Crop Production

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There are three main activities involved in crop production: pre-planting, planting and post-planting activities. Pre-planting Activities in Crop Production Pre-planting activities in crop production are the activities carried out before planting. These include all the operations carried out from the nursery to planting of seedlings in the farm. These operations may be carried out on the nursery or the farm.

Pre-planting Activities on The Nursery Crop production usually starts from the nursery. A nursery, in agriculture, is a place where young plants are raised for later transplanting in the field. Examples of crops that can be grown through the nursery are tomato, rice, onion, garden egg, cabbage,orange, mango, oil palm, cocoa, rubber and coffee. Some crops cannot be grown through the nursery. Their seeds or stems are planted directly on beds or ridges in the field. Examples of such crops are yam, cassava, bean, okro, maize, banana, melon, cotton and groundnut.   The following activities are carried Out in nursery preparation: site selection, land clearing and stumping, seed bed preparation and sowing, care and maintenance of the nursery, and keeping of nursery records. A NURSERY

EVALUATION

1. What is a nursery in agriculture?
2. Differentiate between a nursery and a farm or garden.

Pre-planting Activities on The Farm The pre-planting activities to be carried out on the farm include site selection, clearing and stumping, seed bed and ridge making, mulching, transplanting of seedlings and keeping of farm records. Site selection A suitable site is selected for the crop to be grown. Such a site should have the following qualities:

1. A well-drained loamy soil.
2. It must be near to a source of water

supply.

1. It must have no shade trees.
2. There must be no hills or large rocks

and stones.

1. It must be well secured from thieves and domestic animals.

Land Clearing and Stumping The farm should be cleared by removing grass and shrubs. Tall trees must also be cut down. The cut grass and leaves of shrubs must be packed in heaps and burnt. The stumps of trees and shrubs must be uprooted and packed away.   Seed Bed and Ridge Making Seed bed preparation can be done manually with hoes (tillage) or mechanically with tractors. The following four steps must be taken in making seed beds or ridges for planting: Step 1: Mark out the bed or ridge. Follow the steps for marking out nursery beds earlier described. Step 2: Dig the marked out bed or ridge portions to break up the soil as was done in the nursery preparation. Step 3: Apply manure and mix thoroughly with the soil. Step 4: Make crossbars in the furrows between the beds or ridges.   Mulching The beds or ridges must be mulched with dry grass or leaves. The beds or ridges should be watered if necessary.   Planting Activities There are mainly two planting activities:

1. Planting of seeds in farms.
2. Transplanting of seedlings from

nurseries to the main farm(if there is a nursery)

 PLANTING ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACEEVALUATION

1. Mention the pre planting activities that must take place during crop production.
2. Mention two planting activities.

Post-planting Activities In Crop Production   These are activities carried out after planting. The post-planting activities in crop production are: Thinning and supplying, Watering, Weeding, Fertilizer application, Staking, Insect and pest control, Harvesting and Keeping a farm diary.

Harvesting   EVALUATION

1. What is post planting activities?

1. List and explain four post planting activities that farmers engage in.

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