Tuvalu/Agricultural science form 5

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION - TUVALU

VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE PRESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING

                  2008

             INTRODUCTION

The significance of agriculture in Tuvalu cannot be overlooked as it plays an integral part of the lives of the people, both as an individual in terms of health and also nationally for income earning as well as minimizing imported vegetables from overseas markets.

This prescription defines the requirements for a two-year Vocational Agriculture Certificate course. It is designed to provide and develop an interest in agricultural activities for students and most importantly, to train the students to prepare themselves for further education as well as for earning some extra income for themselves when they leave school.

In order to be competent in the labour market today, people need to be skilled and as such, the training that the students will receive from this program will ensure that the objectives of training the students in agriculture are achieved.

This course is designed for students whose ages range from 13 – 25 years and who have interests in Agriculture.

And finally, this vocational agriculture would not be possible without the grace of our Almighty Father. May his name be praised always.

        		OBJECTIVES

Vocational Agriculture is a course designed to develop in students:

1. theoretical and practical skills for life long learning

2. knowledge and understanding of farming techniques in order to provide self or paid employment after leaving school.

3. understanding the whole vocational agriculture concept to prepare students for further education in the agriculture field.

4. the drive to assist Tuvalu nationally in terms of vegetable production to minimize imports so as to save money for other developments within the country.

5. sound farm planning and management decisions to solve agricultural problems.

6. skills for rearing livestock, fish, planting of vegetables and tree crops for a better and healthier diet.

7. the ability and confidence to apply knowledge of Agriculture in whatever field or career opportunity he/she may pursue.

               	COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE

  STAGE 1                                             
  YEAR 1                                              

UNIT 1

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

UNIT 2

CROP PRODUCTION

UNIT 3

FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

UNIT 4

LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION [PIG FARMING]

   STAGE 2	
   YEAR 2

UNIT 5

TREE CROP PRODUCTION

UNIT 6

FARM MACHINERY

UNIT 7

MARICULTURE [FISH FARMING]

UNIT 8

LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION [POULTRY PRODUCTION]

                         COURSE CONTENT

                YEAR 1 [STAGE 1]

      UNIT 1 :  OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

(i) ACHIEVEMENT OBJECTIVES

By the end of this unit, students should be able to :

• understand the importance of occupational health and safety in relation to the subject
• understand, observe and follow the rules when handling chemical tools and equipment
• know the significance of wearing protective clothing when handling farm chemicals
• describe the importance of cleaning the tools after each practical activity
• know the importance of storing chemicals and tools in different rooms
• explain the importance of keeping the tool room clean at all times
• understand the effect of inhaling chemicals
• explain the effects of mishandling of chemicals and tools
• outline proper methods of handling livestock

(ii) CONTENTS

a) Importance of occupational health and safety b) Basic rules of handling chemicals, tools and equipment c) Importance of wearing protective clothing when handling chemicals d) Importance of cleaning tools e) Importance of storing chemicals and tools in different rooms f) Importance of keeping the tool room clean at all times g) Effect of inhaling chemical fumes h) Effect of mishandling and misuse of chemicals and tools i) Safety measures involving the handling of animals

4.2 UNIT 2 : CROP PRODUCTION

(i) ACHIEVEMENT OBJECTIVES

By the end of this unit, students should be able to :

a) know how to design, construct and effectively maintain a nursery b) understand and know the technique of preparing soil for sowing seeds c) explain and apply techniques involved in the planting, management and harvesting of vegetable crops d) explain and apply techniques involved in plant protection e) apply skills in post harvest management of crops f) apply knowledge on how to market products effectively

(ii) CONTENT

a) Designing, constructing and maintaining a simple nursery b) Techniques of sowing seeds on seedlings tray c) Land preparation d) Planting of crops [crops only suitable for Tuvalu] - Chinese cabbage - Capsicum - Tomatoes - Cucumber - Pumpkin - French bean - Watermelon - Sweet corn - Dalo - Sweet potato - Pulaka

e) Pest and disease management f) Harvesting g) Post-harvest management and marketing

4.3 UNIT 3 : FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

(i) ACHIEVEMENT OBJECTIVES

By the end of this unit, students should be able to :

a) identify problems on a farm b) formulate optional solutions or alternatives c) choose between alternatives d) make wise and sound decision when selecting what to produce e) evaluate the effectiveness of the decision made f) list and explain the types of financial institutions and their loan requirements g) manage the money aspects of the business h) manage risks on the farm i) apply the knowledge gained from farm management in managing a farm

(ii) CONTENT

a) perception of the problems involved b) formulation of optional solutions/alternatives c) information gathering and choice between alternatives d) what, how much, when and how to produce e) feedback/evaluation f) types of financial institutions, sources of credit, requirements for loans and filling of loan forms g) financial planning and control h) risk management i) activities involved in farm management i.e. what, how much, when and how to produce.

