AGG 101: Introduction to Agriculture

Course Lecturer: Prof. Ime Ebenso

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 Course Outline
PART ONE: Agricultural Technology Outlook
 PART TWO: Agricultural Production Technology
PART THREE: Agricultural Processing Technology

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 PART ONE:
Agricultural Technology Outlook

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 The Evolution of Agriculture: From 1.0 to 4.0

 Agriculture, the backbone of human civilization and growth, has undergone a

deep transformation over centuries.

 From the simple, manual labor of early farming to the highly technological and
data-driven practices of today, the industry has evolved significantly.

 This evolution is broadly categorized into four distinct eras:

 Agriculture 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0.

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Agriculture 1.0: The Era of Manual Labor (1920s)

 Agriculture 1.0 was characterized by simple tools, manual and animal labor,
and a strong reliance on natural elements like the sun and rain.

 Farmers relied on their knowledge of the land, weather patterns, and

traditional farming practices passed down through generations, from father
to sons.

 This era was marked by subsistence farming,

where families produced just enough food
to sustain themselves.

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Agriculture 2.0: The Era of Mechanization (1950s)
 The advent of the Industrial Revolution brought significant changes in
agriculture and this period is also called “Green Revolution” because of the
huge increase in yield and productivity in all crops.

 Agriculture 2.0 saw the introduction of machinery, such as tractors and

harvesters, which replaced manual labor and increased productivity.

 This era also witnessed the development of

chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which
improved crop yields but had negative
environmental impacts.

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Agriculture 3.0: The Era of Precision Agriculture (1990s)

 Agriculture 3.0, also known as precision agriculture, leveraged technology to

optimize farming practices.

 GPS technology, remote sensing, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

were integrated into farming operations to collect data on soil conditions, crop
health, and weather patterns.

 This data was then used to create precise maps

and apply inputs, such as fertilizers, pesticides
and water for irrigation only where
and when they were needed, reducing waste
and minimizing environmental damage.

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Agriculture 4.0/5.0: The Digital Revolution in Farming (today)

Agriculture 4.0 represents the ongoing digital revolution in farming. It is

characterized by the convergence of technologies such as:

 Internet of Things (IoT): IoT devices connect farm equipment, sensors, and other
devices to collect and transmit data.
 Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI algorithms analyze data to identify patterns, make
predictions, and automate tasks.
 Robotics: Robots perform tasks such as planting, weeding, and harvesting,
increasing efficiency and reducing labor costs.
 Drones: Drones are used for tasks such as crop monitoring, spraying, and
delivering supplies.
 Big Data Analytics: Big data analytics helps farmers make informed decisions
based on vast amounts of data.
 Blockchain: Blockchain technology can be used to track the origin and quality of
food products. 8
Agriculture 4.0/5.0: The Digital Revolution in Farming (today)
 Agriculture 5.0 is the envisioned paradigm shift in the future of smart
agricultural practices. During that period, the prevalence of unmanned
farming is expected to increase, hence offering advantages in situations
where there is a scarcity of labor

 Agriculture 5.0 is more likely to produce more food with fewer inputs and
less land with the implementation of cutting-edge digital technologies and
biotechnologies

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 7 Ways AI is Revolutionizing Traditional Agricultural Practices
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 Crop Disease Detection

 Automated Weed Control Systems

 Livestock Health Monitoring

 Predictive Analysis for Crop Yield

 Precise Irrigation System

 Drone-Assisted Aerial Surveillance

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DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

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Using New Agricultural Technologies

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Challenges of Agricultural Technologies 1

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Challenges of Agricultural Technologies 2

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Challenges of Agricultural Technologies 3

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Challenges of Agricultural Technologies 4

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Challenges of Agricultural Technologies 5

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 Agricultural Economy
 World population growth is projected to increase annually by 0.8% until
2035 and will remain a key driver of global food demand. The population of
Africa will grow the most rapidly in coming years (+2.2% annually from
2024 to 2035)

 The spike in energy and commodity prices observed the period 2022-2023
has also triggered a surge in food inflation, and to still remain slightly
above the target inflation level of 2% in the near future: 2.4% in 2025 and
2.1% in 2026.

