PRIMARY 4: AGRIC SCIENCES – FIRST TERM | WEEK 7

TOPIC: WAYS OF MAKING SOIL FERTILE

A: TEACHING AND LEARNING MATERIALS

1. Compost manure.
2. Animal manure.
3. Fertilizer sample or picture.
4. Pictures of mulched farms.
5. Crop rotation chart.

B: REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Scheme of work.
2. Recommended Agric Sciences textbook for Primary 4.
3. Online educational resources.

C: PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE

The pupils have learnt that soil can lose its nutrients through continuous cropping, erosion, bush burning and other harmful activities.

D: PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

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

1. Explain why soil fertility should be maintained.
2. Name ways of making soil fertile.
3. Explain the use of manure.
4. Explain crop rotation and bush fallowing.
5. State how mulching helps the soil.

E: CONTENT

Making Soil Fertile

Farmers can improve poor soil by adding nutrients and protecting the soil.

Ways of Making Soil Fertile

1. Application of Animal Manure

Animal waste from cattle, goats, poultry and other farm animals can be added to the soil. 🐐 Animal dung can improve soil fertility.

2. Compost Manure

Compost is made from decayed plant and animal materials. It adds nutrients to the soil.

3. Application of Fertilizer

Fertilizers contain nutrients needed by crops. They should be applied correctly.

4. Crop Rotation

Crop rotation means growing different crops on a piece of land in a planned order. For example: Year 1 – maize Year 2 – beans Year 3 – yam

5. Bush Fallowing

Bush fallowing means leaving farmland unused for some time so that the soil can regain its fertility.

6. Mulching

Mulching is covering the soil around plants with dry grass, leaves or other materials. Mulching:

• reduces water loss
• reduces erosion
• controls some weeds
• may add nutrients when it decays

7. Planting Cover Crops

Cover crops protect the soil from erosion and help maintain soil fertility.

F: LESSON PRESENTATION

F1: Teachers’ Activities

1. Revises loss of soil fertility.
2. Displays manure and fertilizer samples.
3. Explains ways of making soil fertile.
4. Explains crop rotation.
5. Explains bush fallowing.
6. Demonstrates mulching around a plant.

F2: Pupils’ Activities

1. Name ways of improving soil fertility.
2. Observe manure and fertilizer.
3. Explain crop rotation.
4. Explain bush fallowing.
5. Practise placing mulch around a plant.

G: CONCLUSION

The teacher revises the different ways farmers can improve and maintain soil fertility. The teacher encourages pupils to use organic materials properly to protect and improve soil.

H: EVALUATION GUIDE

Pupils should be able to answer the following questions:

1. Name five ways of making soil fertile.
2. What is compost manure?
3. What is crop rotation?
4. What is bush fallowing?
5. What is mulching?
6. State two benefits of mulching.