Crop Production

Agricultural Land - Ways of accessing land
Agricultural Land - Settlement and allocation by government

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Define the term agricultural land
- Describe leasing and inheritance as ways of accessing land
- Connect land acquisition methods to family farming practices in their community

- Discuss with a resource person legal ways of accessing land for agricultural use
- Brainstorm different methods of land acquisition in the community
- Use digital devices to search for information on leasing and inheritance

How do farmers in your community acquire land for farming?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 1
- Digital resources
- Resource person
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 2
- Internet access

- Oral questions - Observation - Written assignment

Crop Production

Agricultural Land - Land adjudication, purchase and donation
Agricultural Land - Factors determining utility of land

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain land adjudication process
- Describe land purchase and donation procedures
- Connect land ownership documents to security of investment in farming

- Discuss legal processes involved in land adjudication
- Explain why purchase is considered the most secure form of land ownership
- Discuss how donated land is transferred to recipients

What document serves as evidence of land ownership in Kenya?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 2
- Digital resources
- Sample land documents
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 3
- Local environment
- Digital resources

- Written test - Oral questions - Observation

Crop Production

Agricultural Land - Topography, water availability and soil factors
Agricultural Land - Productivity factors and land tenure security
Properties of Soil - Mineral particles and organic matter
Properties of Soil - Soil water and soil air

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Describe how topography affects land utility
- Explain the role of water availability in land productivity
- Link soil characteristics to crop selection decisions by local farmers
- Identify the four main components of soil
- Describe mineral particles and organic matter in soil
- Relate soil composition to crop performance in school gardens

- Discuss challenges of using tractors on sloppy land
- Analyse how water table and nearby rivers affect land utility
- Examine soil factors including depth, texture, structure and pH
- Discuss components of soil (mineral particles, organic matter, water and air)
- Examine how mineral particles influence water and air movement
- Discuss the role of organic matter in providing nutrients

How does the physical nature of land influence the type of farming activities?
What are the components of soil that influence crop production?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 3
- Field excursion materials
- Digital resources
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 4
- Digital resources
- Manilla papers and markers
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 8
- Soil samples
- Digital resources
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 9
- Glass cylinders

- Written test - Observation - Group presentations
- Oral questions - Observation - Written assignment

Crop Production

Properties of Soil - Soil sedimentation test
Properties of Soil - Testing for air and water in soil

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Carry out soil sedimentation test
- Identify different mineral particles in soil layers
- Apply experimental skills to analyse soil samples from different farm locations

- Put garden soil in a measuring cylinder with water and sodium hydrogen carbonate
- Shake vigorously and allow contents to settle
- Observe and record the distinct layers of mineral particles

How can we separate and identify mineral particles in soil?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 11
- Measuring cylinder
- Garden soil, water, sodium hydrogen carbonate
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 13
- Bunsen burner, evaporating dish
- Weighing balance, soil samples

- Practical assessment - Observation - Written report

Crop Production

Properties of Soil - Investigating organic matter in soil

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Test for presence of organic matter in soil
- Describe components of soil organic matter
- Connect organic matter content to the dark colour of fertile topsoil

- Observe organic matter floating on water after shaking soil sample
- Discuss living components, dead plant material and humus
- Analyse how organic matter gives topsoil its dark colour

What makes up the organic matter component of soil?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 15
- Soil samples
- Glass jars, water

- Practical observation - Oral questions - Written assignment

Crop Production

Properties of Soil - Soil texture
Properties of Soil - Soil structure

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Define soil texture
- Classify soils based on texture using textural triangle
- Apply soil texture knowledge to select suitable crops for different soil types

- Discuss the relative proportions of sand, silt and clay in different soils
- Use finger-feel method to determine soil texture
- Analyse the textural triangle to classify soil samples

How does soil texture affect crop production?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 16
- Soil samples (sand, silt, clay)
- Textural triangle chart
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 18
- Soil samples
- Photographs of soil structures

- Practical assessment - Written test - Oral questions

Crop Production

Properties of Soil - Soil capillarity
Properties of Soil - Porosity, water holding capacity and permeability
Properties of Soil - Soil pH and biological properties

