Captivating Introduction (Set the Stage with Story & Strategy)

“Pupils, let me take you to a quiet farm in Ilorin…
The early sun kisses the soil. A woman in her wrapper bends low, planting maize seeds with her bare hands. Her little son asks, ‘Mummy, why are we always growing things?’ She smiles, wipes sweat from her brow, and says, ‘Because everything we eat begins here.’

This week, we uncover the secret life of crops—what they are, how they grow, and why they matter in every home, every kitchen, and every market stall in Nigeria.

From the sweet tubers of yam in the East, to the golden stalks of maize in the North, to the pepper gardens behind your grandmother’s kitchen—we are surrounded by crop production.

But how much do you really know about these silent providers?

This lesson will awaken your eyes to the world beneath your feet. You’ll learn the types of crops, why some plants live for a season while others last for years, and how every leaf, fruit, or root tells a story of survival, science, and service.”

Subject: Agricultural Science

Class: Primary 5
Term: First Term
Week: 2
Duration: 40 minutes
Topic: Crop Production

✅ Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Define crop production in their own words.

2. Mention at least 4 types of crops (e.g., cereals, legumes, tubers, vegetables).

3. Classify crops based on:

   • Their use (food, medicinal, industrial)

   • Their life cycle (annual, biennial, perennial)

   • Their morphology (root crops, leaf crops, fruit crops)

Keywords

• Crop

• Production

• Annual

• Biennial

• Perennial

• Morphology

Previous Knowledge (Entry Behavior)

Pupils already know examples of farm crops like yam, maize, beans, and tomatoes.

Set Induction (Trigger Thought)

Ask:

“If Mama Nkechi grows pepper, okra, and maize in her backyard to sell at the market, what is she doing?”

Let them respond with guesses. Lead into:
“That is crop production—growing crops to feed people and make money.”

Lesson Development

A. Meaning of Crop Production

Crop production is the process of growing crops (like maize, yam, rice, etc.) for food, sale, or industrial use.

It includes planting, watering, weeding, harvesting, and storage.

B. Types of Crops

1. Cereals – maize, rice, millet

2. Legumes – beans, groundnut, soybeans

3. Tubers – yam, cassava, sweet potatoes

4. Vegetables – okra, spinach, pumpkin

5. Fruits – orange, mango, banana

C. Classification of Crops

1. Based on Use:

• Food Crops – yam, rice, maize

• Medicinal Crops – bitter leaf, aloe vera

• Industrial Crops – cotton (for clothes), cocoa (for chocolate), rubber

2. Based on Life Cycle:

• Annual Crops – complete life cycle in one season (e.g., maize, okra)

• Biennial Crops – grow in two seasons (e.g., carrot, beetroot)

• Perennial Crops – live for many years (e.g., cocoa, mango)

3. Based on Morphology:

• Root Crops – cassava, carrot

• Leafy Crops – spinach, ugu

• Fruit Crops – tomato, pawpaw

Teacher-Pupil Activities

Evaluation Questions

1. What is crop production?

2. Mention two types of crops.

3. Give one example each of:

   • A food crop

   • A medicinal crop

   • An industrial crop

4. What is a biennial crop?

5. Mention one root crop and one fruit crop.

Assignment

Draw and label a chart that classifies crops into:

• Food / Medicinal / Industrial

• Annual / Biennial / Perennial

• Root / Leaf / Fruit crops

Internal Links for Lessonshabitat.com

• Primary 5 Agricultural Science Lesson Notes – Full Term

• Farming Tools and Their Uses – Week 1 Lesson

• Types of Soil – Coming in Week 3

• Teaching Tips for Primary Science Teachers

Meta Description (SEO)

Teach your Primary 5 pupils the meaning of crop production, crop types, and classifications using real-life Nigerian examples. Curriculum-based and teacher-ready.

Engaging Conclusion (Reinforce with Realism & Purpose)

“So class, next time you see a tomato or a cassava root, don’t just think of food—think of the work behind it. Think of the science that helps it grow. Think of the farmer’s wisdom, the changing seasons, and the choices we make that begin with the soil.