 While oil prices have generally been around $80 per barrel in the second
half of 2024, the volatility of energy markets from geopolitical shocks, as
well as the impact of decisions by OPEC+ countries on oil supply and a
potential recovery in global demand, could lead to food price increases in
the short and medium term. 19
Projected Annual Growth of World Population (%)

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griculture allocated 1.3% of Nigeria 2025 Budget

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 Agricultural Ecology
 Agricultural ecology is simply the examination of food production activities
in the-context of the world ecosystem.

 The first principle of agricultural ecology is that, the systems from

which man obtains food are ecosystems, the most highly manipulated
of which we now commonly term agroecosystems. Man actively
manipulates these systems, "subsidizing" them with nutrients and
energy.
 A second principle of agricultural ecology is that of the
interrelationship of different human food production systems.
Human food production systems clearly include not only crop and
animal agriculture, but also a variety of other activities, including
the harvest of marine and freshwater fish, apiculture and
aquaculture, the harvest of wild food plants and terrestrial game,
and several "industrial" processes of food production. 23
 Agricultural Genetics
 Genetics could be defined as science of heredity concerned with behaviour
of genes passed from parents to offspring in the reproductive process.
 It is a branch of Biology concerned wit heredity and variation. It involves
the study of cells, individuals, their offspring and the population within
which organisms live. Gene is the functional unit of heredity.
 Breeding deals with application of genetics principles for the improvement of
economically important characteristics or traits.
 Some food crops (oranges, potatoes, wheat, and rice) have been genetically
altered to withstand insect pests, resulting in a higher crop yield. Tomatoes
and apples have been modified so that they resist discoloration or bruising.
 Genetic makeup of cows has been modified to increase their milk production,
and cattle raised for beef have been altered so that they grow faster.

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 Use of Artificial Int elligence (AI) in Agricultural Technology
 AI is the broader concept of machines being able to carry out tasks in a way
that is considered smart. The smart processes include machines being able to
function automatically, reason and learn by themselves

 AI and its subsets, i.e., machine learning and deep learning algorithms, have
emerged as very influential and revolutionary advanced analytics tools that
organizations may employ for making decisions

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 PART TWO:
Agricultural Production Technology

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 Rocks and Soil Formation

 Rocks are made of one or more minerals. There are three main classifications
of rock, based on the way the rock was formed: sedimentary, metamorphic
and igneous.

 Soil is formed from fine rock particles mixed with air, water and particles
from dead plant and animal matter.

 There are five soil forming factors:-

parent material, topography, climate, biological activity, and time.

 Weathering is a natural process in the rock cycle that contributes to soil

formation.
There are two types of weathering; physical and chemical.
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 Soil and Water Conservation
Is concerned basically with any practice that reduces soil erosion and water
runoff, thus conserving soil.

The soil needs to be conserved because it is the material medium for plant
growth.

Methods of Soil Conservation

 Application of organic and inorganic manures.

 Controlling nutrient losses as a result of cropping, leaching, burning and
erosion.
 Water conservation through:
 (a) contour bunds (b) mulching (c) irrigation (d) cover cropping (e) drainage

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 Soil-Water-Plant Relationship
Relates to the properties of soil and plant that affect the movement, retention and use of
water. Due to inadequate and/or uneven distribution of rainfall during the cropping season, it
becomes necessary to apply additional water to the soil for plant use in the form of irrigation.

Therefore, proper understanding of the soil-water-plant relationship is a prerequisite for the

sound design of any efficient irrigation system.

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 Crop Production
 Manures:
What are manures? Manure consists of animal excrement, usually mixed with
straw or leaves.

 Types of manures
 Farmyard manure
 Compost
 Green manures
 Concentrated organic manures

 Fertilizers:
What are fertilizers?
 A fertilizer is a manufactured product containing a substantial amount of
one or more of the primary, secondary macronutrients or micronutrient.

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 Land Preparation
Commonly referred to as tillage practices, is a procedure carried out with the
intention of creating the required soil conditions that will encourage greater
agricultural output.

Land preparation is one of the first activities you carry out on the land.

Land preparation could also play a critical role in the control of weeds and
pests that might threaten the soil in the future.

Land and soil preparation is important for all sorts of vegetative slope
stabilization methods.

To achieve optimum success, all necessary procedures must be followed during

land preparation to improve the properties of the soil.

