Meaning Scope And Importance Of Animal Husbandry
Overview
Walk through any Nigerian market and you will see the results of animal husbandry before you see the word itself: crates of eggs from a poultry farm in Ogun State, a side of beef from cattle trekked down from Sokoto, a bowl of snails from a backyard pen in Enugu. Animal husbandry is the branch of agricultural science that turns living animals into food, income and raw material, on purpose and by design, rather than by accident. It is the twin of crop production, and together the two make up the whole of agriculture.
In this lesson you will learn exactly what animal husbandry means, the six major enterprises that make up its scope in Nigeria, and why the subject matters far beyond the farm gate: to the food on a family's table, to the income of millions of Nigerian households, and to the wider economy. You will also learn how animal husbandry connects back to crop farming, so that the two branches support rather than compete with each other.
Objectives
- Define animal husbandry as an aspect of agricultural science
- Explain the scope of animal husbandry
- State the importance of animal husbandry to the Nigerian economy
- Distinguish animal husbandry from crop production
- Explain the relationship between animal husbandry and other agricultural enterprises
Mind map
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Flashcards
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Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Meaning Scope And Importance Of Animal Husbandry. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Animal husbandry is best defined as the: A. Hunting of wild animals for food B. Deliberate breeding, feeding, housing and care of domestic animals for the benefit of man C. Cultivation of crops for animal feed only D. Trading of livestock in the open market Answer: B
- Which of the following is NOT one of the major enterprises within the scope of animal husbandry? A. Poultry production B. Snail farming C. Timber production D. Rabbit and grasscutter production Answer: C
- A farmer who traps bush rats found feeding on his stored maize and sells them in the market is practising: A. Animal husbandry B. Mixed farming C. Hunting, not animal husbandry D. Ruminant production Answer: C
- Which of these is a way animal husbandry contributes directly to crop production in a mixed farming system? A. Supplying manure that improves soil fertility B. Reducing the need for water in crop farming C. Replacing the need for seeds D. Preventing weed growth Answer: A
- Hides and skins from cattle, sheep and goats mainly illustrate which importance of animal husbandry? A. Food and protein security B. Foreign exchange and raw materials for industry C. Draught power D. Pest control Answer: B
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Revision Questions
Wondering what past questions for this topic looks like? Here are a number of questions about Meaning Scope And Importance Of Animal Husbandry from previous years
Question 1 Report
(a) State four ways in which livestock 1s important
(b)i. Mention sIx organs associated with the digestive system in rabbits.
(ii) State two functions of the alimentary canal in livestock
(c)i. State lour functions of the liver in farm animals
(ii) Mention two parasites that could be found in the liver of cattle
(d) State two differences between the digestive s systems of a goat and a rabbit
Answer Details
(a) Four ways in which livestock is important
- Source of food such as meat, milk and eggs.
- Source of income and foreign exchange to the farmer and nation.
- Source of raw materials for industry (hides, skin, wool, bone).
- Source of organic manure for crop production, and of draught (work) power.
(b)(i) Six organs of the digestive system in rabbits
- Mouth
- Oesophagus
- Stomach
- Small intestine
- Caecum (large in the rabbit)
- Large intestine (rectum/anus)
(b)(ii) Two functions of the alimentary canal
- Digestion of food into simple absorbable forms.
- Absorption of digested nutrients into the blood, and egestion of undigested material.
(c)(i) Four functions of the liver
- Secretes bile which emulsifies fat during digestion.
- Stores glycogen, vitamins and minerals (e.g. iron).
- Detoxifies harmful/poisonous substances in the body.
- Deaminates excess amino acids and destroys worn-out red blood cells.
(c)(ii) Two parasites found in the liver of cattle
- Liver fluke (Fasciola species).
- Hydatid cyst (larva of the tapeworm Echinococcus).
(d) Two differences between the digestive systems of a goat and a rabbit
| Goat | Rabbit |
|---|---|
| Ruminant with a four-chambered stomach | Non-ruminant (monogastric) with a simple stomach |
| Digests cellulose mainly in the rumen and chews the cud | Digests cellulose mainly in the large caecum and practises coprophagy |
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