4.4 LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION [PIG FARMING]

By the end of this unit, students should be able to :

(i) ACHIEVEMENT OBJECTIVES

a) Identify the different breeds suitable for Tuvalu b) explain the importance of nutrition for pigs c) identify the different types of feeds for pigs d) explain the importance of water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals to pigs e) explain the rearing of pigs f) know the importance of pre-farrowing preparations and rearing of piglets g) know the importance of strict hygiene in pig pens/houses h) identify pig diseases common in Tuvalu and their possible solutions

(ii) CONTENT

a) Breeds and characteristics of pig breeds in Tuvalu b) Importance of nutrition c) Feed types [creep, starter, grower, finisher, pasture{leaves), fish meal d) Feed requirements and importance – carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, proteins, water e) Rearing practices of pigs f) Pre-farrowing and piglets management g) Strict hygiene practices h) Pig diseases and their control

YEAR 2 [STAGE 2]

4.5 UNIT 5 : TREE CROP PRODUCTION

By the end of this unit, students should be able to :

(i) ACHIEVEMENT OBJECTIVES

a) List and explain the uses of at least 3 different types of organic fertilizers readily available and make a simple compost of garden waste b) identify which tree crops are suitable for the climate and soil conditions in Tuvalu c) Prepare suitable tree crop seedlings/vegetative parts for planting d) Apply techniques of planting tree crops e) know the management techniques of these tree crops f) apply techniques of harvesting g) utilize properly waste products from the farm

(ii) CONTENT

a) Organic fertilizers – pig manure, chicken manure, crop residues, Compost b) Identification of tree crops c) Sexual/Asexual methods of plant propagation d) Plating of tree crops - banana - pawpaw - breadfruit - pandanus (fala) - coconut

e) Management practices of tree crops f) Harvesting of tree crops g) Waste products from the farm and its utilisation

4.6 FARM MACHINERY

(i) ACHIEVEMENT OBJECTIVES

By the end of this unit, students should be able to :

a) identify and explain the usage of farm tools and machines b) identify parts of a 2-stroke cycle engine and a 4 stroke cycle

      engine

c) operate small engines d) list the safety measures for proper handling of farm tools e) describe the processes of welding

(ii) CONTENT

a) Proper usage of farm tools and machines b) Small engine machines – 2 stroke cycle engines / 4 stroke cycle engines c) Proper usage, Operations and maintenance of small machines d) Care and safety of machines e) Principles, processes and safety of welding

4.7 MARICULTURE [FISH ]

(i) ACHIEVEMENT OBJECTIVES

By the end of this unit, students should be able to :

a) Know the common parts of a fish and its nutritional value b) Explain the different methods of catching fish c) make a fishing net d) know techniques of deep sea fishing e) know the skills of line fishing f) know fish handling and preservation g) determine the post-harvest management of fish

(ii) CONTENT

a) Biology of a fish (parts and nutritional value) b) Fishing methods c) Fishing net making d) Deep sea fishing e) Line fishing f) Fish handling and preservation g) Post harvest management 4.8 LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION [POULTRY]

(i) ACHIEVEMENT OBJECTIVES

By the end of this unit, students should be able to :

a) differentiate between a broiler and layer bird b) design and construct a simple chicken pen c) know the types of chicken feed d) rear chickens on a daily basis e) market and manage a chicken farm f) know the pests and diseases of chicken

(ii) CONTENT

a) Characteristics of broiler and layer birds b) Designing and constructing a simple chicken pen c) Feeding and nutrition d) Rearing chickens e) Marketing and management of chicken f) Pests and diseases

5.0 PRACTICAL

a) If possible, students should have their own vegetable garden blocks at the school for hands on practical experience and ease in supervision by the teacher.

b) All Year 1 students must construct ONE pulaka pit for the school as

      part of their practical until the 5th year. This is when pulaka starts to be  
      harvested and replanted again. ( In total, the school will have 5 pulaka 
      pits, therefore the school has to look for land). 

c) All Year 1 students will have a combined dalo practical field.

d) The Year 1 students must be allocated a space within the School’s piggery to perform their practicals on pig rearing. They will continue looking after their pigs until their 2nd year, of which they can sell their raised pigs to the school or interested parties and money collected to be deposited into their bank accounts.

e) For Year 2 students, each students must plant : - 5 pawpaw trees - 3 breadfruit trees - 2 fala trees - 5 coconut seedlings - 5 banana plants

f) For fish studies, all Year 2 students will undertake deep sea fishing with their instructor and all fish caught to be supplied to the kitchen. All proceeds from fish sales must be shared equally into their bank accounts after all expenses have been taken care of.

g) Chickens from practical must be sold also and sales money to be shared equally.

h) Two thirds of the revenue collected from the sales of the produce from

      students project will be deposited into the students savings account. 
      Students  will be required to open a savings account.

i) It is also encouraged to do practicals for the community and will be assessed wherever the practical takes place.

j) All practical marks will be awarded according to each student’s interest

     and participation, skills learnt and attendance.

6.0 COURSE EVALUATION

The vocational agricultural program is wholly internally assessed. There will be no written examination. The administration of the school will appoint an officer to moderate the assessment of the practical work. The practical work of the students must be assessed continuously throughout the year.

Below is a guideline of the assessment component of the program:

PRACTICAL TOTAL PERCENTAGE

VEGETABLE GARDEN PLOT 30

PULAKA PIT 10

DALO PLOT 10

PIG PRODUCTION 10

TREE CROP PRODUCTION 10

DEEP SEA FISHING 10

FARM MACHINES 10

POULTRY PRODUCTION 10

TOTAL

100

7.0 TIME ALLOCATION

It is suggested that twenty percent (20%) of the allocated time is spent in the classroom and eighty percent (80%) to be spent on individual projects.