A Brief Introduction And Importance Of Agricultural Science

Definition of Agriculture

Agriculture is the cultivation of crops and production of animals for human use.

IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE TO NATIONAL ECONOMY

Agriculture plays important roles in the development of the nation and its economy, such roles include:-

1. PROVISION OF FOOD

Agriculture provides food for the citizens, it ensures a well fed population and this encourages the citizens to work in different field and sectors for the overall growth of the nation’s economy.

2. PROVISION OF RAW MATERIALS FOR INDUSTRIES

Agriculture provides different types of raw materials for industries; these raw materials are used in production of goods that are sold to the citizens for their use.

This reduces the rate of importation and aid the growth of the economy. The raw materials include fiber, hide and skin, cotton, wood pulp, cocoa, rubber etc,

3. PROVISION OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Agriculture provides employment for significant proportion of Nigeria population, it has been estimated that over 70% of Nigeria population are engaged in agriculturally based occupation.




Employment opportunities provided by agriculture enables workers to earn their living and contributes in their own different ways to the development of the nation.

4. SOURCE OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Agriculture brings about exchange of currency between Nigeria and other countries through exportation of agricultural produce.

This type of exchange of currency earns Nigeria foreign currencies with which we can trade with other countries. This type of trade (International trade) leads to the growth of Nigeria economy.

5. SOURCE OF REVENUE TO GOVERNMENT

Agriculture serves as source of revenue for government. Farmers pay their taxes, grading fee, license free e.t.c and government uses the fund in provision of basic amenities and infrastructures for the citizens, Government still realize some money from amenities and infrastructure provided and this improves our economy.

6. SOURCE OF INCOME TO FARMERS  

Agriculture provides money for the farmers, when farmers sells their produce they get money to live good life, pay children’s school fees e.t.c.

This improves their lives and improve the economy as well.

7. AGRICULTURE PROVIDES MARKET FOR INDUSTRIAL PRODUCT

Agriculture provides markets for some of the products produced by industries, these products are used for agricultural production they include fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, tractor, incubator e.t.c.

Simple Tips To Rice Production In Agriculture

RICE

Family – Graminae

Botanical name – Oryza sativa

Genus: Oryza

Specie: sativa

VARIETIES

There are two varieties of rice

i.             Upland rice

ii.           Swamp rice

Soil Requirement

Upland rice requires light, fertile sand loamy soil and slightly acidic P^H of 5.5 to 6.0

Swamp rice requires loamy to heavy clay soil or water logged/riverine area.

CLIMATIC REQUIREMENT

1.   Temperature 20⁰ – 30⁰c

2.   Rainfall 75cm – 120cm for upland rice which must be evenly distributed. For swamp rice rainfall of over 250cm is required.

METHOD OF PROPAGATION

Its propagation is mainly by seed. It requires nursery planting. Swamp rice is firstly planted in the nursery then seedlings can be transplanted. It is planted manually and mechanically.

SEED RATE

For upland rice, we plant 4-5 seeds per hole at about 65kg hectare. But for swamp rice 2-3 seedlings per hole.

PLANTING DATE

 Its planting date is April – May in the southern part of the country and between June and August in the North.

PLANTING DISTANCE

25cm by 30cm

POST PLANTING OPERATION

1.   Thinning

2.   Supplying

3.   Fertilizer application: NP:K 50: 20: 20 or organic fertilizer before planting

4.   Weeding: It can be done manually or mechanically

MATURITY PERIOD

4- 7 months

Harvesting: Harvesting can be done by the use of knife, sickle or mechanically.

FARM LEVEL PROCESSING

1.   Drying: it can be done naturally or artificially

2.   Threshing: This is the removal of seed from stalk

3.   Winnowing: This is the separation of seed from shaft

4.   Parboiling: Heating of rice in hot water to break or open the seed coat/hust.

5.   Hulling/milling: This is the removal of seed coat from the grains

6.   Polishing: This is the removal of rice brown which is very rich in protein and vitamin.   

STORAGE

Rice is stored in bags

DISEASES

1.   Rice smut (Fungi disease)

2.   Rice blight (Fungi disease)

3.   Rice blast (Fungi disease)

4.   Leaves spot (Fungi disease)

5.   Root rot (Fungi disease)

PESTS OF RICE

1.   Weevils

2.   Birds

3.   Rodents

USES OF RICE

1.   For food/human consumption

2.   It is used as part of the ingredient for animal feed

3.   It is used for folder