WAEC Syllabus For Agricultural Science 2024 [UPDATED]

The WAEC syllabus for Agricultural Science is here for you. Knowing fully well that WAEC Syllabus were released to help you or serve as an area of concentration, it is time for you to know what topics to focus on.

Table of Contents

WAEC Syllabus For Agricultural Science

SECTION A: General Agriculture

Meaning and Scope of Agriculture

Definition of Agriculture
Branches of Agriculture
Types of Agriculture (Subsistence and Commercial)

Objectives

Use the definition of Agriculture in modern terms.
Differentiate between the various branches of Agriculture.
Differentiate between the various types of Agriculture.

Importance of Agriculture

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.
Relate the various contributions of Agriculture to economic development in West Africa.

Agricultural Ecology

Ecological zones of West Africa
Agricultural products of each ecological zone
Environmental factors and their effects on crop and livestock production

Objectives:

Differentiate between the features of the ecological zones in West Africa.
Classify agricultural products according to each ecological zone.
Differentiate abiotic from biotic factors affecting agricultural production.

Genetics

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 the types of cell division.
Determine the outcome of genetic crossing involving homozygous and heterozygous traits.
Compute simple probability ratios.

Farm Inputs

Planting materials, agrochemicals, etc.

Objectives:

Classify different types of farm inputs and their uses.

History of Agricultural Development in West Africa

Agricultural systems (e.g., shifting cultivation, bush fallowing)
Problems of Agricultural development (e.g., land tenure systems, inadequate infrastructures)
Establishment of national research institutes (e.g., NCRI, IAR) and international research institutes (e.g., IITA, ILRI)
Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) (e.g., RTEP, FADAMA)
National agricultural programmes (e.g., OFN, Green Revolution)

Objectives:

Compare various agricultural systems.
Identify the problems and proffer solutions.
Trace the history of research institutes from past to present and assess their role in the development of agriculture.
Evaluate the contributions of national agricultural programmes.

Roles of Government and NGOs in Agricultural Development

Development of fiscal policies favorable to agricultural production (e.g., import duties, ban on importation)
Agricultural laws and reforms (e.g., Land Use Act)
Government programmes aimed at agricultural development (e.g., subsidies, credit facilities)
Provision of infrastructures (e.g., transport systems, communication systems)
Contribution of NGOs to agricultural development

Objectives:

Evaluate the effects of government policies on agricultural development.
Identify agricultural laws and their effect 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 examine their uses.
Examine the roles of NGOs in the development of agriculture.

Read More: NECO Government Syllabus 2024/2025

SECTION B: Agronomy

Rocks and Soil Formation

- Factors affecting rock weathering and soil formation
- Physical properties of soil

Objectives

Identify major types and properties of rocks and soils; factors and processes of soil formation.
Differentiate between the horizons in a soil profile.
Analyze soil into its constituents parts.
Determine the water-holding capacity of soil.

Soil Water and Soil Conservation

Soil water (importance, sources, movement, management and conservation)
Soil conservation (meaning, importance, causes, effects, prevention and control of leaching, erosion, continuous cropping, burning and oxidation of organic matter)
Irrigation and drainage methods

Objectives:

Compare capillary, gravitational, and hygroscopic water.
Determine water-holding capacity, wilting points, and plant available/unavailable water.
Identify causes of erosion and leaching; determine control methods.
Classify irrigation and drainage systems; examine the importance and challenges of irrigation and drainage.

Soil Fertility

- Macro and micro-nutrients and their roles in plant nutrition
- The living population of the soil (flora and fauna), and their roles in soil fertility
- Maintenance of soil fertility (methods e.g. use of cover crops, application of organic manures)
- Nutrient deficiency symptoms (e.g. chlorosis, sickle leaves, stunting, apical necrosis)

Objectives:

Classify plant nutrients; identify factors affecting their availability.
Examine roles of soil flora and fauna in maintaining soil fertility.
Compare methods of maintaining soil fertility (e.g., cover crops, organic manures); differentiate between organic and inorganic fertilizer and their methods of application.
Identify deficiency symptoms and their causes; suggest remedies.

