NERDC Scheme · Free Scheme of Work
Horticulture and Crop Production Scheme of Work for JSS1 to SS3
Horticulture and Crop Production starts with farm tools, soil, and farmland preparation in JSS1, moves through soil fertility, pest control, and early agribusiness in JSS2 and JSS3, then formalises into crop classification, biotechnology, and modern farming systems by SS2, before closing with precision agriculture, agribusiness, and project work in SS3. Below is the full NERDC scheme of work for all six levels, so you always know exactly what comes next.
JSS1 Horticulture and Crop Production
First Term
| 1. | Introduction to Crop Production Importance of crop production to national economy |
| 2. | Farm Tools and Safety Measures Common farm tools and their uses; maintenance of farm tools; safety precautions on the farm; first aid and emergency procedures |
| 3. | Farmland Preparation Practices Importance of farmland preparation; stages: clearing, ploughing, harrowing, ridging; farm layout and land demarcation; tools used in each stage |
| 4. | Soil and Its Properties Meaning and types of soil; importance of soil to crop production; physical properties: colour, texture, structure; effects of soil on crop growth |
| 5. | Midterm Test Assessment of Weeks 1–4 |
| 6. | Soil Texture and Structure Determining soil texture and structure; importance of soil texture to crop type; soil management practices; soil testing (simple classroom activity) |
| 7. | Midterm Break Holiday/Rest |
| 8. | Site Selection and Crop Types Factors influencing site selection; classification of crops based on lifespan; types of crops (arable, horticultural, plantation); suitable sites for different crops |
| 9. | Crop Classification Food crops, cash crops, industrial crops; annual, biennial, perennial crops; importance of crop classification |
| 10. | Farm Records and Management Meaning and importance of farm records; types of records kept on a farm; farm diary and stock record examples; simple record-keeping exercise |
| 11. | Revision General review of all topics covered |
| 12. | Examination End of Term Assessment |
| 13. | Closing/Vacation Term ends |
Second Term
| 1. | Introduction to Horticulture Meaning of horticulture; branches: floriculture, olericulture, pomology; importance and scope of horticulture; career opportunities |
| 2. | Nursery Establishment (Part 1) Meaning and importance of nursery; types of nursery; site selection and tools used; steps in establishing a nursery |
| 3. | Nursery Bed Preparation Meaning and purpose of nursery bed; materials and tools for bed preparation; soil sterilization and watering; practical demonstration |
| 4. | Fertilizer Application Meaning and types of fertilizers; methods of fertilizer application; importance of balanced fertilization; effects of misuse of fertilizer |
| 5. | Midterm Test Assessment of Weeks 1–4 |
| 6. | Seed Collection and Dormancy Breaking Meaning of seed collection; reasons for seed dormancy; methods of breaking dormancy; storage of viable seeds |
| 7. | Midterm Break Holiday/Rest |
| 8. | Rootstock Preparation Meaning of rootstock; qualities of a good rootstock; preparation steps and care; demonstration |
| 9. | Scion Collection Meaning of scion; qualities of a good scion; techniques of scion collection and handling |
| 10. | Vegetable Production Common vegetables and their importance; cultural practices in vegetable farming; harvesting, packaging, and storage |
| 11. | Revision Review of all topics covered |
| 12. | Examination End of Term Assessment |
| 13. | Closing/Vacation Term ends |
Third Term
| 1. | Vegetative Propagation in Horticultural Crops Meaning of vegetative propagation; methods: cutting, layering, grafting, budding; advantages and disadvantages |
| 2. | Practical Session on Vegetative Propagation Demonstration of grafting, budding, layering; tools and materials used; maintenance of propagated crops |
| 3. | Post-Harvest Management of Vegetables Harvesting methods; sorting and grading; packaging and storage; transportation and marketing |
| 4. | Concept of Entrepreneurship in Horticulture Meaning and importance of entrepreneurship; entrepreneurial skills in crop production; examples of successful agripreneurs |
| 5. | Midterm Test Assessment of Weeks 1–4 |
| 6. | Concept of Money Meaning and functions of money; types of money and uses; money management and savings |
| 7. | Midterm Break Holiday/Rest |
| 8. | Book Keeping in Horticulture and Crop Production Meaning of bookkeeping; types of farm records; simple profit and loss record; importance of bookkeeping |
