A TECHNICAL REPORT ON STUDENT INDUSTRIAL WORK

EXPERIENCE SCHEME (SIWES) UNIVERSITY RESEARCH

DONE AT

IMO STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING AND DEMONSTRATION FARM,

OWERRI

BY

NNAMEZIE PRECIOUS

15/27679

SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND

FISHERIES, FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE AND VETERINARY
MEDICINE
 IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE
AWARD OF BACHELOR DEGREE IN AGRICULTURE (B.AGRIC)
NOVEMBER, 2019.

DEDICATION

I dedicate this work to God Almighty, and my parents Mr. Nnamezie Oguike and

late Mrs. Uchechi Nnamezie.

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am most grateful to God Almighty for His mercy, help and substance throughout

the period of my industrial training.

My innermost gratitude goes to Mr. Leonard Anyanwu (the farm manager) Mr.

Nwaiwu Abuchi and indeed to the staff members of the farm for the knowledge

they impacted in me through this period.

I recognized the effort of the faculty academic staff, Prof. F.N Mmadubuike, Prof.

B. U Ekenyem, Prof. Kennedy Okorie, Dr. Mrs. Okonkwo, Dr. T.K. Obih and host

of other lecturers, I am favoured to have been taught by this patriotic enthusiastic

team.

I wish to specially appreciate my parents Mr. and Late Mrs Nnamezie Oguike, my

uncles and aunts, for their support towards my academic pursuit.

 PREFACE

This report covers accurately all the practical agricultural activities during the

2018/2019 industrial training in Imo State University Teaching and demonstration

farm. During my stay at the farm, I was exposed to various farm management

practices, market and community survey. The training cut across raising of day old

birds (broiler mgt) to sell after reaching market weight, management of pregnant

and nursing sows (pigs), production of pig, weaners and pokers production of fish

from fingerlings to consumption of marketable size, management of layers,

apiculture and under crop section, we were exposed to fruited pumpkin, cassava,

maize and then for farm management operation.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page i

Dedication ii

Acknowledgement iii

Preface iv

Table of Contents v
CHAPTER ONE:

1.0. Overview of SIWES

1.1 Objectives of SIWES 3

1.2. Geographical location of IMSU Farm

1.3. Mandate of IMSU Farm

1.4. Rules and Regulations guiding I.T Programsin Imo State

University, Owerri

1.5. The Organisational Chart of Imo State University Farm

1.6. History of Imo State University Farm
CHAPTER TWO (CROP PRODUCTION)

2.0. Introduction

2.1. Production of Fluted Pumpkin

2.2. Production of Cassava and Maize Inter Crop

CHAPTER THREE (ANIMAL SECTION)

3.0. Introduction

3.1. Fishery (Catfish) Unit

3.2. Piggery Unit

3.3. Poultry Unit

3.3.1. Type of poultry feed

3.3.2. The Poultry house

3.3.3. Brooding and materials used for brooding

3.3.4. Recognition of Disease in Poultry

CHAPTER FOUR (PERSONAL PROJECT (APICULTURE))

4.0. Introduction

4.1. Items needed for beekeeping

4.2. Baiting

4.3. Personal project activities in the Farm

4.4. Bee Colonies

4.5. Harvesting of Honey

4.6. Cost Analysis

4.7. Importance of Bee Keeping

CHAPTER FIVE (TECHNICAL SECTION)

5 .0. Introduction to Technical Section

5.1. The Feed Mill

5.1.0. Operation

5.1.1 Maintenance of the hammer mill

5.2. Tractor

5.2.0. Daily/Periodic Maintenance

CHAPTER SIX (PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED AND EXPERIENCE GAIN)

6.0. Experience gained
6.1. Problem Encountered
6.2. Suggestions
6.3. Recommendations
6.4. Conclusion
 CHAPTER ONE
1.0. AN OVERVIEW OF SIWES

Was founded by the federal government, through an agency called

Industrial Training Fund (I.T.F) in the year 1973, which has its branch office at

Ogbor Hill, Aba, Abia State and Co-ordinated by national university commission

(NUC). It is a skill acquisition training programme, designed to educate, expose,

encourage and prepare students in universities, polytechnics, colleges of education,

universities of science and technology, colleges of Agriculture, etc for industrial

work experience.

The duration of this programme in Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine

according to the Law of NUC is one (1) academic section and mainly their 400l

students.
 The scheme gives the students the opportunity of familiarizing and

exposing themselves to the needed experience in handing equipment’s and

machines that are usually not available in their institutions. It is an effort to bridge

the gap existing between theory and practical of professional education

programmes in the Nigerian tertiary institutions.

1.1. OBJECTIVES OF SIWES

To provide avenue for students to get acquainted with industrial skills and

experience in their discipline and beyond.

To make students to be articulated and concentrated on any work they found

themselves doing.

To create opportunities and contacts for students for later future job placement.

It expose students to work methods and techniques in handling equipment and

machinery that may not be available in their institutions

To provide students with an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in real

work situations. Thereby bridging the gap between theory and practical.
 To enlist and strengthen employers involvement in the entire educational

process and prepare students for employment in industry and commerce.

