JAMB Syllabus For Agricultural Science 2024/2025 Session (Latest)

Are you searching for jamb Syllabus for agricultural science for this 2023/2024 acesemic session? If your nodding your head right now, this article is for you.

We will provide you with detail on Jamb Syllabus for Agricltural science, the objectives, recommended text and even show you some practical tips on how to ace 300+ in this jamb.

Make sure you read this article to the end.

Table of Contents

What is Jamb Syllabus for Agricultural science ?

Jamb syllabuses are areas of concentration that jamb boards release for students to focus on. Basically, these areas are the ones that Jamb will set their questions on. So, in order to pass the UTME exam exceedingly, it’s advisable to focus on the syllabus for each subject.

JAMB Syllabus For Agricultural Science 2024/2025 Session

Do you know that it’s crucial to study the Jamb syllabus for agricultural science?

Sometimes in 2013, I was in your shoes. I put in for my first UTME exam, and then it was a written exercise before the advent of CBT exams in 2015.

You might like this: JAMB Syllabus For Mathematics 2024/2025 PDF

After a series of studies, I had a very low Jamb score.

Thereafter, I was more serious, and I went to a tutorial where I was shown the importance of the Jamb Syllabus.

There, we treated Jamb past questions based on the syllabuses. Guess what? In the subsequent exam I put in for, I had 284. That’s the power behind jamb Syllabuses.

What is the Core Obehective of JAMB SyllabusFor Agricultural science?

The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination syllabus in Agriculture is to prepare the candidates for the Board’s examination. It is designed to test their achievement of the course objectives, which are to:

stimulate and sustain their interest in Agriculture;
acquire basic knowledge and practical skills in Agriculture;
acquire the knowledge of interpretation and the use of data;
stimulate their ability to make deductions using the acquired knowledge in Agriculture.

The syllabus is divided into five sections as given below:

ABCDE

General Agriculture
Agronomy
Animal Production
Agricultural Economics and Extension
Agricultural Technology

We shall look into these section one after the other. Make sure you read to the very end to cover everything.

SECTION A: General Agriculture

1.Meaning and Scope of Agriculture

Definition of Agriculture
Branches of Agriculture

Types of Agriculture i.e. subsistence and commercial

2.Importance of Agriculture

Provision of raw materials for agro- allied industries
Provision of employment
Development of rural areas, etc.

3.Agricultural Ecology

Ecological zones of West Africa
Agricultural products of each ecological zone
Environmental factors and their effects on crop and livestock production

4. Agricultural Genetics

First and second laws of Mendel
Cell division
Terminologies e.g. locus, alleles, genotype, dominance
Methods of crop improvement e.g. introduction,quarantine etc.
Methods of animal improvement e.g. introduction, breeding, quarantine andselection:

5. Breeding systems

inbreeding, line-breeding, cross- breeding, artificial insemination

6. History of Agricultural Development in West Africa

Agricultural systems e.g. shifting cultivation, bush fallowing, etc.
Problems of Agricultural development e.g. land tenure systems, inadequate infrastructures, inadequate finance for agriculture, environmental degradation, etc.
Problems of Agricultural development e.g. land tenure systems, inadequate infrastructures, inadequate finance for agriculture, environmental degradation, etc.
Establishment of national institutes e.g. NCRI, IAR, IAR&T, CRIN, NIFOR, FRIN, RRI, NRCRI, NIHORT, LCRI, etc. and international research institutes e.g. IITA, ILRI, ICRISAT, WARDA, etc., leading to increased application of science to the development of agriculture.
Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) e.g. RTEP, FADAMA etc.
National Agricultural Programmes such as OFN, NAFPP, NALDA, Green Revolution, NCRPS, NARP, Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) etc.

7. Roles of Government and NGOs in Agricultural Development

Development of fiscal policies favourable to agricultural production e.g. import duties, ban on importation, e.t.c.
Agricultural laws and reforms e.g. Land Use Act.
Government programmes aimed at agricultural development e.g. subsidies, credit facilities, e.t.c.
Provision of infrastructures e.g. transport systems, communication systems, e.t.c.
Contribution of NGOS to agricultural development

Section B: Agronomy

1 Rocks and Soil formation

a.Rock formation
b. Factors affecting rock weathering and soil formation
C.Physical properties of soil

i. Soil profile

ii.Soil components, texture

structure

d. Chemical properties of soil

i.Soil acidity and alkalinity

ii. Chemical components of soil silicate

2. Soil Water and Soil Conservation

Soil water: its importance, soil improvement, conservation, management
Soil conservation: importance, causes, prevention and control of leach erosion, continuous crop burning and oxidation of org matter.
Irrigation and drainage methods.

