Intro: Agriculture Meaning and Types
I still remember the first time I held a hoe — I was seven, barefoot, and stubborn. Grandpa Malomo called me “Farmer’s daughter”, not because I knew how to plant, but because I was curious. That curiosity never left. And now, as a teacher, I see that same spark in my pupils.
When Samuel shouted “rice comes from my mummy’s pot,” I didn’t laugh at his innocence — I used it as a doorway to truth. This lesson isn’t just about crops and animals. It’s about honouring the land, the people who till it, and the future titans we’re raising.
In this post, I break down agriculture in the simplest, most relatable way for Primary 1 pupils. It’s not just a topic — it’s a mindset.
SUBJECT: Vocational Aptitude
CLASS: Primary 1
TERM: Third Term
WEEK: 10
TOPIC: Agriculture – Meaning and Types
SUB-TOPIC: Introduction to Agriculture and the Basic Types
DURATION: 40 Minutes
ENTRY BEHAVIOUR:
Learners already know that food comes from the market, but they may not know how or where it really starts — on a farm, in the soil, or in someone’s compound garden.
KEYWORDS:
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Agriculture
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Crop Farming
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Animal Husbandry
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Harvest
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Farming Tools
BEHAVIOURAL OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this lesson, learners should be able to:
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Define agriculture in simple terms.
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Mention and describe two main types of agriculture.
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Identify items that come from farming.
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Relate agriculture to their everyday life (e.g., food, clothes).
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Appreciate farmers and their importance in our community.
EMBEDDED CORE SKILLS:
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Observation
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Critical Thinking
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Communication
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Community Awareness
REFERENCE BOOKS:
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Lagos State Scheme of Work
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Vocational Aptitude Textbook for Primary Schools – Book 1
LEARNING MATERIALS:
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Pictures of a farm, garden, poultry, and animals
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Real vegetables or fruits
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Farming tools/toy models (hoe, watering can, basket)
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Flashcards with farm-related terms
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A short video or local song about farming (optional)
SET INDUCTION:
I once asked my pupils, “Where does rice come from?” and Samuel jumped up:
“From my mummy’s pot!”
Another shouted:
“From ShopRite!”
Their answers made us laugh, but it opened a door — a golden door — to truth.
So I told them the story of Grandpa Malomo, my grandfather. He wore a faded brown cap and walked with a wooden cane, but oh! he had magic in his hands. His backyard farm in Ijebu was a kingdom of yams, cassava, pepper, and okra. Every time I visited him as a child, I ran barefooted through the moist ridges of his farmland, chasing chickens, watching goats munch cassava leaves, and helping him harvest maize that towered over my little head.
He would say,
“My daughter, as long as this land exists, you’ll never go hungry.”
That’s how agriculture first made sense to me. It wasn’t in a textbook. It was in his sweat, his hands, and the smell of the earth after rainfall.
PRESENTATION:
Step 1: The teacher revises the previous topic (Gardening Tools).
Teacher’s Question:
“Who remembers what we use to water plants?”
Expected Pupil Response:
“Watering can!”
Teacher’s Reinforcement:
“Yes! You’ve done well. Today, we will learn what all those tools help us do — welcome to agriculture!”
Step 2: The teacher introduces the new topic — “Agriculture: Meaning and Types.”
Teacher’s Explanation:
Agriculture is when we grow crops and raise animals for food, clothes, and money. It’s what Grandpa Malomo did. And what many of our parents still do today.
There are two big types of agriculture we need to know:
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Crop Farming: Growing things like rice, yam, maize, tomatoes, beans.
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Animal Farming (Animal Husbandry): Raising chickens, goats, cows, and fish.
Teacher shows real vegetables or pictures and animal models.
Step 3: Teacher allows students to contribute and corrects gently.
Teacher’s Prompt:
“Who has seen a farm before? Or helped plant something at home?”
Learners raise hands. Precious says, “I helped my uncle plant tomatoes during Easter!”
Teacher’s Response:
“That’s amazing, Precious! That means you were a farmer for that moment!”
TEACHER’S ACTIVITIES:
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Tells stories to connect learners to the idea of agriculture.
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Explains and displays materials on farming.
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Engages learners through pictures, local examples, and songs.
LEARNERS’ ACTIVITIES:
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Listen and respond to questions.
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Identify crops and animals from pictures or materials.
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Share personal experiences related to farming.
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Join a class role-play on being a farmer.
CONTENT SUMMARY:
What is Agriculture?
Agriculture is the work of planting crops and raising animals for food and other needs.
Two Main Types of Agriculture:
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Crop Farming: Maize, yam, rice, okra, tomatoes
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Animal Farming: Chicken, goat, cow, pig, fish
Why Is Agriculture Important?
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It gives us food.
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It gives us clothes (like cotton from farms).
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It gives us jobs and money.
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It helps us stay healthy.
CLASSROOM FAQ DISCUSSION (Humanized):
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What is agriculture?
It is growing food and raising animals. -
Why do we farm?
So we can eat, wear clothes, and earn money. -
Who are farmers?
Farmers are people who grow food or raise animals. -
What is crop farming?
