Crop Production

Agricultural Land - Ways of accessing land for agricultural use

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 for agricultural use
- Connect land ownership to family wealth and food security in the community

- Discuss with a resource person legal ways of accessing land for agricultural use
- Use digital devices to search for information on leasing and inheritance
- Make notes on the procedures involved in leasing land

How can one legally acquire land for farming?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 1
- Digital devices
- Resource person

- Oral assessment - Written assignment - Observation

Crop Production

Agricultural Land - Settlement programmes and government allocation
Agricultural Land - Purchase and donation of land
Agricultural Land - Utility of land for agricultural production

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain settlement programmes by the government as a way of accessing land
- Describe allocation by the government and land adjudication
- Relate government land programmes to community resettlement of landless families
- Evaluate different forms of land for agricultural production
- Assess suitability of various landforms for crop and livestock production
- Relate land utilization to maximizing food production in different regions

- Discuss settlement programmes by the government
- Research on land adjudication processes in Kenya
- Make class presentations on government land allocation
- Take an excursion to study and assess different forms of land
- Discuss possible utilities of swampy, steep and flat lands
- Make presentations on land utilization for agriculture

What role does the government play in land distribution?
Why is land put to different agricultural uses?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 2
- Digital devices
- Charts on land acquisition
- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 3
- Resource person
- Sample land documents
- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 4
- Local environment
- Digital devices

- Oral questions - Written test - Observation
- Observation - Oral questions - Project reports

Crop Production

Agricultural Land - Climate and altitude factors

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain how climate affects land productivity in agriculture
- Describe the influence of altitude on crop production
- Connect weather patterns to successful crop planning in their locality

- Use digital devices to search for information on climatic factors
- Discuss how temperature, rainfall, sunlight and wind affect crop production
- Make notes on altitude effects on agriculture

How does climate determine what crops can be grown?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 5
- Digital devices
- Climate charts

- Written test - Oral assessment - Observation

Crop Production

Agricultural Land - Soil, topography, biotic factors and tenure security

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Analyse soil factors, topography and biotic factors affecting land productivity
- Explain the importance of land ownership security in agricultural production
- Relate secure land tenure to farmers' confidence in making long-term farm investments

- Discuss how soil type, topography and living organisms affect productivity
- Research on importance of tenure security using digital resources
- Make class presentations on land ownership documents

Why is land ownership security important for farmers?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 7
- Digital devices
- Sample title deed

- Written assignment - Oral questions - Observation

Crop Production

Properties of Soil - Components of soil
Properties of Soil - Investigating mineral particles and air in soil

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Identify the components of soil
- Explain the importance of mineral particles and organic matter in crop production
- Relate soil composition to the quality of crops grown in home gardens

- Discuss components of soil: mineral particles, organic matter, water and air
- Observe soil samples under a hand lens
- Draw diagrams showing soil components

What makes up the soil we use for farming?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 10
- Soil samples
- Hand lens
- Digital devices
- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 12
- Sieves
- Beakers
- Water

- Observation - Written assignment - Oral questions

Crop Production

Properties of Soil - Investigating water and organic matter in soil
Properties of Soil - Physical properties: texture and structure

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Investigate the presence of water in soil through experiments
- Demonstrate the presence of organic matter in soil
- Relate organic matter content to soil fertility in local farms
- Describe soil texture and its influence on crop production
- Explain soil structure and its importance in farming
- Connect soil texture to water retention experienced during irrigation

- Heat soil samples to demonstrate presence of water
- Burn soil to show presence of organic matter
- Calculate percentage of organic matter in soil samples
- Discuss physical properties of soil
- Use print and digital resources to research soil texture and structure
- Examine different soil samples to identify texture

How do we determine the amount of organic matter in soil?
How does soil texture affect crop growth?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 14
- Soil samples
- Crucible
- Bunsen burner
- Weighing balance
- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 16
- Soil samples
- Digital devices
- Soil texture charts

- Practical assessment - Written reports - Observation
- Written test - Oral questions - Observation