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Define soil capillarity
- Carry out capillarity test on different soil types
- Connect capillary action to water availability for crops during dry spells
- Test soil pH using pH paper and pH meter
- Explain how soil pH affects nutrient availability
- Connect soil pH levels to crop performance observed in acidic or alkaline soils

- Set up capillarity experiment using glass tubes with different soil samples
- Measure and record height of water rise at intervals
- Compare capillarity in sandy, loam and clay soils
- Carry out experiment to test soil pH using pH paper strips
- Compare colour change with pH colour chart
- Discuss how biological properties (living organisms) influence crop production

How does water move upward through different soil types?
How does soil pH affect plant growth?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 20
- Glass tubes, soil samples
- Cotton wool, water, ruler
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 22
- Soil samples
- Digital resources
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 24
- pH paper strips, pH meter
- Soil samples, distilled water

- Practical assessment - Written report - Observation
- Practical assessment - Written assignment - Oral questions

Crop Production

Properties of Soil - Soil profile and its importance
Land Preparation - Land clearing activities

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Describe the different horizons in a soil profile
- Explain the importance of soil profile in crop production
- Relate topsoil depth to crop rooting and nutrient access in farm fields

- Take field excursion to observe soil profile in quarry or road cut
- Identify and describe characteristics of O, A, B, C and D horizons
- Discuss how soil profile affects root growth and water retention

How does soil profile influence crop production?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 26
- Field excursion site
- Measuring tape
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 30
- Farm tools (panga, slasher)
- Digital resources

- Field observation - Written report - Oral presentation

Crop Production

Land Preparation - Primary tillage operations
Land Preparation - Secondary tillage operations

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Define primary tillage
- Explain reasons for carrying out primary tillage
- Apply knowledge of primary tillage to improve soil conditions for planting

- Discuss appropriate depth and timing for primary tillage
- Explain how primary tillage improves soil aeration and destroys weeds
- Identify implements used for primary tillage

What is the purpose of primary cultivation in crop production?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 31
- Farm tools (jembe, ox-plough)
- Photographs of tractor implements
- Harrows, cultivators
- Digital resources

- Written test - Oral questions - Observation

Crop Production

Land Preparation - Levelling and ridging

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain the purpose of levelling and ridging
- Describe how levelling and ridging are carried out
- Connect proper levelling to uniform germination in cereal crop fields

- Discuss how levelling ensures uniform depth at planting
- Demonstrate ridging using a jembe or ridger
- Explain benefits of ridges for specific crops

Why are tertiary tillage operations important in seedbed preparation?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 32
- Ridger, jembe, rake
- School farm

- Practical observation - Oral questions - Written test

Crop Production

Land Preparation - Rolling
Land Preparation - Carrying out land preparation activities
Land Preparation - Zero tillage and minimum tillage
Land Preparation - Benefits of conservation tillage

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain the purpose of rolling in land preparation
- Describe how rolling is carried out
- Apply rolling technique to protect fine seeds from erosion
- Define conservation tillage
- Describe zero tillage and minimum tillage practices
- Connect conservation tillage to soil moisture retention during drought periods

- Discuss why rolling is necessary for tiny seeds like simsim
- Demonstrate use of soil firmers and rollers
- Explain how rolling improves seed-soil contact
- Discuss problems associated with conventional tillage
- Explain how conservation tillage conserves soil and moisture
- Analyse applicability of zero tillage in different soil conditions

When and why is rolling necessary in land preparation?
How does conservation tillage benefit crop production?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 33
- Seedbed roller
- Digital resources
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 30
- Farm tools (jembe, panga, rake)
- School farm
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 35
- Photographs of conservation tillage
- Digital resources
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 36
- Digital resources
- Manilla papers

- Observation - Oral questions - Written assignment
- Written test - Oral questions - Written assignment

Crop Production

Field Management Practices - Pruning tomatoes
Field Management Practices - Pruning capsicum

