Olastep1: Agriculture , also called farming or husbandry , is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi, and other life forms for food, fiber, biofuel and other products used to sustain human life.
Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the development of civilization.
The study of agriculture is known as agricultural science.
Agriculture generally speaking refers to human activities, although it is also observed in certain species of ant and termite.
The word agriculture is the English adaptation of Latin agricultūra , from ager, "a field, and cultūra, "cultivation" in the strict sense of "tillage of the soil". Thus, a literal reading of the word yields "tillage of fields".
The history of agriculture dates back thousands of years, and its development has been driven and defined by greatly different climates, cultures, and technologies. However, all farming generall yrelies on techniques to expand and maintain the lands that are suitable for raising domesticated species. For plants, this usually requires some form of irrigation, although there are methods of dryland farming ; pastoral herding on rangeland is still the most common means of raising livestock. In the developed world, industrial agriculture based on large-scale monoculture has become the dominant system of modern farming, although there is growing support for sustainable agriculture (e.g. permaculture or organic agriculture ).
Until the Industrial Revolution, the vast majority of the human population labored in agriculture. Pre-industrial agriculture was typically subsistence agriculture in which farmers raised most of their crops for their own consumption instead of for trade. A remarkable shift in agricultural practices has occurred over the past century in response to new technologies, and the development of world markets.This also led to technological improvements in agricultural techniques, such as the Haber-Bosch method for synthesizing ammonium nitrate which made the traditional practice of recycling nutrients with crop rotation and animal manure less necessary.
Modern agronomy , plant breeding , pesticides and fertilizers, and technological improvements have sharply increased yields from cultivation, but at the same time have caused widespread ecological damage and negative human health effects. Selective breeding and modern practices in animal husbandry such as intensive pig farming have similarly increased the output of meat, but have raised concerns about animal cruelty and the health effects of the antibiotics, growth hormones, and other chemicals commonly used in industrial meat production.
The major agricultural products can be broadly grouped into foods, fibers , fuels , and raw materials . In the 21st century, plants have been used to grow biofuels, biopharmaceuticals , bioplastics, and pharmaceuticals. Specific foods include cereals, vegetables, fruits, and meat. Fibers include cotton, wool, hemp, silk and flax. Raw materials include lumber and bamboo. Other useful materials are produced by plants, such as resins. Biofuels include methane from biomass, ethanol, and biodiesel. Cut flowers , nursery plants, tropical fish and birds for the pet trade are some of the ornamental products. Regarding food production, the World Bank targets agricultural food production and water management as an increasingly global issue that is fostering an important and growing debate.

This is a forum not a lecture room. guy u go school at all

Good day friends,I am a soil scientist,seeking for job,bt I am currently in fish pond biz,and am loving it,of a truth agriculture is the best,long leave nigeria,long leave my fellow agrite!

@Seun& the Super-mods,
I will be glad if you can create an Agricultural Section or Sub-Section on Nairaland. It will really help a lot of Jobless youths both literate& illiterate. Also, for the jambites& undergraduates to know more about agric.
I see this thread sinking down the page in no time.
Thanks.

Olastep1: pls, what exactly do u need guildance on? U're free to post ur questions and bookmark this page inorder to get ur answers faster

thanks bros, i really have interest poultry business, two cages are ready to start small.
So the chickens they say i will still need to give them drugs, and my problem now is what type of drug and how often will i give them.

If you are into or planning on going into ostrich, geese or quail farming, I av links to get dis breedn birds for you. Also av links to get oda exotic animals and am doing dis witout my interest, jst to encourage ourslvz.

I want to minor in Agric Econs. Though am working but wanna also go into farming especially vegetabless farming. Looking experts to partner with.

maasoap: @mayor007,
This programme really looks like a surprise package to me, or may be I don't watch NTA regularly these days. I'm saying this because I was only contacted to know if I had interest which I answered YES in affirmative. Yet to commence here though we're in the hall already.

We are gonna be done with the programme in no time though I am looking forward to the lunch break 'cause I am famished AF!