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 Methods of Land Preparation
There are three methods that are commonly employed in land preparation
Manual
Mechanical
Chemical
Steps To Follow In Land Preparation

 Pre-irrigation
This is the first step in land preparation. Pre-irrigation is regarded to as the practice of
flooding the field for a maximum of three days before the initial tilling in order to wet and
loosen tight and compacted soil for plowing to be made easier.

 Tilling
The next activity after pre-irrigation in land preparation is clearing the field or site, which is
also referred to as tilling.

 Harrowing
Harrowing, which is also referred to as secondary plowing in land preparation, will help break
the clumps of dirt into tiny bits. 36
AGRONOMIC GROUPINGS OF CROP PLANTS
1. Cereals: Rice, maize, wheat, barley, sorghum, millet
2. Legumes: Beans, cowpea, groundnut, soyabean.
3. Forage crop: Centrosema, alfalfa, lueceana. Pueraria, stylosanthis spp,
4. Root crops (Roots and Tubers): cassava, cocoyam, carrot, yam, potatoes, sugar beet
5. Fibre crop: Cotton, flax, hemp, kenaf, jute, sisal, roselle,
6. Sugar: sugar beet, sugar cane
7. Stimulants: Tobacco, mint, pyrethrum, coffee, cocoa, tea, kola
8. Oil crop: Flax, soyabeans, groundnut, sunflower, safflower, castor bean, oil palm
9. Rubber: Rubber tree (Havea brasilensis)
10.Cover crops: Mucuna, sweet potatoes, egusi (melon) cucumis melo
11. Beverages: Cocoa

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 CROPPING SYSTEMS
 Shifting cultivation:
In the practice of shifting cultivation, the farm is not a permanent location.
Instead, a piece of land is cleared, farmed for a few years and then abandoned
in preference for a new site.

 Mixed Cropping:
The practice involves growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same
piece of land. For example, sorghum and millet or cassava and maize are grown
as mixed crops.

 Continuous Cropping:
This implies the cultivation of the same piece of land year after year. Fallowing
may occur, but it never occurs for more than a season or two.
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 CROPPING SYSTEMS Contd.

 Mixed farming:
Mixed farming is the integration of animal and crop production on the same
farm.

 Ley farming: This system alternates pastures with crop production.

 Alley Cropping System:

Is a system of growing small tree or shrub which recycles plant nutrients and at
the same time provides material for mulch with an arable crop.

 Crop rotation:
The practice of growing different crops, one at a time, in a definite sequence on
the same piece of land is referred to as crop rotation
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 Seed
 A seed is a basic part of any plant. The ovules after fertilization, develop into seeds.

 A seed is made up of a seed coat and an embryo. The embryo is made up of a radicle, an
embryonal axis and one (wheat, maize) or two cotyledons (gram and pea).

 A seed is found inside a fruit which converts into a new plant when we plant it. Hence, the
seed is the most important part.

Types of Seeds
A Seed is primarily of two types.
 Monocotyledonous Seed
 Dicotyledonous Seed

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 Classes of Seeds
 Breeder seeds
This provides the source for the initial and recurring increase of foundation
seed.

 Foundation seeds
Foundation seed is the source of all other certified seed classes, either directly
or through registered seed.

 Registered seeds
These are the progeny of foundation or registered seed

 Certified seed
This shall be the progeny of foundation, registered or certified seed that is so
handled as to maintain satisfactory genetic identity and purity.

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Planting Density
Is one of the key factors that affect the yield and quality of your crops. It
refers to the number of plants per unit area, usually expressed in plants per
hectare or plants per square meter.

Choosing the best planting density for your crops depends on several factors,
such as the crop species, the variety, the soil type, the irrigation system, the
pest and disease management, and the market demand.

Planting Pattern
The spacing of crops on a uniform geometrical basis so that each crop is a
uniform distance from other crop and resulting in a specific number of crops
per hectare.
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 Floriculture
Is the study of the efficient production of the plants that produce showy,
colorful flowers and foliage for human enjoyment in human environments. It is a
commercially successful branch of horticulture and agriculture found
throughout the world.

