Updated Curriculum

AGRICULTURE
4
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I. Chani
E. Mafa Learner’s Book
 PlusOne

Agriculture

Grade 4
Learner’s Book

I. Chani E. Mafa
 CONTENTS
TOPIC 1: INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE............................................................. 1
Unit 1: Importance of agriculture ..................................................................................................... 1
Unit 2: Farm tools................................................................................................................................... 5
Unit 3: Safety in agriculture................................................................................................................ 9

TOPIC 2: CLIMATE AND LAND USE.............................................................................. 14

Unit 4: Climate and land use.............................................................................................................. 14

TOPIC 3: SOIL.................................................................................................................. 18
Unit 5: Soil composition........................................................................................................................ 18
Unit 6: Soil types..................................................................................................................................... 23
Unit 7: Soil fertility.................................................................................................................................. 27
Unit 8: Soil erosion................................................................................................................................. 34

Test 1.............................................................................................................................................. 31

TOPIC 4: WATER.............................................................................................................. 39
Unit 9: Water conservation................................................................................................................. 39

TOPIC 5: PLANTS............................................................................................................ 44
Unit 10: Introduction to the study of plants ................................................................................. 44
Unit 11: Plant nutrition ........................................................................................................................ 48
Unit 12: Vegetables .............................................................................................................................. 51
Unit 13: Field crops ............................................................................................................................... 58
Unit 14: Orchard/fruit trees ................................................................................................................ 64
Unit 15: Ornamental horticulture...................................................................................................... 72
Unit 16: Forestry..................................................................................................................................... 76
Unit 17: Plant protection ..................................................................................................................... 80

Test 2.............................................................................................................................................. 69

TOPIC 6: ANIMALS.......................................................................................................... 85
Unit 18: Introduction into animal study.......................................................................................... 85
Unit 19: Animal nutrition...................................................................................................................... 89
Unit 20: Small livestock production.................................................................................................. 93
Unit 21: Apiculture................................................................................................................................. 97

TOPIC 7: FARM, IMPLEMENTS AND MACHINERY...................................................... 100

Unit 22: Farm machinery..................................................................................................................... 100
TOPIC 8: AGRIBUSINESS............................................................................................... 104
Unit 23: Agribusiness............................................................................................................................ 104

Test 3.............................................................................................................................................. 108

 INTRODUCTION TO
Topic
AGRICULTURE

1
UNIT 1: IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE
Unit Objectives
At the end of the unit, you should be able to:
(a) explain the importance of agriculture to the family.
Looking Back
Agriculture is important to the family. The family gets food from crops and animals.

Key Words
Raw materials – items that are used to make other products.
Foreign currency – money from other countries.
Rearing – keeping of animals.
Draught power – power supplied by animals when pulling farm implements.
Garden crops – crops that are grown in the garden.
Field crops – crops that are grown in the fields.
Agriculture – growing of crops and keeping of animals.

Importance of agriculture
Agriculture is the growing of crops and rearing of animals.

Rearing of animals Growing of crops

1
Agriculture is important to the family because it provides the following;
(a) food for the family.
(b) food for animals.
(c) raw materials for other industries, for example maize for mealie meal.
(d) family get jobs in farms.
(e) family get money after selling their produce.
(f) livestock like cattle are used as draught power.

Activity 1
1. Write two garden crops.
2. In pairs give: (a) Two crops used as animal feed.
(b) Two crops used as food by people.

Exercise 1
1. The family get food from ________ and _________.
2. Agriculture is the __________.
3. Agriculture is important to the family because it _______.

Farming activities at family level

Farmers are involved in many activities when they do agriculture. Some of the activities are
planting, weeding, spraying, watering plants, herding cattle, keeping poultry and harvesting
of crops.
Crops grown at family level
Activities
(i) Ploughing (ii) Weeding (iii) Watering

Activity 2
In groups, list down agricultural activities done at home and at school.

Exercise 2
1. What is agriculture?
2. Another word for rearing is ___________.
3. List any four garden crops.
4. State any three field crops.

Domestic animals
Animals kept at home are called domestic animals. Some of these animals are kept for food
and draught power.

2
Animals and crops give the family different products. Some of the examples are given below:

Farm produce Uses

Maize Mealie meal
Cow Meat, milk, skins
Fruits Fruit juice, jam
Flowers Decoration
Vegetables Food
Pigs Pork

Practical research
(a) Look for samples of farm produce and dry them.
(b) Write cards and paste on the products.
(c) Find out different crops that are grown in your locality.
(d) What type of animals are common in your area?
(e) Present your findings to the class.

Exercise 2
State which statement is True or False?
1. A lion is a domestic animal.
2. Growing of flowers is not farming.
3. Agriculture is growing of crops only.
4. Family get food from agriculture.
5. Cotton and sugar beans are garden crops.

Key points in this unit

• Agriculture can also be called farming.
• Agriculture is important to family.
• Some agricultural activities at home are ploughing, weeding, gardening.
• Plants and animals provide family with food.

Unit Revision Exercises

Multiple Choice Questions
1. What is agriculture?
A. Growing of plants and keeping of animals
B. Ploughing fields and harvesting
C. Construction of farm buildings
D. Study of soil and how it if formed

3
2. Rearing is another word for __________.
A. keeping B. farming C. agriculture D. water
3. Which one is a field crop?
A. Carrots B. Rape C. Cotton D. Pea
4. The following are uses of maize except _______.
A. making animal feed B. making mealie meal
C. making cooking oil D. making paraffin
5. We get pork from ____________.
A. cow B. hen C. pig D. goat
6. The following are importance of agriculture at family level. Pick the odd one out.
A. Food for the family B. Feed for animals
C. Raw materials D. Stealing food.
7. Which of the following is not a farming activity?
A. Looking after farm tools B. Spraying vegetables
C. Looking for cars D. Selling maize at GMB
8. People get draught power from __________.
A. cattle B. cats C. dogs D. hens

Structured Questions
1. Agriculture in growing of crops and _______ of animals. (rearing/killing)
2. Animals kept at home are called ________ animals. (wild/domestic)
3. Ornamental plants are used for ______. (eating/decorative)
4. Farm produce provide raw materials for other industries. (No/Yes)
5. Select a farm produce. (Milk/Gold)

4
UNIT 2: FARM TOOLS
Unit Objectives
At the end of the unit, you should be able to:
(a) identify farm tools used in their locality.
(b) use farm tools correctly.
(c) design garden tools.