I am a proud to be an agricultural scientist engineer.

Rich Dad: @Seun& the Super-mods,
I will be glad if you can create an Agricultural Section or Sub-Section on Nairaland. It will really help a lot of Jobless youths both literate& illiterate. Also, for the jambites& undergraduates to know more about agric.
I see this thread sinking down the page in no time.
Thanks.

u actually spoke ma mind...lets join hands together and push for this

Anvaller:

1) Mechanize ur farm. This will allow you to farm efficiently. Less labour, Higher efficiency, higher accuracy, timeliness, all these will ensure higher yield. You will be sure to make profit if u can achieve more yield/acre or ha. The problem of pry producers start from inability to achieve required min yield/ha due to lack of factors I mentioned above and among others. Large scale farmers are in most cases the group of farmers that achieve min yields or higher. A subsistence farmer can also achieve min yield but at subsistence level.

2) Add value to ur produce... If u are a cultivator of perishables for example, have a cooling system where u can keep ur product for a protracted period of time so that u may sell ur perishables when its scarce. U know what that means!

3) If possible, cut out bulk buyers, middle men or whole-salers... note!!! (If possible) cos this is not always possible. If u can, this will allow u to sell ur product at whole sale price and not at farm gate price which is usually ridiculous. If u can achieve this, I can assure u will make reasonable profit and this is when we can be talking about how profitable farming is. If u can not, farming may not be as profitable as u enthusiastically believe.

There are more ways to expand profit but these are the ones I can think of right now
Good luck.

Thank you Sir

Pls i need project topics for agric econs and extension.

nairaarea: How To Grow A Pineapple

Pineapple is one of the world's most unique and exotic tropical fruits, yet it is possible to grow it in a temperate zone under controlled conditions; with the most difficult part of the process just getting it rooted. Although you may not be able to grow as large a plant as is grown on a plantation in Hawaii, the following information should enable you to grow a healthy, attractive pineapple for your home. And it makes a fun family project for the kids!
Here is some interesting trivia about your pineapple. The pineapple is a member of the bromeliad family. As such it is related to Spanish moss and some interesting ornamental plants sold in many nurseries. These ornamentals are interesting in that they absorb water and nutrients from a water-tight reservoir formed where the leaves come together, or by interesting absorptive hairs which cover the Spanish moss and similar bromeliads, allowing them to draw water and nutrients from the fog and dust in the air. The pineapple, however, uses its roots like houseplants with which you are familiar and should be easy to grow if you treat it like a normal houseplant that needs bright light.


STEP ONE - Obtain a Pineapple
From the local grocery store, choose a mature pineapple that has healthy, firm, green leaves (not yellow or brown) and with a fruit skin that is golden brown (not too green). Actually, I'd recommend growing two pineapples in the not unlikely event that one of them dies. At the very least you can pick the healthiest of the two plants to nurture to full growth. Also, if you find you have more pineapple than you can eat, just chop it up and freeze it. It tastes great!
Inspect the base of the leaves for small grayish spots which are scale insects. If these are found, the crown should be discarded and one selected which is free of these insects. Try to find one that is ripe but not overripe. Test for ripeness by gently pulling on a leaf. If it pops out with ease, the fruit is overripe.
STEP TWO - Prepare the Crown
Grab hold of the entire top set of leaves. Twist hard and it will come out with a bit of stalk. (If you cut the top off you will need to remove all of the excess fruit flesh, otherwise it will only rot and may kill the whole plant). Any adhering flesh should be trimmed off its base to prevent rotting after planting. After trimming, carefully slice small, horizontal sections from the bottom of the crown until you see root buds that appear as small dots or circles on the flat, cut surface (see picture). Remove as little tissue as possible to avoid cutting into young stem tissue.
Next, strip off some of the lower leaves, exposing up to about an inch of the base of the crown (the stalk will root but the leaves will rot - see photo). They will come off in sort of a spiral fashion. The idea is to bare the stalk. The small brown-colored bumps below the leaf scars are root primordia (baby roots waiting to grow) and there may even be a few short roots at the base of the crown (the picture at right shows a crown with a lot of roots). Though these won't be the roots that will grow in the next step, try not to damage these.
After trimming and stripping, let the crown dry out for a couple days before going to the next step. This will permit the cut end and the leaf scars to heal and prevent rot.
STEP THREE – Root the Crown
There are various ways to do this, but I have found after trying several methods, that the simplest is the most effective. Place the crown in a clear glass of water and change out the water every few days. Place the crown away from any temperature extremes (heating or cooling vents/hot south-facing windows). On top of the refrigerator will work. In three weeks you'll see healthy root growth as illustrated in the pictures at right. You're now ready to plant the crown. As an aside, I've been told that if you use a dark colored glass, like a red plastic cup for example, you'll get better rooting. However I haven't tried this myself. You might want to try a clear glass as well as a dark glass, and let me know your results.