1.2. GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF IMSU FARM

The Imo State University farm is situated at longitude 6°c & 7° East, and

latitude 5°c & 6°c North. The mean annual temperature is 26. 5-27.5°c. It has a

relative humidity of 75%-80%. Annual rainfall is between 200-248mm. the farm

has a sandy loamy soil, with an average ph of 5.5, according to Ministry of Land

Survey 2004. The farm has approximately 20 hectares of land, which was used for

crop and animal production. Unfortunately, significant percentage of the farm was

acquired by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the purpose of

building students hostel. Also erosion and encroachment from Aladinma end of the

farm has reduced the farm to noting. The devastating effects of soil erosion to the

farm have drastically reduced the farm yield.

1.3. MANDATE OF IMSU FARM

Imo state University farm is involve in research work, demonstration work,

and practical work both live stock, crop product and technical section. Its mandate

is as follows:

TEACHING AND LEARNING: Industrial students posted to IMSU farm are

been taught agriculture during their period of stay.

RESEARCH PURPOSE: To carryout research work, students of different levels

and departments carryout their research works in IMSU farm. Including the M.SC,

students, and P.H.D students. Other departments in the university send their

students for research work in the school farm. Such departments include;

Biochemistry, Animal and Environmental Biology, Medical Laboratory Science,

microbiology etc.

DEMONSTRATION & EXTENSION WORK: Provides students with

opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in real work situations like I.T,

Agricultural demonstration and extension services.

1.4. RULES AND REGULATIONS GUIDING I.T PROGRAM IN

IMO STATE UNIVERSITY FARM

The followings are the rules by which every students

carrying out his industrial training in the Imo state university

farm must abide by:

Obedience to the staff of the university.

Avoid fighting

Punctuality
Every student must have his/her own green farm coat and a

safety boot for farm work.

Must keep record of all the day-day activities that take place in

the farm in the log book.

Plucking of fruits like oranges, pears, vegetable, coconut etc is

highly prohibited.

Avoid stealing

1.5. THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF IMO STATE UNIVERSITY

FARM
1.6. HISTORY OF IMO STATE UNIVERSITY FARM
The Imo State University farm has been on its own before
the creation of Abia State in the year 1991, after the creation.
The facilities of IMSU were ceded to Abia State University and all
the resources in Old Imo State University (IMSU) was allocated to
Abia State University (ABSU), because of the location at Uturu
Community in Isiukwato Local Government Area of Abia State
which is part of the newly created state (Abia).
In 1992 the then governor of Imo State Chief Evan

Enwerem re-established Imo State University (IMSU) in Owerri

and moved it’s location to the present site where Federal

University of Technology (FUTO) was occupying before FUTO

moved to Ihiagwa its permanent site till date.

 The first National University Commission (NUC)

accreditation of Imo State University Teaching and Demonstration

Farm (IMSU T&D farm) and the Faculty of Agriculture and

Veterinary Medicine (FAVM) took place in 1994 under the

chairmanship of the Dean Prof. F.N Madubike.

Imo State University Teaching and Demonstration Farm

(IMSU T&D farm) has a design programme for students in the

Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, where the 200l

students carryout a compulsory farm practice (AGR 292) and the

400l students undergo their student Industrial Work Experience

Scheme (SIWES) programme, which Last for one (1) academic

section. The final year students carry out their research and

Demonstration practice in the school farm and also students from

other faculties do carry out their own research in the school farm.

IMSU farm has a total No of eleven (11) staffs, two (2)

professionals, nine (9) non-professionals and one (1) veterinary

Doctor.
The farm was commercialized in the year 2004, Fourteen batches

of students has undergo their SIWES training in the research

farm.

The farm is involved in the following:

Livestock production

Crop production and

Technical section.

CHAPTER TWO

CROP PRODUCTION

2.0. INTRODUCTION
 A crop is a domesticated plant; it involves the area of agriculture which is

the cultivation or act of growing crops, fruits, vegetable and cash crop as food.

There are so many varieties of crop, cultivated in IMSU Teaching and

demonstration farm which include permanent crop (Kola nitida etc) plantation and

arable crops (Telifeira occednetalis, Elias guineasis etc).

During the period of my I.T in IMSU farm, I was also posted to the crop

section. There, I was assigned to cultivate and produce various crops like fluted

pumpkin (Telferia occidentalis) cassava and maize. Fluted pumpkin was solely,

while cassava and maize were intercropped so as to conserve land.

2.1. PRODUCTION OF FLUTED PUMPKIN (Telferia occidentalis)

Kingdom - Plantae

Phylum - Magnoliophyta

Class - Magnolio Psida

Order - Cucurbitales

Family - Cucurbetaceae

Genus - Telferia

Specie - T. occidentalis
 This is a vegetable crop that is indigenous to south Eastern part of Nigeria.
It can be eaten by leaf or seed. It is cultivated because of its edible succulent shoots
and leaves. They seeds are used as propagating material. The cultivation of this
crop was carried out in IMSU Research farm. About two plots of land were
allocated to students. Clearing of the land was done in March and planting
activities took place in April. On this portion of land, I made a bed 1m x 1m with
its furrow path measuring 10cm.

Two (2) seed were plated per hole of about 4cm depth, spacing of 30cm x
50cm. organic manure was applied after making my bed. The seed started
sprouting at the 8th day and at 30th day; it has reached its maturity for harvesting.
The vines were stalked. (It enhances the yield of the crop). The Telferia seed
cultivated was gotten from the market.

