can be kept for a long time. This makes cereals and
pulses safe food during periods of food shortages.

(b) Food for animals
Stalks and leftovers from cereal and pulse crops are used to feed animals. Cereals
and cereal by-products like maize, maize bran, and wheat bran are also used as
animal feeds.

(c) Income for farmers
Generally, farmers have different options for using their cereal and pulse crops.
The produced crop can be for home consumption (domestic use), sold or both.
Normally, farmers opt to sell their crops when they produce more than their
domestic requirements. They can sell through local buyers, middlemen, traders or
to processing factories. The income earned can be used to meet domestic needs,
purchase farming inputs and invest in off-farm business ventures.

(d) Soil improvement
Pulse crops enhance soil quality by adding nitrogen, thereby reducing the need
to purchase and apply nitrogenous fertilisers. When farmers grow pulses and
cereals together or in a rotation, it helps to improve soil fertility and reduce pest
pressure on the crop.

Activity 1.2

Read books, and online resources or visit farmers or traders and learn on various
uses of at least two cereal and pulse crops.

6 Student’s Book Form Three

17/09/2025 14:11
AGRICULTURE F3.indd 6
AGRICULTURE F3.indd 6 17/09/2025 14:11