Introduction
A skillful farmer uses his hands. To do these farming activities, farmer must learn how to use
tools correctly. Using tools help to make the farmer’s work easier and faster. Basic farm tools
have two parts.

Key Words
Design – make something.
Tool – equipment with two parts used in farming.
Knapsack sprayer – an equipment used to spray chemicals.
Light –not heavy when being carried.
Basic farm tools – tools that are commonly found on the farm.

Farm tools
A tool is an equipment with two parts used in farming.
Below are some of the basic farm tools.

garden fork sickle spade shovel

knapsack sprayer hoe rake mattock

5
Exercise 1
State whether the following is true or false.
1. A knapsack sprayer is used for digging.
2. Tools make work easier and faster.
3. Slasher, knife and sickle are digging tools.
4. A shovel is used for lifting seedlings.
5. Tools are stored in a storeroom.

Key points in this unit

• Tools make work easier and faster.
• Basic tools have two main parts.
• Pupils visit the garden and storeroom in the company of the teacher.
• Tools are grouped according to their use.
• When using tools, leave enough space for the next person to work safely.
• Wear protective clothing when using farm tools.
• Remember to handle the tools correctly.

Unit Revision Exercises

Multiple Choice Questions
1. Choose a digging tool from the following.
A. Sickle B. Hoe C. Hose pipe D. Knapsack sprayer
2. A farm tool that can be used for both digging and weeding.
A. Hoe B. Knife C. Rake D. Hammer
3. Identify the odd one out.
A. Hose pipe B. Watering can C. Sickle D. Bucket
4. Why do farmers use tools?
A. They make farming easier and faster. B. Farmers are lazy.
C. They can be used correctly. D. They make work difficult
5. Tools have __________ main parts
A. one B. two C. four D. three

Structured Questions
1. List three groups of tools you know.
2. Watering can is used for ________.
3. A basic farm tool has __________ parts
4. Name four tools that are needed to make a vegetable bed.
5. Draw a hoe and label it.
6. Name one tool used for cutting grass.

8
Safe uses of tools

People using hoes in the field

How do common hazards happen?
1. Agro-chemicals
• Breathing through the nose.
• By eating.
• Skin contact.
• Through open wounds.
• Through eyes.

2. Fertilizers
Chemical fertilizers are harmful; they cause pollution of water resources.
3. Fire hazards
Fire can destroy crops, animals, tools and buildings.
4. Accidents
These may occur as a result of incorrect use of tools and another farm machinery.

Activity 1
In groups, talk about other dangers related to farming that are not mentioned above.

Exercise 1
1. A person can be poisoned through_________.
2. Name three dangers related to agriculture.
3. How can we control fires in our farms?
4. What should we do to someone poisoned by chemicals?

10
 Practical research
1. Demonstrate how these tools are used safely.
(a) Hoe
(b) Slash
(c) Axe
2. Try to make a fireguard around the school garden. Follow the given instructions.
(a) Collect hoes and slashers.
(b) Use the slashers to cut the grass short.
(c) Select an area which you can remove the grass.
(c) Completely remove the grass using hoes.
3. Arrange different tools in a way that do not cause dangers when putting them on the
rake in the store room.
4. Conduct safety drills on hazards that occur in agriculture.
(a) On the storage of chemicals.
(b) On the use of hoes and rakes.

Exercise 2
1. What should a farmer do after using chemicals to avoid accidents?
2. Identify three common dangers in agriculture.
3. List down two ways which can be used to prevent farm accidents.
4. Name examples of protective clothing that can be used to protect the farmer from
hazards.
5. Why do we construct fireguards?

Key points in this unit

• There are so many hazards that are related to agriculture.
• Agricultural hazards can be prevented.
• Some of the hazards are poisoning, death and injuries.
• Wear protective clothing when using chemicals and tools.
• Prevention is better than cure.

Unit Revision Exercises

Multiple Choice Questions
1. Choose safety clothing from the following.
A. Jeans B. School shoes C. Helmet D. School uniform
2. Identify a method which reduces accidents at a farm.
A. Reading and understanding instructions on pesticides containers
B. Incorrect use of tools
C. mixing food with pesticides
D. running around the garden

12
Seasons and their characteristics

Season Months Weather condition Agricultural activities

Rain season Mid-November High rainfall Planting.
Summer December Hot temperature Weeding.
January Cloudy Spraying.
February Moist air
Mid-March
Post rain season Mid-April Little rain fall Harvesting.
Autumn Mid-May Air is less moist Winter ploughing.
Average temperature Planting wheat.
Cool dry season Mid-May No rainfall Vegetable products.
Winter Mid-June Low temperature Winter wheat growing.
July Frost may occur
Air is dry
Few clouds
Clear sky
Hot dry season Mid-August High temperature Tree harvesting land
Spring Mid-September Little rainfall preparation for crop
October Few clouds planting.
Mid-November

Activity 1
Collect some pictures showing farming activities done in the rainy season and paste them
on to a chart. Write what is happening.

Exercise 1
1. What is a season?
2. Name the four seasons of Zimbabwe
3. In which season are rivers flooded?

Seasons and their agricultural activities

Different agricultural activities are done in different seasons of the year. This is because
crops and animals do well in different weather conditions. Some do well when it is warm and
wet while others grow well when it is cold.
Main rain season – Summer.
Both temperature and rainfall are high.