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain the importance of pruning in crop production
- Describe how to prune tomato crops
- Apply pruning skills to improve fruit quality in school vegetable gardens

- Identify growth habit of tomato plants
- Demonstrate removal of suckers, excessive branches and diseased parts
- Discuss timing and frequency of pruning

How does pruning improve tomato production?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 39
- Tomato plants
- Secateurs
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 40
- Capsicum plants

- Practical observation - Oral questions - Written assignment

Crop Production

Field Management Practices - Pruning coffee bushes
Field Management Practices - Pruning tea and bananas

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain reasons for pruning coffee bushes
- Describe the procedure for pruning coffee
- Relate pruning to easier harvesting and spraying of coffee berries

- Discuss how to retain desired number of stems
- Demonstrate maintaining desired height and removing excess branches
- Explain importance of removing dry branches and suckers

How does pruning maintain health and productivity of coffee bushes?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 41
- Coffee bush photographs
- Pruning tools
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 42
- Photographs of tea and banana

- Written test - Oral questions - Observation

Crop Production

Field Management Practices - Important considerations when pruning

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Identify appropriate tools for pruning
- Explain safety and hygiene practices during pruning
- Apply proper tool sterilization to prevent disease spread between plants

- Discuss use of panga, pruning saw and secateurs
- Explain importance of sterilising tools
- Discuss proper disposal of pruned materials

What precautions should be observed when pruning crops?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 44
- Pruning tools
- Sterilising materials

- Observation - Oral questions - Written test

Crop Production

Field Management Practices - Methods of top dressing
Field Management Practices - Factors and importance of top dressing
Growing Selected Crops - Site selection and importance of nurseries
Growing Selected Crops - Types of nursery beds

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Define top dressing
- Describe methods of top dressing (broadcasting, side dressing, foliar application)
- Select appropriate top dressing method based on crop spacing and type
- Identify crops established through nursery beds
- Explain factors for selecting nursery site
- Relate nursery establishment to improved seedling survival rates in the field

- Discuss broadcasting method for closely spaced crops
- Demonstrate side dressing near crop base
- Explain foliar application for micronutrient deficiencies
- Brainstorm crops suitable for nursery establishment
- Discuss factors for site selection (water, soil, accessibility)
- Explain importance of nursery beds for seedling growth

What methods are used to apply top dressing fertilizers?
Why are some crops raised in nursery beds before transplanting?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 45
- Fertilizer samples
- Watering can, sprayer
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 46
- Digital resources
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 48
- Digital resources
- School farm
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 50
- Photographs of nursery types
- Digital resources

- Practical observation - Written assignment - Oral questions
- Oral questions - Written assignment - Observation

Crop Production

Growing Selected Crops - Preparing and sowing in nursery bed
Growing Selected Crops - Watering, weeding and pest control

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Prepare a nursery bed with correct dimensions
- Sow seeds in drills at appropriate depth
- Apply mulching technique to conserve moisture and regulate temperature

- Assemble materials (manure, fertilizer, seeds, tools)
- Prepare nursery bed of 1 metre width
- Drill seeds at correct spacing and cover lightly

How do we establish a nursery bed for vegetable crops?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 51
- Seeds, manure, tools
- School farm
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 53
- Watering can
- School nursery

- Practical assessment - Observation - Peer evaluation

Crop Production

Growing Selected Crops - Shading, thinning and pricking out
Growing Selected Crops - Hardening off seedlings

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain the importance of shading nursery beds
- Carry out thinning and pricking out of seedlings
- Apply thinning to provide adequate space for strong seedling development

- Construct shade using dry grass or shade nets
- Thin overcrowded seedlings by removing weak ones
- Prick out seedlings to transplant to another nursery

Why are thinning and pricking out necessary in nursery management?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 53
- Shade materials
- Garden trowel
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 54
- Nursery seedlings
- School farm

- Practical observation - Oral questions - Written assignment

Crop Production

Growing Selected Crops - Transplanting procedures
Growing Selected Crops - Post-transplanting care