I weeded the bed manually at three (3) weeks interval, mulching activities
was carried out at early stage. There was no disease and pest attack as at the time
of my research. Telferia occidentalis is an all season crop and is capital oriented
(But I was not able to know the economic yield of the crop because it was
harvested by the school management).

CULTURAL PRACTICES IN FLUTED PUMPKIN

WEEDING: The fluted pumpkin is sensitive to weed. The weeds harbour biting
and chewing insects which destroy its foliage. The weeds also rob it of nutrients. I
ensured that I weeded off all unwanted plants by the use of hoe and hand picking.

PRUNNING: This is done two to three weeks after emergence. If not done on
time, the vegetable will produce sterile flowers and turn brownish green.
STAKING: This was done as soon as the tendrils became long enough. The
staking materials are sticks which are raised in a platform where the vines spread
for sunlight and bloom.

Lack of staking will make the vines to twine and difficult to harvest.

FERTILIZER APPLICATION: There was no application of inorganic fertilizer

rather well decayed poultry droppings( nitrogen rich fertilizer) was used in a
broadcast method of application on the soil two weeks after planting and a day
after weeding, this enabled the plant to maintain a luxuriant greenish appearance.

2.2. CASSAVA AND MAIZE INTER CROP

Inter cropping is a multiple cropping practice involving, growing two or

more crops in proximity for a greater yield, reducing risk of crop loss and
utilization of resources that are available.

Cassava and maize were intercropped in IMSU research farm. These crops
are staple crops which grow well on loamy soil. Some plots of land was allocated
to students which was cleared, ploughed, harrowed and ridged by the tractor, after
that, we remove the stumps and arranged the ridge in order before planting. The
ridge was share into four (15m long each).

The cassava stems used in planting was gotten from already existing stems
in IMSU Research farm consisting of different varieties like TMS 419-Yelow
colour inside, TMS 30576, white cassava and the maize was gotten from Imo ADP
consisting of oba super 2, Imo Best.

TECHNIQUES FOR PLANTING

Cultivation of cassava and maize inter crop took place on May where the cassava
was planted at an angle on the ridge and the maize was planted in between the
cassava. The spacing used for both is 1m x 1m stem cutting 30m was used.

STEM RATE CALCULATION FOR CASSAVA

Length of ridge assigned = 15m

Spacing required for planting =1m x 1m and stem was cut at 30cm size each.

Planting depth = 450c horizontally.

Number of stem per metre =2

15 holes were obtained at 1m apart, 1/2m space were left at both ends, which is
1m, for tuberization.

Therefore to get the total number of stem cuttings, we have 2 x 15= 30 stem
cuttings.

FOR MAIZE

Length of ridge assigned = 15m

Spacing required for planting = 50cm i.e. at the middle of 1m of the cassava hole.

No of seed per = 3 total of 15 holes were obtained. Therefore, to calculate the seed
rate of 3 per hole, 3 x 15 = 45 seeds for my ridge.

Germination: The cassava emerged within 5-7 days after planting and maize
emerged within 4-5 days after planting.

CULTURAL PRACTICES
WEEDING: Weeding was done by each student on the ridges allocated to him/her.
It was done manually by me with use of hoe and at times I used to pick the weeds
with hand on inspection of cassava and maize growth performance, in order to
reduce weeds competing with the planted crops for nutrients, sunlight, and space.

FERTILIZER APPLICATION: Each strands of cassava and maize was applied

with 15g of NKP: 20:10:10 (Golden) fertilizer a day after weeding and some weeks
after planting, using band method of application, this is to boost the growth of
cassava and maize.

PEST CONTROL:

The incidence of pest and disease was not a common occurrence in the farm,
however I observed a few of them, Army worms, Grasshoppers and guinea fowls
are the prominent ones and I killed the grasshopper on sight and the guinea fowl, I
kept on scaring them.

HARVESTING

After 90 days the maize was harvested, but the cassava was not harvested, because
it has not reached its maturity during the period of my research. No disease attack
but pests were identified.
 CHAPTER THREE

ANIMAL SECTION

3.0. INTRODUCTION

Animals otherwise known as livestock section in the IMSU farm. Is an

aspect of agriculture that deals with the rearing of farm animals, like pigs, goats,

poultry, cattle, rabbits, snail, fish, sheep etc. In IMSU farm, there is a mutual

association between animals, plants and soil. The animal’s droppings are used as

manure to fertilize the soil for optimum growth of crops. These crops are

consumed by animals and the soil provides support for the roots of the crops and
also serves as a base for the animals. This cycle reduces cost for human

consumption.

There are three (3) animal management systems known to man.

These are:

Intensive system

Semi-intensive system and

Extensive system

Intensive system: This is a process of rearing animals, where by animals are

confined and managed.

Semi-intensive: This is a process of rearing animals, where by animals are

managed both indoors and outdoors [both intensive and extensive] at the

convenience of the famer.

Extensive system: This is the process where-by animals are allowed to move about

in search of green pasture and water.

The management system of livestock used in Imo State University Research and

Demonstration Farm is intensive system and semi-intensive system of production.

The animals reared in intensive system in IMSU Farm are as follow;

Poultry

Rabbit

Snail

Fish

Then cattle in semi-intensive system.