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 Plant Diseases and Pests
The damage to plants caused by competition from weeds and by other pests including
viruses, bacteria, fungi, and insects greatly impairs their productivity and in some instances
can totally destroy a crop. Today, dependable crop yields are obtained by using disease-
resistant varieties, biological control practices, and by applying pesticides

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Some Plant Diseases and Pests

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 What is genetic modification (GM) of crops and how is it done?
GM is a technology that involves inserting
DNA into the genome of an organism.
To produce a GM plant, new DNA is
transferred into plant cells. Usually,
the cells are then grown in tissue
culture where they develop into plants.
The seeds produced by these plants will
inherit the new DNA.

Advantages
 More nutritious food.
 Tastier food.
 Disease- and drought-resistant plants
 Less use of pesticides.
 Longer shelf life.
 Faster growing plants 49
 Livestock Production

Is an integral part of crop farming and contributes substantially to household

nutritional security and poverty alleviation through increased household income.
The returns from livestock especially dairying and mixed farming in small and
medium holdings are larger and highly sustainable.

Livestock provides for human needs by way of Food, Fibre, Fuel, Fertilizer, Skin
and Traction. It is a living bank providing flexible finance in time of emergencies
and also serves as insurance against crop failure for survival.

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 Importance of livestock in Agriculture
1. Income from livestock and poultry enterprises contribute as high as 10% of
the total national income and nearly 50% of agricultural sector income.
2. Effective utilization of labour – family labour is effectively utilized in animal
husbandry.
3. Soil fertility : organic manure – promotes and maintain soil fertility.
4. Effective utilization- cow produces 8 tonnes of farm yard manure per year
and farm biomass farm products which includes fodder, feed, edible weed, tree
fodder, bund grass are better utilized – and converted to Edible products like –
Milk, Meat and Egg.
5. Effective utilization of agri industrial by products
By products obtained from grain processing (bran), oil seed process (oil cakes),
pulses processing (gram, husk) and molasses.
6. Better standard of living : family income from livestock and poultry -‘Bankers
cheque’
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 Systems of Livestock Production

Extensive
 Usually have a low stocking rate and are essentially
based on grazing

Semi intensive
 The animals are allowed to have about within
a fenced area during the day while a suitable
housing is provided at night.

Intensive
 The production of animals where their environment
in total is provided for them to maximize profit out
of their rearing.
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 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF FARM ANIMALS

 Anatomy refers to the form and structure of the body

 Physiology refers to the functions of the forms and parts of the body
MAJOR PARTS OR DIVISION OF FARM ANIMALS
The body of farm animals is divided into four major groups namely;
 Head
 Thoracic cavity
 Abdominal cavity
 The limbs
SYSTEMS OF THE BODY
Some of the systems which maintain the body are:
 Digestive system
 Circulatory system
 Respiratory system
 Reproductive system
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Anatomy of Cattle

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Physiology of Cattle

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 Animal Nutrition
Science of feed preparation (formulation) and feeding to meet the needs of
animals at different phases of growth, or life stages.

Therefore, nutritionists need to know the nutrient components of the feed

or the raw materials used in ration formulation.

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Feeding Stuff

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 GRAZING
PASTURE refers to an area of land covered with forage crops which are usually grasses
and legumes that are grazed or fed on by livestock such as cattle, sheep ...

FORAGE is a plant material eaten by grazing livestock. Historically, the term forage has
meant only plants eaten by the animals directly as pasture,

CARRYING CAPACITY is defined as the maximum stocking rate possible

which is consistent with maintaining or improving vegetation or related
resources. It may vary from year to year on the same area due to fluctuating
forage production..

STOCKING RATE is defined as the number of specific kinds and classes of

animals grazing or utilizing a unit of land for a specified time period. It may be
expressed as animal unit months or animal unit days per acre, hectare, or section,
or the reciprocal (area of land/animal unit month or day).

GRAZING CAPACITY is the relationship between number of animals and area

of land at any instant of time. It may be expressed as animal-units per hectare,
animal-units per section or AU/ha. 62
 Animal Breeding

Selective crossing of domestic animals that have desirable qualities resulting in

improved offspring. These 'qualities' are translated as breeding values for a
number of interesting traits.

