NSSCO Agricultural Science 6115 study plan

Distinguish between annual, biennial and perennial crops and classify 15 named Namibian crops (e.g. mahangu, maize, cowpea, lucerne, tomato) into these groups and into field vs horticultural categories

Explain the stages of crop growth (germination, vegetative, flowering, maturity) for at least three crops and state the management action required at each stage

Describe soil profile horizons (O, A, B, C, R) and identify which horizon supplies most plant nutrients and why

Determine soil texture by feel and by particle-size fractions (sand, silt, clay), and state the drainage and water-holding implications of each textural class

List and explain five horticultural practices (nursery raising, transplanting, spacing, pruning, mulching) and the reason each is used

Define and give examples of monogastric and ruminant digestive systems and explain how the difference affects feed choice and cost

Calculate a simple ration requirement (maintenance plus production) for one livestock class using given feed values

Explain the oestrous cycle, signs of heat, and the timing of service or insemination for cattle, goats and pigs

Describe housing, ventilation and stocking-density requirements for poultry and small ruminants and justify each requirement

Compare crop rotation, intercropping and relay cropping for their effects on pest cycles, soil fertility and labour demand

Interpret soil pH values and explain the effect of acidity on nutrient availability (N, P, K, micronutrients) and on liming decisions

Describe the causes and control of soil erosion by water and wind, and match each control measure (contour ploughing, windbreaks, terracing, cover cropping) to the erosion type it addresses

Explain the nitrogen cycle stages (fixation, nitrification, denitrification, leaching) and identify farm practices that increase or reduce nitrogen loss

Classify conservation practices (minimum tillage, mulching, agroforestry, water harvesting) by the resource they conserve and the trade-off they impose

Describe how soil organic matter and soil organisms contribute to structure, fertility and water retention

Classify farm costs as fixed or variable and compute gross margin for one enterprise from given input and output figures

Prepare a simple enterprise budget and a partial budget to evaluate a proposed change such as adding a poultry unit

Explain the functions of agricultural marketing (grading, storage, transport, processing, pricing) and how each adds value

Describe marketing channels for a Namibian smallholder product and identify where value is lost between farm gate and consumer

Explain the role of cooperatives, contract farming and market information services in improving producer returns

Identify the main farm implements and machines (plough, harrow, planter, sprayer, trailer, milking machine) and state the operation, power source and maintenance need of each

Explain calibration of a knapsack sprayer and calculate spray volume per hectare from given nozzle output and walking speed

Describe safe operation and daily maintenance checks for a tractor, including pre-start checks and power take-off safety

Identify the hazard classes on pesticide labels and state the correct personal protective equipment and re-entry interval for each

Explain first aid and emergency response for pesticide exposure, machinery injury and heat stress on a farm

Define sustainable agriculture and evaluate a named farming system against the three pillars (economic, environmental, social)

Compare conventional, organic, conservation and integrated farming approaches on inputs, yields, risk and market access

Explain the role of extension services, farmer field schools and demonstration plots in technology adoption

Describe at least three current technologies relevant to Namibian farming (drip irrigation, improved seed varieties, mobile advisory services, soil testing kits) and their adoption constraints

Outline the steps of a simple on-farm trial (objective, treatment, control, replication, measurement) and explain why replication matters

Explain rangeland management principles, including carrying capacity, stocking rate, rotational grazing and bush encroachment control

Calculate carrying capacity for a given hectare area and livestock unit value, and state the management decision that follows

Describe water conservation and irrigation methods (furrow, sprinkler, drip) and match each to a crop and terrain type

Explain animal welfare and ethical issues in livestock production, including handling, transport and slaughter standards

Describe waste management on a farm (manure, silage effluent, chemical containers) and the pollution risk of each

Complete two full timed mock papers under exam conditions and record the score per domain to find weak areas

Re-derive the five highest-risk calculations (gross margin, ration, sprayer calibration, carrying capacity, fertiliser requirement) from memory without notes

Summarise each domain into five key points and test recall against the study sheets produced in weeks 1 to 7

Correct every error from the mock papers by writing the correct reasoning, not just the correct answer