| 9. | Business Start-Up in Horticulture Meaning and stages of business start-up; business plan preparation; marketing of horticultural products |
| 10. | Enterprise Development Meaning of enterprise; developing business ideas; managing small horticultural ventures |
| 11. | Revision Comprehensive review of all topics |
| 12. | Examination End of Term Assessment |
| 13. | Closing/Vacation Term ends |
Recommended: Nigerian History Scheme of Work (JSS1–JSS3)
JSS2 Horticulture and Crop Production
First Term
| 1. | Review of JSS1 Work Recap of farmland preparation and nursery practices; discussion on importance of soil and crop selection |
| 2. | Farm Tools and Machines Types and examples of farm machinery; functions of simple and complex machines; safety and maintenance practices |
| 3. | Soil Fertility and Improvement Meaning of soil fertility; causes of loss of fertility; methods of improving soil fertility (organic/inorganic); compost making |
| 4. | Land Preparation Techniques Clearing, tilling, and leveling; irrigation and drainage systems; crop rotation practices |
| 5. | Midterm Test Assessment of Weeks 1–4 |
| 6. | Site Selection for Crop Production Factors affecting crop site selection; land use and suitability; environmental and economic factors |
| 7. | Midterm Break Holiday/Rest |
| 8. | Crop Spacing and Planting Methods Meaning and importance of crop spacing; methods of planting (direct, transplanting); plant population and density |
| 9. | Weed Management Meaning and types of weeds; effects of weeds; methods of weed control (manual, chemical, biological) |
| 10. | Crop Protection Pests and diseases of crops; control measures; integrated pest management |
| 11. | Revision Review of all topics |
| 12. | Examination End of Term Assessment |
| 13. | Closing/Vacation Term ends |
Second Term
| 1. | Nursery Practices Preparation of nursery materials; seed sowing and care; transplanting techniques |
| 2. | Seed Germination Meaning and process; conditions necessary for germination; experiment on germination |
| 3. | Fertilizer Application Methods Organic and inorganic fertilizers; application methods and timing; safety precautions |
| 4. | Vegetative Propagation Meaning and importance; methods of propagation: grafting, layering, cutting; crops that use each method |
| 5. | Midterm Test Assessment of Weeks 1–4 |
| 6. | Maintenance of Horticultural Crops Pruning, staking, watering, and mulching; pest and disease control |
| 7. | Midterm Break Holiday/Rest |
| 8. | Harvesting and Storage Techniques of harvesting; post-harvest handling and preservation |
| 9. | Marketing of Horticultural Crops Meaning and importance of marketing; channels of distribution; marketing problems and solutions |
| 10. | Farm Record-Keeping Types and importance of records; cashbook, sales record, stock record |
| 11. | Revision Review of all topics |
| 12. | Examination End of Term Assessment |
| 13. | Closing/Vacation Term ends |
Third Term
| 1. | Vegetable Production Importance and types of vegetables; conditions for growth; production stages |
| 2. | Post-Harvest Management Sorting, grading, and packaging; storage methods |
| 3. | Introduction to Agribusiness Meaning of agribusiness; career opportunities |
| 4. | Entrepreneurship in Agriculture Meaning and qualities of an entrepreneur; importance of entrepreneurship |
| 5. | Midterm Test Assessment of Weeks 1–4 |
| 6. | Enterprise Development Small agribusiness setup; record-keeping |
| 7. | Midterm Break Holiday/Rest |
| 8. | Financial Management Basic money management; budgeting and planning |
| 9. | Marketing and Promotion Marketing strategies; customer relations |
| 10. | Business Simulation Group projects and business idea development |
| 11. | Revision Review of term’s topics |
| 12. | Examination End of Term Assessment |
| 13. | Closing/Vacation Term ends |
JSS3 Horticulture and Crop Production
First Term
| 1. | Review of JSS2 Work Quick revision of crop production and horticulture basics |
| 2. | Soil Management Erosion control methods; crop rotation; cover cropping |
| 3. | Crop Planting Techniques Advanced planting methods; spacing and depth |
| 4. | Fertilizer Management Organic composting; fertilizer scheduling |
| 5. | Midterm Test Assessment of Weeks 1–4 |
| 6. | Crop Irrigation Meaning and methods of irrigation; importance and maintenance |
| 7. | Midterm Break Holiday/Rest |
| 8. | Pest and Disease Control Integrated pest management; crop sanitation |