Whether it’s the legume in your lunch or the fruit in your snack pack, every crop has a role. Some heal. Some feed. Some build industries.

And now you know how to classify crops—not just by their names, but by their purpose, life span, and body parts.

You, my dear learners, are future farmers, scientists, and food heroes. Let this knowledge grow inside you like a well-planted seed—ready to bloom when Nigeria needs you most.”

✍ 10 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions with Options (Objective Style – MCQs)

Instruction: Choose the correct answer from the options a, b, c, or d to complete each sentence.

1. Crop production is the act of ______ crops for food, sale, or industry.
   a) burning
   b) storing
   c) growing
   d) cooking
   ✅ Answer: c)

2. ______ crops complete their life cycle in one season.
   a) Perennial
   b) Biennial
   c) Industrial
   d) Annual
   ✅ Answer: d)

3. Cassava and yam are examples of ______ crops.
   a) leafy
   b) fruit
   c) root
   d) medicinal
   ✅ Answer: c)

4. Bitter leaf and aloe vera are examples of ______ crops.
   a) fruit
   b) industrial
   c) food
   d) medicinal
   ✅ Answer: d)

5. A crop that lives for many years is called a ______ crop.
   a) biennial
   b) perennial
   c) annual
   d) seasonal
   ✅ Answer: b)

6. Maize and rice are types of ______.
   a) legumes
   b) fruits
   c) cereals
   d) roots
   ✅ Answer: c)

7. The classification of crops by use includes food, medicinal, and ______ crops.
   a) poisonous
   b) seasonal
   c) industrial
   d) aquatic
   ✅ Answer: c)

8. Tomato is classified as a ______ crop based on morphology.
   a) leaf
   b) fruit
   c) root
   d) tuber
   ✅ Answer: b)

9. ______ crops grow and complete their life cycle in two seasons.
   a) Perennial
   b) Annual
   c) Biennial
   d) Tubers
   ✅ Answer: c)

10. Okra, pumpkin, and spinach are all types of ______.
    a) cereals
    b) fruits
    c) legumes
    d) vegetables
    ✅ Answer: d)

10 FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions – SEO-Friendly & Parent-Aware)

1. What is crop production in simple terms for kids?
   → It means planting and growing crops like maize, yam, or beans to feed people or make money.

2. Why should pupils learn about crop production in Primary 5?
   → To understand where food comes from and how farming supports families and Nigeria’s economy.

3. Is maize a cereal or a legume?
   → Maize is a cereal crop.

4. How do we classify crops in Agricultural Science?
   → By their use, life cycle, and parts of the plant (morphology).

5. What is the difference between annual and perennial crops?
   → Annuals grow for one season, while perennials last many years.

6. Why is crop classification important?
   → It helps farmers choose the right crops for food, medicine, or business.

7. What are examples of industrial crops in Nigeria?
   → Cocoa, cotton, and rubber.

8. Is tomato a fruit or a vegetable in crop classification?
   → Tomato is classified as a fruit crop based on morphology.

9. Can children grow crops at home?
   → Yes, even pupils can grow vegetables in small gardens or pots.

10. How does this topic connect to real life in Nigeria?
    → Most of our food and income as a country comes from crop farming—this topic connects learning to survival.

10 Evaluation Questions (Cognitive + Reflective – Based on Bloom’s Taxonomy)

Knowledge/Recall:

1. What is crop production?

2. Name three types of crops.

3. Mention one example of a medicinal crop.

Comprehension:
4. Why is maize called a cereal crop?
5. What happens in the life cycle of an annual crop?

Application:
6. Classify cassava based on morphology and life cycle.
7. If a farmer wants to make herbal medicine, which type of crop should he plant?

Analysis:
8. Compare a fruit crop and a root crop using examples.

Synthesis:
9. Create a mini-garden plan using one cereal, one legume, and one vegetable.

Evaluation:
10. Why do you think knowing about crops can help your family in the future?