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Describe the procedure for transplanting seedlings
- Carry out transplanting of seedlings to the main field
- Apply proper handling to minimize root damage during transplanting

- Prepare main field with holes at correct spacing
- Water nursery bed and lift seedlings with soil ball
- Place seedlings in holes and firm soil around base

How do we transplant seedlings from nursery to the field?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 55
- Garden trowel
- Prepared seedbed
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 56
- Mulching materials
- Watering can

- Practical assessment - Observation - Peer evaluation

Crop Production

Growing Selected Crops - Gapping, irrigation and other practices
Growing Selected Crops - Evaluating crop establishment project

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain field management practices after transplanting
- Carry out gapping, irrigation and weed control
- Apply field management practices to achieve optimum plant population
- Evaluate the crop growing project
- Make class presentations on achievements and improvements
- Document lessons learned for future crop production projects

- Replace dead or failed seedlings (gapping)
- Provide water through appropriate irrigation methods
- Carry out weed control and earthing up where necessary
- Assess growth and health of established crop
- Discuss achievements and areas of improvement
- Make presentations on justification of management practices

What field management practices ensure successful crop growth?
How do we evaluate success of a crop growing project?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 57
- School crop enterprise
- Farm tools
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 57
- Project records
- Manilla papers

- Practical observation - Oral questions - Written test
- Oral presentation - Written report - Peer evaluation

Crop Production

Crop Protection - Definition and identification of weeds
Crop Protection - Preserving weeds in a herbarium

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Define the term weed
- Identify common weeds using common and botanical names
- Recognize weeds as plants competing with crops in local farm fields

- Take field excursion to identify weeds in crop field
- Discuss common and botanical names of weeds
- Collect weed specimens for preservation

What is a weed and how are weeds identified?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 60
- Local crop field
- Collection tools
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 63
- Exercise book, cello tape
- Newspapers, weed specimens

- Field observation - Oral questions - Written assignment

Crop Production

Crop Protection - Classification by growth cycle
Crop Protection - Classification by morphology

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Classify weeds based on growth cycle
- Differentiate annual, biennial and perennial weeds
- Connect weed life cycle to appropriate control timing

- Discuss annual weeds (black jack, Mexican marigold)
- Explain biennial weeds (wild carrot)
- Describe perennial weeds (couch grass, nut grass)

How are weeds classified according to their life cycle?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 64
- Weed specimens
- Digital resources
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 65
- Photographs

- Written test - Oral questions - Observation

Crop Production

Crop Protection - Physical and cultural methods
Crop Protection - Biological and legislative methods

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Describe physical methods of weed control
- Explain cultural weed control methods
- Apply tillage and mulching to control weeds in school gardens

- Discuss tillage, slashing, mowing and uprooting
- Explain cultural methods (mulching, clean seedbed, crop rotation)
- Compare advantages and disadvantages of each method

How do physical and cultural methods control weeds?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 66
- Farm tools
- Mulching materials
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 68
- Photographs of biological control
- Digital resources

- Written test - Practical observation - Oral questions

Crop Production

Crop Protection - Chemical weed control (Herbicides)
Crop Protection - Integrated weed control and practical application
Crop Protection - Advantages and disadvantages of weeds

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Classify herbicides by time of application and mode of action
- Differentiate selective and non-selective herbicides
- Select appropriate herbicide based on weed type and crop grown
- Explain disadvantages of weeds to farming households
- Describe advantages of weeds
- Recognize some weeds as food sources and medicinal plants in local communities

- Discuss pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides
- Explain contact and systemic herbicides
- Analyse selective versus non-selective herbicides
- Discuss how weeds compete with crops and harbour pests
- Explain beneficial uses (fodder, food, medicine)
- Make presentations on economic importance of weeds

How do different types of herbicides control weeds?
Are all weeds harmful to agricultural production?

- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 68
- Herbicide samples/labels
- Digital resources
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 70
- Farm tools
- School crop field
- MTP Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 71
- Weed specimens
- Digital resources

- Written test - Oral questions - Written assignment
- Oral presentation - Written assignment - Group discussion