15
Preparing land Growing crops Harvesting crops

Practical research
Look around your school environment and observe the agricultural activities and vegetation.
Section A
1. Name trees around your school.
2. What could be the cause of growing of most of the trees?
3. What season could it be?
4. List two characteristics of the vegetation that support your answer in 3.
Section B
1. Find out from people in your community the most vegetables grown in the area
2. Using the table like the one below, record the season in which the vegetables you got
from the community are most grown. An example is given below.

Vegetable Season
Butternut Rain season

Exercise 1
State whether the following statements are True or False.
1. The longest seasons is winter.
2. Temperature are very high in spring.
3. There are four seasons in Zimbabwe.
4. Air around us is called atmosphere.
5. High rainfall is received in the winter season.

Key points in this unit

• There are four seasons in Zimbabwe.
• The seasons affect agricultural activities of farmers.
• The main rainy season begins in mid-November and it ends Mid-March.
• Ploughing, planting and weeding are the agricultural activities done in the rain
season.

16
 • Harvesting is the major agricultural activity done in the post rainy season.
• The post rainy season begins in Mid- March and ends in Mid-May.
• Irrigation can be done in other seasons where there is little or no rainfall.
• Wheat is mainly grown in the cool dry season under irrigation.

Unit Revision Exercises

Multiple Choice Questions
1. Maize is mainly grown in ________.
A. spring B. winter C. summer D. autumn
2. The hot and wet season is called _______.
A. winter B. autumn C. summer D. spring
3. The post rain season falls within the months of _________.
A. June and July B. November and May
C. March and May D. May and July
4. One major agricultural activity done in the post rainy season is _________.
A. planting B. weeding C. ploughing D. harvesting
5. _____ is mainly grown under irrigation in Zimbabwe.
A. Wheat B. Rapoko C. Maize D. Groundnuts
6. The hot season starts in the month of ________.
A. January B. February C. August D. November
7. Which environmental damage is common in the hot dry season?
A. Fireguards B. Burning of grass and trees
C. Too much cold D. Too much fire
8. Most ____ are grown in winter.
A. vegetables B. cotton C. citrus D. trees

Structured Questions

Answer the following questions.

1. What season do you think we are in now?
2. Complete the table below.
Season Characteristics
Summer Rain season.
_________ Hot season.
Winter __________
________ After rain season.

3. Describe the weather conditions of the hot wet seasons in Zimbabwe.

4. Give two reasons why do most framers do not grow crops in winter.
5. Name the four seasons we have in Zimbabwe.

17
Air in the soil promotes plant growth. Water in the soil is
known as moisture. Plants grow well in soil with air and
water. Soil contains air and water.

Is there water in the soils?

Soil contains water.
Wet soils in a pan being
It evaporates after being heated.
heated
The wetness in the soil is called moisture.

Is there air in the soils?

Soil has air in it.
Air moves in soil through the spaces between soil particles.
Water is added in the soil, bubbles form to show the Soil producing bubbles after
presence of air. water has been poured

Air bubbles show presence of air.

Activity 1
1. Do the experiment to test if the soil contains air and water.
2. In pairs, list down materials needed to do the following experiments;
(a) finding presence of water in the soil.
(b) finding presence of air in the soil.

Is there organic matter in soil?

Weigh dry soil and heat.

After heating soil, the weight of the soil will decrease.
Decayed plant and animal matter would have burnt.
Organic matter is decayed plant and animal matter.
Is there mineral matter/ inorganic matter in the soil?

A tin with dry soil being

heated

Rock particles

19
Left after the burning of organic matter.
Mineral matter is made up of broken particles, the particles does not decay.

Practical research 1
Find out the presence of water in soil.
(a) Collect a sample of wet soil.
(b) Put the sample in a beaker.
(c) Put a glass above the beaker.
(d) Heat the soil.
(e) What did you observe?
(f) Record down your findings.

Practical research 2
Visit the school garden and dig a hole.
Find out soil organism that live in the soil and write their names.
Ask your friend to give you three uses of soil living organisms in the soil.

Exercise 1
1. From the list below choose six things that can provide organic matter in the soil.
(a) stores (b) grass (c) hair (d) wood (e) leaves
(f) plastic (g) crop residues (h) cow dung (i) poultry droppings (j) metal
2. List any three components of soil.
3. Where does the water in the soil come from?
4. Soil is composed of air, water, ________ and _________.
5. Name the three examples of organic matter.
6. Water in the soil is called ___________.

Key points in this unit

• Mineral matter are small rock particles.
• Organic matter comes from the remains of dead plants and animals.
• Soil is composed of water, mineral matter organic matter and air.
• There are living organisms in the soil.
• Soil has four components.

Unit Revision Exercises

Multiple Choice Questions
1. Soil with a lot of organic matter is_________ in colour.
A. light B. dark C. colourless D. white

20
UNIT 6: SOIL TYPES
Unit Objectives
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
(a) classify soil according to particle size.
Introduction
There are three main types of soil which are clay, sand and loam. These soils have different
particle sizes. These size of soil particles determine how much water can be held and how
much air can move around the soil.

Key Words
Coarse – large particles.
Fine – very small particles.
Transparent container – a container in which you can see the contents from outside.
Soil texture – the smoothness or roughness of soil.

Soil types
There are three types of soil. These are clay, loam and sandy soils.
Sandy soil
Sandy soil has large particles. When rubbed between fingers
it feels rough. Sandy soil does not keep moisture for a long
time.
Clay soil
Particles of clay soil are small and fine. The particles are
Sand soil
close together. Clay keeps moisture for a long time. Water
takes long time to sink into clay soil. Clay soil sticks together
when it is wet. Air does not move fast and freely in clay soil.
Clay soil can be moulded into a shape when it is wet.
Loam soil
Loam soil is a mixture of clay and sandy soil. It moderately
keeps moisture. Most crops such as maize do well in loam Clay soil
soil.

Activity 1
1. Take a handful of moist soil.
2. Rub it between your fingers and feel it.
3. How do the particles feel?
Loam soil

22
 Exercise 1
1. Clay soil can be used to make _______ and ________.
2. Sandy soil has _______ particles.
3. _________ soil has the small and fine particles.
4. Give one difference between clay and sandy soil.
5. Draw a sample of sandy soil.