Crop Production

Properties of Soil - Physical properties: porosity and permeability

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain porosity and permeability of soil
- Describe how porosity and permeability influence crop production
- Relate soil drainage to prevention of waterlogging in crop fields

- Discuss porosity and permeability of different soils
- Research on how these properties affect water movement
- Compare porosity of sand, clay and loam soils

Why do some soils drain water faster than others?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 17
- Soil samples
- Digital devices
- Reference materials

- Oral assessment - Written assignment - Observation

Crop Production

Properties of Soil - Chemical and biological properties
Properties of Soil - Investigating soil texture

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain soil pH and its influence on crop production
- Describe the role of living organisms in soil
- Connect soil microorganisms to decomposition of farm waste into manure

- Discuss chemical properties of soil focusing on pH
- Research on biological properties of soil
- Discuss how living organisms improve soil fertility

How do soil organisms benefit crop production?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 17
- Digital devices
- pH charts
- Soil samples
- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 18
- Measuring cylinders
- Soil samples
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Water

- Written test - Oral questions - Observation

Crop Production

Properties of Soil - Investigating water holding capacity

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Investigate water holding capacity of different soils
- Compare drainage rates of sandy, loam and clay soils
- Relate water retention capacity to crop irrigation schedules

- Set up experiments using plastic bottles and different soil types
- Measure and compare water collected from each soil type
- Record and discuss findings

Which soil type retains the most water for crops?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 20
- Plastic bottles
- Cotton wool
- Soil samples
- Water

- Practical assessment - Observation - Written reports

Crop Production

Properties of Soil - Investigating soil capillarity
Properties of Soil - Investigating soil pH and living organisms

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Investigate capillarity of different soils through experiments
- Compare capillary rise in sandy, loam and clay soils
- Connect capillarity to groundwater availability for plant roots
- Investigate soil pH using test strips or pH meter
- Demonstrate presence of living organisms in soil
- Apply pH testing to determine suitability of soil for specific crops

- Set up capillarity experiments using glass tubes
- Measure water rise in different soil types over time
- Discuss how capillarity helps in water movement to plant roots
- Collect soil samples and test pH using pH strips
- Observe soil samples for living organisms using hand lens
- Record and interpret pH values

How does water move upwards through the soil to reach plant roots?
How can we test if soil is acidic or alkaline?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 21
- Glass tubes
- Soil samples
- Water trough
- Stopwatch
- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 23
- Soil samples
- pH test strips
- Hand lens
- White paper

- Practical assessment - Written reports - Observation

Crop Production

Properties of Soil - Investigating soil pH and living organisms

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Investigate soil pH using test strips or pH meter
- Demonstrate presence of living organisms in soil
- Apply pH testing to determine suitability of soil for specific crops

- Collect soil samples and test pH using pH strips
- Observe soil samples for living organisms using hand lens
- Record and interpret pH values

How can we test if soil is acidic or alkaline?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 23
- Soil samples
- pH test strips
- Hand lens
- White paper

- Practical assessment - Written reports - Observation

Crop Production

Properties of Soil - Soil profile and horizons

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Describe the soil profile and its horizons
- Explain the characteristics of different soil horizons
- Relate topsoil depth to successful crop establishment in fields

- Take field excursion to observe soil profile on roadsides
- Identify and discuss different soil horizons
- Draw and label a soil profile diagram

What can we learn from observing soil layers?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 24
- Local environment
- Soil profile charts
- Digital devices

- Observation - Written assignment - Oral questions

Crop Production

Properties of Soil - Importance of soil profile in crop production

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain the importance of soil profile in crop production
- Relate different horizons to root development and nutrient availability
- Connect deep topsoil to better yields observed in fertile farmlands

- Discuss importance of soil profile in supporting plant roots
- Research on how soil horizons affect water management
- Make presentations on relationship between soil profile and crop production

How does soil profile affect crop growth and yield?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 26
- Digital devices
- Reference materials
- Soil profile diagrams

- Written test - Oral questions - Observation

Crop Production

Properties of Soil - Importance of soil profile in crop production
Land Preparation - Land clearing
Land Preparation - Primary cultivation