It means planting things like yam or maize. -
What is animal farming?
Raising animals like goats and chickens. -
Is farming only done in the village?
No. We can farm even in the city — in gardens or buckets! -
Can a child farm?
Yes, children can help in small ways (like watering or planting seeds). -
Is farming dirty work?
No! It’s important, noble, and fun. -
Where do eggs come from?
From chickens — that’s part of animal farming. -
Can I become a farmer when I grow up?
Yes! And a very smart one too.
FILL-IN-THE-BLANK OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS (with options):
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Agriculture is the work of ______ and raising animals.
a) Cooking
b) Building
c) Planting
d) Singing
Answer: c -
Farmers grow crops like ______.
a) Shoes
b) Yam
c) Chairs
d) Buses
Answer: b -
A person who raises animals is called a ______.
a) Driver
b) Tailor
c) Farmer
d) Singer
Answer: c -
Crop farming means growing ______.
a) Phones
b) Rice
c) Cars
d) Cups
Answer: b -
Animal husbandry means keeping ______.
a) Tables
b) Plants
c) Animals
d) Blocks
Answer: c -
Agriculture helps us get ______.
a) Food
b) Toys
c) Television
d) Shoes
Answer: a -
Which of these is a crop?
a) Goat
b) Cow
c) Tomato
d) Chicken
Answer: c -
______ is a tool used in farming.
a) Pencil
b) Hoe
c) Spoon
d) Chalk
Answer: b -
One type of agriculture is ______ farming.
a) Pencil
b) Bike
c) Crop
d) Clothes
Answer: c -
We get milk from a ______.
a) Chicken
b) Cow
c) Yam
d) Fan
Answer: b
EVALUATION QUESTIONS:
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What is agriculture?
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Mention one thing we plant on a farm.
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Who is a farmer?
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Name one animal we can raise on a farm.
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What do we get from farming?
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Mention one type of farming.
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What is crop farming?
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What is animal husbandry?
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Do we need farmers in our community? Why?
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Have you helped anyone on a farm before? Share your story.
Part B: Theory Questions Answers
1. What is agriculture?
Answer:
Agriculture is the work of growing crops and raising animals to give us food, clothes, and other useful things.
Classroom Story:
I remember telling my pupils, “Without farmers, breakfast no go land for table!” And little Tolu raised her hand and said, “That means my cornflakes came from a farmer?” Yes o! From the soil to your spoon.
2. Mention one thing we plant on a farm.
Answer:
We can plant maize on a farm.
Example: In my uncle’s village farm, I once watched maize grow so tall that we had to tiptoe to see the top. When it was time to harvest, the smell of fresh roasted corn filled the air.
3. Who is a farmer?
Answer:
A farmer is someone who grows crops or rears animals for food and other needs.
Real Life Insight:
My childhood neighbour, Mama Oyinbo, was the best at growing vegetables. She didn’t speak much English, but her hands spoke the language of the soil.
4. Name one animal we can raise on a farm.
Answer:
We can raise chickens on a farm.
Example: Many of my pupils get excited when we talk about chickens. “Aunty, my grandma’s chicken laid six eggs this morning!” one shouted proudly. That’s learning with joy.
5. What do we get from farming?
Answer:
We get food, like rice, fruits, and eggs. We also get money when we sell farm produce.
Example: Farmers help us stay alive. No farmers, no food. Simple.
6. Mention one type of farming.
Answer:
Crop farming is one type of farming.
Example: When you see people planting tomatoes, cassava, or yams, that’s crop farming.
7. What is crop farming?
Answer:
Crop farming is when we plant and grow food crops like beans, rice, yam, or vegetables.
Fun Insight:
When I asked my class what crop they would love to grow, a boy said, “Ice cream tree!” I smiled and said, “Let’s start with tomatoes first.”
8. What is animal husbandry?
Answer:
Animal husbandry is the caring and raising of animals like goats, chickens, and cows for food and money.
Story Touch:
My cousin once raised rabbits in a small wooden cage. Watching them hop about every morning made us respect how much care farmers put into animals.
9. Do we need farmers in our community? Why?
Answer:
Yes, we need farmers because they provide us with food, jobs, and materials we use every day.
Example: Imagine a world without food in our pots, eggs in the fridge, or bread on the table. That’s why farmers matter.
10. Have you helped anyone on a farm before? Share your story.
Answer:
Example (The Answer May Differ):
Yes. During the last holidays, I visited my grandma in the village. I helped her water the garden and pick ripe tomatoes. My hands got muddy, but it was fun seeing how food grows.
Teaching Tip: Let pupils write or share their stories aloud. Encourage them to use their voices and celebrate their experience. One pupil once said, “I helped my mum chase goats away from our cassava. I was the farm security!”
ASSESSMENT:
Teacher asks learners questions orally and lets them identify crops and animals from flashcards and real materials.
CONCLUSION:
Teacher summarizes:
“Agriculture is how we get food, clothes, and jobs. We plant crops. We raise animals. And we must always respect the work of farmers. Farming is not old-fashioned — it’s life!”
Teacher moves around the class, checks learners’ work, corrects gently, and celebrates all efforts.