Properties of sand, loam and clay soils

Properties of soil Sandy soil Loam soil Clay soil

Aeration Very good Good Poor
Particle size Large Moderate Small
Keeping moisture Poor Good Very good
(Drainage) Well drained Good drainage Poor drainage
Movement of water

Cultivation Easy Moderate Difficult

Colour Light Light-dark Dark

Activity 2: Play the game

Who am 1?
1. I have fine small particles.
I become sticky when I am wet.
Who am I?
2. I have large particles.
My particles are heavy.
I am mixed with cement in buildings.
Who am I?
3. I am a mixture of clay and sandy.
I allow water to move more freely.
Most crops grow well in me.
Who am I?

Practical activity
Bring three containers, pour some water in each container and add sand, loam and clay soil
separately in each container.

23
Observe the following from the three containers.
(a) Sand particles are the largest, they will settle at the bottom because they are heavy.
(b) Loam soils will settle on top of the sand, its particles are smaller and less heavy than
sand.
(c) Clay particles will settle on top of loam, they are the finest particles.
(d) The humus that is found in soil is light and it will float at the surface of the water.

Exercise 4
1. Study the diagram below and answer the questions that follow.

A B C

A represents __________.
B represents __________.
C represents __________.
2. __________ floats on top of the water because it is light. (Sand/Humus)
3. Which type of soil has a good drainage of water? (Loam soil/Clay soil)
4. _________ has a dark colour. (Loam soil/Clay soil)
5. _________ keeps moisture for a very long time. (Clay soils/Sandy soils)
6. Sandy soils when rubbed between fingers feels _____. (smooth/rough)

Key points in this unit

• The classes of soil are clay, loam and sandy.
• Clay has the smallest particles and sticks when it is wet.
• Sand has rough large particles.
• Loam soil is a mixture of sand and clay soil.
• Loam soil keeps moisture longer than sandy soil.
• Loam is good for growing most crops.

Unit Revision Exercises

Multiple Choice Questions
1. Each soil type is known by the _________.
A. colour B. amount of humus in it
C. size of particles D. farmers land

24
UNIT 7: SOIL FERTILITY
Unit Objectives
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
(a) define soil fertility.
(b) list three major soil nutrients.
Introduction
Plants need nutrients for them to grow. A nutrient is the food that is used by plants for them
to grow. Nutrients are dissolved in soil moisture. Water containing nutrients is absorbed by
plant roots. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are plant nutrients. These three nutrients
determine soil fertility.

Key Words
Artificial – made or produced by people. Not occurring naturally.
Compost – decomposed organic matter used as fertiliser.
Fertiliser – any natural or artificial material that adds plant nutrients to the soil.
Manure – animal waste that adds fertility to the soil.
Nutrient – a substance needed by plants to grow.

Importance of plant nutrients

Cow dung compost Bag of fertiliser

Nutrients are important in the growth of plants. During the growing life cycle of the plant,
different nutrients are needed.
There are nutrients essential for:
(a) growth.
(b) making flowers and fruits.
(c) root development.
All nutrients needed by plants must be found in the soil. Farmers add fertilisers into the
soil. Most fertilisers contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. The three nutrients are
represented by letters, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).

26
6. One example of a nutrient needed by crops in large quantities is _________.
A. manure B. fertiliser C. compost D. nitrogen
7. Plant nutrients are dissolved in _________.
A. fertiliser B. water C. compost D. air
8. An example of an artificial fertiliser is _________.
A. compound D B. water C. humus D. plastic
9. Plant roots absorb nutrients from __________.
A. manure B. the soil C. water D. fertiliser
10. Flowers develop into __________.
A. roots B. fruits C. bark D. leaves

Structured Questions
1. Give two characteristics of fertile soil.
2. Name the major nutrients.
3. State two nutrients that are supplied by water and air.
4. Why should one put branches at the bottom of a compost heap?
5. (i) N stands for_________________.
(ii) P stands for_________________.
(iii) K stands for ________________.

29
TEST I
PAPER 1 [25 marks]
Answer all questions in 1 hour 30 minutes.
1. The growing of crops and keeping of animals is called ________.
A. branches B. field C. agriculture D. rearing
2. Agriculture provide ________ for other industries.
A. raw materials B. foreign currency C. draught power D. jobs
3. Most crops are sold to the ________ by farmers.
A. cottco B. GMB C. DZL D. farms
4. Choose a field crop from the following.
A. Tea B. Peas C. Gum tree D. Cabbage
5. _________is a farming activity done at family level.
A. Teaching B. Hunting C. Weeding D. Poaching
6. Animals kept at home are called _________.
A. wild B. cat C. domestic D. cattle
7. A tool has ________ main parts.
A. one B. two C. four D. five
8. Select a digging tool from the following.
A. Knife B. Watering can C. Adze D. Hoe
9. Tools make work easier and __________.
A. slow B. faster C. good D. perfect
10. We group tools according to their __________.
A. make B. color C. use D. storeroom
11. Hazards are also known as __________ in agriculture.
A. food B. tools C. crops D. dangers
12. Select a danger related to agriculture.
A. Drinking water B. Fire
C. Watering vegetables D. Herding cattle
13. We have _________ seasons in Zimbabwe.
A. one B. three C. four D. five
14. One weather condition found in rain season is __________.
A. no rainfall B. dry air C. few clouds D. high rainfall
15. In which season do plants grow new shoots?
A. hot dry season B. main rain season C. cool dry season D. post rain season
16. What is organic matter?
A. Dead plant and animal matter. B. Dead rocks.
C. Plant and rock matter. D. Soil and water.

