Agriculture – Primary 6 Weekly Short Class Lesson Notes for Second Term

WEEK 6 – PRESERVATION OF ROOT AND TUBER CROPS IN NIGERIA

Root and tuber crops include yam, cassava, cocoyam, sweet potato, and Irish potato.

 

METHODS OF PRESERVING ROOT AND TUBER CROPS IN NIGERIA

1. Sun Drying – Roots and tubers are cut into pieces and dried under the sun. Drying removes water and prevents spoilage. For examples: Cassava (garri, flour), yam chips.

2. Processing into Other Forms – Fresh crops are processed to last longer. For example xamples: Cassava → garri, fufu, flour and Yam → yam flour (elubo)

3. Storage in Barns – Tubers are tied and hung on wooden racks or barns. It allows air to circulate and prevents rotting. For examples: Yam.

4. Burying in the Soil – Tubers are buried in cool, dry soil. It keeps them fresh for some time. For examples: Yam, cocoyam.

5. Refrigeration – Some tubers can be kept in refrigerators. It slows down spoilage. For examples: Irish potato, sweet potato.

6. Smoking – Tubers are exposed to smoke to reduce moisture. Smoke helps to prevent insect attack. For examples: Yam chips.

 

PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION: HOW TO PRESERVE ROOT AND TUBER CROPS

1. Sun Drying Method (Cassava or Yam)

Materials Needed: Fresh cassava or yam, knife, tray or mat, sunlight.

Steps:

Step 1. Wash the cassava or yam.

Step 2. Peel and cut into small pieces or slices.

Step 3. Spread the pieces on a clean tray or mat.

Step 4. Place under the sun for several days.

Step 5. Turn the pieces daily until they are dry.

Result: The dried pieces can be stored for a long time.

 

2. Storage in Barn (Yam)

Materials Needed: Fresh yam tubers, ropes, wooden rack or barn.

Steps:

Step 1. Select healthy yam tubers.

Step 2. Tie each yam with rope.

Step 3. Hang them on the wooden rack in a dry place.

Result: Yams stay fresh and last longer.

 

3. Processing into Garri (Cassava – Simple Explanation)

Materials Needed: Cassava tubers.

Steps:

Step 1. Peel and wash cassava.

Step 2. Grate the cassava.

Step 3. Press to remove water.

Step 4. Fry the grated cassava to produce garri.

Result: Garri can be stored for many months.

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS  

INSTRUCTION – Choose the correct answer from the options A – D. 

1. Which of the following is a root or tuber crop?

A. Rice

B. Maize

C. Yam

D. Millet

 

2. Cutting cassava into pieces and drying it under the sun is called ______.

A. sun drying

B. refrigeration

C. smoking

D. canning

 

3. Yam can be preserved by ______.

A. frying only

B. watering daily

C. planting again

D. storage in barns

 

4. Cassava can be processed into ______ to make it last longer.

A. bread

B. garri

C. rice

D. beans

 

5. Which of these slows down spoilage of some tuber crops?

A. Cooking

B. Watering

C. Harvesting

D. Refrigeration

 

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

6. Mention two examples of root and tuber crops in Nigeria.

7. Why are root and tuber crops dried before storage?

8. What is a barn used for in preserving crops?

9. Name one product made from cassava.

10. Why should damaged tubers not be stored?

 

FILL IN THE GAP QUESTIONS

11. Yam, cassava, and cocoyam are examples of ______ crops.

12. Removing water from tubers to preserve them is called ______.

13. Cassava is processed into garri to make it last ______.

14. Hanging yams on wooden racks is called storage in ______.

15. Irish potato can be preserved for a short time using a ______.

 

ANSWER KEY

1. C 2. A 3. D 4. B 5. B

6. Yam and cassava/Cocoyam and sweet potato.

7. To remove moisture and prevent spoilage.

8. It is used for storing yams to keep them fresh.

9. Garri/Fufu/Cassava flour.

10. They spoil quickly and affect other tubers.

11. Root and tuber

12. Drying

13. Longer

14. Barns

15. Refrigerator

WEEK 7 – MID TERM BREAK