Agricultural Studies (Y10/11)

ASDStrand 1: Agriculture and Land Resources (2 weeks)

Major Learning Outcome: Students are able to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of agricultural production and the benefits of land resources (flora and fauna) in Kiribati

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Sub-strand 1.1: Wildlife and livestock farming

Key Learning Outcome: Students are able to demonstrate an understanding of Wildlife and livestock farming.

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SLO1. WILDLIFE

· Refers to animals, birds and fishes that are undomesticated

· in some countries sanctuaries have been allocated for the preservation of these species

Wildlife in Kiribati include:

· sea birds (Kiritimati island)

· milkfish (Kiritimati island)

· marine life (Phoenix island group)

SLO2. Importance of wildlife

Wildlife conservation helps protect biodiversity, ensuring the continued resilience and productivity of the ecosystems, which in turn benefit humans through

· improved agricultural yields,

· reduced vulnerability to pests and diseases, and

· reduction of natural disaster risks.

ACTIVITY:

Prepare a questionaire for a research visit to the "Wildlife" office in Ronton. Your visit is to find out more on "wildlife" on Kiritimati island including whether there are other sanctuaries on Kiribati, what types of wildlife are kept there, and their importance to the local communities and national economy.
Prepare a Power Point Presentation of your findings during the visit.

F5C ma aia posters aika a baintangiraaki man te 'Wildlife' division i aon Kiritimati. Aei bon muin aia bubuti ngke a 'visit' te Wildlife office tabeua boong imwaain tamneia aio.

SLO3. LIVESTOCK

Livestock are the domesticated animals raised in order to provide labour and produce products for consumption such as meat, eggs, milk, fur, leather and wool.

SLO4. Livestock in Kiribati

Livestock in Kiribati is focused on pigs, poultry, and, a time, goats.

SLO5. Livestock farming management

Farm Management includes skills such as:

· Basic husbandry

· Nutrition

· Communication

· Preparation

· Adaptation

· Evaluation

· Attention to detail

· Establishing a farm culture

Ø Basic husbandry creates hydrated, clean, dry, low stress animals

Ø Clear communication facilitates preparedness and adaptation

SLO6. Ways to improve livestock farming

Good animal welfare requires:

· disease prevention

· appropriate veterinary care

· shelter

· nutrition

· stimulating and safe environment

· humane handling

· humane slaughter

SLO7. Terrestrial animal agriculture

Terrestrial means: relating to earth.

Terrestrial animal agriculture relies on only a few species. In cattle, milk and meat production both utilize one species. In pigs, all commercial production is based on one species. Poultry (chickens) is ‘farmed’ for their eggs, and meat as a by-product.

Terrestrial types of animals in Kiribati

Kiribati has a few land mammals, none being indigenous. They include Polynesian rat, dogs, cats and pigs. Among the 75bird species, the ‘Bokikokiko’ is endemic to Kiribati. There are 600-800 species of inshore and pelagic finfish and some 1000 species of shellfish.

SLO8. Atoll terrestrial Challenges that hinder animal and plant productivity

· In Kiribati rising sea levels is one main factor that hinders the productivity of livestock. The salinity of the sea will affect the “grass” food of the animals resulting in the animals not feeding on their natural food.

· The “reduction’ (inundation) of the island size will mean that the animals will have limited land space for natural growth

SLO9. Interactions between plants and animals

Animals are consumers and they depend on plants for survival. Some animals eat plants directly, while others eat animals that eat the plants. In turn, some plants rely on animals to help spread their seed, decomposing animal carcasses can also help provide nutrients for plants to grow.

Parasites

An organism (animal, etc.) that lives in or on another organism and benefits by deriving nutrients from the ‘host’.

Competition

Animals may compete for territory, water, food or mates. Competition often occurs between members of the same species. This is called “intraspecific” competition. This is the type of competition that is the driving force behind ‘natural selection’ within a species.

Pollinator

A pollinator is anything (animal, plant, etc) that helps carry pollen from the male part of a flower (plant) to the female part of the same or another flower. The movement of pollen must occur for the plant to become fertilized and produce fruits, seeds and young plants – that other animals can feed on.

What are predators?

Predator is an animal that kills and eats other animals. Prey are animals that are killed and eaten by other animals.

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Sub-strand 1.2: Gardening and Nutrition (4.5 weeks)

Key Learning Outcome: Students are able to demonstrate an understanding of Gardening and Food nutrition

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GARDENING

SLO1. What is gardening?

Gardening is the laying out and care of a plot of land devoted to the growing of plants, such as flowers, herbs, or vegetables.

SLO2. Gardening practices in Kiribati

The 3 main practices for gardening in Kiribati are for:

1) Ornamental purposes (flowers) eg: te booi, te meria, te rooti, etc.

2) Medicinal purposes (herbs) eg: te non, te mao, te kaina, etc

3) Nutritional needs (vegetables) eg: fruits and vegetables

AGRICULTURE

SLO3. Important role of Agriculture

Agriculture impacts society in many ways including:

· Supporting livelihoods through food, habit and jobs

· Providing raw materials for food and other products (virgin oil, banana/breadfruit chips, shelter, mats, etc)

· Building economies through trade

SLO4 & 5. Common crops found in Kiribati

The islands of Kiribati are mainly coral islands, therefore only a limited number of crops can survive the degree of salinity of the soil. However, the addition of fertilizers can ensure the good growth of native crops and newly introduced crops to the islands.