STEP FOUR – Plant the Crown
Once roots appear, plant the pineapple in a fast draining potting soil such as a Bromeliad or Cactus Potting Soil mixed with a third perlite. An eight-inch porous clay pot with bottom drainage is ideal. Layer about two inches of stones in the bottom of the pot prior to putting in the soil/perlite mix. The picture to the left illustrates the materials needed (the two pottery shards in the front are to put over the drainage holes; these came from an extra clay saucer that I broke up).
The first step is to cover the drainage hole with the pottery shard. Second, put in a layer of stones followed by the soil and perlite mix. Finally, plant the crown and water it thoroughly prior to placing it in a window or some other sunny place. You can see the sequence in the pictures to the right (the inner leaves of the pineapple on the left are easily pulled out which doesn't bode well for the plant. Only time will tell which is a good example of why it's good to root two plants in case one dies).
In terms of watering, the soil should always be slightly moist; not wet (which will promote rot) and not dry. It will take six to eight weeks for the stalk to really start sending out strong roots. Do not rush this process or fertilize at this point.
After about two months, the pineapple should be supporting itself as a new plant. Gently tug on the plant to see if new roots have formed. If they are present, they will resist your tug. If absent, the top of the pineapple will pull from the soil revealing the absence of new roots. If there are no new roots, replace the pineapple top in the soil and wait longer. If the base looks like it is rotting, start again with a new pineapple top, root it again as above and then use fresh potting soil. Repeat the process, but be sure not to over water.
At this point you should notice that the original leaves of the pineapple will begin to die and turn brown, with new leaves beginning to grow at the center. Over the course of the following year, remove the original leaves as they die. During this time the pineapple should be watered no more than once a week.
If roots have developed with the new leaf growth, it is a sign that things are going well.
After one full year of growth, repot the plant.
Below you can see these two plants one year later. Three lessons I've learned: 1) don't give up on your plant even when things are looking grim (the pictures on the right are of one of the plants that had rotted in the center; you can see two brand new sprouts that formed along side the original plant.)
I was about to toss it when I noticed the first sprout). 2) my plants rooted indoors, however real growth didn't begin until I took them outside in the spring. With the next growing season they'll be repotted as instructed below. 3) grow two crowns as one will likely not be as strong as the other. Then you can repot the healthier one. You may also notice that I clipped the tips off of the plants as I think I left them outside too long, and the cold turned their tips brown.

STEP FIVE – Repot the Crown
Repot the pineapple in a twelve-inch porous clay pot with a well-draining potting soil such as a cactus potting soil. See the photos below of my 2 pineapple plants after their 2nd repotting. Be sure there is good drainage since pineapples do not like 'wet feet'. Provide drainage by placing a curved piece of broken pot over the hole in the bottom of the pot. Over this, add about a half an inch of coarse gravel or small stones, and then add your soil up to an inch from the top, patting down the soil gently to firm it up.
Tamp the soil firmly around the base of the crown at planting. Avoid getting soil into the central leaves of the crown.
Rot is commonly caused by over watering or the soil not draining properly. The plant should only stop growing during the winter months. It will put out new growth all during the early spring and summer well into fall. If the plant stops growing during its growing season, take the plant out of the pot and examine the root structure carefully. They should be firm and solid. If necessary, wash off the old potting mix and repot into fresh mix.
As the pineapple continues to grow, you may need to repot it into an even larger pot if it gets root-bound.