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain the importance of soil profile in crop production
- Relate different horizons to root development and nutrient availability
- Connect deep topsoil to better yields observed in fertile farmlands
- Describe land clearing as the first step in land preparation
- Identify tools used in land clearing
- Relate proper land clearing to easier subsequent farming operations

- Discuss importance of soil profile in supporting plant roots
- Research on how soil horizons affect water management
- Make presentations on relationship between soil profile and crop production
- Discuss activities carried out during land clearing
- Identify tools used: panga, slasher, axe
- Observe and discuss pictures showing land clearing methods

How does soil profile affect crop growth and yield?
Why is land clearing necessary before planting crops?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 26
- Digital devices
- Reference materials
- Soil profile diagrams
- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 31
- Pictures of land clearing
- Farm tools
- Digital devices
- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 32
- Pictures of ploughing

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

Crop Production

Land Preparation - Secondary cultivation and tertiary operations

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Describe secondary cultivation and tertiary operations
- Explain harrowing, rolling, levelling and subsoiling
- Relate fine tilth preparation to successful germination of small seeds

- Discuss secondary cultivation activities: harrowing
- Explain tertiary operations: rolling, levelling, subsoiling
- Discuss appropriate tilth for different seed sizes

What determines the type of seedbed required for different crops?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 33
- Farm tools
- Pictures of harrowing
- Rake
- Digital devices

- Oral assessment - Written assignment - Observation

Crop Production

Land Preparation - Conservation tillage practices

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain conservation tillage practices
- Describe zero tillage and minimum tillage methods
- Connect conservation tillage to reduced soil erosion observed on farms

- Discuss conservation tillage: zero tillage, minimum tillage
- Observe pictures showing conservation tillage practices
- Discuss advantages of conservation tillage

How can farmers prepare land while conserving soil moisture?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 35
- Pictures of conservation tillage
- Mulching materials
- Digital devices

- Written test - Oral questions - Observation

Crop Production

Land Preparation - Land preparation operations for selected crops

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Carry out land preparation operations for a selected crop
- Demonstrate proper use of land preparation tools
- Apply appropriate tillage methods for different planting materials

- Identify suitable site for land preparation
- Carry out land clearing using appropriate tools
- Perform primary and secondary cultivation

How do we prepare land for planting different types of crops?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 36
- School farm
- Garden tools: jembe, panga, rake
- Protective clothing

- Practical assessment - Observation - Project reports

Crop Production

Land Preparation - Practical land preparation
Land Preparation - Importance of land clearing and primary cultivation
Land Preparation - Importance of secondary and tertiary operations

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Complete land preparation for planting
- Carry out tertiary operations where necessary
- Apply minimum tillage practices on prepared land
- Explain importance of secondary cultivation and tertiary operations
- Describe benefits of proper seedbed preparation
- Connect appropriate tilth to uniform crop emergence in the field

- Carry out tertiary operations: levelling, ridging
- Plant the selected crop
- Apply minimum tillage practices: mulching, cover cropping
- Discuss importance of secondary cultivation
- Explain benefits of tertiary operations
- Present findings on overall importance of land preparation

What final preparations ensure successful crop establishment?
How does proper seedbed preparation affect seed germination?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 37
- School farm
- Garden tools
- Planting materials
- Mulching materials
- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 38
- Digital devices
- Charts on land preparation
- Reference materials
- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 39
- Digital devices
- Reference materials
- Manila papers

- Practical assessment - Observation - Project reports
- Written assignment - Oral assessment - Observation

Crop Production

Field Management Practices - Introduction to pruning

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Define pruning as a field management practice
- Identify parts of plants that are pruned
- Relate pruning to improved fruit quality in home gardens

- Discuss the meaning and purpose of pruning
- Search for information on pruning using digital devices
- Identify plant parts removed during pruning

Why do farmers remove some parts of growing crops?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 41
- Digital devices
- Pictures of pruned crops
- Pruning tools

- Oral questions - Written assignment - Observation

Crop Production

Field Management Practices - Pruning tomatoes and capsicum

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Describe how to prune tomatoes and capsicum
- Identify suckers and excess leaves for removal
- Connect proper pruning to bigger tomato fruits observed in well-managed farms

