Zimbabwe Form 1 School Syllabus - Agriculture

This syllabus covers the Form 1-4 Agriculture curriculum, providing learners with practical skills and theoretical knowledge in various agricultural aspects. The curriculum aims to equip learners with the necessary skills for sustainable agriculture and agri-business, contributing to the nation's economy and food security.

1. General Agriculture

• Land Use: This section covers different forms of land use, including forestry, wildlife management, and crop and livestock husbandry. Learners will explore factors that limit land use and identify protected areas in Zimbabwe. The syllabus also delves into land tenure systems, historical background, and the impact of colonial rule and land reform on land ownership.
• Environmental Factors: This section examines the influence of environmental factors such as wind, light, temperature, rainfall, and humidity on agricultural activities. Learners will also study the effects of temperature on water loss, including evaporation, evapotranspiration, wilting, and frost damage, along with protective measures.
• Natural Farming Regions: This section introduces the natural farming regions of Zimbabwe and the suitable farming systems for each region.
• Forestry: Learners will explore the social, economic, cultural, and ecological importance of forests. They will identify indigenous and exotic trees, learn about tree nurseries, planting, and management practices, and understand the concepts of timber harvesting, marketing, deforestation, afforestation, and reforestation.
• Wildlife: This section covers the socio-economic, cultural, and ecological value of wildlife. Learners will identify and classify flora and fauna, learn about sustainable utilization methods, and study specially protected and dangerous animals. The syllabus also addresses human-wildlife conflicts and the relevant legislation for managing wildlife resources.

2. Soil and Water

• Soil Formation: This section covers the processes of weathering and their contribution to soil formation.
• Soil Texture, Structure, and Profile: Learners will examine soil particles, texture, structure, and profile, including the appearance and composition of each horizon and its significance for crop growth. The syllabus also covers soil improvement and maintenance, as well as the destruction of soil structure.
• Soil Types: This section explores different soil types (sand, loam, clay), their composition, properties, and methods for improving their physical characteristics.
• Soil Constituents: Learners will study the components of agriculturally viable soil, including types of soil water, movement of water, field capacity, and the role of living organisms.
• Soil Temperature: This section examines the influence of soil temperature on plant growth and soil organisms, as well as the effects of extreme temperatures and mitigation measures.
• Soil Fertility: This section covers plant nutrients (major and minor), organic and inorganic fertilizers, fertilizer application methods, soil sampling, pH, liming, and the nitrogen cycle.
• Soil Erosion and Conservation: Learners will identify types of soil erosion, their causes and consequences, and methods for prevention and control, including conservation methods and structures.
• Water Loss and Soil Drainage: This section covers water loss, drainage, water logging, leaching, and their effects on crop growth and nutrient loss.
• Water Conservation: This section explores methods of water conservation on arable lands, rainwater harvesting, storage, and different groundwater sources.
• Irrigation: Learners will study the importance of irrigation, sources of irrigation water, different irrigation methods and types, factors influencing irrigation system choices, and irrigation equipment.

3. Crop Husbandry

• Classification of Plants: This section classifies plants based on edible parts and life cycles, including botanical classifications.
• Structure of Flowering Plants: Learners will study the external and internal parts of flowering plants, their functions, and the structure and functions of flowers.
• Plant Processes: This section covers plant reproduction (sexual and asexual), pollination, fertilization, germination, water and nutrient uptake, transpiration, photosynthesis, translocation, food storage, and plant tropisms.
• Crop Improvement: Learners will explore crop breeding, focusing on maize, including hybrids, heterosis, and different pollination methods.
• Crop Production: This section covers land preparation methods, horticultural branches, orchard establishment, and the production of various crops, including cereals, legumes, vegetables, fruits, and tubers.
• Crop Protection: This section addresses pest and disease control methods, integrated pest management (IPM), weed control, and the safe use and storage of agrochemicals.

4. Animal Husbandry

• Types of Livestock: Learners will identify and classify different types of livestock, including poultry, fish, ruminants, and non-ruminants.
• Anatomy and Physiology: This section covers the reproductive and digestive systems of various livestock animals.
• Animal Nutrition: Learners will study livestock nutrients, feed types, ration calculation, and the preparation of balanced diets.
• Small Livestock Production: This section covers the production of broilers, layers, indigenous chickens, rabbits, and other small livestock, including management practices, slaughtering, processing, and marketing.
• Non-Ruminants: This section focuses on the rearing and management of non-ruminant animals like pigs and donkeys.
• Ruminants: Learners will study the management of ruminant animals like cattle, sheep, and goats, including breed selection and management practices.
• Animal Health: This section covers animal health, signs of health and illness, livestock diseases, hygiene, disease transmission, control methods, notifiable diseases, parasites, immunity, and the Animal Health Act.
• Animal Improvement: This section explores animal genetics, mitosis, meiosis, environmental effects on breeding, breeding types, artificial selection, and breeding management.

5. Farm Structures and Machinery

• Farm Implements: This section covers various farm implements, their parts, functions, adjustments, and maintenance.
• Fencing: Learners will study different types of fences, fencing materials, tools, treatment methods, fencing specifications, and the construction of anchors.
• Farm Buildings: This section covers farm building materials, their properties, and the design and construction of livestock buildings.
• Farm Roads: Learners will learn about siting, features, dimensions, construction, and maintenance of farm roads.
• Appropriate Technology: This section explores appropriate technologies for irrigation pumps and shellers, including their parts, functions, working principles, and maintenance.
• Harnessing: Learners will study different types of harnesses, their parts, materials, and the process of harnessing animals.

6. Agri-business

• Farm Records and Accounts: This section covers the importance of farm records, different types of records, and the preparation of profit and loss accounts.
• Principles of Economics: Learners will explore economic principles relevant to agriculture, including opportunity cost, demand, supply, market price, diminishing returns, risk, uncertainty, and decision-making.
• Farm Budgeting: This section covers budgeting in farming, including gross margin, partial and complete budgets, and sources of information for budgeting.
• Agricultural Marketing: This section explores marketing functions, factors affecting agricultural marketing, types of markets, and marketing legislation.
• Agricultural Cooperatives: Learners will study the principles, types, benefits, and challenges associated with agricultural cooperatives.

This comprehensive syllabus aims to provide a well-rounded education in agriculture, preparing learners for further studies or careers in the field.