30
PAPER 2: STRUCTURED QUESTIONS
This is a structured short answer type of paper. This paper is marked out of 25. Answer
all the questions in this paper.
1. (a) Name two importance of agriculture at family level. [2]
(b) List two raw materials for other industries. [2]
(c) Name any basic tool that you can use in the garden. [1]
2. (a) Mention two decorative plants commonly found in Zimbabwe. [2]
(b) Tools are grouped according to __________. [2]
(c) Chemicals are stored in a __________. [1]
3. (a) Write three ways of preventing dangers in agriculture. [3]
(b) State one field crop commonly grown in winter in Zimbabwe. [2]
4. (a) How many seasons do we have in Zimbabwe? [2]
(c) List the four soil components. [4]
(d) Name two man made fertilizer. [2]
5. (a) What does the following letters represent?
N, K and P. [3]
(b) Define the following terms:
(i) Soil erosion. [1]
(ii) Weathering. [1]
(c) State one use of water in agriculture. [1]

32
UNIT 8: SOIL EROSION
Unit Objectives
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
(a) name causes of soil erosion.
Introduction
Soil erosion is the washing away of top soil by wind or water. It is caused by water, wind and
animals. These things that cause soil erosion are known as agents of soil erosion. Erosion
removes top soil. Top soil contains more nutrients and is the fertile part for growing crops.

Key Words
Agent – something that causes soil erosion.
Top soil – the first layer of the soil.
Naturally – not caused by people.
Deforestation – cutting down of trees without replacing them.
Vegetation – growing plants.
Overgrazing – the removal of grass caused by keeping too many animals on a
small place.

Soil erosion
Soil erosion is the washing away of soil by agents such as water and wind. Erosion washes
away the top soil. Top soil contains most of the plant nutrients and is where plants grow.
Causes of soil erosion
Human and animal activities
Soil erosion is caused by different human and animal activities. These activities include:
1. Cutting down of trees

People cutting trees

People cut down trees for different reasons. Trees control erosion. When people cut down
trees, they leave the soil bare and it can be easily washed away when there is heavy rain
water.

33
2. Wind
Strong winds carry soil particles away. Dust can be seen during windy days when the soil is
dry. Grass protects soil from being carried away. Plant roots hold soil particles together and
prevent them from being blown away by wind.

Activity 1
Conduct an educational tour with your teacher and observe eroded areas. From the
observation list the causes of erosion in those places.

Exercise 1
Use the words below to fill in three sentences.
bare, rain, deforestation, agent
1. Ploughing up and down slopes leaves furrows for the ______ to flow down.
2. Too many cattle overgraze the land, removing ________ cover
3. Cutting down trees removes the vegetation cover and leaves the soil _________.
4. Cutting down of trees without replacing them is called _________.
5. What do we call things that carry soil particles?

Signs of soil erosion

We can tell that erosion has happened by the following signs:

Ground with few grass and trees

1. Absence of grass – this shows that all the fertile soil that make plant grow has been
washed away.

Gully

35
Unit Revision Exercises
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Soil erosion is ________.
A. poor respiration
B. rain drops falling down on rocks
C. washing away of soil by natural, animal and human action
D. a result of weathering
2. Overgrazing causes _________.
A. drought B. soil erosion C. plant rotation D. soil components
3. Choose a sign that shows wind causes soil erosion.
A. Muddy water B. Bare roots C. Dust D. Bubbles
4. Soil covered by grass is __________ from raindrop damage.
A. wet B. dry C. protected D. infertile
5. Raindrops cause soil erosion by __________.
A. carrying stones B. making soil wet C. moving soil away D. taking roots
6. Windy and dry weather carry _________ away.
A. stones B. water C. soil particles D. plants
7. Muddy running water is a sign of _______.
A. dirty water B. soil erosion C. rainfall D. used water
8. People cause soil erosion by _________.
A. ploughing down the slope B. fishing
C. ploughing across the slope D. planting trees
9. Choose an agent of soil erosion from the following.
A. Dust air B. Running water C. Grass cover D. Cutting of trees
10. Soil erosion is high in areas that are __________.
A. gentle B. steep C. covered D. clay

Structured Questions

1. Name three causes of soil erosion. (Water/air/wind/animals)

2. _________ causes soil erosion. (Overstocking/Ploughing across the field)
3. Natural causes of soil erosion is _________. (burning grass/wild animals)
4. Cutting down trees cause _______. (erosion/growing of new trees)
5. We can tell that erosion has taken place by _______. (gullies/good growing crops)

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Uses of water

A person watering plants and cattle

drinking water
Water is used for many purposes in agriculture. Some of the uses of water in agriculture are:
(a) Animals to drink water to survive.
(b) Watering crops.
(c) Cleaning garden crops after harvesting.
(d) Chemicals for controlling pests are mixed with water when spraying.
(e) Habitat for fish.
(f) Water is used in dip tanks.
(g) Cleaning domestic animals like pigs.

Activity 1
List some of the agricultural activities that are done at your school. How is water used in
your community?

Exercise 1
1. List five any crops that are watered at the farm.
2. Name any three animals that are cleaned by water.
3. Identify any five animals that drink water from rivers.
4. Name two animals that live in water
5. All water comes from __________.

Sources of water
All the water that people use originally comes from rain. When rainfalls, some water sinks.
Some of it flows to streams, rivers, dams and lakes. The water that we see in rivers, dams and
lakes is called surface water. The water that sinks underground forms rivers called aquifers.
This water can be used after boreholes have been drilled or through springs.

39
Key points in this unit
• The main uses of water are cleaning cooling, drinking, watering pants and sheltering
fish.
• Sources of water can be natural or man-made.
• Natural source includes rivers, soaring, streams and swamps springs.
• Man-made sources include dams, borehole and wells.