3. Soil Fertility

Macro and micro-nutrients and roles in plant nutrition: carbon, w and nitrogen cycles.
The living population of the (flora and fauna), and their rold soil fertility.
Maintenance of soil fertility. Methods of maintaining soil fer e.g. use of cover crops, applicatio organic manures, etc.
Nutrient deficiency symptoms chlorosis, sickle leaves, stun apical necrosis etc.

4. Land Preparation and Soil Tillage

Principles and practices of land. preparation and soil tillage
Factors affecting choice of tillage methods: Zero tillage, minimum tillage, etc.

5. Plant Forms and Functions

Parts of monocot and dicot crop plants and their functions
The anatomy and morphology of the storage organs of common crop plants

6. Growth, Development and

Reproduction

Gametogenesis
Pollination
Fertilization
Embryo formation and development

7. Plant Propagation Methods

Sexual: the use of seeds, seed viability, viability test, seed rate and seed germination
Asexual (vegetative propagation) e.g. cutting, budding, grafting, layering, e.t.c.
Nursery and nursery management

8. Cropping Systems, Planting Patterns and Plant Densities

Cropping systems: Monocropping, mixed-, multiple-, inter-, relay-, strip- and rotational cropping
Planting patterns: Broadcasting, row spacing, and drilling
Plant densities: single, double, and multiple stands

9. Crop Husbandry

Common and scientific names, gross morphology, anatomy of storage organs, methods of propagation, husbandry practices, harvesting, processing and storage, common diseases and pests, economic importance of the following groups of crops.

Group 1: Cereals e.g maize, guinea corn, rice
Group 2: Legumes e.g cowpea, groundnut, soyabean
Group 3: Tubers e.g yam, cassava, sweet potatoes
Group 4: Vegetables and Spices e.g tomatoes, eggplant, pepper, onion, okro, cabbage, amaranthus sp.
Group 5: Fruits e.g citrus, pineapple, pawpaw
Group 6: Beverages e.g cocoa, kola, coffee
Group 7: Oils e.g oil palm, coconut, shea butter
Group 8: Latex e.g para rubber, gum arabic
Group 9: Fibres e.g jute, cotton, sisal hemp
Group 10: Sugars e.g sugarcane, beet

10. Pasture and Forage Crops

Study of gross morphology, methods of propagation, and husbandry of common pasture grasses and legumes. Establishment, maintenance, conservation and uses of pastures and forage crops.
Study of natural grasslands and their distribution in West Africa
Range management

11. Floriculture

Identification, establishment, maintenance, and uses of ornamental trees, shrubs, and flowers

12. Weeds

Gross morphology, methods of reproduction, dispersal, and effect of weeds
Weed control methods – weeding, mulching, cover cropping, tillage, herbicides, and trap cropping

13. Crop Diseases

Identification of disease-causing organisms both in store and in the field.
A simple account of diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, nematodes and viruses; the nature of the damage, methods of transmission and common methods of control.
Side effects of application of preventive and control methods e.g pollution, poisoning, and distribution of ecosystem.

14. Crop pests

General account of pests of agricultural plants both in the field and in the store, their types, importance, principles and methods of prevention and control.
Life cycles of: biting insects e.g. grasshopper; boring insects e.g. weevils; sucking insects e.g. aphids and cotton strainer.
Common pesticides and their side effects

15. Forest management (Silviculture)

Importance: Source of wood, pulp, fibre and other forest products
Conservation: regulation, exploitation, regeneration, afforestation, agro-forestry and taungya system.

Section C: Animal production

1. Forms and classification of major farm animals in West Africa Topics

Species, breeds and distribution
External features of cattle, sheep, goat, pigs, rabbits and poultry

2. General terminology in animal production

Common terms used in animal husbandry, e.g. calving, kidding, castrate, capon, veal, mutton, e.t.c.

3. Anatomy and physiology of farm animals

Functions of tissues and organs of farm animals
Animal body systems e.g. digestive (ruminants and non-ruminants), reproductive, respiratory, urinary (excretory), and nervous systems.
Effect of environmental changes on physiological development of farm animals e.g climate change.

4. Reproduction in farm animals

Gametogenesis, oestrus cycle, signs of heat and heat periods, secondary sexual characters, gestation periods, parturition and the role of hormones in reproduction.
Development, nourishment and birth of the young Mammary glands and lactation in farm animals.
Egg formation, incubation and hatching in poultry.

5. Animal Nutrition

Feed nutrients and functions
Feeds and feeding: Simple ration formulation – balanced ration, common pasture/forage crops e.g. guinea grass, elephant grass, giant star grass. Andropogon sp, Calopogonium sp. Hay and silage preparation, different types of rations, namely maintenance ration and production ration.
Nutrient deficiencies: Causes and symptoms of malnutrition and their correction in farm animals.

6. Livestock management

Housing, feeding, sanitation and veterinary care of ruminants, pigs, rabbits and poultry under intensive, semi-intensive and extensive systems of management from birth to slaughter.

