The JAMB Agriculture syllabus for 2025/2026 is a clear guide for UTME candidates, highlighting the exact topics and objectives to focus on. It covers general agriculture, crop science, animal production, economics, and technology, ensuring students know what to expect in the exam and how best to prepare.

Objectives: Candidates should be able to:

stimulate and sustain interest in Agriculture;
acquire basic knowledge and practical skills in Agriculture;
acquire the knowledge of interpretation and use of data;
make deductions using acquired knowledge in Agriculture.

Agriculture SYLLABUS Download

Syllabus Sections:
A. General Agriculture
B. Agronomy
C. Animal Production
D. Agricultural Economics and Extension
E. Agricultural Technology

SECTION A: General Agriculture

1) Meaning and Scope of Agriculture

Topics:
a) Definition of Agriculture
b) Branches of Agriculture
c) Types of Agriculture (subsistence and commercial)

Objectives:
i) use the definition of Agriculture in modern terms as it relates to production, processing and marketing;
ii) differentiate between the various branches of Agriculture;
iii) differentiate between the various types of Agriculture.

2) Importance of Agriculture

Topics:
i) Provision of raw materials for agro-allied industries
ii) Provision of employment
iii) Development of rural areas, etc.

Objectives:
– relate agro-allied industries to their respective raw materials;
– relate the various contributions of Agriculture to economic development in West Africa.

3) Agricultural Ecology

Topics:
a) Ecological zones of West Africa
b) Agricultural products of each ecological zone
c) Environmental factors and their effects on crop and livestock production

Objectives:
i) differentiate between the features of the ecological zones in West Africa;
ii) classify agricultural products according to each ecological zone;
iii) differentiate abiotic from biotic factors affecting agricultural production.

4) Genetics

Topics:
a) First and second laws of Mendel
b) Cell division
c) Terminologies (locus, alleles, genotype, dominance)

Objectives:
a.i) apply the first and second laws of Mendel to genetics;
a.ii) differentiate between the types of cell division;
b.i) determine outcomes of genetic crosses involving homozygous and heterozygous traits;
b.ii) compute simple probability ratios.

5) Farm Inputs

Topics: planting materials, agrochemicals, etc.

Objectives:
i) classify different types of farm inputs and their uses.

6) History of Agricultural Development in West Africa

Topics:
a) Agricultural systems (shifting cultivation, bush fallow, etc.)
b) Problems of agricultural development (land tenure, infrastructure, finance, pollution, etc.)
c) National research institutes: NCRI, IAR, IAR&T, CRIN, NIFOR, FRIN, RRI, NRCRI, NIHORT, LCRI, etc.; and international institutes: IITA, ILRI, ICRISAT, WARDA, etc.
d) Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) e.g., RTEP, FADAMA
e) National programmes: OFN, NAFPP, NALDA, Green Revolution, NCRPs, NARP, PCU, etc.

Objectives:
a) compare various agricultural systems;
b) identify problems and proffer solutions;
i) trace the history of research institutes;
ii) assess their role in agricultural development;
iii) give reasons for establishing ADPs;
iv) evaluate contributions of national agricultural programmes.

7) Roles of Government and NGOs in Agricultural Development

Topics:
a) Fiscal policies (import duties, bans, etc.)
b) Agricultural laws and reforms (Land Use Act)
c) Government programmes (subsidies, credits, etc.)
d) Infrastructure (transport, communication, etc.)
e) NGO contributions

Objectives:
a) evaluate effects of government policies on agricultural development;
b) identify agricultural laws and their effects on production;
i) identify government incentives;
ii) assess their effects;
c) compare infrastructural facilities and uses;
d) examine roles of NGOs.

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SECTION B: Agronomy

1) Rocks and Soil Formation

Topics:
a) Factors affecting rock weathering and soil formation
b) Physical properties of soil:
i) Soil profile; ii) Soil texture and structure
c) Chemical properties of soil:
i) Soil acidity and alkalinity; ii) Chemical components (e.g., silicate)

Objectives:
a) identify types/properties of rocks and soils; factors and processes of formation;
b) differentiate between soil horizons;
i) differentiate between components of soil;
ii) compute proportions of soil constituents;
iii) analyze soil into constituent parts;
iv) determine water-holding capacity;
c) determine soil pH.

