Areas of Agriculture
Agricultural science can be divided into the following broad areas:
1. Animal Science
This is the study of farm animals (livestock). Examples of common livestock are cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, chicken, turkeys, rabbits and ducks. These animals provide us with such products like meat, milk and eggs. An agricultural scientist who studies farm animals is called an Animal Scientist. He studies various kinds of farm animals, how they grow, the meat they produce, etc. that makes them comfortable to make them grow rapidly within a short time of farm life. The knowledge from animal science will help a farmer turn a successful livestock.
2.Soil Science
Soil is the medium in which plants grow in the soil. It is necessary to study the nature and types of soil which are suitable for different crops. Soil science is the basic study of plants on agricultural production.
Before any crop is planted, the soil is prepared in such a way to make plants grow easily. Therefore soil scientists study how best to prepare the land for planting crops.
3. Crop Science
This is the study of how crops are grown and the basis for agricultural study to the structure of plants and how to take care of them as they grow and are ready for harvest. Crop science includes:
(a) Plant breeders (Agronomists) Plant physiologists.
(b) Entomologists (Nematologists and Weed Scientists).
4. Veterinary Medicine
This is a special branch of agriculture which is concerned with the study of the diseases and pests of livestock. A scientist who is an expert in veterinary medicine is called a *veterinarian*. Veterinarian provides services like that of the crop protectionist in the livestock industry. They immunise animals against diseases by the use of vaccines. Animal doctors also treat pets like pigeon, cats and dogs. Ailments also treated include colds, fevers and tuberculosis.
5. Fisheries
Fisheries is a very large and important industry in Nigeria especially because farm and fish products are very useful to man. Fisheries are concerned with the catching of fish from the seas, rivers and lakes and also the production of fish from artificial tanks which are connected to natural soil. It also includes the catching and production of other aquatic animals e.g. shrimps, crabs, pawpaws, oysters and prawns and they are caught for their oils, bones and meat.
6. Horticulture
Horticulture involves the principles and production of vegetables, flowers and fruits. Horticultural crops are plants and therefore this is a special kind of crop science. It helps in improving the quality of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Horticulturists grow seedlings and fruit trees and vegetables such as onion, tomato, pawpaw, pineapple, cabbage, cucumber and garden eggs as well as flowers and ornamental plants which make compounds and houses look beautiful. Such flowers include Hibiscus, Croton, Ixora and Ornamentals like Flame of the Forest, Royal palms, Indian Almond and Coconut.
7. Farm Mechanization
This is sometimes called agricultural engineering. It involves the use of animal powered tools as well as motorised equipment. These tools and equipments help the farmer to do various kinds of jobs on the farm. They improve human efforts, quality, preserve quality and increase the time necessary for farm operations and the time necessary that cannot be done by human effort e.g. spray machines like ploughs are used for planting crops like ploughs and harrows while other spray machines are used for spraying.
8.Economics and Extension
is the application of economic technical know‑how to the solution of agricultural problems. Thus agriculture is a business since farmers grow their crops in order to sell the products for cash or keep livestock to sell the products for cash. In any agriculture can be run as a profitable business so that the farmer can become rich. Extension, is mainly concerned with taking research results to the rural areas, to improve their agricultural systems and practices.
The main objectives of agricultural extension are to disseminate agricultural information concerning new developments, to teach the farmer new techniques of farming, to demonstrate the usefulness of marketing and to establish a better community life for farmers.
9. Forestry
is a branch of agriculture that deals with trees growing in the forest and how to maintain the forest to provide us with timber and bush meat. Many trees like Obeche, Iroko, Abura, Mahogany grow in the forest. Wood forestry study these needs. Also animals in these forests undergo various studies like wildlife and deer. Because of the usefulness of the trees and animals, the Government has passed laws to protect them. The forest also provides the Yankan Game Reserve. Forests are source of revenue to government.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
This topic explains some common agricultural products and how they are being used. An agricultural product is anything which we obtain from the farm. The product may be used directly as when we eat oranges, nuts or pawpaw. Sometimes the products are not used directly, but are used in the manufacture of other products which are useful to use e.g. margarine and soap are made from palm oil. Palm kernel oil. Agriculture together with forestry and fisheries belong to an important production (Primary industry).
This sector is concerned with the production of food for growing populations, fibre for clothing and wood for housing. Raw agriculture provides the three of the prime necessities of life food, clothing and shelter. Agricultural products could be subdivided into food products and raw materials.
Some Agricultural Products and their uses
Maize: Serve as food for human and farm animals. (Livestock)
Rice: serve as food for human and animals
Sorghum: Server as food for human and animals
Millet: Used also for making Beer and Pito.
Wheat
Cassava :Cassava and Yam flour
Groundnut: Groundnut cake, groundnut oil
Pumpkin: As vegetables
Tomatoes: As vegetables
Mango : As fruit
Pawpaw: As fruit, jams and juices
Citrus: As fruit or beverages
Cocoa As chocolate, beverage, cocoa butter, cocoa wine, cocoa polish
Coffee As beverage
Kola nut As a spice or in dyes.
Tobacco As a stimulant
Jute As ropes, sacks
Cotton As thread, textiles
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