INTENSIVE SYSTEM: In Intensive system all the animals needs in terms of

food, water and medication are carried out by the animal’s keeper or attendant.

In all cases, it is aimed at producing high quality product like meat, egg, milk etc.

it allows the animals to express their full growth or yielding potentials.

In this system, growth and development is under control, as well as being

uniform and maturity is rapid. Danger from wild animals and pouchers is

eliminated and proper records can be kept, making economic evaluation of the

enterprise very possible.

However, the greatest disadvantage of this system is that it needs high

capital investments for buildings, equipment’s, specialized labour and feed: Also,

the chance of disease spread is high. In Imo State University Farm, the intensive

system of management is carried out properly with the help of the I.T. students and

the staff of the farm.

SEMI-INTENSIVE: In this system housing is provided and the cattle were

allowed to move out and graze under the attention of herdsmen. They spend more

time outside their Pens. Their house built into the paddock is airy; the entire area

was fenced to secure the animals against thieves and dangers of traffic movement.

3.1. FISHERY (CATFISH) UNIT

Fish are cold-blooded poikilothermic aquatic vertebrates, possessing gills

for respiration and fins primarily for locomotion. It is an aquatic animal. Fish

farming is the act of rearing, selected species of fish under scientific control

conditions in enclosed bodies of water. Catfish is the only fish reared in the school

farm. In the school farm, the fishes are reared in a standard surface fish pond and

tarpaulin pond where they are fed, grown and are harvested for consumption or for

sale.

There are eight concrete fish ponds in the school farm, each measuring

4×16 meters. All of them are for rearing fingerlings to maturity. Water is provided

by borehole and two 10000 cm3 capacity overhead plastic reservoir tanks are

provided for the fishes. The water is reticulated from a rubber tap fixed at the back

of the pond. The reticulation does not require pumping machines, rather, open the

water outlet for draining of water and water inlet for filling the ponds.

3.2. PIGGERY UNIT

Pig belongs to:

Kingdom - Animalia

Order - Artiodactyl-hoofed animal

Family - Suidae

Genus - Sus

Species - Sus sacrofa, sus vittatus

Pigs are known as viviparous and omnivorous animals. Viviparous in the

sense that they give birth to their young ones alive and omnivorous because they

feed on both plants and animals. Pigs are also well known for their high level of

proliferation. It is generally believed that pigs were originated from China and

Europe, but because of their high level of feed conversion ratio (FCR), they are

now being reared in almost every part of the world.

Pig is a very important source of animal protein in human diets that is more

efficient in carcass yield than goats, cattle, sheep, poultry etc. and they have high

fecundity, are easy to manage and very good at converting kitchen waste to food.

Pigs are monogastric.

The system of management being practiced in IMSU Farm is the intensive

system and the pigs are kept in pens. They have a multipurpose pig house where
the growers, fattener, wieners are kept. Buildings are constructed with a height of

the block 3m by length and a wire quaze on top of the block measuring 4m by

length. Inside the building is a demarcation of pens, divided into eight (8)

apartments which are of two (2) sides. The floors are cemented to prevent the pigs

from burrowing the ground. The pigs have their feed troops, Wallower and

drinking trough where they drink water.

The breeds of pigs found in IMSU Farm are large white, and Landrace but

these breeds have been crossed (hybrid). The pens are cleared daily with the help

of I.T. student. Growing pigs should be fed adlibitum on balanced diet for fast

growth and development. Feed restriction should be practiced at the finishing stage

of the life of pigs to discourage excessiveness of fat deposit.

DAILY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Disposal of duns in pens

Washing of the pens

Discarding and refilling of water troughs

Cleaning and washing of the floors and walls of the pens with disinfectant

Feeding the pigs with leftover spain grain, P.K.C. (palm kernel cake)
3.3. POULTRY UNIT

3.3.0. CLASSIFICATION

Kingdom - Animalia

Phylum - Chordate

Class - Aves

Order - Galliformes

Subfamily - Phasiavadae

Genus - Gallus

Species - G. gallus

The term poultry refers to group of birds reared for food and other

purposes. This includes domestic fowls, turkey, duck, guinea fowls etc.The most

useful aspect of poultry keeping is the food that birds produce in terms of high

quality eggs and meat. Poultry manure is also becoming important for maintaining

soil fertility and thereby increasing productivity. They are non-ruminant animals,

i.e. having a single stomach.

In Imo State University Farm, the intensive system is practiced. Under

the intensive system, we have:

Deep litter system

Battery-cage system

The deep litter system is often practiced in Imo State University Farm. It is

poultry in confinement. In this system, birds are permanently housed to prevent

predators, thieves and vermin. The birds are confined inside poultry pens and they

do not have access to grassland. This system prevents the birds from going out in

search of food, as feed and water are brought to their confinement.

The disadvantage however includes the increase in the chance of disease

spread due to physical contact, vices such as cannibalism, feather pulling etc.

which decreases the productivity of the birds.

