Agricultural Science

Also on the syllabus · lessons in preparation

• 03Farm Tools and ImplementsCommon hand tools used on West African farms, their uses, care, and maintenance.
• 04Farm Machinery and MechanizationTractors, ploughs, harvesters, and other machinery — advantages and limitations of mechanisation.

• 01Soil Formation and CompositionHow soil is formed from parent rock, the soil profile, and the main components of soil.
• 02Soil Properties and TypesPhysical, chemical, and biological properties of soil, and the main soil types found in West Africa.
• 03Soil Fertility and FertilizersWhat makes soil fertile, organic and inorganic fertilizers, and how to apply them correctly.
• 04Soil Conservation and ErosionTypes of soil erosion, causes, effects, and methods of soil conservation and reclamation.

• 01Principles of Crop ProductionLand preparation, planting, weeding, fertilising, harvesting, and the general practices of growing crops.
• 02Plant Propagation and Nursery ManagementSexual and asexual propagation, seedbed preparation, nursery practices, and transplanting.
• 03Cereal CropsRice, maize, sorghum, and millet — their cultivation, common varieties, and importance to Sierra Leone.
• 04Legumes, Roots, and TubersBeans, groundnut, cassava, yam, and sweet potato — cultivation, uses, and nutritional value.
• 05Plantation and Cash CropsCocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, kola, and cotton — major plantation crops of West Africa.
• 06Vegetable and Fruit ProductionCommon vegetables and fruits grown in Sierra Leone, their nutritional value, and production techniques.
• 07Weed ControlWhat weeds are, types of weeds, their effects on crops, and cultural, mechanical, and chemical control methods.
• 08Pests and Diseases of CropsCommon crop pests and diseases in West Africa, how they spread, and integrated methods of control.
• 09Crop Improvement and BreedingSelection, hybridisation, and modern methods of improving crop varieties.
• 10Crop Processing and StorageMethods of processing and storing harvested crops to reduce losses and add value.
• 11Forestry and AgroforestryImportance of forests, deforestation, agroforestry systems, and tree-crop integration on farms.

• 01Introduction to Farm AnimalsClassification of farm animals, their economic importance, and the types reared in West Africa.
• 02Animal Anatomy and PhysiologyBasic body systems of farm animals — digestion, circulation, respiration — and how they affect production.
• 03Animal Nutrition and FeedingNutrient requirements, types of feed, balanced rations, and feeding practices for different farm animals.
• 04Animal Reproduction and BreedingReproduction in farm animals, breeding methods, artificial insemination, and selection for improvement.
• 05Animal Health and Disease ManagementCommon diseases and parasites of farm animals, signs of ill health, and prevention and treatment.
• 06Livestock ProductionCattle, sheep, goat, and pig production — housing, feeding, management, and economics.
• 07Poultry ProductionBroiler and layer production, housing, feeding, common diseases, and management practices.
• 08Other Animal EnterprisesAquaculture, beekeeping, and snail farming — practical small-scale enterprises with strong income potential.
• 09Animal Products and ProcessingMeat, milk, eggs, wool, hides — their processing, preservation, and value addition.

• 01Agricultural EconomicsFactors of production in agriculture, supply, demand, and the economics of farm decisions.
• 02Farm Planning, Records, and ManagementPlanning the farm year, keeping farm records, simple farm accounts, and managing labour and resources.
• 03Agricultural Marketing and CooperativesHow agricultural produce moves from farm to consumer, marketing channels, and the role of cooperatives.
• 04Agricultural Finance and CreditSources of agricultural finance, types of credit, and the role of agricultural banks and microfinance.
• 05Agricultural Extension and Government PolicyAgricultural extension services, government agricultural policies, and support for Sierra Leonean farmers.

• 01Practical Agricultural SkillsPractical experiments, specimen identification, field work, and the WAEC Paper 3 practical mark scheme.