Agricultural Science Curriculum for JAMB Examination

January 14, 2024 Sir Stone Jamb news 0

The objective of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Agriculture syllabus is to adequately prepare candidates for the examination conducted by the Board. The syllabus aims to assess candidates’ proficiency in meeting the course objectives, which include:

  1. Fostering and maintaining candidates’ interest in Agriculture.
  2. Equipping candidates with fundamental knowledge and practical skills in Agriculture.
  3. Instilling knowledge of data interpretation and utilization.
  4. Enhancing candidates’ deductive abilities through the application of acquired Agricultural knowledge.

The syllabus is organized into five distinct sections:

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A. General Agriculture B. Agronomy C. Animal Production D. Agricultural Economics and Extension E. Agricultural Technology

Section A: General Agriculture

  1. Meaning and Scope of Agriculture
    • Topics: Definition of Agriculture, Branches of Agriculture, Types of Agriculture (subsistence and commercial)
    • Objectives:
      • Utilize the modern definition of Agriculture in relation to production, processing, and marketing.
      • Differentiate between various branches and types of Agriculture.
  2. Importance of Agriculture
    • Topics: Provision of raw materials for agro-allied industries, Provision of employment, Development of rural areas, etc.
    • Objectives:
      • Relate agro-allied industries to their respective raw materials.
      • Correlate the contributions of Agriculture to economic development in West Africa.
  3. Agricultural Ecology
    • Topics: Ecological zones of West Africa, Agricultural products of each ecological zone, Environmental factors and their effects on crop and livestock production.
    • Objectives:
      • Differentiate features of ecological zones in West Africa.
      • Classify agricultural products based on each ecological zone.
      • Differentiate abiotic from biotic factors affecting agricultural production.
  4. Genetics
    • Topics: First and second laws of Mendel, Cell division, Terminologies (e.g., locus, alleles, genotype, dominance)
    • Objectives:
      • Apply the first and second laws of Mendel to genetics.
      • Differentiate between types of cell division.
      • Determine outcomes of genetic crossings involving homozygous and heterozygous traits.
      • Compute simple probability ratios.
  5. Farm Inputs
    • Topics: Planting materials, Agrochemicals, etc.
    • Objectives:
      • Classify different types of farm inputs and understand their uses.
  1. History of Agricultural Development in West Africa
    • Topics:
      • Agricultural systems (e.g., shifting cultivation, bush fallowing, etc.)
      • Problems of Agricultural development (e.g., land tenure systems, inadequate infrastructures, finance for agriculture, pollution, etc.)
      • Establishment of national and international research institutes (e.g., NCRI, IAR, IAR&T, CRIN, NIFOR, FRIN, RRI, NRCRI, NIHORT, LCRI, IITA, ILRI, ICRISAT, WARDA, etc.), leading to increased application of science in agriculture.
      • Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) (e.g., RTEP, FADAMA, etc.)
      • National agricultural programmes (e.g., OFN, NAFPP, NALDA, Green Revolution, NCRPs, NARP, Project Coordinating Unit – PCU, etc.)
    • Objectives:
      • Compare various agricultural systems.
      • Identify problems and provide solutions.
      • Trace the history of research institutes from past to present and assess their role in agricultural development.
      • Explain the reasons for the establishment of ADPs.
      • Evaluate the contributions of national agricultural programmes.
  2. Roles of Government and NGOs in Agricultural Development
    • Topics:
      • Development of fiscal policies favorable to agricultural production (e.g., import duties, ban on importation, etc.)
      • Agricultural laws and reforms (e.g., Land Use Act.)
      • Government programmes aimed at agricultural development (e.g., subsidies, credit facilities, etc.)
      • Provision of infrastructures (e.g., transport systems, communication systems, etc.)
      • Contribution of NGOs to agricultural development.
    • Objectives:
      • Evaluate the effects of government policies on agricultural development.
      • Identify agricultural laws and their impact on agricultural production.
      • Identify various agricultural incentives provided by the government and assess their effects on agricultural development.
      • Compare various infrastructural facilities provided by the government and their uses.
      • Examine the roles of NGOs in the development of agriculture.

SECTION B: Agronomy

  1. Rocks and Soil Formation
    • Topics:
      • Factors affecting rock weathering and soil formation.
      • Physical properties of soil (soil profile, soil texture, and structure).
      • Chemical properties of soil (soil acidity and alkalinity, chemical components of soil, e.g., silicate).
    • Objectives:
      • Identify major types and properties of rocks and soils.
      • Understand factors and processes of soil formation.
      • b. Soil Profile and Components
        • Differentiate between the horizons in a soil profile.
        • Differentiate between the components of soil.
        • Compute the proportion of soil constituents.
        • Analyze soil into its constituent parts.
        • Determine the water-holding capacity of soil.
        • c. Soil pH Determination
          • Determine the soil pH.
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