3.3.1. TYPES OF POULTRY FEED

CHICK MESH: This type of feed is fed to chicks from the age of one day to
8 weeks. It contains 20% crude protein and 2700/2800MEKcal/kg.
GROWER MESH: This is for growing pullets or cockerels with 16% crude
protein and 2700/2800MEKcal/kg and is fed from 7-20weeks.
LAYERS MESH: Fed to the laying stock from 22-74 weeks. It contains 16%
crude protein and 2700/2800MEKcal/kg.
BROILER STARTER MESH: This is fed to the meat type poultry. The feed
is fed to the broiler from day old chick to 5 weeks. It contains 23% crude
protein and 3100/3200MEKcal/kg
BROILER FINISHER: It is fed to the broiler birds from 5 weeks to market
size. It contains 20% crude protein and 3100/3200MEKcal/kg. These feeds
contain high quality protein, high vitamins and mineral concentrate.
3.3.2. THE POULTRY HOUSE

The dimension of the poultry house of Imo State University Farm is 33×7.6cm for

broilers, while that for layers is 8.6×85m. About 2m from the ground is built with

blocks and the rest to the roof is completed with wire quaze, to allow free flow of

air and prevent unwanted animals from entering the building the roof is made with

asbestos. The floor is finely cemented for easy cleaning.

3.3.3. BROODING AND MATERIALS USED FOR BROODING

Brooding refers to the period of growth during which supplementary heat is

provided for the birds’ comfort, which is usually from day old to four weeks in the

tropics. This is the most critical period in the life of the bird and there can be more

mortality during this period.

Materials used for brooding includes; litter-wood shavings, newspapers, kerosene

stove or lanterns, black nylon, drinkers, feeders, matches etc.

HEAT AND LIGHT

The most vital thing for birds during the earliest period of their life is

warmth. This accounts for the reason why birds cover their young one’s under their

wings. During brooding, care was taken to provide this needed warmth artificially.
This provision helps them until they become used to outside climate. Common

sense observation was used as a guide to their comfort.

RESPONSE OF DAY OLD CHICKS TO HEAT VENTILATION

Adequate ventilation was provided for the chicks by removing the black

nylon during the day or in warm situation to enable supply of fresh air to the chicks

and prevent a build-up of humidity in the poultry house.

A.

B.

C.
When to remove the heat depends on the climate and the season of the year.
Brooding was done for 30days; the source of heat used was the stove and lantern.
The Lantern which also serve as the source of heat.

IMSU teaching and demonstration Farm has four (4) brooding house and

three (3) well-constructed deep litter system building where the broilers and layers

birds are kept. I was thought in the school farm that it is advisable that a farmer

should brood by himself, this is to enable him administer the normal dosage of

vaccine to prevent disease and high mortality. Brooding of bird is usually done

between day old-4 weeks of age before they are now transferred to their permanent

place.

3.3.4. RECOGNIZING DISEASE IN POULTRY

The birds will look dull. Eat less, their droppings turns to blood or greenish in

colour, they begin to lay few eggs, their wattle comb becomes dark, feathers begin

to drop twisting of the neck etc.

CONTROL OF DISEASE

Vaccinate the birds starting from their day one

Cull the infected birds

Sanitation should be carried out regularly in the farm
 CHAPTER FOUR

PERSONAL PROJECT (APICULTURE)

4.0. INTRODUCTION

Apiculture otherwise known as bee keeping is the science of keeping honey bee,
harvesting, processing and marketing of the honey and other by products. An
apiary is the place where hives are kept for a successful beekeeping practice. The
place must be a lonely place where noise and chemical will not irritate the bee
colonies.

CLASSIFICATION

Kingdom: Animalia (animals)

Phylum: Arthropoda (arthropods)

Subphylum: Hexapoda (hexapods)

Class: Insects (insects)

Order: Hymeyoptera

Genus: Apis
Species: Apismellifera

4.1. ITEMS NEEDED FOR BEEKEEPING

Beekeeping requires small capital to start up. However, one can source the

equipment and all inputs required for it locally. Bee farming is cheap and do not

consume time. This is because, all they need is a place they get nectar, pollen,

water and a hive to live in. Beekeeping/farming does not require that you own land

as you can practice it on coastlands. Also, you do not need to feed bees as they

scavenge on nectar and pollen. Some of the farm crops they pollinate also provide

nectar for the bees, for a successful beekeeping the following items are needed:

protective cloth, smoker, hive tool box, hive bodies and cover, containers.

Protective Clothing: The beekeepers need protective clothing against bee stings.

Clothings should aim at protecting vulnerable areas of the body such as the face,

neck etc. Defensive bees are attracted by human breath. A sting on the face can

lead to much more pain and swelling than a sting elsewhere, while a sting on a bare

hand can be quickly removed by fingernail scrape to reduce the amount of venom

injected.

Novice beekeepers usually wear gloves and a hooded suit or hat boats and veil,

whereas experienced beekeepers sometimes elect not to use gloves because they

inhibit delicate manipulations. The protective clothing is generally light coloured

(but should not be colourful) and of smooth material. This provides maximum

differentiation from the colony’s natural predators (such as bears) which tend to be

dark coloured furry, stings retained in clothing fabric continue to pump out an

“alarm pheromone” that attracts aggressive action and further stinging attacks.

Regular washing of suits, and rinsing gloves in vinegar minimizes attraction.

Smoker: A smoker is a device designed to generate smoke from the incomplete

combustion of various fuels, smoke calms bees. It masks alarm pheromones

released by guard bees or when bees are squashed in an inspection. The ensuing

confusion creates an opportunity for the beekeeper to open the hive and work

without triggering a defensive reaction. Various types of fuel can be used in

smoker, provided it is natural. Such fuel includes; sawdust/woodshavings, oil palm

bunch spikes, dehusked coconut fibres and liquid smoke.