| 9. | Crop Harvesting and Yield Improvement Harvesting techniques; crop yield measurement |
| 10. | Post-Harvest Technology Handling, storage, and processing |
| 11. | Revision Comprehensive review |
| 12. | Examination End of Term Assessment |
| 13. | Closing/Vacation Term ends |
Second Term
| 1. | Crop Improvement Meaning and methods; selection, breeding, hybridization |
| 2. | Seed Production and Certification Meaning and importance; agencies involved |
| 3. | Organic Farming Meaning and principles; benefits and challenges |
| 4. | Greenhouse Technology Meaning and components; advantages in horticulture |
| 5. | Midterm Test Assessment of Weeks 1–4 |
| 6. | Enterprise Skills in Agriculture Creativity, innovation, problem-solving |
| 7. | Midterm Break Holiday/Rest |
| 8. | Business Plan Development Steps and importance; practical class |
| 9. | Marketing and Branding Advertising and sales promotion |
| 10. | Agribusiness Project Class mini project (production, sales, records) |
| 11. | Revision Review |
| 12. | Examination End of Term Assessment |
| 13. | Closing/Vacation Term ends |
Third Term
| 1. | Introduction to Agripreneurship Meaning and scope; importance in modern agriculture |
| 2. | Enterprise Development Business idea generation; planning for success |
| 3. | Record-Keeping and Bookkeeping Simple bookkeeping in agribusiness |
| 4. | Financial Literacy Budgeting, profit, and loss; cost management |
| 5. | Midterm Test Assessment of Weeks 1–4 |
| 6. | Business Management Leadership and teamwork |
| 7. | Midterm Break Holiday/Rest |
| 8. | Marketing and Distribution Market research, sales, and logistics |
| 9. | Sustainable Agriculture Climate-smart farming; environmental protection |
| 10. | Project Presentation Students’ enterprise project |
| 11. | Revision Final review |
| 12. | Examination End of Session Assessment |
| 13. | Closing/Vacation Term ends |
Don’t want to write these notes from scratch?
Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll write the full set of Horticulture and Crop Production lesson notes for you, JSS1 to SS3.
Recommended: Nigerian History Scheme of Work (SS1–SS3)
SS1 Horticulture and Crop Production
First Term
| 1. | Introduction to Horticulture Meaning, scope, importance in Nigeria |
| 2. | Branches of Horticulture Olericulture, floriculture, pomology, landscaping |
| 3. | Crop Classification Food, cash, ornamental, medicinal crops |
| 4. | Tools and Equipment Identification, uses, care and maintenance |
| 5. | Midterm Examination |
| 6. | Soil in Horticulture Types, properties, soil management |
| 7. | Midterm Break |
| 8. | Nursery Practices Seed selection, germination, transplanting |
| 9. | Crop Propagation Methods Sexual and asexual propagation |
| 10. | Irrigation and Watering Techniques Methods: drip, sprinkler, surface irrigation |
| 11. | Revision |
| 12. | Examination |
| 13. | Closing |
Second Term
| 1. | Fertilizer and Manure Application Organic and inorganic, methods of application |
| 2. | Weed and Pest Control Types, effects, cultural and chemical methods |
| 3. | Crop Diseases Identification, prevention and control |
| 4. | Environmental Factors Light, temperature, rainfall, wind, humidity |
| 5. | Midterm Examination |
| 6. | Farm Records in Horticulture Types, uses, importance |
| 7. | Midterm Break |
| 8. | Harvesting of Horticultural Crops Tools, stages, methods |
| 9. | Post-Harvest Handling Sorting, grading, packaging, storage |
| 10. | Marketing of Horticultural Products Channels, pricing, challenges |
| 11. | Revision |
| 12. | Examination |
| 13. | Closing |
Third Term
| 1. | Introduction to Crop Production Definition, importance in Nigeria |
| 2. | Classification of Crops by Life Cycle Annual, biennial, perennial |
| 3. | Crop Ecology Climatic and soil requirements of major crops |
| 4. | Land Preparation Clearing, ploughing, harrowing, ridging |
| 5. | Midterm Examination |
| 6. | Planting Operations Spacing, depth, timing |
| 7. | Midterm Break |
| 8. | Maintenance of Crops Thinning, mulching, pruning, staking |
| 9. | Crop Protection Integrated pest management (IPM) |
| 10. | Harvesting of Field Crops Time, method, tools |
| 11. | Revision |
| 12. | Examination |
| 13. | Closing |
Recommended: Food and Nutrition Scheme of Work (SS1–SS3)
SS2 Horticulture and Crop Production
First Term
| 1. | Horticultural Crop Improvement Aims, methods: selection, hybridization |
| 2. | Genetic Principles in Crop Production Mendel’s laws, applications |
