Secondary Engagement Programme

Christmas Term

Grade 10

Activity Sheets

Agricultural Science

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION SECONDARY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME SEPTEMBER 2020

WEEK 3

LESSON # 2

GRADE :10 Subject : Agricultural Science Topic : Classification of Farms Sub Topic : Alternatives to conventional farming Objectives

To explain “non -conventional” farming systems

To describe conventional farming

To discuss urban and peri-urban farming

To explain the principles of organic farming ▶ What is non conventional farming Non conventional farming is a type of farming that uses, modified methods of growing crops and rearing animals. This farming system is labour intensive. Crop yields are lower . However the food produced are of a better quality so they command a higher price.

▶ Types of non conventional farming systems ▪ Organic farming ▪ Grow boxes ▪ Trough culture ▪ Peri –urban farming

▶ Alternative growing methods: These are modern farming methods which are designed to produce large quantities of food to be sold for profit.

▪ Hydroponics ▪ Certified organic ▪ Aquaculture ▪ Greenhouse ▪ Permaculture ▪ Vertical growing ▶ Conventional farming

▪ Conventional farming, also known as industrial agriculture, refers to farming systems which include the use of synthetic chemical, fertilisers, pesticide, herbicide and other continual inputs, genetically modified organisms, concentrated animal feeding operations , heavy irrigation, intensive tillage, or concentrated monoculture production.

▪ Thus conventional agriculture is typically highly resource and energy intensive.

▪ Conventional farming systems vary from farm to farm and from country to country.

▪ However, they share many characteristics such as rapid technological innovation, large capital investments in equipment and technology, large-scale farms, single crops (monocultures); uniform high-yield hybrid crops, dependency on agribusiness, mechanization of farm work, and extensive use of pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides.

▪ In the case of livestock, most production comes from systems where animals are highly concentrated and confined. 1. Organic farming

▪ Organic farming is defined as production of crop, animal, and other products without the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides, transgenic species, or antibiotics and growth-enhancing steroids, or other chemicals.

▪ Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people.

▪ It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects.

▪ Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved. 2. Grow boxes ORGANIC FARMING ▪ Grow boxes may be soil-based or hydroponic.

▪ The most sophisticated examples are totally enclosed, and contain a built-in grow light, intake and exhaust fan system for ventilation, hydroponics system that waters the plants with nutrient-rich solution, and an odor control filter. ▪ Grow box cultivation is a type of production system using an enclosed structure filled with pre-mixed soil. Grow boxes can be any size.

▪ It remains feasible in areas where the soil is infertile or of poor quality.

▪ Enclosures can be situated in close proximity to your home thus making security of crops possible and reducing praedial larceny.

▪ Grow boxes also tend to have few or no weeds and therefore less money is spent Grow boxes on weedicides and less time is spent to manually removing weeds.

3. Trough culture

▪ Trough culture is the cultivation of crops on a small scale using containers or structures that have space of medium to large dimensions.

Trough culture is a form of hydroponics. ▪ ▪ The term trough culture refers to growing plants in shallow raised troughs, also called benches, above a soilless mixture.

Instead of soil, common materials such as coconut fiber and clay pellets are used. ▪ ▪ It is a rapid method of expanding agriculture. ▪ It allows people to grow crops in places that were not suitable to grow crops e.g. roof tops, TROUGH CULTURE beside walkways, etc.

4. Urban and peri - urban farming ▪ It has been defined as the cultivation of crops and rearing of animals for food and other uses within and surrounding the boundaries of cities, including fisheries and forestry.

▪ It comprises multifunctional food production activities, as well as herbs, medicinal and ornamental plants for both home consumption and for the market. ▪ It contributes to fresh food availability of the urban dwellers, as well as to the greening of the cities and the productive reuse of urban waste.

▪ In developed countries, urban and peri-urban agriculture are recognized for this provision of local food, as well as recreational, educational and social services. ▪ In developing countries urban and peri-urban agriculture provide income and employment and contribute to local economic development, poverty alleviation and the social inclusion of the urban poor and women. Urban and peri - urban ▪ This type of agriculture mostly remains an informal sector that is not well integrated into farming agricultural policies or urban planning. ▶ Principles of organic farming

▪ The Principles of Organic Agriculture were established by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements in September, 2005. They are aspirations for organic farming.

▪ Organic Agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal, human and planet as one and indivisible.

▪ This principle points out that the health of individuals and communities cannot be separated from the health of ecosystems - healthy soils produce healthy crops that foster the health of animals and people.

▪ Health is the wholeness and integrity of living systems. It is not simply the absence of illness, but the maintenance of physical, mental, social and ecological well-being. Immunity, resilience and regeneration are key characteristics of health.

▪ The role of organic agriculture, whether in farming, processing, distribution, or consumption, is to sustain and enhance the health of ecosystems and organisms from the smallest in the soil to human beings.

▪ In particular, organic agriculture is intended to produce high quality, nutritious food that contributes to preventive health care and well-being. In view of this it should avoid the use of fertilizers, pesticides, animal drugs and food additives that may have adverse health effects.

▪ The principles are as follows;

▪ Produce good food that has a high nutritional value .

▪ Maintain and improve soil fertility.

▪ Use renewable resources wherever possible.

▪ Protect wildlife habitats.

▪ Avoid pollution from agricultural techniques.

▪ Encourage a diversity of wildlife on the farm.

▪ Raise livestock to carry out their innate behavior. Principles of organic farming

Review questions 1. List the main principles of organic farming. 2. Name three crops that can be grown using trough culture. 3. Describe three advantages of grow boxes. 4. Why is there a “brain drain” in urban and peri-urban areas. 5. State two advantages and two disadvantages of organic farming.

Reference Book R. Ramharacksingh, 2011. Agricultural science for C.S.E.C examination macmillan publishers s. Ragoonanan,2011. Agriculture for C.S.E.C revision course. Caribbean educational publishers. T. De Ponti“, the crop yield gap between organic and conventional agriculture" in agricultural systems.

Internet

HTTPS://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/PERI-URBAN_AGRICULTURE

VIDEO LINK

HTTPS://WWW.SLIDESHARE.NET/SUZETTEJOHNSON6/NON-CONVENTIONAL-FARMING HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=WHORIULRNPO