Hive Tool Box: This contains various tools, useful for performing various tasks

such as separating and removing frames from a hive body removal of the wax

covering that the bees deposit over the honey to keep it from absorbing water etc.

Hive bodies and Covers: These are the boxes that the bees live in and store honey.

It usually comes in various forms, depending on the preference of the beekeeper.

We have the grass hive, the clay-pot hive, the gourd hive, the top-bar hive etc.
Containers: Containers comes in as many shapes and sizes as you can imagine.

They are used when harvesting.

4.2. BAITING:

A bait hive is an empty hive that is set up to attack a swarm during swarming

season. In the bee colony, about one week before a colony swarms, scout bees are

sent to find a house. From the study of how bees behave, it has been found that

scout bee accept or like cavities/houses that are:

A place not very close to where they lived before

Sufficiently large cavity for enough food storage to last during the adverse weather

Easily defendable enclosure

Shady area away from direct sunshine and well ventilated

Cool dry place.

Baiting is the process use to attract bee colony to a hive using baiting materials like

propolis, honey, honey wax, pineapple,palm wine etc.

To bait a hive, pour propolis on them to attract swarms better. Palm wine and

pineapples attract scout bees but snag is that the bees usually leave after sucking

the juice or sometimes they are driven away by black ants. During the course of
my Industrial attachment, I baited 5 times using honey, pineapple peel and

fermented palm wine.

4.3. PERSONAL PROJECT ACTIVITIES IN THE FARM

After inspection of Imo State University farm for better sites for the placement of

hives after I had made decision on the project to carry out, the first hive was

brought around January. It was baited by me using honey,. Pineapple extract and

peels, and fermented palm wine. However, in order to avoid attack by termite and

weevils, the pineapples extract was left to ferment in the palm wine for 3 days. The

hive was baited with palm wine and pineapple extracts and placed at strategic

location away from the old hive in the farm. Irrespective of the precautions taken

while baiting my hive, the hive didn't catch but my observation was that after the

baiting process, I notice bees coming to the hive to dwell there till the have

consumed the baiting materials and this made me rebait for 3 time after the first

one. The fourth one was able to produce positive result as my hive caught a bee

colony which comprises of the worker, the queen and the drone. Rebaiting of hive

was weekly and this made my hive to catch by last week of February.

4.4. BEE COLONIES

Castes

A colony of bees consists of three (3) castes of bees:

The queen

The worker

The drone

The queen bee is the only sexually mature female in the hive and all female worker

bees and male drone are her offspring. The queen is raised from a normal worker

egg, but is fed a larger amount of royal jelly than a normal worker bee resulting in

a radically different growth and metamorphosis. The queen influences the colony

by the production and dissemination of a variety of pheromones or queen

substances. One of these chemicals suppresses the development of varies in all the

female worker bees in the hive to prevent them from laying eggs. A good queen

may be capable of laying 3,000 eggs in one day more than her own body weight.

This would be exceptional. However, a prolific queen might peak at 2,000 eggs a

day, but a more average queen might lay just 1,500 eggs per day.

Mating of Queens

Mating takes place at some distance from the hive, often several hundred feet in

the air, it is thought that this separates the strongest and strongest drones get to pass
on their genes. The mating flight, also known as “nuptial flight” may last from 5

minutes to 30 minutes. She may mate with a number of male drones on each flight

over several mating, the queen receives and stores enough sperms from a

succession of drones to fertilize hundreds of thousands of egg. If she does not

manage to leave the hive, to mate, possibly due to bad weather or been trapped in a

part of the hive, she remains infertile and becomes a drone layer, incapable of

producing female worker bees. Worker bees sometimes kill a non-performing

queen and produce another. Without a properly performing queen, the hive is

doomed.

The Worker bee

Most of the bees in a hive are female worker bees over the course of their lives,

worker bees duties are dictated by age, for the first few weeks of their lifespan,

they perform basic chores within the hive: cleaning empty brood cells, removing

debris and other housekeeping tasks, making wax for building and repairing comb,

and feeding larvae. Later, they may ventilate the hive or guard the entrance. Older

workers leaves the hive daily, weather permitting to forage for nectar, pollen,

water and propolis.

Drones
The drones are the males, they do not work, forage for pollen or nectar and are

unable to sting. They have no other known function than to mate with new queens

and fertilize them on their mating flights. A bee colony generally starts to raise

drones a few weeks before building queen cells so they can supersede a failing

queen or prepare for swarming. When queen-raising for the season is over, bees in

colder climates drive drones out of the hive to die, biting and tearing their legs and

wings.

4.5. HARVESTING OF HONEY

Number of months before harvesting from bee farm if you have a colony of bees,

which you have just started fresh, allow nine to twelve months for the honey to

mature before you start harvesting. Thereafter, when the colony is fully

established, you can harvest at seven to eight months interval.

Materials used for harvesting

Beekeepers suit

Smoker and fuel

Dry oil palm fibre

Lighter or matches

Plastic bucket/honey extractor

Sting resistant gloved

Sharp knife

Sieve cloth (double sieve)

Hive tool-tub for wax/honey containers

PROCEDURE

Put on your keeper suit and your glove to protect your body and hand against bee

sting. Light the smoker using the dry oil palm fibre and matches or lighter. Take

the bucket/honey extractor,sharp knife and hive tool- tub to the hive and then

applied smoke by pressing the smoker. This is to weaken the bees. Use the knife to

cut the comb and put it inside the bucket. This will continue until you are done.