CROSS BREEDING
 This is mating of animals from the two different established breeds

INBREEDING
 This is mating of closely related animals in the same breed

GRADING
 This is a form of out crossing, where in bulls of a distinct breed are bred
on non descript cows from generation to generation, so that in course of
time a populations essentially resembling the breed from which the Bulls63
are used.
Breeds of Cattle in Nigeria

Breed %
 (White Fulani) Bunaji 51.00
 (Red Fulani) Rahaji 14.00
 (Sokoto Gudali) Bokoloji 11.50
 Adamawa Gudali 11.50
 Others 12.00
 Total 100.00

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Livestock Reproductive Tract

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 ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION

Artificial insemination is the deposition of male reproductive cells (sperm) in the

female tract by mechanical means rather than “Natural Service”

ADVANTAGES
 Increases usefulness of superior sires to extra ordinary degree.

 Services of Superior Sires are greatly extended.

If the sires are used for Natural Service the animal can serve only 50-60
animals/year but under Artificial Insemination the amount of semen secreted by
the animal can be used to satisfy the requirements of 1000 animals per year

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 Oestrus cycle
Proestrum:( 2 days) Period of building up growth of graffian Follicle which
helps for the nourishment of ovum fluid contains hormone called „oestrogen‟.
It causes changes in uterus, blood supply.

Oestrum:( 1 day) During which the female is ready to receive male.

Metoestrum:( 4 days) Implantation of the embryo takes place C.L. takes

place. Prevents the growth of graffian follicle thereby arrests oestrus cycle.

Diestrum:( 14 days) Further development of uterus takes place. If the

animal has not conceived involution of uterus take place.

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 Symptoms of Heat

1.Off feed
2. Drop in milk yield
3. restless and excited
4. Bellowing
5. Oedema /swelling of genitalia
6. frequent urination
7. Transparent mucous discharge
8. cow/buffalo which are in heat will mount on other animals and allows mounting
of other animals.
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Animal Health

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 ZOONOSES
Transfer of causative agent of an animal disease to human beings is zoonoses.

They are diseases and infections the agents of which are naturally transmitted
among other vertebrate animals and man. Also included are a number of
infections, which are shared but not naturally transmitted.

Classification
a. Direct Zoonoses – Rabies
b. Cyclo Zoonoses -Teaniasis
c. Sapro Zoonoses – Histoplasmosis
d. Meta Zoonoses – Japanese encephalitas
e. Anthrapo Zoonoses – Brucellosis

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 Fisheries and Wildlife
Play a vital role in the agricultural sector, contributing to food security and
economic development in many countries, including Nigeria.

Common types of fishes in West Africa include species like Tilapia and
Catfish, which are popular choices for fish farming due to their adaptability to
different aquatic environments. Understanding the characteristics and
behavior of these fishes is essential for successful aquaculture practices.

There are various systems of fish farming in West Africa, including

 extensive systems such as inland and deep-sea fishing,
 semi-intensive systems found in dams, and
 intensive systems like fish ponds.

Each system requires specific considerations in terms of establishment and

management, such as pond fertilization, liming, and desilting to ensure optimal
growth and productivity of the fish. 73
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 Wildlife Conservation
1. Bush-meat production to increase the animal protein available in rural and
urban areas of Nigeria with particular emphasis on rural areas.
2. To promote game viewing, tourism and foreign exchange earning, including
photographic safaris, sport fishing and sport hunting.
3. Preservation of national heritage
4. To encourage and promote wildlife conservation for education and
research.
5. To generate employment opportunities in rural areas.
6. Finally, to promote ecological diversity and stability through preservation
of gene pool and maintenance of continuity in gene pool. 76
 Challenges of Wildlife Conservation
 Poaching: An individual that kills wild animals in protected areas without permission
or kills protected animal species outside conservation areas is a poacher.
 Bush Burning: This refers to bushfires that are set by poachers and farmers around
the boundaries of protected areas.
 Habitat Destruction: This posses a great problem to the survival of wild animal
populations.
 Illegal Grazing of Animals in Protected Areas: The abundance of any wild animal
species depends mainly upon the condition of the habitat and the available food
supply.
 Illegal Settlement in Protected Areas: This is a situation where individuals establish
illegal settlements within the park to carry out various offences such as illegal
fishing and poaching
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 Challenges of Wildlife Conservation Contd.
 Dearth of Trained Personnel: Since wildlife management is a relatively new discipline very
few candidates apply to take the course
 Inadequate Finance: The amount of fund released for the development of wildlife
management is meager.
 Lack of Awareness of the Public About The Benefits of Conservation: The level of
awareness of the public about the importance of wildlife conservation is very low.
 Public Apathy: This is a situation where the citizens despite awareness are not ready to
stand as a pressure group against any policy or action that may hinder the development of
wildlife conservation in and outside protected areas.
 Political Instability: Instability in governance leads to frequent changes in policies, laws
and regulations, and conservation programmes.
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Categories and Management Objectives of Protected Areas

 Scientific Reserve/Strict Nature Reserve. To protect nature and maintain natural

processes in an undisturbed state

 National Park. To protect relatively large natural and scenic areas of national or
international significance

 Natural Monument/Natural Landmark. To protect and preserve nationally significant

natural features because of their specific interest or unique characteristics.