- Observe and discuss pruning of tomatoes and capsicum
- Identify suckers, lower leaves and crowded leaves
- Watch demonstrations on vegetable pruning techniques

How do we prune vegetables like tomatoes to improve fruit production?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 42
- Tomato and capsicum plants
- Pruning tools
- Gloves

- Practical assessment - Observation - Oral questions

Crop Production

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

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Describe single stem and multiple stem pruning in coffee
- Explain pruning of bananas and sucker management
- Relate proper banana stool management to larger bunches seen on well-tended farms

- Discuss pruning systems in coffee: single stem, multiple stem, cutting back
- Explain pruning of bananas and sucker selection
- Observe pictures or field demonstrations

Why is proper sucker management important in banana production?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 43
- Pictures of pruned coffee and bananas
- Digital devices
- Farm visit
- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 45
- Pictures of pruned tea and pyrethrum
- Reference materials

- Written test - Oral questions - Observation

Crop Production

Field Management Practices - Practical pruning of vegetables
Field Management Practices - Methods of top dressing

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Carry out pruning of tomatoes and capsicum
- Use appropriate pruning tools safely
- Apply pruning skills to improve vegetable production in school gardens
- Define top dressing and its importance
- Describe methods of top dressing: broadcasting, side dressing, foliar application
- Relate top dressing to improved crop growth observed after fertilizer application

- Put on protective clothing
- Identify and remove suckers on tomato plants
- Trim yellowing and lower leaves on capsicum
- Discuss the meaning and importance of top dressing
- Explore methods: broadcasting, side dressing, foliar application
- Discuss advantages and disadvantages of each method

What safety precautions should we observe when pruning vegetables?
Which top dressing method is best for different types of crops?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 47
- School garden
- Pruning shears
- Gloves
- Protective clothing
- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 50
- Pictures of top dressing methods
- Fertilizer samples
- Digital devices

- Practical assessment - Observation - Project reports
- Written test - Oral questions - Observation

Crop Production

Field Management Practices - Factors in top dressing

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain factors considered in top dressing
- Describe proper timing, fertilizer type and application method
- Connect appropriate fertilizer timing to maximum nutrient uptake by crops

- Discuss factors: timing, type of fertilizer, application method
- Explain importance of correct amount and stage of crop growth
- Research on top dressing best practices

When is the best time to apply top dressing fertilizers?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 51
- Digital devices
- Fertilizer samples
- Reference materials

- Written assignment - Oral questions - Observation

Crop Production

Field Management Practices - Practical top dressing
Growing Selected Crops - Crops established through nursery bed

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Carry out top dressing on selected crops
- Apply appropriate fertilizers using correct methods
- Apply top dressing skills to boost crop production in school farms

- Identify crops ready for top dressing
- Apply appropriate fertilizer using correct method
- Water plants after fertilizer application

How do we safely apply fertilizers to growing crops?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 53
- School farm
- Fertilizers
- Watering can
- Protective clothing
- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 56
- Digital devices
- Print media
- Pictures of nursery crops

- Practical assessment - Observation - Project reports

Crop Production

Growing Selected Crops - Site selection and nursery bed preparation

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Identify suitable site for nursery bed
- Prepare a nursery bed for raising seedlings
- Apply site selection criteria to establish functional nursery beds

- Select suitable site near water source
- Clear and dig the nursery bed site
- Measure and mark nursery bed dimensions

What factors should we consider when choosing a nursery bed site?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 57
- School compound
- Garden tools
- Tape measure
- Manure

- Practical assessment - Observation - Project reports

Crop Production

Growing Selected Crops - Sowing seeds in nursery bed
Growing Selected Crops - Watering, mulching and shading

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Prepare drills for sowing seeds
- Sow seeds in the nursery bed correctly
- Apply proper sowing techniques for successful seed germination
- Carry out watering and mulching of nursery bed
- Construct shade over nursery bed
- Relate proper watering to uniform seedling emergence in nurseries