Land Preparation and Soil Tillage

Principles and practices of land preparation and soil tillage
Factors affecting choice of tillage methods (e.g., zero tillage, minimum tillage)

Objectives:

Compare different methods of land preparation and soil tillage in relation to different groups of crops.
Discuss reasons for the advantages and disadvantages of land preparation and soil tillage.
Discuss factors affecting the choice of tillage methods.

Plant Forms and Functions

Parts of monocot and dicot crop plants and their functions
The anatomy and morphology of the storage organs of common crop plants

Objectives:

Identify parts of crop plants and their functions; distinguish between monocot and dicot crop plants.
Differentiate between storage organs of crop plants.

Growth, Development, and Reproduction

Gametogenesis, pollination, fertilization
Embryo formation and development

Objectives:

Examine the process of gamete formation.
Discuss different types of pollination and reasons for each.
Analyze the process of fertilization.
Trace the process of embryo formation and development to the formation of seeds and fruits.

Plant Propagation Methods

Sexual propagation (use of seeds, seed viability, germination)
Asexual propagation (vegetative propagation e.g., cutting, budding, grafting, layering)
Nursery and nursery management

Objectives

Classify crops propagated by sexual methods.
Determine seed viability and seed rate.
Differentiate between types of seed germination and conditions necessary for germination.
Discuss different vegetative propagation methods.
Identify appropriate nursery sites, types, advantages, and disadvantages; apply techniques of transplanting seedlings.

Read More: WAEC Geography Syllabus 2024

Crop Husbandry

Common and scientific names, gross morphology, anatomy of storage organs, propagation methods, husbandry practices, harvesting, processing and storage, common diseases and pests, economic importance of various crop groups:
- Cereals: Maize, guinea corn, rice
- Legumes: Cowpea, groundnut, soybean
- Tubers: Yam, cassava, sweet potatoes
- Vegetables and Spices: Tomatoes, eggplant, pepper, onion, okra, cabbage, amaranthus
- Fruits: Citrus, pineapple, pawpaw
- Beverages: Cocoa, kola, coffee
- Oils: Oil palm, coconut, shea butter
- Latex: Para rubber, gum arabic
- Fibres: Jute, cotton, sisal hemp
- Sugars: Sugarcane, beet

Objectives

Apply various crop propagation, husbandry, harvesting, processing, and storage methods.
Identify common diseases and pests and their effects on crop yield.
Determine the economic importance of each crop.
Relate the importance of these crops to national economic development.

Pasture and Forage Crops

Pasture Grasses and Legumes: Gross morphology, propagation methods, husbandry, establishment, maintenance, conservation, uses.
Natural Grasslands: Distribution in West Africa.
Range Management

Objectives

Classify common grasses and legumes used as pastures and forage.
Differentiate between pasture and forage crops by their common and scientific names.
Distinguish between various methods of conserving pastures (e.g., hay- and silage-making).
Relate different vegetational zones to their dominant pasture species.
Determine range types and utilization of range resources in Nigeria.

Floriculture

Identification, Establishment, Maintenance, Uses of ornamental trees, shrubs, and flowers.

Objectives

Distinguish between common ornamental trees, shrubs, and flowers.
Determine their uses and maintenance.

Weeds

Gross Morphology, Reproduction, Dispersal, Effect of weeds.
Weed Control Methods: Weeding, mulching, cover cropping, tillage, herbicides, trap cropping.

Objectives

Identify weeds with their common and scientific names.
Classify weeds according to their mode of dispersal.
Apply various weed control methods.

Crop Diseases

Identification of disease-causing organisms in storage and in the field.
Diseases: Fungi, bacteria, nematodes, viruses; nature of damage, transmission methods, common control methods.
Side Effects of preventive and control methods (e.g., pollution, poisoning, ecosystem disruption).

Objectives

Distinguish between common store and field disease-causing organisms.
Relate disease-causing organisms to the damage, symptoms, and spread.
Apply appropriate control methods.
Relate each control method to its side effects.