Unit Revision Exercises

Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which one is a use of water in agriculture?
A. Diluting mazoe B. Washing plates C. Washing clothes D. Dipping cattle
2. Which animal lives in water?
A. Fish B. Chicken C. Sheep D. Goat
3. Crops need water to _________.
A. bath B. swim C. grow D. drink
4. Another name for home is ________.
A. hut B. housing C. pigsty D. habitat
5. Watering animals is giving them water to _______.
A. drink B. grow C. swim D. bath
6. All water originally comes from _________.
A. dams B. rivers C. underground D. rain
7. Which of the following is odd one out?
A. Aquifer B. River C. Lake D. Well
8. Surface water is found naturally in __________.
A. dams B. wells C. rain D. rivers
9. Underground water can only be called natural source of water if found in __________.
A. springs B. streams C. aquifers D. lake
10. Underground water can be obtained through _________.
A. boreholes B. buckets C. cups D. buying

Structured Questions
1. Write down any four uses of water in agriculture.
2. All water originally comes from __________.
3. A source which water rises out from the ground naturally is _________.
4. A place where water is found is called _________.
5. Two major sources of water are _________ and ________.
6. Complete the table below. Use the following words.

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3. ________ can be used for live fence.
A. Maize B. Black jack C. Sisal D. Cotton
4. People get _______ from raw maize.
A. dovi B. mealie meal C. meet D. clothes
5. Decorative plants are called ________.
A. wild plants B. live fence C. trees D. ornamental plants
6. Select a cultivated plant which is not used as a food crop.
A. Cabbage B. Maize C. Cotton D. Mushroom
7. Choose a pair of cultivated plants used as oil plant.
A. Wheat and maize B. Sisal and cotton
C. Sunflower and soya beans D. Tea and coffee.
8. Find a crop which is used as a staple food in Zimbabwe.
A. Maize B. Wheat C. Sugarcane D. Soya beans.
9. An example of a fibre crop is _______.
A. soya beans B. cotton C. tobacco D. maize
10. Wild plants are used for ________.
A. protecting soil B. food C. fuel D. steel making

Structured Questions
1. Give the processed products of the following cultivated plants.
(a) sugar cane.
(b) maize.
(c) cotton.
2. Name any two cultivated plants.
3. Cultivated plants are also known as ________.
4. State three animals that use wild plants as their habitat.
5. Name any two domesticated plants.

46
UNIT 12: VEGETABLES
Unit Objectives
At the end of the unit, you should be able to:
(a) name classes of vegetable crops.
(b) grow a leaf vegetable.
(c) market a leaf vegetable.
Introduction
Vegetables are crops which are grown mostly in the garden. They quickly get ripe or ready
for use. The main classes of vegetables are leaf, fruit, root and legume.

Key Words
Edible – good for eating.
Legume – pod bearing plant such as peas.
Variable – groups of plants bred by people within a family of plants.
Temperature – the degree of hotness or coldness of the atmosphere.

Groups of vegetables
There are four classes of vegetables grown in a garden. These are leaf, fruit, root and legume.

Cabbage Beetroots Tomatoes

The table below shows the classes or groups of vegetables.

Group of vegetables Part eaten Examples

Leaf vegetables Leaves Rape, cabbage and covo.
Fruit vegetables Fruit Tomatoes, pepper and chili.
Legume vegetables Pods and seeds Beans and peas.
Root crops Roots Carrots, beet root and turnips.

Activity 1
List some fruit and leaf vegetables commonly grown in your area. What is your favourite
fruit vegetable?

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Exercise 1
1. Name four groups of vegetables.
2. Study the diagram of vegetables below.

(a) What is the name of the vegetable shown?

(b) In which vegetable class does it belong?
3. Name two examples of root vegetable.
4. From the listed vegetables write down fruit vegetables.
Tomatoes, cabbage, onion, pepper, egg plant
5. Name the edible part of rape.

Varieties of leaf vegetables

Leaf vegetables provide human body with minerals such as calcium and iron. Each leaf
vegetable has its varieties. A variety is a different type (breed) of the same plant. Varieties
of leaf vegetables include;
Rape

English giant rape

Varieties of rape include; English giant, Rampart and Giant Essex.
Cabbage

Drumhead cabbage
Varieties of cabbages include; Star 3310, Drumhead and Sugarloaf/sweet cabbage.

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 Exercise 4
1. State the best time to transplant vegetables.
2. List three preparations done when cleaning the land for vegetable production.
3. Give two advantages of good spacing of vegetables.
4. What is transplanting?

Management of vegetable crops

When transplanting have been established, a farmer should carry out the following
operations.
(a) removing the shade
(b) watering
(c) weeding
(d) top dressing
Protection against weeds and pests

A vegetable leaf attacked by aphids

Leaf vegetables need to be protected from pests and diseases.
Examples of vegetable pests are aphids, diamond back moth, cutworms, grasshoppers, leaf
miners and locusts. Pests can be killed by hands. However, when diseases and pests attack,
the vegetable chemicals can be used.
NB: Children under 17 years are not allowed to use agro chemicals.

Activity 5
In groups, talk about ways of protecting vegetables without using chemicals. Present your
answers to the class.

Harvesting
Harvesting means gathering crops when they are mature or
ripe, for example cabbages are harvested when their heads
are hard and firm. Rape is harvested when leaves become
long and bug. Harvesting should be done in the morning or
late afternoon when leaves look turgid.
People harvesting vegetables

55
Marketing
Vegetables like rape can be tied into bundles for selling to individuals.
Vegetables can be packed into crates and sold to bigger markets like Tanaiwa in Masvingo,
Mbare musika in Harare and Jaunda in Gwanda.
They are washed before they are packed for selling using clean water. Cleaning helps in
removing soil and soil organisms like snails.

Practical activity
With the help of the teacher, gather all tools used when harvesting cabbages and rape.
1. Try to harvest the vegetables in your school garden and prepare them for marketing.
2. Ask your teacher or community leaders where else can vegetables be marketed other
than the local township and the community.

Exercise 5
1. Name two common pests that destroy vegetables.
2. Why do we water plants?
3. Give two reasons of removing weeds from vegetable plants.
4. List one operation done to protect plants from diseases.
5. Name an organic fertilizer that can be used to grow vegetables.