- Make shallow drills in the nursery bed
- Sow vegetable seeds along the drills
- Cover seeds lightly and apply mulch
- Water the nursery bed using watering can
- Apply and manage mulch on nursery bed
- Construct shade over the nursery

How deep should seeds be sown in a nursery bed?
Why is it important to shade nursery seedlings from direct sunlight?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 58
- Prepared nursery bed
- Seeds
- Mulching material
- Watering can
- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 59
- Nursery bed
- Watering can
- Mulching materials
- Shade construction materials

- Practical assessment - Observation - Project reports
- Practical assessment - Observation - Oral questions

Crop Production

Growing Selected Crops - Pricking out, weeding and pest control
Growing Selected Crops - Hardening off seedlings

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Carry out pricking out and weed control in nursery
- Control pests and diseases in nursery bed
- Apply nursery management skills to raise healthy seedlings

- Remove excess seedlings through pricking out
- Uproot weeds from nursery bed
- Identify and control pests and diseases

How do we prevent overcrowding of seedlings in a nursery bed?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 59
- Nursery bed with seedlings
- Gloves
- Garden trowel
- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 60
- Watering can

- Practical assessment - Observation - Oral questions

Crop Production

Growing Selected Crops - Preparing for transplanting

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Prepare seedbed for transplanting
- Identify seedlings ready for transplanting
- Apply readiness criteria to select seedlings for transplanting

- Prepare the field by tilling and making planting holes
- Water nursery bed before lifting seedlings
- Select healthy seedlings with 4-6 true leaves

How do we know when seedlings are ready for transplanting?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 60
- Seedbed
- Garden tools
- Watering can
- Manure

- Practical assessment - Observation - Oral questions

Crop Production

Growing Selected Crops - Lifting and transplanting seedlings

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Lift seedlings with minimal root damage
- Transplant seedlings into prepared field
- Apply transplanting techniques to establish crops successfully

- Lift seedlings with lump of soil using garden trowel
- Plant seedlings in prepared holes
- Firm soil around seedling base and water

What precautions should we take to avoid damaging seedling roots?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 61
- Nursery bed
- Prepared field
- Garden trowel
- Watering can

- Practical assessment - Observation - Project reports

Crop Production

Growing Selected Crops - Watering and mulching transplanted seedlings
Growing Selected Crops - Weeding and manure application

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Carry out watering of transplanted seedlings
- Apply mulch around transplanted seedlings
- Relate regular watering to successful crop establishment
- Carry out weeding in crop field
- Apply manure to transplanted crops
- Connect weed control to reduced competition for nutrients by crops

- Water transplanted seedlings regularly
- Apply mulch around base of seedlings
- Monitor seedling establishment
- Identify and remove weeds from crop field
- Apply manure or compost to growing crops
- Observe crop growth after management practices

How often should transplanted seedlings be watered?
Why is timely weeding important for crop growth?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 63
- Transplanted seedlings
- Watering can
- Mulching materials
- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 64
- Crop field
- Garden tools
- Manure
- Gloves

- Practical assessment - Observation - Oral questions
- Practical assessment - Observation - Project reports

Crop Production

Growing Selected Crops - Pest, disease control and protection

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Control pests and diseases on transplanted crops
- Protect seedlings from physical damage
- Apply pest control methods to maintain healthy crop stand

- Inspect crops for pests and diseases
- Apply wood ash or handpick pests
- Construct protective structures around tree seedlings

How can we protect young crops from pests and animals?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 65
- Crop field
- Wood ash
- Gloves
- Protective materials

- Practical assessment - Observation - Oral questions

Crop Production

Growing Selected Crops - Pest, disease control and protection

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Control pests and diseases on transplanted crops
- Protect seedlings from physical damage
- Apply pest control methods to maintain healthy crop stand

- Inspect crops for pests and diseases
- Apply wood ash or handpick pests
- Construct protective structures around tree seedlings

How can we protect young crops from pests and animals?

- Healthy Planet Agriculture Learner's Book pg. 65
- Crop field
- Wood ash
- Gloves
- Protective materials

- Practical assessment - Observation - Oral questions