The types of crops found in Kiribati are categorized into the 3 main groups: root crops, tree crops and leafy crops (see Table)

F5C mai St. Francis High Sch., n aia field trip nakon te "Ununiki" HQ n te Main Camp, Christmas island.

"Ao mauri naba ngkami"

Inanon ana 'Greenhouse' te 'Ununiki"

"E katoka teraa?"

SLO 6. Student's Activity: - To carry out investigations on how to cultivate different crops

Group work: Separate students into 3 groups. One group will discuss cultivating a root crop, 2nd group on a Tree crop and 3rd group on a Leafy crop. To be presented as a Presentation on Power Point. Allow 2 weeks to complete. (Reference KCS topic Planting methods in Kiribati)

SLO 7. Fertilizers

When choosing a fertilizer, you can consider the following factors:

Nutrient needs

Different plants need different nutrients at different stages of growth. For example, leafy greens need more nitrogen, while flowers may need more phosphorus. You can test your soil to identify nutrient deficiencies or excesses.

Environmental impact

Some fertilizers, like synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, can harm the environment through greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution.

Fertilizer type

Here are some different types of fertilizers:

Potassium fertilizers: Also called potash fertilizers, these are derived from burned wood, mines, and the ocean. They help plants grow and move stomata.
Nitrogen fertilizers: Nitrogen is a key compound for healthy plants, helping them absorb sunlight through photosynthesis.
Organic fertilizers: These fertilizers are made from natural materials like compost, bone meal, fish meal, and livestock manure. They usually contain all three nutrients (N, P, and K).
Phosphorus fertilizers: Phosphorus is water-soluble, making it ideal for fertigation systems. It's also often found in other essential nutrients, like calcium.
Inorganic fertilizers: These fertilizers are less expensive than organic fertilizers and can be easily synthesized on a large scale. They're also less bulky, so nutrients can be carried to different parts of the plant more easily.
Micronutrient fertilizers: These can be inorganic materials, synthetic chelates, or naturally occurring organic complexes. The most common soluble form of micronutrients is sulfate.
Dry fertilizers: These fertilizers are best suited for slow-release formulations, as they're absorbed more slowly by plants and must first be broken down. They're also less expensive and easier to store because they don't settle out over time or in cold weather.

Most of the fertilizers above are mostly Chemical fertilizers, that is, they are mostly, if not all, made up of chemicals. Therefore, for our course we shall look at Liquid and Compost Fertilizers. But, first, let's see "What is an Organic Fertilizer"!

Organic Fertilizer

Can be made by mixing nutritious substances in water, such as manure, green matter, living earth, ash, urine, dry organic fertilizer, etc. Three important 'ingredients' for organic fertilizers are:

Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium

And what is Liquid Fertilizer?

Liquid fertilizer refer to extracts of soluble powders or chemicals that have a mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. They may also have wetting agents, insecticides, weed killers, and fungicides, not to mention trace elements and other supplements designed to help plants grow.

Nitrogen - can be found in green leaves, etc
Phosphorus, is found in rocky soil, etc
Potassium, can be found in left-over food such as pumpkins, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, etc

What is Compost Fertilizer?

Compost is a mix of substances and organic matter used to enrich and enhance soil, usually made by decomposing plants, food waste, and other organic materials.

Compost supplies the earth with nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and improves its ability to keep these nutrients longer.

Note the difference between these fertilizers

SLO 8. Activity

Listen carefully to all videos on making fertilizers and

a) make a list of the "ingredients" that are mentioned in the clips, and

b) i) briefly describe how 'liquid fertilizer' is achieved

ii) briefly describe how 'compost fertilizer' is achieved

SLO 9. The importance of applying organic fertilizer in maintaining soil fertility.

Organic fertilizers are a key component of sustainable agriculture practices and can significantly improve soil health and fertility. They can:

Improve soil structure

Organic fertilizers increase soil organic carbon content, which improves soil structure and stability. This allows roots to access water and nutrients more efficiently, which is important for healthy crops.

Increase nutrient availability

Organic fertilizers increase the availability of nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the soil. They can also improve nutrient synchrony, which helps plants uptake nutrients more efficiently.

Promote microbial populations

Organic fertilizers increase microbial activity in the soil, which increases nutrient mineralization rates.

Hold nutrients longer

Organic fertilizers can hold nutrients longer, which is beneficial in areas prone to drought.

Reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers

Organic fertilizers gradually release nutrients into the soil, so they may reduce the need for repeated applications of synthetic fertilizers.

SLO 10. What is Food Nutrition?

The science of nutrition concerns everything the body does with food to carry on its functions. Food provides essential substances called nutrients. The body needs these nutrients to help it make energy; to grow, repair, and maintain its tissues; and to keep its different systems working smoothly.