Crop Pests

General Account: Field and store pests, their types, importance, principles, and methods of prevention and control.
Life Cycles: Biting insects (e.g., grasshopper), boring insects (e.g., weevils), sucking insects (e.g., aphids, cotton strainer).
Pesticides: Common types and their side effects.

Objectives

Identify various field and store pests.
Assess their economic importance.
Relate prevention and control methods to different pests.
Describe the life cycles of various insects.
Apply knowledge of insect life cycles to their prevention and control.
Differentiate between common pesticides.
Examine their mode of action on pests.

Forest Management (Silviculture)

Importance: Source of wood, pulp, fiber, and other forest products.
Conservation: Regulation, exploitation, regeneration, afforestation, agroforestry, and taungya system.

Objectives

Relate various forest products to their uses.
Compare different forest conservation methods.
Apply various conservation methods appropriately.

Crop Improvement

Methods: Introduction, selection, crossing, quarantine.

Objectives

Give reasons for crop improvement.
Distinguish between various methods of crop improvement.

Section C: Animal Production

1. Forms and Classification of Major Farm Animals in West Africa

Topics:

Species, Breeds, and Distribution
External Features of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits, and poultry

Objectives:

Classify various breeds of farm animals.
Locate where they are found.
Identify their characteristic features.

2. General Terminology in Animal Production

Common terms used in animal husbandry (e.g., calving, kidding, castrate, capon, veal, mutton).

Objectives

Use various terms in animal husbandry.

Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals

Functions of tissues and organs of farm animals
Animal Body Systems: Digestive (ruminants and non-ruminants), reproductive, respiratory, urinary (excretory), and nervous systems.
Effects of environmental changes on the physiological development of farm animals (e.g., climate change)

Objectives

Distinguish between the various functions of tissues and organs of farm animals.
Compare different body systems in farm animals.
Determine the effects of climate change on farm animals.

Reproduction in Farm Animals

Gametogenesis, Oestrus Cycle, Signs of Heat, Heat Periods, Secondary Sexual Characters, Gestation Periods, Parturition, and Hormones’ Role in Reproduction.
Development, Nourishment, and Birth of the Young. Mammary glands and lactation in farm animals.
Egg Formation, Incubation, and Hatching in poultry.

Objectives

Describe the process of reproduction in farm animals.
Determine the role of hormones in reproduction.
Trace the development in farm animals from fertilization to birth and care of the young.
Outline the process of egg formation and incubation in poultry.

Animal Nutrition

Feed Nutrients and Functions.
Feeds and Feeding: Simple ration formulation (balanced ration), common pasture/forage crops (e.g., guinea grass, elephant grass, giant star grass, Andropogon sp., Calopogonium sp.), hay and silage preparation, different types of rations (maintenance ration and production ration).
Nutrient Deficiencies: Causes, symptoms of malnutrition, and their correction in farm animals.

Objectives

Identify the various feed nutrients, their sources, and functions.
Differentiate between the types of animal feeds and their formulation.
Relate the various types of rations to different classes of livestock.
Trace symptoms to nutrient deficiencies in farm animals.
Apply appropriate corrective measures to nutrient deficiencies in farm animals.

Livestock Management

Housing, Feeding, Sanitation, and Veterinary Care of ruminants, pigs, rabbits, and poultry under intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive systems of management from birth to slaughter.

Objectives

Apply different management practices for farm animals.

Animal Health

Animal Diseases (Pathology):
Environmental factors predisposing animals to diseases, causal organisms, symptoms, transmission, and effects.
Preventive and curative methods for diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa.
Parasites (Parasitology)
Life cycles and economic importance of livestock parasites (e.g., endoparasites, ectoparasites, and disease vectors).
Prevention and control (e.g., dipping, spraying, deworming, sanitation).

