JAMB Syllabus for Agricultural Science
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the official syllabus for all subjects that will be written in the upcoming examination, including Agricultural Science.
If you registered Agricultural Science as one of your subjects, it is important that you use this JAMB Syllabus for Agricultural Science as a guide while preparing for the exam. The syllabus outlines all the topics you are expected to study, helping you focus only on what is relevant.
To get the best results, make sure you study this syllabus together with the recommended textbooks and past questions. These will give you a better understanding of the subject and improve your chances of success.
Read this post carefully to see the full JAMB Agricultural Science syllabus and know exactly what to study.
JAMB Agricultural Science Syllabus
Section A: General Agriculture
| Topics | Contents / Notes |
|---|---|
| Meaning and Scope of Agriculture | Definition of agriculture; branches of agriculture; types of agriculture (subsistence and commercial) |
| Importance of Agriculture | Provision of raw materials; employment; rural development |
| Agricultural Ecology | Ecological zones of West Africa; agricultural products of each zone; environmental factors affecting crop and livestock production |
| Agricultural Genetics | Mendel’s laws; cell division; genetic terms (locus, allele, genotype, dominance); crop improvement methods; animal improvement methods (breeding systems, artificial insemination) |
| Farm Inputs | Planting materials; agrochemicals and other inputs |
| History of Agricultural Development in West Africa | Agricultural systems; problems of agricultural development; research institutes (NCRI, IAR, IITA, etc.); Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs); national programmes (OFN, NAFPP, etc.) |
| Roles of Government and NGOs | Agricultural policies; laws (Land Use Act); incentives; infrastructure; role of NGOs |
Section B: Agronomy
| Topics | Contents / Notes |
|---|---|
| Rocks and Soil Formation | Types of rocks; soil formation; soil profile; soil components; physical and chemical properties |
| Soil Water and Conservation | Soil water types; importance; conservation methods; irrigation and drainage |
| Soil Fertility | Nutrients; soil organisms; methods of maintaining fertility; fertilizers; deficiency symptoms |
| Land Preparation and Tillage | Methods of land preparation; tillage practices; factors affecting choice |
| Plant Forms and Functions | Parts of plants; monocots and dicots; storage organs |
| Growth, Development and Reproduction | Gametogenesis; pollination; fertilization; embryo development |
| Plant Propagation | Sexual and asexual methods; seed viability; nursery practices |
| Cropping Systems and Planting Patterns | Cropping systems (mixed, intercropping, rotation); planting patterns; plant density |
| Crop Husbandry | Cereals; legumes; tubers; vegetables; fruits; beverages; oils; fibres; latex; sugar crops (including propagation, harvesting, pests, diseases and uses) |
| Pasture and Forage Crops | Types; establishment; management; conservation; natural grasslands; range management |
| Floriculture | Ornamental plants; establishment and maintenance |
| Weeds | Types; reproduction; dispersal; control methods |
| Crop Diseases | Disease-causing organisms; symptoms; control methods |
| Crop Pests | Types; life cycles; pesticides; control methods |
| Forest Management | Forest resources; conservation; afforestation; agroforestry systems |
Section C: Animal Production
| Topics | Contents / Notes |
|---|---|
| Classification of Farm Animals | Species, breeds, distribution and uses; external features |
| Animal Production Terminologies | Common terms in livestock production |
| Anatomy and Physiology | Body systems (digestive, reproductive, respiratory, etc.); functions; environmental effects |
| Reproduction in Animals | Gametogenesis; oestrus cycle; gestation; parturition; lactation; egg formation in poultry |
| Animal Nutrition | Nutrients; feeding; ration formulation; pasture crops; nutrient deficiencies |
| Livestock Management | Housing; feeding; sanitation; systems of management |
| Animal Health | Diseases; causes; symptoms; control; parasites and their control |
| Fisheries and Wildlife | Fish farming systems; harvesting; processing; wildlife conservation |
| Bee Keeping (Apiculture) | Importance; types of bees; methods; equipment; safety |
Section D: Agricultural Economics and Extension
| Topics | Contents / Notes |
|---|---|
| Factors of Production | Land; labour; capital; management; land ownership systems |
| Basic Economic Principles | Demand and supply; production functions; agricultural production features |
| Labour Management | Types of labour; labour laws; supervision |
| Farm Management | Farm records; profit and loss; depreciation; agricultural insurance |
| Marketing of Agricultural Produce | Marketing importance; channels; product characteristics |
| Agricultural Extension | Meaning; roles of institutions; extension methods; problems and solutions |
Section E: Agricultural Technology
| Topics | Contents / Notes |
|---|---|
| Farm Surveying and Planning | Meaning; equipment; survey methods; farmstead planning |
| Simple Farm Tools | Types; uses; maintenance |
| Farm Machinery and Implements | Types; uses; maintenance |
| Mechanization and Farm Power | Sources of power; advantages and disadvantages; mechanization challenges |
| Processing and Storage | Traditional and modern processing; storage methods |
| Biotechnology | Basic concepts; tissue culture; genetic engineering |
| ICT in Agriculture | Computer uses; communication tools |
| Agricultural Research and Statistics | Experimental concepts; data interpretation; measures of central tendency |
Recommended Textbooks for JAMB Agricultural Science
Below are the approved recommended texts:
- Adeniyi, M. O. et al (1999) Countdown to Senior Secondary Certificate Examination Agricultural Science, Ibadan: Evans
- Akinsanmi, O. (2000) Junior Secondary Agricultural Science, UK: Longman
- Akinsanmi, O. (2000) Senior Secondary Agricultural Science, UK: Longman
- Anthonio, Q. B. O. (1999) General Agriculture for West Africa, London: George Allen
- Are, L. A. et al (2010) Comprehensive Certificate Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary Schools, University Press Plc
- Egbuna, C. K. et al (2014) Extension Modern Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary Schools, Extension Publication
- Emmanuel, C. A. (2003) A Dictionary of Agriculture, Benue: Agitab Publisher
- Falusi, A. O. and Adeleye, I. O. A. (2000) Agricultural Science for Junior Secondary Schools Books 1–3, Ibadan: Onibonoje
- Komolafe, M. F., Adegbola, A. A., Are, L. A. and Ashaye, T. I. (2004) Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary Schools 1, 2 and 3, Ibadan: University Press Ltd
- Philips, T. A. (1986) Agricultural Notebook, Lagos: Longman
- STAN (1999) Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary Schools, Lagos: Longman
- Daramola, A. M. et al (1999) Exam Focus Agricultural Science for SSCE and JME
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