Types of Crop

Back to: Pre Vocational Studies Primary 5

Welcome to class!

Hello again, my brilliant learner! I’m so excited to continue our learning journey together. 

Types of Crop

Today, we’re going to talk about the different types of crops that farmers grow. Just like there are different types of cars or different types of animals, there are also different types of crops. Let’s get started!

Remember our friend Uncle Dele, the maize farmer? Well, not all farmers grow maize. 

Some grow rice, others grow yam, and some even grow fruits and vegetables. These are all different types of crops!

We can group crops into different categories based on how they are used.

Types of Crop

Food Crop: 

One important category is food crops. These are crops that we grow primarily for food. They provide us with the energy and nutrients we need to live healthy lives. Food crops can be further divided into several subcategories. 

One of these is cereals or grains. These are crops like rice, maize (corn), wheat, sorghum (guinea corn), and millet. They are very important sources of carbohydrates, which give us energy. Think of your breakfast cereal or the rice you eat with stew – these are all cereals!

Root and Tuber Crops:

Another type of food crop is root and tuber crops. These are crops that grow underground and have edible roots or tubers. Examples include yam, cassava, potatoes, and cocoyam. These crops are also rich in carbohydrates and are a staple food in many parts of Africa. Imagine pounded yam, fufu made from cassava, or roasted potatoes – these all come from root and tuber crops.

Legumes 

Then we have legumes or pulses. These are crops like beans, peas, groundnuts (peanuts), and soybeans. They are very important sources of protein, which helps us build strong muscles and tissues. Think of akara (bean cakes), moi-moi (bean pudding), or groundnut soup – these are all made from legumes.

Fruit and Vegetables 

Another important category is fruits and vegetables. These provide us with essential vitamins and minerals that keep us healthy. Examples of fruits include oranges, mangoes, bananas, pineapples, and watermelons. Examples of vegetables include tomatoes, peppers, onions, spinach, and carrots. Think of the juicy orange you eat as a snack or the vegetables in your stew – these are all fruits and vegetables.

Cash Crop 

Besides food crops, there are also cash crops. These are crops grown primarily for sale, often to other countries. Examples of cash crops include cocoa, cotton, coffee, rubber, and oil palm. These crops bring money to farmers and to the country. For example, Nigeria is known for its cocoa production, which is used to make chocolate all over the world.

Let’s use another example to understand these categories better. Imagine a market day in your town.

You see different stalls selling different things. One stall has bags of rice and maize – those are cereals. Another stall has heaps of yam and cassava – those are root and tuber crops. Yet another stall has baskets of tomatoes, peppers, and onions – those are vegetables. And you might also see someone selling bags of cocoa beans – that’s a cash crop.

Summary 

So, to recap, we have different types of crops. Food crops provide us with food and are further divided into cereals, root and tuber crops, legumes, and fruits and vegetables. Cash crops are grown for sale. Knowing these different types helps us understand where our food comes from and how important farming is.

Evaluation 

Now, let’s do a quick check. 

1. Can you name two examples of cereals? 
2. Can you also name one example of a root and tuber crop and one example of a cash crop? Think back to the examples we discussed.

Fantastic! You’re doing such a great job! I’m so impressed with how quickly you’re learning. 

We have come to the end of this class.

In the next class, we shall be talking about the classification of crops based on uses, life cycle, and morphology.

In case you require further assistance or have any questions, feel free to ask in the comment section below, and trust us to respond as soon as possible. See you in the next class!

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