The honey comb inside the bucket will be covered. The sieve will then be use

separate the honey from the honey comb. Then you package and start selling.

4.6. COST ANALYSIS

EXPENSES

Purchase of hive N6,000

Purchase of baiting materials N3,000

Transportation N1,500
Total N10,500

INCOME

Sale of honey N18,500

Sale of wax N6,000

Total sales N24,500

Total Revenue (TR) Total Variable Cost (TVC)

Profit = income – expenses

= 24,500 – 10,500

= 14,000

Percentage Profit (PR) = Net Profit x 100

Total Revenue 1

= (14,000 /24,500)x 100 = 57%

In the first harvest, we realized that the profit gained covered the initial cost of

production. This means that subsequent productions will be cost free and hence a

huge profit margin needed.

4.7. IMPORTANT OF BEEKEEPING/BEE-FARMING

The importance of beekeeping cannot be over emphasized, however it is

paramount to note that not only is bee farming less capital intensive, it is also

notable for various wondrous produce viz.

Bee Wax: It used in making candles (scented candles). Because is a popular

ingredient in cosmetic and skin care products such as soap, lip balm, lip stick and

lotions. It is safe for the skin as it helps retain natural skin moisture and relieve itch

form sensitive skin. Bee wax is also used in folk medicine for ear candling, for

household and pharmaceutical products, furniture polish, batik-making etc.

Honey: It is used medical, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries for various

purposes. However, in diet it can be substituted for sugar. It is also used for

production of snacks and beverages. It is good for person with every health

condition and reduces poison effect. It last for many years without spoiling.

Bee Venom: Bee venom is used as a therapy (BVT) Bee venom therapy to ease

arthritis, heal wounds, helpallergies, treat multiple sclerosis, lupus and Alzheimer’s

disease, it can also be said to be the first and only method of treatment for these

conditions. Bee venom can also serve at a multivitamin. The bee venom therapy

can be achieved through simple bee sting also known as bee sting therapy (BST).
Bee Pollen: It is a male seed of a flower blossom collected by the bees and mixed

with the bees digestive enzymes. It is low in calories but rich in proteins, vitamins,

beneficial fatty acids. Its ability to rejuvenate the body, stimulate organs, enhance

vitality and accelerate rate of recovery makes it a popular tonic among athletes and

sportsmen.

Royal Jelly: Is the queen bee’s extraordinary source of food. It contains a high

concentration of vitamin B5, B6 and amino acids. It has special rejuvenating

substance that promotes tissue growth muscle and cell regeneration. It is a

precious, rare and treasured beauty secret of royalty. It is associated with healthier

skin, hair and more youthful appearance. It is rich in estradiol, a major estrogen

functioning as primary female sex hormone and so it is effective in treating women

who have problems with their menstruation such as abnormal cycle, pain,

discomfort and fatigue. It also relieves poor digestion, stomach ulcers, high

cholesterol, insomnia, cold & flu. It supports egg and sperm health.

Propolis: Also known as “sticky glue” can be used as ointment for healing cuts

and wounds because of its antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and

antioxidant effects. Therefore, it is said to have remarkable healing capabilities.

Mead: Simply known as “honey wine”. It is the first alcoholic drink brewed by

men, earlier than wine or bear. Today, mead has evolved and expanded its flavours
to include fruits such as blueberry and cherry, malt as well as various herbs and

species. It is also taken as a health tonic drink.

Bee Bread: Bee bread is made of pollen mixed with bits of honey, bee wax and

bees digestive enzymes and known to be useful in treating anemia, a hepatitis,

stress and so insomnia. Nowadays, it is rare to find bee bread, but you will have a

higher chance of getting it direct from the bee farms and beekeepers. It is also used

for promoting children’s mental and physical growth, improving memory and

weight gain.

CHAPTER FIVE

TECHNICAL SECTION
5.0. INTRODUCTION TO TECHNICAL SECTION
The technical section in Imo State University Teaching and demonstration
farm oversees the management and operation of all farm machinery and
equipment. The farm machineries and equipments include; the tractor, feed
mill, , knapsack sprayer, cutlass, hoe, spade, garden fork, rake, watering
can etc.

5.1. THE FEED MILL

The livestock feed mill has two major components, the grinder (hammer
mill) and the mixer.