Hi, I must say your article is educating and insightful. I have a great interest in agriculture and have been seriously thinking of what farm produce to grow. Seeing this article, has got me really interested in pineapple farming. Could kindly advice me on its merits, limitations, and all other environmental factors that I need to consider greatly. Second what part of Nigeria is best to grow pineapples. Is the eastern part a good place?

My advice 4 u is to apply 4 Neco Jun/JUL examz.

Fedric: Friends am so sorry for commenting on this thread.please i am totally confuse about my education and i don't want to waste my education for this year. Friends i am an aspirant of Uniben. Medicine and surgery, i registered Jamb. But the main problem is that my Chemistry in Neco was D7, Biology C5, Physics C5, Maths C4, English C4. My waec was not good at all so i intend to register Waec gce this year. But on sunday i met a student of Uniben who told me that if my olevel is not complete,that it is going to affect me during clearance also that Neco will be good if i could register it. But i already had my neco in which i failed chemistry. I am totally comfused and i don't what to waste this opportunity.please advice me on what to do. My hope and admission is in ur hand please friends

I have passion for farming, during my time in high institution I engaged myself in producing lots of farm product such as cassava, tomatoes, okro and maize. My major challenge then is marketing this produce of mine. I quit for my service year. NOW MY PASSION IS FOR SNAIL FARMING. I have read a lot about it online but my major problem is how do I construct their cage. CAN SOMEONE GIVE ME AN IDEA.

Have you guys heard of Agricultural Engineering?
Simply the application of Engineering knowledge in solving Agricultural production and processes problems.
Splitted into four options:
1. Soil and Water Engineering,
2. Agricultural Products Processing and Storage Engineering,
3. Farm Structures and Enviromental Engineering and
4. Farm Power and Machinery Engineering.
Inbox me promiseetim25@yahoo.com for me details on the options mentioned above. I am currently doing a masters of engineering at the department of Agric. Engineering, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria..

Ozonna: Agriculture is big business. I read somwhere that an averaGe Nigerian consumes about 600naira worth of food daily. Calculate 600 * 160m = 9.6bn naira per day. You guys can see that if this figure is true then Agric biz is super profitable.

But Ϯh℮ problem is that crop farmers (primary producers)make little or no money. The transporters,middlemen,food processors,etc make a heLl of profit.
This is what's discouraging most young people from farming.

Can the experienced farmers/agric specialists tell us how to make profit as primary producers (crop farmers)

Ozonna: Agriculture is big business. I read somwhere that an averaGe Nigerian consumes about 600naira worth of food daily. Calculate 600 * 160m = 9.6bn naira per day. You guys can see that if this figure is true then Agric biz is super profitable.

But Ϯh℮ problem is that crop farmers (primary producers)make little or no money. The transporters,middlemen,food processors,etc make a heLl of profit.
This is what's discouraging most young people from farming.

Can the experienced farmers/agric specialists tell us how to make profit as primary producers (crop farmers)

Ozonna: Agriculture is big business. I read somwhere that an averaGe Nigerian consumes about 600naira worth of food daily. Calculate 600 * 160m = 9.6bn naira per day. You guys can see that if this figure is true then Agric biz is super profitable.

But Ϯh℮ problem is that crop farmers (primary producers)make little or no money. The transporters,middlemen,food processors,etc make a heLl of profit.
This is what's discouraging most young people from farming.

Can the experienced farmers/agric specialists tell us how to make profit as primary producers (crop farmers)

you make more in agricultural if you can explore the value chain of a particular agro product.