Objectives

Identify diseases of farm animals and their causative agents.
Classify livestock diseases based on symptoms and mode of transmission.
Apply appropriate preventive and curative measures against diseases caused by these pathogens.
Classify livestock parasites.
Determine their role in disease transmission.
Trace the life cycles of parasites from egg to adult stage.
Apply appropriate prevention and control methods against livestock parasites.

Fisheries and Wildlife

Fish Culture Systems: Common types of fishes (e.g., Tilapia, Catfish).
Extensive Systems: Inland and deep-sea fishing, lakes, and rivers.
Semi-Intensive Systems: Dams.
Intensive Systems: Fish ponds – factors to consider in pond establishment and management (e.g., pond fertilization, liming, and desilting).
Fish Harvesting and Processing Methods: Use of drag nets, hook and line. Curing, sun-drying, and smoking. Fishery regulations.
Wildlife Management:
Habitat conservation, feeding, domestication, harvesting, processing, and wildlife regulations.

Objectives

Identify the common types of fishes in West Africa.
Differentiate between various systems of fish farming in West Africa.
Determine the factors to be considered in intensive fish farming.
Assess the advantages and disadvantages of different fish harvesting and processing methods.
Use various methods of catching fish.
Apply various methods of fish preservation.
Apply fishery regulations in Nigeria.
Identify animals found in West African game reserves.
Give reasons for the establishment of game reserves.
Apply common wildlife regulations.

Bee-Keeping (Apiculture)

Meaning and Importance of apiculture.
Types of Bees: Exotic and indigenous bees.
Methods of Beekeeping: Traditional and modern.
Equipment and Safety Measures in bee-keeping.

Objectives

Relate bee-keeping to economic development.
Differentiate between various types of bees.
Classify methods of bee-keeping.
Identify bee-keeping equipment and their uses.

Animal Improvement

Methods of Animal Improvement: Introduction, breeding, quarantine, and selection.
Breeding Systems: Inbreeding, line-breeding, cross-breeding, artificial insemination.

Objectives

Give reasons for animal improvement.
Differentiate between various methods of animal improvement.

Section D: Agriculture Economics and Extension

Factors of Agricultural Production

Land: Types of land ownership in West Africa
Labour
Capital
Management

Objectives

Land: Understand the meaning of land and its uses. Identify various forms of land ownership. Examine the effects of land ownership on agriculture. Differentiate between the features of land and their effects on land use.
Labour: Differentiate between types and sources of labour and their effects on agricultural production.
Capital: Compare sources of capital and associated problems.
Management: Determine the functions of a farm manager in an agricultural enterprise.

Basic Economic Principles

Demand and Supply
Production Function: Input/input, Output/output, Input/output relationships, stages of production, concepts of diminishing returns, scale of preference, and choice.

Objectives

Relate demand to supply in agricultural production.
Interpret geographical representation of demand and supply.
Relate input to output.
Deduce economic concepts from graphic representation.

Characteristic Features of Agricultural Production

Smallness of farm holdings, biological limits of farm production, susceptibility to climate, seasonality of farm production, price elasticity in demand and supply of agricultural produce.

Objectives

Distinguish between the common features of agricultural production and produce.
Compute elasticity of demand and supply.

Labour Management

Labour Relations: Supervision, etc.
Types of Labour: Permanent labour, etc.
National Labour Laws and Regulations

Objectives

Identify various ways of achieving labour efficiency.
Differentiate between types and sources of labour.
Apply national labour laws and regulations.

Farm Management

Qualities, Functions, and Problems of a farm manager.
Records and Record-Keeping: Types and importance of record-keeping (livestock records, profit and loss account book).
Stock Evaluation: Gross and net profits in farm management. Appreciation, depreciation, and salvage value.
Agricultural Insurance: Meaning, importance, and types of agricultural insurance.
- Problems of agricultural insurance.

Objectives

Identify the qualities, functions, and problems of a farm manager.
Differentiate between types of farm records.
Explain reasons for keeping farm records.
Determine gross and net margins, appreciation, depreciation, and salvage value.
Examine the relevance of agricultural insurance.
Determine appropriate agricultural insurance schemes.
Identify problems associated with agricultural insurance.