2) Soil Water and Soil Conservation

Topics:
a) Soil water: importance, sources, movement, management, conservation
b) Soil conservation: meaning/importance; causes/effects/prevention and control of leaching, erosion, continuous cropping, burning, oxidation of organic matter
c) Irrigation and drainage methods

Objectives:
a.i) compare capillary, gravitational and hygroscopic water;
a.ii) determine water-holding capacity, wilting points, plant available/unavailable water;
b.i) identify causes of erosion and leaching;
b.ii) determine control methods;
c.i) classify irrigation and drainage systems;
c.ii) examine their importance and challenges.

3) Soil Fertility

Topics:
a) Macro/micro-nutrients and roles; carbon, water and nitrogen cycles
b) Soil flora/fauna and roles in fertility
c) Maintenance of soil fertility (cover crops, organic manures, etc.)
d) Nutrient deficiency symptoms (chlorosis, sickle leaves, stunting, apical necrosis, etc.)

Objectives:
a.i) classify plant nutrients;
a.ii) identify factors affecting availability;
b) examine roles of soil organisms;
c.i) compare methods of maintaining fertility;
c.ii) differentiate organic vs inorganic fertilizers and methods of application;
c.iii) determine common fertilizer ratios;
d.i) identify deficiency symptoms/causes;
d.ii) suggest remedies.

4) Land Preparation and Soil Tillage

Topics:
a) Principles and practices of land preparation and tillage
b) Factors affecting choice of tillage (zero, minimum, etc.)

Objectives:
a.i) compare methods relative to crop groups;
a.ii) give reasons for advantages/disadvantages;
b) justify choice of tillage methods.

5) Plant Forms and Functions

Topics:
a) Parts of monocot and dicot crop plants and functions
b) Anatomy/morphology of storage organs of common crops

Objectives:
a.i) identify plant parts and functions;
a.ii) distinguish monocot vs dicot plants;
b) differentiate storage organs.

6) Growth, Development and Reproduction

Topics: gametogenesis; pollination; fertilization; embryo formation and development

Objectives:
i) examine gamete formation;
ii) give reasons for types of pollination;
iii) analyze fertilization;
iv) trace embryo formation to seeds and fruits.

7) Plant Propagation Methods

Topics:
a) Sexual: seeds, viability/viability test, seed rate, seed germination
b) Asexual: cutting, budding, grafting, layering, etc.
c) Nursery and nursery management

Objectives:
a.i) classify crops propagated sexually;
a.ii) determine seed viability and seed rate;
a.iii) differentiate types of germination;
a.iv) examine conditions for germination;
b) classify crops by vegetative methods;
c.i) determine nursery site/types, advantages/disadvantages;
c.ii) apply transplanting techniques.

8) Cropping Systems, Planting Patterns and Plant Densities

Topics:
a) Cropping systems: mono-, mixed-, multiple-, inter-, relay-, strip-, rotational
b) Planting patterns: broadcasting, row spacing, drilling
c) Plant densities: single, double, multiple stands

Objectives:
a.i) compare cropping systems;
a.ii) apply systems to solve agricultural problems;
b) differentiate planting patterns;
c.i) examine density types and effects on yield;
c.ii) compute plant density per hectare.

9) Crop Husbandry

Topics: common & scientific names; gross morphology; storage organ anatomy; propagation; husbandry practices; harvesting; processing & storage; diseases & pests; economic importance—across the following groups:

Group 1: Cereals (maize, guinea corn, rice)
Group 2: Legumes (cowpea, groundnut, soybean)
Group 3: Tubers (yam, cassava, sweet potato)
Group 4: Vegetables & Spices (tomato, eggplant, pepper, onion, okro, cabbage, Amaranthus sp.)
Group 5: Fruits (citrus, pineapple, pawpaw)
Group 6: Beverages (cocoa, kola, coffee)
Group 7: Oils (oil palm, coconut, shea butter)
Group 8: Latex (para rubber, gum arabic)
Group 9: Fibres (jute, cotton, sisal hemp)
Group 10: Sugars (sugarcane, beet)

Objectives:
i) apply propagation, husbandry, harvesting, processing and storage methods for each crop;
ii) identify diseases/pests and effects on yield;
iii) determine each crop’s economic importance;
iv) relate importance to national economic development.