 Managed Nature Reserve/Wildlife Sanctuary. To ensure the natural conditions necessary

to protect nationally significant species, groups of species, biotic communities, or
physical features of the environment when these require specific human manipulation for
their perpetuation.

 Protected Landscapes. To maintain nationally significant natural landscapes characteristic

of the harmonious interaction of man and land while providing opportunities for public
enjoyment through recreation and tourism.
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 Categories and Management Objectives of Protected Areas Contd.

Resource Reserve. To protect the natural resources of the area for future use and prevent or
contain development activities that could affect those resources.

Natural Biotic Area/Anthropological Reserve. To allow the way of life of societies living in
harmony with the environment to continue undisturbed by modern technology.

Multiple-Use Management Area/Managed Resource Area. To provide for the sustained

production of water, timber, wildlife, pasture and outdoor recreation, with the conservation of
nature primarily oriented to the support of these economic activities.

Biosphere Reserve. To conserve for present and future use the diversity and integrity of
representative biotic communities of plants and animals within natural ecosystems and to
safeguard the genetic diversity of species on which their continuing evolution depends.

World Heritage Site. To protect the natural features for which the areas was considered to
be of world heritage value and to provide information for worldwide public enlightenment.
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 Sustainable Forest Management (Siviculture)
In addition to supply function of producing wood, forests have diverse public benefits such as
water source recharge, prevention of landslides, CO2 absorption and fixation as a
countermeasure to global warming, preservation of biodiversity, and recreation.

Securing superior seedlings is a crucial first step toward sustainable forest management.
Stable production of superior seedlings enables appropriate forest establishment.

The CO2 released when wood is ultimately burned as a wood fuel is what will be absorbed from
the atmosphere as trees grow

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 Beekeeping (or Apiculture)
 Is the maintenance of bee colonies, commonly in artificial beehives.
 Honey bees in the genus Apis are the most commonly kept species but other
honey producing bees such as Melipona stingless bees are also kept.
 Beekeepers (or apiarists) keep bees to collect honey and other products of
the hive: beeswax, propolis, bee pollen, and royal jelly.
 Other sources of beekeeping income include pollination of crops,
raising queens, and production of package bees for sale.
 Bee hives are kept in an apiary or "bee yard".

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 ANIMAL IMPROVEMENT
Refers to the ways of developing and breeding only those animals that show the
greatest merit under consideration such as good feed conversion, growth rate,
disease resistance, egg size, etc.
It also involves the upgrading of existing (local) breeds as a result of some
undesirable characteristics which they possess.
AIMS OF ANIMAL IMPROVEMENT
 To produce animals that can give high yield or products
 To produce animals that can provide high quality of products
 To produce animals with high feed conversion efficiency.
 To produce animals with high growth rate.
 To produce animals with early maturity.
 To produce animals which can adapt to climatic/environmental conditions.
 To produce animals that are resistant to parasites and diseases.

There are three methods or processes of animal improvement: Introduction, Selection, Breeding
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 PART THREE:
Agricultural Processing Technology

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 Processing in Agriculture

 Involves the biological, physical, mechanical, and biochemical manipulation of

agricultural produce in other to preserve it for further use. It involves the
series of operations taken to change agricultural products into a consumer-
finish product.

 Agricultural processing involves both scientific and traditional manipulation of

agricultural produce so as to make it to be more useful and be able to store
them for future uses.

Agricultural storage: Is any deposit or holding of farm product, fertilizer,

grains, feed and other related supplies in facilities or container, often to
prevent contamination or for times when production cannot meet demand.