| 3. | Biotechnology in Horticulture Tissue culture, GM crops |
| 4. | Organic Horticulture Principles, practices, benefits |
| 5. | Midterm Examination |
| 6. | Greenhouse Technology Structures, benefits, challenges |
| 7. | Midterm Break |
| 8. | Urban and Peri-Urban Horticulture Rooftop gardens, hydroponics |
| 9. | Agroforestry Meaning, practices, importance |
| 10. | Environmental Sustainability in Horticulture Soil conservation, water management |
| 11. | Revision |
| 12. | Examination |
| 13. | Closing |
Second Term
| 1. | Crop Rotation Principles, advantages, examples |
| 2. | Mixed Cropping and Intercropping Definitions, benefits, limitations |
| 3. | Crop Yield Measurement Methods, importance |
| 4. | Farm Mechanization in Crop Production Simple machines, advantages, limitations |
| 5. | Midterm Examination |
| 6. | Irrigation Systems Modern methods, water conservation |
| 7. | Midterm Break |
| 8. | Storage Structures Silos, barns, refrigerators, cold rooms |
| 9. | Agricultural Extension Services Roles, importance in crop production |
| 10. | Agricultural Cooperatives Functions, advantages, challenges |
| 11. | Revision |
| 12. | Examination |
| 13. | Closing |
Third Term
| 1. | Cereal Crops Maize, rice, sorghum, millet (cultivation practices) |
| 2. | Leguminous Crops Cowpea, soybean, groundnut |
| 3. | Tuber Crops Cassava, yam, cocoyam, potato |
| 4. | Oil Crops Palm, coconut, sunflower |
| 5. | Midterm Examination |
| 6. | Vegetables Tomato, okra, pepper, spinach |
| 7. | Midterm Break |
| 8. | Fruits Mango, citrus, banana, pineapple |
| 9. | Spices and Condiments Ginger, garlic, pepper, cloves |
| 10. | Medicinal Plants Neem, moringa, aloe vera |
| 11. | Revision |
| 12. | Examination |
| 13. | Closing |
SS3 Horticulture and Crop Production
First Term
| 1. | Review of SS1–SS2 Work Questions and answers |
| 2. | Advanced Greenhouse Technology Climate control, fertigation |
| 3. | Hydroponics Meaning, types, advantages |
| 4. | Aeroponics Meaning, method, advantages |
| 5. | Midterm Examination |
| 6. | Aquaponics Integration of fish and crop production |
| 7. | Midterm Break |
| 8. | Precision Agriculture ICT tools, drones, sensors |
| 9. | Climate Change and Crop Production Adaptation strategies |
| 10. | Sustainable Horticultural Practices Organic farming, permaculture |
| 11. | Revision |
| 12. | Examination |
| 13. | Closing |
Second Term
| 1. | Export Crops in Nigeria Cocoa, cashew, kola nut |
| 2. | Global Trends in Horticulture Organic certification, agribusiness |
| 3. | Agribusiness Opportunities Value chain in horticulture |
| 4. | Farm Management Planning, budgeting, record keeping |
| 5. | Midterm Examination |
| 6. | Agricultural Finance Sources of credit, challenges |
| 7. | Midterm Break |
| 8. | Agricultural Policies in Nigeria Government programmes and impacts |
| 9. | Agricultural Marketing Boards Functions, roles, limitations |
| 10. | Project Planning Preparing for final project |
| 11. | Revision |
| 12. | Examination |
| 13. | Closing |
Third Term
| 1. | Final Year Project Supervision Proposal writing |
| 2. | Project Execution Practical crop/horticultural projects |
| 3. | Project Execution II Field work and demonstrations |
| 4. | Project Report Writing Documentation and analysis |
| 5. | Midterm Examination |
| 6. | Presentation Skills Oral defense, ICT use |
| 7. | Midterm Break |
| 8. | Mock Exams Past WAEC/NECO agriculture papers |
| 9. | Review of Practical Sessions Hands-on revision |
| 10. | WAEC/NECO Preparatory Classes Likely examination topics |
| 11. | Revision Final review |
| 12. | Examination End of Session Assessment |
| 13. | Closing/Graduation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does JSS1 spend so much time on farm tools and soil before touching horticulture?
JSS1 builds the foundation, safe tool use, farmland preparation, and soil knowledge, before Second Term introduces horticulture itself through nursery establishment and propagation.
Does this scheme apply nationwide?
The core topic sequence follows the national NERDC curriculum, though individual schools sometimes adjust pacing around their own midterm and exam dates.
Can I get the lesson notes already written?
Yes. We can write the full set for you, JSS1 to SS3, ready to teach. Message us on WhatsApp to get started.
Recommended: Marketing Scheme of Work (SS1–SS3)
Skip the note-writing. Let us do it for you.
Full Horticulture and Crop Production lesson notes, JSS1 to SS3, written and ready to teach.
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