1). THE HAMMER MILL

The hammer mill is the machine that reduces the size of large, dry raw feed
materials (like soya-bean meal, bone meal, maize, groundnut cake etc) to
very small size that can easily be taken and digested by livestock and
fishes. In the process of reducing the size of particles, the hammer mill also
produce powder particles of the material. The powder must be removed to
obtain quality fees. Hammer mill consist of a series of hammers hinged on
a central shaft and encloses within a rigid metal case. It produces size
reduction by impact. The materials to be mixed are struck by these
rectangular pieces of hardened steel (ganged hammer) which rotates at
high speed inside the chamber.
These radically swinging hammers (from the rotating central shaft) moves
at a high angular velocity causing brittle fracture of the feed material. The
material is crushed or shattered by the repeated hammer impacts,
collisions with the walls of the grinding chamber as well as particle on
particles impacts. A screen is fitted at the bottom of the mill, which retains
coarse materials while allowing the properly sized materials pass as
finished product. The targeted particle size can be controlled by factors
such as
i). Feed rate
ii). Rotor speed
iii). Clearance between the hammers and grinding plate
iv). Hit resistance
v). The size of screen opening
5.1.0. MAINTENANCE OF THE HAMMER MILL
The maintenance of the hammer mill begins with the choice of raw material
moisture content. The raw material to be mixed must be dried to 12 - 14%
moisture content which you can detect with your hand and eyes (materials
will not stick to palm and will not be damp).
5.1.1. OPERATION
1). Start up the machine and allow to run for a few minutes still the sound is
steady.
2). Then tip into the low level section of feed hopper then grain or raw
material to be grinded.
3). Set the optimum feed rate for the material by means of the air control
slide.
4). Avoid choke feeding.
5). At the end of processing run the machine for a few more minutes to be
sure that it is empties.
6). Clean all accessible parts of the machine after the motor is stopped.
7). Lubricate bearing weekly.
8). After about 10,00hrs of operation, check hammer and screen for wears.
Replace where necessary.
9). Cracking noise may be due to broken hammer shaft or bearing. Replace
when necessary.
2). THE FEED MIXER
The vertical mixer is a machine used in mixing grinded feed. It is made up
of different components which includes; the electric motor, pulley, bearing,
auger blade, fan belt, hopper, discharge point.
The electric motor supplies power to the mixer. The pulley with the help of
the fan belt rotates the auger blade which mix the feed ingredient till it is
mixed very well. The grinded ingredient which is not yet in the mixer is
added to the mixer through the hopper. While the process of mixing is still
going on, there is a bearing inside the pulley which helps in reducing
friction. After you have mixed the ingredient to the required level, you then
open the discharge point to enable the feed leave the mixer tank.

5.2. TRACTOR
This is a heavy duty machinery that is mainly used for pulling farm
implements. The IMSU farm has several tractors that are operational. The
modern four wheel tractor is the type of tractor used in IMSU farm. It
performs various farm activities such as land preparation, operation of
machineries or implements for ploughing, tilling, digging, harrowing,
planting and other similar tasks and also transportation of produce. Tractor
is classified into 3 major divisions based on construction, based on drive
and according to purpose.

5.2.0. DAILY/PERIODIC MAINTENANCE

i). Park in dry shade
ii). Clean the tractor after each work
iii). Electrolyte of battery and top up is needed
iv). Tighten loose nuts and belts
v). Try pressure before operation
vi). Grease and oil the movable parts
vii). Change air/oil filters
viii). Replace worn out parts and tyres
 CHAPTER SIX
PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED AND EXPERIENCE GAIN

6.0. EXPERIENCE GAINED

The experience I gained during my Industrial Training is a boost to my
knowledge. I gained knowledge on how to bait bee hive, maintain bee
colony and harvest bee from its hive. I also learnt how to raise broilers,
pigs, fish to any size.
In crop section, I was exposed to different methods of sowing seeds,
raising of crops such as vegetables, cassava, maize etc to market size.
In all I was exposed on how to carry out agricultural activities for the
purpose of making money out of it as we realized money from honey sold.

6.1. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED

Though the training was beneficial, I still encountered some problems
during the training period. They problems include;
1). Inadequate safety of individual properties and projects left in the farm.
2). Finance: During the cause of the training I lacked finance to do more
exploit in my personal project and also to sustain myself in the school farm
as we were not paid as a support for hard task carried out daily.
3). Lack of equipments and machines: Imo State Research farm
irrespective that it has equipments and machinery, the Machineries are not
functional and this made us not to be expose to technical section.
4). Inability for farm staff to acknowledge us irrespective of the hard task
without pay.
5). Lack of power supply which make water available for us to wash out dirt
after working
6). Lack of maintenance culture as students did most of maintenance in the
farm. This maintenance include; pen and pond maintenance.

6.2. SUGGESTION
1). Students in the faculty of agriculture doing their Industrial Training
should be paid in the place of their training and by government as the task
carried out by them is a hard task that required a lot of energy.
2). More and better equipments and machineries should be provided so as
to ease students from stress and make them carry out assigned task
effectively.
3). Students should be motivated by staff so that they will be happy to carry
out more task.
5). The farm facilities should be properly maintained so as to make
students save their parents money.
6). Power supply in the farm should be regular and constant to enable
availability of water for student to do their day to day activities, as livestock
requires water for survival.

6.3. RECOMMENDATIONS
Inspite of these complains, I recommend that students should be posted to
the University Teaching and demonstration farm for their Industrial Training
as they will still gain knowledge on the three sections and hoping that there
will be improvement in the problems listed above.

6.4. CONCLUSION
Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) gave me an
opportunity to make Research and apply my theoretical knowledge in real
work situation. For example I can now raise livestock from birth to market
size, grow fluted pumpkin comfortably and I now have a broader knowledge
in Agriculture.
SIWES has also given me an opportunity to understand and appreciate my
course of study, career pursue. My piece of advice to my junior colleagues
is that they should take their Industrial Training serious because the
practical knowledge they will get during their IT will help them to make a
living in the future.