Key points in this unit

• Vegetables can be put into four classes, these are fruit, leaf, root and legume
vegetables.
• There are different varieties/types of vegetables.
• Certain steps are followed when preparing land for growing vegetables.
• Farmers should know right time to grow vegetables in their areas.
• Mostly vegetables grow well in cool dry season.
• Only health seedlings should be transplanted to permanent beds.
• Vegetables should be well spaced for them not to compete for sunlight water and
nutrients.
• Weeds are unwanted plants in the bed.
• Farmers sell their vegetables at the market.
• Children are not allowed to use chemicals.

Unit Revision Exercises

Multiple Choice Questions
1. Choose the odd one out.
A. Lettuce B. Rape C. Beans D. Cabbages

56
2. The edible part of the root vegetable is the _________.
A. root B. leaf C. pod D. fruit
3. Pumpkins belong to____ family.
A. leaf B. root C. fruit D. legume
4. Select a variety of rape.
A. Drumhead B. Sugarloaf C. Rampart D. Rape
5. Name a tool used to level a vegetable bed in a garden.
A. Spade B. Line C. Hoe D. Rake
6. Which group of vegetable help to fix nitrogen?
A. Fruit B. Leaf C. Legume D. Root
7. What do we call a bed used to raise vegetable seedlings?
A. Nursery B. Field C. Orchard D. Garden
8. ______________ is an example of a vegetable pest
A. Tick B. Lice C. Housefly D. Aphids
9. The right time to transplant seedlings is ______.
A. late morning B. late afternoon C. afternoon D. sunny day
10. Transplanting means_____________ seedlings to a permanent bed.
A. watering B. shading C. transferring D. germinating

Structured Questions
Show whether each statement is true or false.
1. Leaf vegetables are not popularly grown in Zimbabwe.
2. Sugarloaf is a variety of cabbage.
3. The best tool for leveling a bed is a rake.
4. Rape has no varieties.
5. Seedlings are transplanted in a hot day.

57
 Activity 1
With your group discuss the uses of honey at home.

Exercise 1
1. Bees make ___________.
2. Bees live in a ____________.
Use True or False
3. Bees live in a small group of about twenty bees.
4. Bees use nectar for making honey.
5. Bees need only hives made by people for them to make honey.

Importance of bees
• They make honey.
• They help in the process of
pollination.

Though bees are very important, they are

very dangerous. They can sting people to
death if care is not taken as to how people
should live in harmony with them. When their
hive is disturbed, they move out to a new
place. They fly as a group making a buzzing Inside the hive - honeycombs made by bees
sound.
Uses of honey
• Honey is used by many people as food.
• Honey is good for human health. Some cough mixtures are made using honey.
• Honey can be sold and people can make a living out of that.

Activity 2
Do a research in pairs; find out from people who are already keeping bees, the dos and
don`ts when keeping bees.

Exercise 2
1. What do bees collect from flowers?
2. What are the dangers of keeping bees?
3. Pollination is helped by ___________.
4. Give any one use of honey.
5. What can be done by people who keep bees so that they earn a living out of such
project?

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Key points in this unit
• Apiculture deals with keeping of bees.
• Bees collect nectar from flowers and water from water sources and use these for
making honey.
• Bees live together in large numbers in one hive and work together to make honey.
• Honey is very useful to human life; it can be eaten as pure honey or can be used for
making other products like cough syrup.
• Bees can be very dangerous sometimes. Their stings can cause death so people
must learn to live in harmony with bees.

Unit Revision Exercises

Multiple Choice Questions
1. A hive is shelter for _______________.
A. insects B. ants C. birds D. bees
2. Commercial bee keepers ____________.
A. make honey B. sell honey C. kill bees D. eat bees
3. On flowers bees are attracted by ___________
A. bright coloured petals B. water
C. honey D. pollen
4. Bees usually live together in large numbers, this is called a _________
A. buzz B. nectar C. hive D. colony
5. The keeping of bees for commercial purposes is known as ________
A. bee culture B. honey bee C. apiculture D. hive culture
6. Which process is helped by bees?
A. Erosion B. Pollination C. Commercial D. Stinging

Structured Questions
1. What are the dangers of keeping bees?
2. Give any one use of honey.
3. A group of bees is led by the ____________.
4. Besides nectar, what else is needed for making honey.

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 FARM IMPLEMENTS AND
Topic
MACHINERY

7
UNIT 22: FARM MACHINERY
Unit Objectives
At the end of the unit, you should be able to:
(a) list farm machinery.
Introduction
Farm implements are very useful to the farmer. Work is done faster when using machinery.
Also implements make work easier. This helps the farmer to get improved yields. A variety of
implements can be used by farmers depending on what they afford.

Key Words
Implements – a tool or machine to use for doing work.
Tillage – the cultivation of land for farming.
Clods – a lump of soil.

Farm tools
There are common tools which are found on almost every farm. These are very simple tools
and they are cheaper as compared to heavy machinery used on commercial farms.

Shovel Rake Pick Hoe

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Tool Use
Hoe Digging.
wheelbarrow Carrying farm tools and light farm produce.
Axe Cutting trees and firewood.
Rake Levelling the ground and breaking soil lumps after digging.
Watering cane Watering in the garden.
Secateurs Pruning.
Pick Digging.
Hand fork Light cultivation between seedlings.
Garden trowel Transplanting seedlings from seedbed to permanent bed.
Shovel Loading manure into scotch cart.
When preparing land for growing crops, farmers use either ox drawn or tractor drawn
implements.
Ox drawn implements
Implement Use
Plough – for tilling the land and cultivation to destroy weeds.
Cultivator – for cultivation.
Planter – for planting seeds.
Harrow – for breaking clods of soil and removing weeds on
cultivated land.
Scotch cart – for carrying manure and farm produce from the fields.

Ox drawn planter Ox drawn cultivator

Tractor drawn implements
Commercial farmers use heavy machinery which need tractors to pull them because they
are too heavy to be pulled by oxen
Implement Use
Planter – for planting.
Plough – for deep ploughing and cultivation.
Disc harrow – for tilling the land.

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These are sometimes processed to make products like yoghurt, cheese and ice cream.