6. Marketing of Agricultural Produce

Importance of Marketing
Marketing Channels
Characteristic Features of agricultural products affecting their marketing

Objectives

Evaluate the importance of agricultural marketing.
Classify marketing agents and their functions.
Identify problems posed by marketing channels in agricultural production.
Determine the characteristics of agricultural products affecting their marketing.

7. Agricultural Extension

Meaning and Importance
Roles of Agricultural Development Programs, Universities, Research Institutes, and Farmers’ Organizations (Cooperative Societies)
Extension Methods: Demonstration plots, use of visual aids, mass media, etc.
Problems of Agricultural Extension in West Africa and possible solutions.

Objectives

Identify the importance of agricultural extension.
Analyze the roles of government and non-governmental organizations in agricultural extension education.
Differentiate between various extension methods.
Examine problems of agricultural extension in West Africa.
Provide possible solutions.

Section E: Agricultural Technology

Farm Surveying and Farmstead Planning

Meaning and Importance
Common Surveying Equipment: Their uses and care
Common Survey Methods
Principles of Farmstead Outlay

Objectives

Examine the relevance of farm surveying to agriculture.
Classify common surveying equipment, their uses, and care.
Differentiate between common survey methods.
Apply survey principles to farmstead outlay.

Simple Farm Tools

Objectives

Identify simple farm tools.
Use and maintain farm tools.
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of simple farm tools.

Farm Machinery and Implements

Types: Machinery: Tractor, milking machine, etc.
Implements
Uses and Maintenance of farm machinery and implements

Objectives

Identify common farm machinery and implements.
Classify farm machinery according to their uses.
Apply appropriate maintenance routines to farm machines and implements.
Operate farm machines and implements.

Mechanization and Sources of Farm Power

Sources of Farm Power: Animal and machines
Advantages and Disadvantages of agricultural mechanization
Problems and Prospects of mechanized agriculture in West Africa

Objectives

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of various sources of farm power and their applications.
Distinguish between the advantages and disadvantages of mechanization.
Assess the problems and prospects of mechanized agriculture in West Africa.

Processing and Storage

Processing: Traditional and modern methods of food processing (e.g., gari, rice, and groundnut processing, etc.)
Storage

Objectives

Identify the importance of agricultural processing.
Differentiate between various methods of processing agricultural produce.
Compare different storage methods.
Apply different storage methods.

Introduction to Biotechnology

Basic Terms: Tissue and anther culture, in vitro fertilization, and genetic engineering

Objectives

Use basic terms in biotechnology.
Explain the importance and application of biotechnology.

Application of ICT in Agriculture

Features of Computers
Uses of Computers in Agriculture: Disease and weather forecasting, ration formulation, database and simulation studies, etc.
Use of Communication Gadgets to enhance agricultural production (e.g., mobile phone, internet, etc.)

Objectives

Identify the various components of a computer.
Use computers to enhance agricultural practices.
Use communication gadgets to enhance agricultural production.

Introduction to Agricultural Research and Statistics

Basic Concepts in planning agricultural experiments (e.g., hypothesis, treatment, control, etc.)
Interpretation of Results: Measures of central tendency and experimental errors.

Objectives

Use basic concepts in agricultural experiments.
Draw inferences from experimental results.
Compute simple measures of central tendency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the WAEC syllabus for Agricultural Science?

The WAEC syllabus for Agricultural Science outlines the topics and subtopics that students need to cover in preparation for their WAEC exams. It includes key areas such as crop production, animal husbandry, soil science, agricultural economics, and more.

Where can I find the official WAEC Agricultural Science syllabus?

The official WAEC Agricultural Science syllabus can be found on the WAEC website or through educational institutions that provide WAEC resources. Additionally, many online educational platforms like ExamDon and bookstores offer the syllabus.

Conclusion

The WAEC Agricultural Science syllabus serves as a crucial roadmap for students preparing for their exams in agricultural science. It outlines the key topics, concepts, and practical skills that students need to master to succeed in their WAEC examinations and beyond.