AGBE L'OBA!!!
Proud agriculturist.

agriculture is good & agricultural developed nation are stronger than countries that go about importing food,it is not to be able to afford to study a course in agriculture,learn to do d practical itself,it helps to be skilled & useful to be an employer -btech agronomy

adesina1991: @tstisshuay,u re right,agriculture in UNILORIN Is very hard,am a std of agriculture in dis university,they didnt specify d department we re jst doing all d courses in all dept of d faculty.dat makes it a bit hard 4us.r u a student there@tstissuay,200level

. Dnt worry, even up to 400 level, u'll still be taking courses outside ur discipline. That's d way it is in other schls.

Animal science or agric econs...which should i go for?

I stumbled into becoming an Agriculturist by chance and divine providence. All my life dream and career had being to be a medical doctor, till I was denied admission twice in the search for being a medic despite meeting up with cut off points both in JAMB and the post ume, cos my set 2005 was the pioneers of POST UME in my school IMSU. Uptil my third year I was at risk of losing my admission in Agricultural Economics and Extension in my quest to change to Medicine and Surgery having made a CGPA of 4.33 in my first year, until God made it clear to me through the hardway that he has a purpose for me in agriculture. Having served last year in Kaduna, I was opportuned to be trained by the FGN through the War Against Poverty MDG programme in Grasscutter and Bee farming. That was the happiest thing that has ever happened to me, because, I now own a standard grasscutter farm with my grasscutters doing well .I am now a fully self employed man that has a full right and privilege to select jobs and not to work in any how firm.
That you are in Agriculture should boost your ego cos you control the appetite of even the richest man!

harlos: I also have passion for agriculture though I'm studying business admin, I think my love for animal makes me interested, now i'm planning in rearing of animals maybe i start from chickens, I have a two cages ready to start with little but I need someone that Will help with little guidance.

Nyc 1 mate,U can bank on me,1st is U ensure U get ur chicks from a reputable animal producer(as some will intentionally not complete their vaccination before disposing them to maximize profit)
2nd is to make sure ur cage is suitable by ensuring the have enough ventilation and that rain doesnt drop or fall in their cape to prevent coccidiosis
3rd thing is to ensure they are not exposed to sunlight or exessive heat to prevent outbreak of newcastle,I recomend U place the cage under a tree/shed in ur backyard but I deem d former as better,
Ensure U're close to them by knowin how active they are,this will help u know when they're sick,take note of things they do in d past and they are no longer doing,e.g,birds that go razzmatazz when u approach their cage early in d morning before now stand still when U approach them luks suspect,and U must figure out whats wron ASAP,
I'll also advice u hav a Veterinarian u consult if u feel the birds are not the birds U used to know.op u find this useful

Bastituta: Agriculture the earliest man occupation which Almighty God use to proof His greatness. Yes now u just sow 2 seed of maize in u harvest many cobs as u can,cant u c dt its de most profitable occupation on earth which is transparent-no need to lie,no nid to get jazz or u use 10 injection to collect 10000,let be sincere wif oursef.its God choosen occupation.
I am a FYB of Agric. Extension of dt gratest university i sud mention de name ? No u no it nw.am proud to be an extension agent .

TO RAISE BROILER FOR UR XMAS
get a well ventilated building wif maximun air penetration,2wks to ur day of stock wash de floor which sud be cemented wif iza and close de rum for 2wks so dt ani bacteria dt dosnt die frm washin will be starve to death bf ur chicks arrive.
On de day u want to stock,spread woodshaven (nt sawdust ooo) on de flor @ a height of 1m.supply heat to dem (wc can be elecricity or cahrcoal form).
Spray oil around de buildin to avoid soja termite.
For more info bastituta11 on 2go.

Nyc 1 bro,thanx for d info,but I dispute d use of sawdust cos of CR-D(Chronic Respiratory Disease)which may cause total loss of chicks if care aint takeo.

obicentlis: I want to minor in Agric Econs. Though am working but wanna also go into farming especially vegetabless farming. Looking experts to partner with.

Thats ambitious of U,where U at?as the answer to this question will give me an idea if that business can thrive there,also it will make me know how close we are,thanks.

obicentlis: I want to minor in Agric Econs. Though am working but wanna also go into farming especially vegetabless farming. Looking experts to partner with.