10) Pasture and Forage Crops

Topics:
a) Morphology, propagation, husbandry of pasture grasses/legumes; establishment, maintenance, conservation, uses (hay, silage)
b) Natural grasslands and distribution in West Africa
c) Range management

Objectives:
a.i) classify common grasses/legumes for pasture/forage;
a.ii) differentiate pasture vs forage by common/scientific names;
a.iii) distinguish conservation methods (hay, silage);
b) relate vegetational zones to dominant pasture species;
c) determine range types and utilization in Nigeria.

11) Floriculture

Topics: identification, establishment, maintenance, uses of ornamental trees, shrubs, flowers

Objectives:
i) distinguish common ornamentals;
ii) determine uses and maintenance.

12) Weeds

Topics:
a) Gross morphology; reproduction; dispersal; effects
b) Weed control: weeding, mulching, cover cropping, tillage, herbicides, trap cropping

Objectives:
i) identify weeds by common/scientific names;
ii) classify weeds by mode of dispersal;
iii) apply weed control methods.

13) Crop Diseases

Topics:
a) Identification of store/field pathogens
b) Simple account of fungal, bacterial, nematode, viral diseases—damage, transmission, control
c) Side effects of control methods (pollution, poisoning, ecosystem disruption)

Objectives:
a) distinguish store vs field pathogens;
i) relate pathogens to damage, symptoms, spread;
ii) apply control methods;
b) relate each control to side effects.

14) Crop Pests

Topics:
a) Field/store pests—types, importance, prevention and control principles/methods
b) Life cycles: biting (grasshopper), boring (weevil), sucking (aphid, cotton strainer)
c) Common pesticides and side effects

Objectives:
a.i) identify field/store pests;
a.ii) assess economic importance;
a.iii) relate prevention/control to pests;
b.i) describe insect life cycles;
b.ii) apply life-cycle knowledge to control;
c.i) differentiate common pesticides;
c.ii) examine modes of action.

15) Forest Management (Silviculture)

Topics:
a) Importance: wood, pulp, fibre, other products
b) Conservation: regulation, exploitation, regeneration, afforestation, agro-forestry, taungya

Objectives:
a) relate forest products to uses;
i) compare conservation methods;
ii) apply methods appropriately.

16) Crop Improvement

Topics: methods—introduction, selection, crossing, quarantine, etc.

Objectives:
i) give reasons for crop improvement;
ii) distinguish between methods of crop improvement.

SECTION C: Animal Production

1) Forms and Classification of Major Farm Animals in West Africa

Topics:
a) Species, breeds, distribution
b) External features of cattle, sheep, goat, pigs, rabbits, poultry

Objectives:
i) classify breeds;
ii) locate distributions;
iii) identify characteristic features.

2) General Terminology in Animal Production

Topics: common terms (calving, kidding, castrate, capon, veal, mutton, etc.)

Objectives:
(i) use various terms in animal husbandry.

3) Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals

Topics:
a) Functions of tissues and organs
b) Body systems: digestive (ruminant/non-ruminant), reproductive, respiratory, urinary, nervous
c) Effects of environmental changes (e.g., climate change)

Objectives:
– distinguish functions of tissues/organs;
– compare body systems;
– determine climate-change effects on animals.

4) Reproduction in Farm Animals

Topics:
a) Gametogenesis, oestrus cycle, signs/periods of heat, secondary sexual characters, gestation, parturition, hormonal roles
b) Development, nourishment, birth; mammary glands and lactation
c) Egg formation, incubation, hatching in poultry

Objectives:
i) give an account of reproduction processes;
ii) determine hormonal roles;
iii) trace development from fertilization to birth and care;
iv) trace egg formation and incubation in poultry.

5) Animal Nutrition

Topics:
a) Feed nutrients and functions
b) Feeds and feeding: simple ration formulation; balanced ration; common pasture/forage (guinea grass, elephant grass, giant star grass, Andropogon sp., Calopogonium sp.); hay/silage; maintenance vs production ration
c) Nutrient deficiencies: causes, symptoms, correction

Objectives:
a) identify nutrients, sources, functions;
b.i) differentiate feed types and formulation;
b.ii) relate rations to classes of livestock;
c.i) trace symptoms to nutrient deficiencies;
c.ii) apply corrective measures.