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 Reasons for preserving food

To prevent spoilage

 To be able to take care of emerging situations
 To prolong its shelf life
 To avoid wastage, especially when they are most expensive
 To introduce a variety in the family menu

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 Food Preservation by Method

Preservation methods used are

 Natural
 Salt
 Smokers
 Acids such as vinegar
 Non-natural
 Sorbic acid
 Sulphur dioxide
 Benzoic acid
 Irradiation
 Irradiation equipment such as isotopes and electron accelerators
 Refrigeration Chilling (-1ᶿC - 8ᶿC)
 Chillers
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Benefits of Value Addition on Perishable Products.
 Increased shelf life.
 The longer the product can stay without getting spoilt, the more the
guarantee one has of a product selling at their preferred price and time.
 Increased bargaining power of the value-added products in the market.
 Farmer to focus on the consumer while producing and through meeting the
expectations he can create a loyal market around the product.
 Increased revenue.
 Any addition adds a percentage of increased financial value to the produce
and has the effect of improving the incomes of the local farmers.

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 Why We Process our Food Crops

1. Processing helps to make food available even during the off-season.

2. When food is processed it taste and look very attractive
3. Processing helps in the durability of food crop products-
 when food crop is been processed like in dehydration of a food crop,
micro-organisms becomes absent thereby preventing spoilage.
4. Processing adds value to the agric produce.
5. Processing helps in producing income to individual and foreign exchange
to a country

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 Why We Process our Food Crops Contd.

1. It creates room for commercial agriculture, thereby promoting agricultural

activities.
2. If we stand to process our food crop regularly, then more food will be in
our food reserve which is an aid in adaptation and mitigation of climate
change.
3. Processing provides raw materials for further studies and for industrial uses.
4. Through processing some materials are produced (by-products) which can
be used for formulation of animal feed.
5. The science of processing can aids in drugs and medicinal purposes
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 Processing Techniques

These are some of the different processing techniques involved in processing of

Agricultural produce.

Here, different machines are used in the processing e.g hammer mill, roller mill,
and bore mill

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Oil Palm Processing

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 Concluding Thoughts:
Agricultural Innovation Technologies

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 Agricultural Innovations 1
Indoor Vertical Farming

The technology uses growing shelves mounted vertically to increase crop yield
in limited spaces. Quite often, the shelves don’t require soil—they’re either
hydroponic or aeroponic:
•Hydroponics is a gardening practice that grows plants in water and nutrient
solutions.
•Aeroponics suspends the roots of the crops in the air, with emitters
intermittently spraying them with water and nutrients.
Indoor vertical farms enable growers to control variables such as light,
temperature, water, and sometimes, carbon dioxide levels, allowing them to
get healthier and bigger yields.
Other benefits of the technology include 70% less water usage, which
conserves energy, and reduced labor costs due to the use of robots for
harvesting and planting. 96
 Agricultural Innovations 2
Laser Scarecrows

Pesky birds or rodents can be a menace to growing crops in an open field.

In the past, farmers relied on traditional scarecrows to ward off hungry
invaders.

But today, farm owners and managers are turning to high-tech devices
with motion sensors to keep birds from pillaging crops.

After discovering that birds are sensitive to the color green. The light
isn’t visible by humans in sunlight, but it can shoot 600 meters across a
field to startle birds before destroying crops.

Early tests with laser scarecrows found that the devices can minimize
crop damages by reducing the bird population around farmlands by up
to 70% to 90%. 97
 Agricultural Innovations 3

Minichromosome Technology

Agricultural geneticists can apply minichromosome technology to enhance a

plant’s traits without altering the genes in any way.

Since minichromosomes contain small amounts of genetic material, it’s possible

to use this technology to make plants more drought-tolerant or resistant to
pests without interfering with the host’s natural development.

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 Agricultural Innovations 4

Farm Management Software

Is an integrated platform that provides real-time data and information, like

a digital checklist, to assist farmers with tracking daily activities. With this
monitoring and reporting software, farmers can improve decision-making
throughout all operations.

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 Agricultural Innovations 5
Water Management Technology

Innovation and technology in agriculture offer farmers more sustainable ways

to provide sufficient water to plants. For instance, N-Drip, a micro drip
irrigation system, allows water to slowly drip to plants’ roots, creating the
right environment for crops to thrive. The technology reduces water usage by
up to 50% and improves crop quality.

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QUESTIONS PLEASE ! 101