Thats ambitious of U,where U at?as the answer to this question will give me an idea if that business can thrive there,also it will make me know how close we are in terms of distance,thanks.

One of d best threads have come in contact in NL....Agric wasn't my 1st choice course before now,but its turning into one desirable and fulfilling profession for me right about now......A course which covers all sectors,sphere of d nation and also has all courses you want also embedded in it......#GREAT TO BE AN AGRITE......CROSSAN TO D CORE...

FUNDING ALWAYS STANDS AS ONE HUGE CONSTRAINT/DIFFICULTY,SETTING UP A FARM E.G POULTRY FARM REQUIRES CAPITAL......
What Advise can one get on how to start?

omartins: I have passion for farming, during my time in high institution I engaged myself in producing lots of farm product such as cassava, tomatoes, okro and maize. My major challenge then is marketing this produce of mine. I quit for my service year. NOW MY PASSION IS FOR SNAIL FARMING. I have read a lot about it online but my major problem is how do I construct their cage. CAN SOMEONE GIVE ME AN IDEA.

Constructing the cage aint no big deal,I know 2 methods of housing snails right from mo days as undergraduate,1st is U dig a hole of 1m by 1m with a depth mf 1m,under a shed that is constructed under a tree with reasonable shade,2nd is U constru2t a cage that is rectangular in shape(say 1.5 by 1M,and the height is about 0.5 raised from the ground.fill it with loamy soil to about 5-7cm,then place the cage under shed and trees or simply trees depending on how heavy the shade is.pls do u know any useful site that I can read more on snails/snailery?

freegaza: Animal science or agric econs...which should i go for?

There are only two courses under faculty of Agriculture,they are Animal science and others/the rest

Sunnycliff: I stumbled into becoming an Agriculturist by chance and divine providence. All my life dream and career had being to be a medical doctor, till I was denied admission twice in the search for being a medic despite meeting up with cut off points both in JAMB and the post ume, cos my set 2005 was the pioneers of POST UME in my school IMSU. Uptil my third year I was at risk of losing my admission in Agricultural Economics and Extension in my quest to change to Medicine and Surgery having made a CGPA of 4.33 in my first year, until God made it clear to me through the hardway that he has a purpose for me in agriculture. Having served last year in Kaduna, I was opportuned to be trained by the FGN through the War Against Poverty MDG programme in Grasscutter and Bee farming. That was the happiest thing that has ever happened to me, because, I now own a standard grasscutter farm with my grasscutters doing well .I am now a fully self employed man that has a full right and privilege to select jobs and not to work in any how firm.
That you are in Agriculture should boost your ego cos you control the appetite of even the richest man!

please can you give us one or two clues about what u run,e.g,the ammount it wil cost me to starrt on a small scale,a description of their housing,and other basics,thanks

Sunnycliff: I stumbled into becoming an Agriculturist by chance and divine providence. All my life dream and career had being to be a medical doctor, till I was denied admission twice in the search for being a medic despite meeting up with cut off points both in JAMB and the post ume, cos my set 2005 was the pioneers of POST UME in my school IMSU. Uptil my third year I was at risk of losing my admission in Agricultural Economics and Extension in my quest to change to Medicine and Surgery having made a CGPA of 4.33 in my first year, until God made it clear to me through the hardway that he has a purpose for me in agriculture. Having served last year in Kaduna, I was opportuned to be trained by the FGN through the War Against Poverty MDG programme in Grasscutter and Bee farming. That was the happiest thing that has ever happened to me, because, I now own a standard grasscutter farm with my grasscutters doing well .I am now a fully self employed man that has a full right and privilege to select jobs and not to work in any how firm.
That you are in Agriculture should boost your ego cos you control the appetite of even the richest man!

please can you give us one or two clues about what u run,e.g,the ammount it wil cost me to starrt on a small scale,a description of their housing,and other basics,thanks.and also where is ur farm located

freegaza: Animal science or agric econs...which should i go for?

I'll advise u go 4 animal science. I dnt see professionalism in agric econs. If u can pay the price now, u will surely reap the reward later. Am an animal scientist. I know what am reaping now.