Polony from beef Yoghurt from milk Salad cream from eggs

Gardening
Vegetables can be sold at local markets by vendors as shown below.

Vegetables Potatoes Tomatoes

Field crop production
Maize, sorghum, millet and wheat are sold at GMB. The grains are stored in silos.

Silos for storing grain

Activity 1
Give five agricultural products that are sold at your nearest market. What are the advantages
of selling at a local market? Discuss as a group.

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Unit Revision Exercises
Multiple Choice Questions
1. __________are sold at Cold Storage Commission.
A. Cattle B. Donkeys C. Tobacco D. Beans
2. Silos are for storing _________.
A. meat B. milk C. grain D. potatoes
3. __________ is a product from livestock production.
A. Fruit juice B. Roofing timber C. Flowers D. Cheese
4. Which one is not produced by communal farmers?
A. Mangoes B. Eggs C. Milk D. Yoghurt
5. _________farmers grow crops for family consumption and extras are sold.
A. Poor B. Commercial C. Communal D. Rich
6. Farmers who do gardening sell ___________.
A. meat B. vegetables C. milk D. eggs

Structured Questions
1. What is a market?
2. Give two examples of local markets.
3. What is a commercial farmer?
4. TV and radio are important to commercial farmers because they are used for _______.

106
TEST III
PAPER 1: Multiple Choice Questions
Answer all the questions in this section.
1. Agriculture does NOT involve _________.
A. minerals B. crops C. flowers D. rainfall
2. A person who grows crops and keeps animals is a _______.
A. farmer B. miner C. shopkeeper D. carpenter
3. A tool that one can use for tying wires is a_________.
A. hand fork B. garden fork C. garden trowel D. pincers

4. The correct use of the tool shown on the diagram is ________.

A. pruning B. watering C. weeding D. transplanting

5. Which hazard is likely to be faced by people during the rainy season?

A. Veld fires B. Frost C. Lightning D. Ploughing
6. Which of the following is toxic?
A. Cough syrup B. Poultry feeds C. Pesticides D. Gloves
7. It is not safe to shelter ________ during a rainy storm.
A. in the house B. under a tree C. in a classroom D. in a car
8. People must wear protective clothing when__________.
A. eating food B. walking around
C. spraying chemicals D. bathing
9. Goggles are worn to protect the _______.
A. eyes B. hands C. feet D. ears
10. In Zimbabwe planting is done at the start of the __________ season.
A. cold B. summer C. winter D. spring
11. ________ is a period with months June and July.
A. Winter B. Autumn C. Spring D. Summer
12. Which crop is commonly grown in winter?
A. Soyabeans B. Cotton C. Wheat D. Groundnuts
13. When the rain season is too short to support plant growth, farmers ____ their crops.
A. ignore B. irrigate C. cut D. burn
14. Soil moisture is caused by _______.
A. water B. air C. wind D. sun
15. Dead plant and animal matter forms ________.
A. inorganic matter B. soil air C. soil water D. organic matter
16. An example of compound fertilizer is ______.
A. compound D B. ammonium nitrate
C. manure D. nitrogen
17. When soil is eroded, it is carried into dams and rivers causing _______
A. fertility B. siltation C. withering D. slopping

107
38. Which living organism is involved in apiculture?
A. Fish B. Bird C. Bee D. Worms

39. This is a ____________ drawn implement.

A. tractor B. coal C. fuel D. ox

40. Cattle feeds can be made using _______ from poultry.

A. skins B. feathers C. bones D. pelts
41. Which part of a plant binds the soil and thus preventing soil erosion?
A. Stems B. Fruits C. Leaves D. Roots
42. Dairy cattle are kept for _______.
A. milk B. meat C. draught power D. beautifying homes
43. Farmers can harvest water by __________.
A. constructing dams B. irrigation
C. making canals D. early planting
44. Which crop is used for brewing beer?
A. Cotton B. Groundnuts C. Sorghum D. Sunflower
45. __________ can be controlled by spraying.
A. Hail B. Lightning C. Weeds D. Drought
46. Crops are protected from fire by use of __________.
A. bottles of water B. cultivation C. fire guard D. green house
47. Flowers are used for making ___________.
A. fruit juices B. perfumes C. milk products D. pellets

48. This tree is __________.

A. an exotic B. an indigenous C. a dry tree D. having many fruits

49. Which plant is grown for food?

A. Pepper B. Sisal C. Tobacco D. Cotton
50. Most staple crops give ____________.
A. minerals B. proteins C. vitamins D. carbohydrates

109
PAPER 2: STRUCTURED QUESTIONS
Answer all the questions in this section A and B.
SECTION A [25]
Answer all the question in this section.
1. (a) List three domestic animals that do NOT provide food for humans. [3]
(b) Other forms of fuel that can be used instead of firewood are _____ and _____. [2]
2. (a) Name any two indigenous trees used for timber. [2]
(b) Give any three uses of animals at a farm. [3]
3. (a) Three domestic animals that provide draught power are _____, ____ and ____. [3]
(b) Give two natural feeds for cattle. [2]
4. (a) Identify three local places where vendors can market their products. [3]
(b) Which two crops can be used for making cooking oil? [2]
5. (a) Give any two groups of ornamental plants. [2]
(b) What are the uses of trees at home? [3]
6. (a) Give any two types of chickens that are usually raised for commercial purposes. [2]
(b) Three domestic poultry fowls that provide meat and eggs are ___, ____ and ___. [3]

SECTION B
Each question carries 10 marks, answer any two questions to get 20 marks
7. (a) For a named poultry of your choice, how are poultry raised?
Name of poultry ____________________________
Shelter _____________________________
Natural feed ___________________________
Artificial feed ________________________
One by-product __________________________ [5]
(b) Give different products that can be made from these fruits.
oranges, lemons, mulberry, banana, avocado [5]
8. (a) Silos are made for the safe keeping of ___________. [1]
(b) Match the following correctly.
Cattle COTTCO Dairiboard Maize Tobacco

Farm product Market

________________ GMB

_____________ CSC

110