7. Animal Health

Animal diseases (pathology) i. Environmental factors, predisposing animals to diseases; causal organisms, symptoms, transmission, and effects. ii. Preventive and curative methods for diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa.
Parasites (parasitology)

Life cycles and economic importance of livestock parasites e.g. endoparasites, ectoparasites, and disease vectors.
Prevention and control

dipping
spraying
deworming
sanitation

8. Fisheries and Wildlife

Fish culture systems; Common types of fishes e. g Tilapia, Catfish, etc.

Extensive systems: inland and deep-sea fishing, lakes and rivers.
Semi-intensive systems: dams
Intensive systems: fish ponds – Factors to consider in ponds establishment and pond management e.g. pond fertilization, liming, and desilting.

B. Fish harvesting and processing methods

Use of drag nets, hook and line, etc.
Curing, sun-drying, and smoking.
Fishery regulations

C. Wildlife management

Habitat conservation, feeding, domestication, harvesting, processing and wildlife regulations.

9. Bee-keeping (Apiculture)

Meaning and importance of apiculture
Types of bees e.g exotic and indigenous bees
Methods of bee-keeping e.g traditional and modern bee-keeping
Equipment and safety measures in bee-keeping

10. Animal Improvement

Methods of animal improvement e. g. introduction, breeding, quarantine, and selection: Breeding systems – inbreeding, line-breeding, cross-breeding, artificial insemination

SECTION D: Agriculture Economics and Extension

1 Factors of agricultural production

Land:

Types of land ownership in West Africa

B. Labour

C. Capital.

D. Management

2. Basic Economic Principles

Demand and supply
Production function: Input/input, Output/output Input/output relationships; stages of production, concepts of diminishing returns, scale of preference, and choice.

3. Characteristic Features of Agricultural Production

Smallness of farm holdings: biological limits of farm production and susceptibility of farm production to climate, seasonality of farm productions, price elasticity in demand and supply of agricultural produce.

4. Labour Management

Labour relations: Supervision, etc.
Types of labour: Permanent labour etc.
National labour laws and regulations

5. Farm Management

Qualities, functions, and problems of a farm manager.
Records and record-keeping: Types and importance of record-keeping – livestock records, profit and loss account book.
Stock evaluation:

gross and net profits in farm management.
Appreciation, depreciation and salvage value

D. Agricultural insurance:

Meaning, importance and types of agricultural insurance
Problems of agricultural insurance

6. Marketing of Agricultural Produce

Importance of Marketing.
Marketing channels.
Characteristic features of agricultural product affecting their marketing

7. Agricultural Extension

Meaning and importance.
The role of Agricultural Development programmes, universities, research institutes, and farmers’ organizations (Cooperative societies).
Extension methods including demonstration plots, use of visual aids, mass media, etc.
Problems of agricultural extension in West Africa and possible solutions.

SECTION E: Agricultural Technology

1. Farm surveying and farmstead planning

Meaning and importance
Common surveying equipment, their uses, and care
Common survey methods d. Principles of farmstead outlay.

2. Simple farm tools Objectives

Candidates should be able to:

identify simple farm tools.
use and maintain farm tools.
compare the advantages and disadvantages of simple farm tools.

3. Farm machinery and implements

Types i. Machinery e.g tractor, milking machine, etc. ii. Implements
Uses and maintenance of farm machinery and implements

4. Mechanization and sources of farm power

Sources of farm power e. g. animal and machines
Advantages and disadvantages of agricultural mechanization
Problems and prospects of mechanized agriculture in West Africa

5. Processing and storage

Processing: traditional and modern methods of food processing e.g. gari, rice and groundnut processing, etc.
Storage

6. Introduction to biotechnology

(a) Basic terms, e.g. tissue and anther culture in vitro fertilization and genetic engineering

7. Application of ICT in agriculture

Features of computers
Uses of computers in agriculture: disease and weather forecasting, ration formulation, database and simulation studies, etc.
Use of communication gadgets to enhance agricultural production e.g mobile phone, internet, etc.

8. Introduction to agricultural research and statistics

Basic concepts in planning agricultural experiments e.g hypothesis, treatment, and control, etc
Interpretation of results, e.g. measures of central tendency and experimental errors.

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Akinsanmi, O. (2000) Junior Secondary Agricultural Science, Uk: Longman.
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Egbuna, C. K. et al (2014) Extension Modern Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary Schools (2010), Extension Publication
Emmanuel C. A. (2003) A Dictionary of Agriculture, Benue: Agitab Publisher Makurdi
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Conclusion

Wow! Thanks for reading to the very end. That is all about Jamb syllabus for Agricultural science for the 2024 academic session. I hope you find value here. If you have any question, do ask using the comment section below.