6) Livestock Management

Topics: housing, feeding, sanitation, veterinary care of ruminants, pigs, rabbits, poultry under intensive, semi-intensive, extensive systems (birth to slaughter)

Objectives:
– apply different management practices.

7) Animal Health

a) Animal diseases (pathology):
i) Environmental predisposing factors; causal organisms; symptoms; transmission; effects
ii) Preventive/curative methods for viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoal diseases

b) Parasites (parasitology):
i) Life cycles and economic importance (endoparasites, ectoparasites, vectors)
ii) Prevention and control: dipping, spraying, deworming, sanitation

Objectives:
i) identify diseases and causative agents;
ii) classify diseases by symptoms/transmission;
iii) apply preventive/curative measures;
i) classify parasites;
ii) determine roles in transmission;
iii) trace parasite life cycles;
iv) apply control methods.

8) Fisheries and Wildlife

Topics:
a) Fish culture systems; common fishes (Tilapia, Catfish):
i) Extensive: inland/deep-sea, lakes/rivers;
ii) Semi-intensive: dams;
iii) Intensive: ponds—factors in establishment; pond management (fertilization, liming, desilting)
b) Harvesting & processing: drag nets, hook/line; curing, sun-drying, smoking; fishery regulations
c) Wildlife management: habitat conservation, feeding, domestication, harvesting, processing, regulations

Objectives:
i) identify common fishes;
ii) differentiate culture systems;
iii) determine factors for intensive culture;
i) assess pros/cons of harvesting/processing;
ii) use catching methods;
iii) apply preservation methods;
– apply fishery regulations;
i) identify animals in West African game reserves;
ii) justify game reserves;
iii) apply wildlife regulations.

9) Bee-keeping (Apiculture)

Topics:
a) Meaning and importance
b) Types of bees (exotic, indigenous)
c) Methods (traditional, modern)
d) Equipment and safety measures

Objectives:
i) relate beekeeping to economic development;
ii) differentiate bee types;
iii) classify methods;
iv) identify equipment and uses.

10) Animal Improvement

Topics: methods (introduction, breeding, quarantine, selection); breeding systems—inbreeding, line-breeding, cross-breeding, artificial insemination

Objectives:
i) give reasons for animal improvement;
ii) differentiate between methods.

SECTION D: Agricultural Economics and Extension

1) Factors of Agricultural Production

Topics:
a) Land:
i) Types of land ownership in West Africa
b) Labour
c) Capital
d) Management

Objectives:
a.i) understand meaning/uses of land;
a.ii) identify land ownership forms;
a.iii) examine effects of ownership on agriculture;
a.iv) differentiate features of land and effects on use;
b) differentiate types/sources of labour and effects on production;
c) compare sources of capital and problems;
d) determine functions of a farm manager.

2) Basic Economic Principles

Topics:
a) Demand and supply
b) Production function: input/input, output/output, input/output; stages of production; diminishing returns; scale of preference; choice

Objectives:
i) relate demand to supply;
ii) interpret graph of demand/supply;
iii) relate input to output;
iv) deduce economic concepts from graphs.

3) Characteristic Features of Agricultural Production

Topics: small farm holdings; biological limits; susceptibility to climate; seasonality; price elasticity in demand and supply

Objectives:
i) distinguish common features of agricultural production and produce;
ii) compute elasticity of demand and supply.

4) Labour Management

Topics:
a) Labour relations (supervision, etc.)
b) Types of labour (permanent, etc.)
c) National labour laws and regulations

Objectives:
– identify ways to achieve labour efficiency;
– differentiate types/sources of labour;
– apply national labour laws/regulations.

5) Farm Management

Topics:
a) Qualities, functions, problems of a farm manager
b) Records/record-keeping: types and importance (livestock records, profit & loss account)
c) Stock evaluation:
i) gross and net profits;
ii) appreciation, depreciation, salvage value
d) Agricultural insurance:
i) meaning, importance, types;
ii) problems

Objectives:
a) identify qualities, functions, problems;
b.i) differentiate types of farm records;
b.ii) give reasons for keeping records;
c) determine gross/net margins, appreciation, depreciation, salvage;
d.i) examine relevance of agricultural insurance;
d.ii) determine appropriate schemes;
d.iii) determine problems associated with insurance.

