Page 16 - Agriculture_Form_3

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Exercise 1.2
Think of a community where growing cereal and pulse crops is the primary
farming activity. How can the people in community make the best use of these
cereal and pulse crops to improve their standard of living?
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY

Planning for cereal and pulse crop production

Before starting a cereal or pulse crop enterprise, careful planning is essential to
ensure success. A well-thought-out plan helps farmers to avoid losses, achieve
high yields, and manage all stages of crop production effectively. Proper
planning cuts across all production stages, that is, selection of the right crop(s)
and land preparation, sowing, weeding, pest management, harvesting, storage
and marketing. The following factors should be considered before engaging in
cereal and pulse crop production:

(i) Selection of cereal and pulse crops to grow
Identify which cereal and pulse crops grow well in your area. Each crop has
specific soil and climate requirements. A good understanding of the crop and its
needs will help in the proper choice of a crop to grow and hence maximise yield.
Choice of the crop should therefore consider climate, soil type, market demand
and the growing season.

(ii) Goal setting
When planning for cereal and pulse crop production, it is important to set clear
goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. The
reason or purpose of the production should be pointed out before starting. This
will guide on the volume of production and production pattern. The crop producer
should determine what and how much to produce on a given time and unit of
land. Such details will help in preparing a budget.

The following questions can be considered: What is the primary reason for
farming? What other activities are involved, and how do they relate to farming?
Should the farm be operated full-time or part-time? How much time and capital
will be invested? What is the expected period between investment and returns?
Is there a desire to learn new skills? Answering these questions helps set realistic
and focused goals.

Student’s Book Form Three 7

17/09/2025 14:11
AGRICULTURE F3.indd 7 17/09/2025 14:11
AGRICULTURE F3.indd 7