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

WEEK 10 – PRESERVATION OF VEGETABLE CROPS

Vegetable crops include tomato, pepper, okra, spinach (ugu), pumpkin leaves, cabbage, carrot, onion.

 

METHODS OF PRESERVING VEGETABLE CROPS IN NIGERIA

1. Sun Drying – Vegetables are sliced and dried under the sun. It removes water and prevents spoilage. Examples: Pepper, okra, vegetables leaves.

2. Refrigeration – Vegetables are kept in a refrigerator. Cold temperature slows spoilage. Examples: Tomato, carrot, cabbage.

3. Blanching and Drying – Vegetables are briefly boiled, then dried. It helps maintain colour and quality. Examples: Spinach, pumpkin leaves.

4. Smoking – Vegetables are exposed to smoke. Smoke helps prevent insect attack. Examples: Pepper, okra.

5. Processing into Paste or Powder – Vegetables are ground into paste or powder. Easier to store and lasts longer. Examples: Tomato paste, pepper powder.

 

PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION: HOW TO PRESERVE VEGETABLE CROPS

1. Sun Drying Pepper or Okra

Materials Needed: Fresh pepper or okra, knife, tray or mat, sunlight.

Steps:

Step 1. Wash the pepper or okra properly.

Step 2. Slice into small pieces.

Step 3. Spread on a clean tray or mat.

Step 4. Place under the sun for several days.

Step 5. Turn pieces daily until completely dry.

Result: Dried vegetables can be stored for a long time.

 

2. Refrigeration Method

Materials Needed: Fresh vegetables, clean container, refrigerator.

Steps:

Step 1. Wash vegetables properly.

Step 2. Drain excess water.

Step 3. Put in a clean container.

Step 4. Place inside the refrigerator.

Result: Vegetables remain fresh longer.

 

3. Blanching and Drying (Leafy Vegetables)

Materials Needed: Leafy vegetables, hot water, tray.

Steps:

Step 1. Wash the leaves.

Step 2. Dip in hot water for 1–2 minutes.

Step 3. Remove and allow to cool.

Step 4. Dry under the sun.

Result: Vegetables keep their colour and last longer.

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS 

1. Which of the following is a vegetable crop?

A. Tomato

B. Yam

C. Rice

D. Maize

 

2. Drying vegetables under the sun helps to ______.

A. add water

B. remove moisture

C. spoil them

D. cook them

 

3. Which method uses cold temperature to preserve vegetables?

A. Drying

B. Smoking

C. Frying

D. Refrigeration

 

4. Leafy vegetables can be preserved by blanching and ______.

A. frying

B. drying

C. watering

D. boiling

 

5. Pepper can be preserved by ______.

A. planting

B. harvesting

C. sun drying

D. watering

 

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

6. Mention two vegetable crops grown in Nigeria.

7. What is sun drying?

8. Why are vegetables refrigerated?

9. Name one leafy vegetable that can be preserved.

10. State one reason why vegetables spoil quickly.

 

FILL IN THE GAP QUESTIONS

11. Tomato, pepper, and okra are examples of ______ crops.

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

13. A ______ is used to keep vegetables fresh at home.

14. Blanching helps vegetables to keep their ______ and quality.

15. Proper preservation helps to reduce food ______.

 

ANSWER KEY

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

6. Tomato and pepper / Okra and spinach.

7. Sun drying is the method of preserving vegetables by removing water under the sun.

8. To keep them fresh and prevent spoilage.

9. Spinach / Ugu / Pumpkin leaves.

10. They contain a lot of water.

11. Vegetable

12. Drying

13. Refrigerator

14. Colour

15. Waste