6) Marketing of Agricultural Produce

Topics:
a) Importance of marketing
b) Marketing channels
c) Features of agricultural products affecting marketing

Objectives:
a) evaluate importance of marketing;
b.i) classify marketing agents and functions;
b.ii) determine ways channels pose problems;
c) determine product characteristics affecting marketing.

7) Agricultural Extension

Topics:
a) Meaning and importance
b) Roles of ADPs, universities, research institutes, farmers’ organizations (co-ops)
c) Extension methods (demonstrations, visual aids, mass media, etc.)
d) Problems of extension in West Africa and solutions

Objectives:
i) identify importance of extension;
ii) analyse roles of government/NGOs in extension education;
iii) differentiate extension methods;
iv) examine problems of extension;
v) provide solutions.

SECTION E: Agricultural Technology

1) Farm Surveying and Farmstead Planning

Topics:
a) Meaning and importance
b) Common surveying equipment, uses, care
c) Common survey methods
d) Principles of farmstead outlay

Objectives:
– examine relevance of surveying;
– classify equipment, uses, care;
– differentiate survey methods;
– apply survey principles to farmstead layout.

2) Simple Farm Tools

Objectives:
i) identify simple farm tools;
ii) use and maintain tools;
iii) compare advantages and disadvantages.

3) Farm Machinery and Implements

Topics:
a) Types:
i) Machinery (tractor, milking machine, etc.)
ii) Implements
b) Uses and maintenance

Objectives:
i) identify common machinery/implements;
ii) classify by uses;
iii) apply maintenance routines;
iv) operate machines/implements.

4) Mechanization and Sources of Farm Power

Topics:
a) Sources (animal, machines, etc.)
b) Advantages/disadvantages of mechanization
c) Problems and prospects of mechanized agriculture in West Africa

Objectives:
– compare pros/cons of power sources and applications;
– distinguish pros/cons of mechanization;
– assess problems and prospects in West Africa.

5) Processing and Storage

Topics:
a) Processing: traditional/modern methods (gari, rice, groundnut, etc.)
b) Storage

Objectives:
i) identify importance of processing;
ii) differentiate processing methods;
i) compare storage methods;
ii) apply storage methods.

6) Introduction to Biotechnology

Topics: basic terms (tissue and anther culture, in-vitro fertilization, genetic engineering)

Objectives:
i) use basic terms;
ii) state importance and applications.

7) Application of ICT in Agriculture

Topics:
a) Features of computers
b) Uses in agriculture: disease/weather forecasting, ration formulation, database/simulation, etc.
c) Communication gadgets (mobile phone, internet, etc.) for production

Objectives:
– identify computer components;
– use computers to enhance practices;
– use communication gadgets to enhance production.

8) Introduction to Agricultural Research and Statistics

Topics:
a) Basic concepts in planning experiments (hypothesis, treatment, control, etc.)
b) Interpretation of results (measures of central tendency; experimental errors)

Objectives:
a) use basic experimental concepts;
b.i) draw inferences from results;
b.ii) compute simple measures of central tendency.

Recommended Texts

Adeniyi, M. O. et al. (1999). Countdown to Senior Secondary Certificate Examination Agricultural Science. Evans.
Akinsanmi, A. O. (2000). Junior Secondary Agricultural Science. Longman.
Akinsanmi, O. A. (2000). Senior Secondary Agricultural Science. Longman.
Anthonio, Q. B. O. (1999). General Agriculture for West Africa. George Allen.
Are, L. A. et al. (2010). Comprehensive Certificate Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary School. University Press Plc.
Egbuna, C. K. et al. (2014). Extension Modern Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary Schools (2010). Extension Publication.
Emmanuel, C. A. (2003). A Dictionary of Agriculture. Agitab Publisher, Makurdi.
Falusi, A. O. & Adeleye, I. O. A. (2000). Agricultural Science for Junior Secondary Schools (Books 1–3). Onibonoje.
Komolafe, M. F. et al. (2004). Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary Schools 1–3. University Press Ltd.
Philips, T. A. (1986). Agricultural Notebook. Longman.
STAN (1999). Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary Schools. Longman.

Credit: jambportal, Allcbts