Zimbabwe A-Level Agriculture Curriculum

This curriculum outline is based on the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) Advanced Level Syllabus for Agriculture (9159).

Core Syllabus (180 hours)

• Soil Science: This component covers the physical and chemical properties of soil, soil fertility, and soil and water conservation. Students learn about soil formation, composition, texture, structure, and pH. They also study the role of macro and micronutrients, nitrogen fixation, organic fertilizers, and erosion control. Practical skills include soil sampling and analysis.
• Crop Science: This component focuses on plant growth and development, water and nutrient uptake, photosynthesis, respiration, and crop protection. Topics include plant cell structure, mitosis, meiosis, fertilization, germination, seed dormancy, water and nutrient uptake mechanisms, C3 and C4 photosynthesis pathways, weed identification and control, and pest and disease management.
• Animal Science: This component covers animal nutrition, reproduction, breeding, and health. Students learn about feed classification, nutrient composition, digestion in ruminants and non-ruminants, male and female reproductive systems, infertility, animal breeding principles, genetic concepts, environmental factors affecting adaptability and reproduction, and parasite and disease identification and control.
• Agricultural Economics: This component introduces principles of agricultural economics, farm management, and marketing. Topics include supply and demand, elasticity, diminishing returns, economies of scale, price controls, opportunity costs, land tenure systems, farm business objectives, risk management, budgeting, marketing principles, market competition, and government intervention in agricultural markets.
• Agricultural Engineering: This component covers farm mechanization, soil and water conservation, and irrigation. Students learn about principles of mechanics, advantages and disadvantages of mechanization, engine operation and maintenance, fuel and lubricant properties, power transmission systems, tillage implements, sprayers, planters, combine harvesters, maize shellers, draught animal selection, erosion control measures, water conservation methods, irrigation system design and efficiency, and farm structure requirements.

Option Syllabus (50 hours) - Students choose one option.

• Crop Production: This option focuses on agro-ecological zones of Zimbabwe, crop breeding, and crop husbandry. Students learn about the different agro-ecological zones and suitable cropping programs for each zone. They also study crop breeding methods, hybrid vigor, genetically engineered crops, and the cultivation practices of selected cereal and legume crops.
• Animal Production: This option covers the management, nutrition, health, and product processing of selected ruminant and non-ruminant animals. Students learn about breeds, housing systems, breeding programs, production systems, rearing young stock, nutritional requirements, health management, and product processing and marketing.
• Forestry and Wildlife Management: This option focuses on the importance, principles, protection, and utilization of forestry and wildlife resources. Students learn about the economic, social, and ecological importance of these resources, plant classification, nursery management, woodlot management, timber harvesting and preservation, agroforestry principles, woodland types, wildlife protection legislation, rangeland management, carrying capacity, adaptive management, wildlife harvesting methods, and the relationship between tourism, wildlife, farming, and forestry.
• Horticulture: This option covers the principles of horticultural production, fruit production, and flower production. Students learn about the importance of horticulture, classification of horticultural plants, plant responses to light and temperature, nursery site selection and preparation, rooting media, vegetative propagation methods, seedling nursery management, tissue culture techniques, and the cultivation, management, and marketing of selected fruit and flower crops.

Research Project (70 hours)

Students are required to conduct a research project on a topic related to their chosen option. The project involves designing and carrying out an experiment or survey, analyzing the results, and writing a report of 2500-3000 words. The project assesses practical skills, research methodology, data analysis, and scientific writing.