Summary

• Description:

  The PDF document comprises Form 1 Agriculture notes on the topic of Factors Influencing Agriculture.

  The topics and sub-topics covered in the document include:

  • Introduction to Influencing Factors
    • Agricultural production is influenced by several external factors, which are broadly categorized as human, climatic, biotic, and edaphic (soil) factors.
  • Human Factors
    • These are human characteristics that affect decision-making and farm operations.
    • Key human factors discussed include:
      • Level of Education and Technology: This affects the skills and technological advancements available to the farmer.
      • Human Health/HIV-AIDS: The notes explain that poor health affects the strength and determination to work, with HIV/AIDS highlighted as a major threat that causes labor shortages and lowers living standards.
      • The Economy: The stability of a country's economy impacts agricultural production.
      • Government Policy: Policies related to food, disease control, and marketing can protect and guide farmers.
      • Transport and Communication: Essential for moving agricultural goods from the farm to consumers.
      • Cultural and Religious Beliefs: These can sometimes hinder the adoption of new agricultural developments.
      • Market Forces: Demand and supply forces that determine the price of agricultural produce.
  • Climatic Factors
    • Rainfall: The notes detail its importance and characteristics, including amount, reliability, distribution, and intensity, and how these affect crop choice and yields.
    • Temperature: Its effect on the rate of photosynthesis and the quality of farm products is explained. The concept of a cardinal temperature range for various crops is also mentioned.
    • Wind: Discusses both the beneficial effects (e.g., pollination, seed dispersal) and harmful effects (e.g., soil erosion, crop damage) of wind.
    • Light: Explains the role of light intensity, duration (photoperiodism), and quality in the process of photosynthesis.
  • Biotic Factors
    • These are living organisms that influence agricultural production.
    • They include harmful organisms like **pests** (e.g., insects, weeds) and **parasites**, as well as beneficial organisms like **decomposers** (which improve soil fertility), **pollinators** (like bees), and **nitrogen-fixing bacteria**.
  • Edaphic (Soil) Factors
    • The notes detail how various soil properties influence crop growth:
      • Soil Structure: The arrangement of soil particles.
      • Soil Texture: The proportion of sand, silt, and clay, which affects properties like drainage and water retention.
      • Soil Profile and Depth: How the different layers of soil and its depth influence root penetration.
      • Soil pH: The acidity or alkalinity of the soil, which affects nutrient availability and the types of crops that can be grown.

  These notes are comprehensive, neat, and printable, making them an excellent resource for students studying the various factors that impact agriculture. They are also highly suitable for teachers to use for lesson preparation, providing a structured and clear foundation for the topic.

• Length:

  11 pages
• Category:

  Lesson Notes
• Level:

  Form 1
• Subject:

  AGRICULTURE

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