Agricultural Practice

Back to: Jss2 Agricultural Science (PVS)

Topic: Agricultural Practice

WEEK: 5 & 6

Agricultural practice refers to the techniques, methods, and activities involved in the cultivation of crops and raising of livestock for food, fibre, fuel, and other products. It encompasses a wide range of practices such as soil preparation, planting, irrigation, fertilization, pest control, harvesting, and post-harvest handling. Agricultural practices can vary depending on the region, climate, soil type, and the crops or animals being produced. They may also be influenced by cultural, economic, and social factors. Effective agricultural practices aim to optimize the use of natural resources, improve crop yields and quality, and ensure sustainable production while minimizing negative impacts on the environment.

Types of agricultural practices

Agriculture is the practice of cultivating crops, raising animals, and other related activities for food, fibre, and other products. Over time, different agricultural practices have been developed to meet the varying needs of farmers and their communities. Here are some types of agricultural practices:

Cultural Practice

Cultural practices encompass a variety of methods aimed at promoting optimal crop growth and establishment. These practices are categorized into pre-planting, planting, post-planting, harvesting, and storage operations.

Classes of Cultural Practice

Cultural practices are activities or methods used in agriculture to enhance crop yield and quality. These practices can be grouped into three categories: pre-planting, planting, and post-planting operations.

Pre-Planting Operations

Pre-planting operations are a set of cultural practices that are carried out before planting crops to ensure that the soil is well-prepared and fertile enough to support plant growth. Some of the cultural practices involved in pre-planting operations include land preparation, stumping, farm layout, and tillage. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of these cultural practices:

Land Preparation: Land preparation involves clearing the land of any vegetation, trees, or stumps to create an ideal environment for planting crops. This can be done using cutlasses or hoes manually or using machinery.

Advantages:

Clearing the land of vegetation and trees creates an ideal environment for planting crops.
It helps to increase the level of sunlight reaching the soil surface.
It removes weeds and other unwanted plants that can compete with crops for nutrients and space.
It reduces the incidence of pests and diseases by removing their habitats.

Disadvantages:

It can be time-consuming and labour-intensive if done manually.
Mechanized land preparation can be costly, especially for small-scale farmers.

Stumping: Stumping involves the removal of stumps left behind after trees have been cut down from the farm. This can be done manually using cutlasses and axes or using bulldozers and other machines.

Advantages:

Removing stumps creates more space for planting crops.
It reduces the incidence of pests and diseases by removing their habitats.
It creates a more uniform soil surface that is easier to work on.

Disadvantages:

Stump removal can be time-consuming and labour-intensive if done manually.
Mechanized stumping can be costly, especially for small-scale farmers.

Farm Layout: Farm layout involves dividing plots into sections and maximizing yield.

Advantages:

Farm layout allows for more efficient use of land.
It allows farmers to plan for crop rotation and better manage pest and disease outbreaks.
It helps to reduce soil erosion and nutrient depletion.

Disadvantages:

Poor farm layout can lead to soil erosion and nutrient depletion.
It can be difficult to change the farm layout once it has been established.

Tillage: Tillage involves preparing the soil for planting by breaking or turning the soil with a simple tool or farm machine after the land has been cleared.

Advantages:

Tillage helps to improve soil structure and aeration, which are essential for plant growth.
It increases water infiltration and retention, which helps to reduce water runoff and soil erosion.
It improves soil fertility by incorporating organic matter into the soil.

Disadvantages:

Over-tillage can lead to soil compaction and reduce soil fertility.
It can cause soil erosion and nutrient depletion if not done properly.

5. Soil Testing: Soil testing involves analyzing soil samples to determine the soil’s nutrient content, pH level, and organic matter content. This helps farmers determine the type and amount of fertilizer needed for their crops.

Advantages:

Soil testing helps farmers avoid over-fertilizing or under-fertilizing their crops, which can lead to nutrient imbalances and reduced yields.
It allows farmers to make informed decisions about crop selection, planting time, and other agronomic practices.

Disadvantages:

Soil testing can be costly and time-consuming.
It requires specialized equipment and expertise.

Soil Amendments: Soil amendments are materials added to the soil to improve soil fertility, structure, and water-holding capacity. Common soil amendments include organic matter (compost, manure), lime, and gypsum.

Advantages:

Soil amendments help improve soil fertility and structure, which promotes plant growth.
They help reduce soil erosion and improve water retention.

Disadvantages:

The cost of soil amendments can be high, especially for small-scale farmers.
Over-application of soil amendments can lead to soil nutrient imbalances.

Cover Crops: Cover crops are crops grown primarily to protect the soil from erosion and to improve soil fertility. Common cover crops include legumes (clover, beans) and grasses.

Advantages:

Cover crops help improve soil health and fertility by adding organic matter to the soil and fixing atmospheric nitrogen.
They help control soil erosion by providing ground cover and reducing water runoff.

Disadvantages:

Cover crops can compete with cash crops for nutrients and water if not managed properly.
They can be time-consuming and labour-intensive to establish and manage.