SLO 11. The Six types of Nutrients

The six basic nutrients that are essential for the human body to function properly are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water:

SLO 12. What is Malnutrition?

Malnutrition is an imbalance between the nutrients your body needs to function and the nutrients it gets. It can mean undernutrition or overnutrition. You can be malnourished from an overall lack of calories, or you might have a protein, vitamin or mineral deficiency.

SLO13, Preventive Measures for Malnutrition

Dietary changes and supplements

A dietitian will advise you about dietary changes that can help.

They may create a tailored diet plan that ensures you get enough nutrients.

They may also suggest:

having a healthier, more balanced diet
eating "fortified" foods that contain extra nutrients
snacking between meals
having drinks that contain lots of calories
getting supermarket deliveries at home

If these measures are not enough, taking extra nutrients in the form of supplements (pills) may be recommended. These should only be taken on the advice of a healthcare professional.

You'll have regular appointments to check that any changes to your diet are helping to improve your nutrition. Your diet may need to be adjusted to make it more effective.

SLO14. Foods rich in Nutrients

Eat a variety of foods to get different vitamins and minerals. Foods that naturally are nutrient-rich include fruits and vegetables. Lean meats, fish, whole grains, dairy, legumes, nuts, and seeds also are high in nutrients.

SLO15, Importance of Nutrition to Human Health?

Nutrition is a critical part of health and development. Better nutrition is related to improved infant, child and maternal health, stronger immune systems, safer pregnancy and childbirth, lower risk of non-communicable diseases (such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease), and longevity.

SLO16. Importance of gardening to nutrition and health

Gardening can have many health benefits, including improved nutrition, physical activity, and social interaction:

Improved diet

Gardening can help you eat more fruits and vegetables, which are full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. You can also try new foods and recipes, and be more aware of where your food comes from. If you grow your own fruits and vegetables, you can also eat fresh produce that hasn't been treated with pesticides.

Physical activity

Gardening can be a form of aerobic exercise that can burn as many calories as some sports. Digging, raking, and mowing can be especially calorie-intense. Gardening can also help improve dexterity and strength.

Social interaction

Gardening can bring people together and strengthen social connections. For example, community gardens can help older adults who might be vulnerable to loneliness and depression feel less isolated.

Sub-strand 1.3: Agricultural productions and Biosecurity (3.5 weeks)

Key Learning Outcome: Students are able to demonstrate an understanding of Agricultural production and Biosecurity

SLO 1: What is Agribusiness?

Agribusiness is a combination of the words “agriculture” and “business,” and it refers to commerce in farming and farming-related activities. Agribusiness covers

the production,
processing, and
distribution of farm-based goods.

Companies in the agribusiness industry comprise all aspects of food production.

The two major areas of agribusiness are agricultural production and agricultural marketing.

Agricultural production involves the cultivation of crops and the raising of livestock. This includes activities such as planting, harvesting, and animal husbandry.
Agricultural marketing covers the services involved in moving an agricultural product from the farm to the consumer. These services involve the planning, organizing, directing and handling of agricultural produce in such a way as to satisfy farmers, intermediaries and consumers.

SLO 2: Importance of Agribusiness (in Kiribati)

Why is agribusiness important? Agribusiness supports the growth of the agricultural industry, which leads to economic growth across countries. Since countries can export their products, this allows for an increase in revenue sources

SLO 3 Agricultural products of Kiribati?

The Republic of Kiribati's main agricultural products include:

Copra: Kiribati's only agricultural export, copra accounts for about two-thirds of the country's export revenue. The state-owned Kiribati Copra Milling Company is the country's largest agricultural enterprise.
Seaweed: Commercial seaweed farming has become an important economic activity in Kiribati, with farms established in atolls throughout the country's three island groups since the early 1980s.
Livestock: Pigs and chickens are the most common agricultural livestock in Kiribati, and are largely raised under a subsistence production system

Other common agricultural products in Kiribati include: taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables, bananas, screw-pine, and papaya. Agriculture is a key industry in Kiribati, contributing 26% to the country's GDP in 2020.

SLO 4: The process of agricultural by-products and value adding of pandanus, breadfruit, native fig, and giant taro

What is a 'by-product'?

A by-product is something which is produced during the manufacture or processing of another product. For example: Sawdust is a byproduct of the lumber industry, and feathers are a byproduct of poultry processing.

From the diagram on the left we can presume that the citrus fruits were originally harvested for their juice. But we see that the peels are not put to waste, but rather used to make Essential oil. This oil is a by-product of the citrus fruits. Also the peels are dried and used to make livestock feed -another by-product. And, another important by-product is the 'pectine', made from the dried peels. This by-product is used in cooking and baking, and sometimes used to make medicine.

What is a 'value-adding'?

A value-added product is a saleable commodity that has been enhanced with additional qualities that make it worth a higher price than the raw materials used to make it. It may be made more convenient, more attractive, more palatable, or easier to use than its raw ingredients.
Is the amount by which the value of an article is increased at each stage of its production..

For SLO 5 to SLO 8, and SLO 10, students must do the following activities as part of course work (10% of 60%)

SLO 5. Products produced from local trees

Activity: Individual work. (ask household members to assist)

(i) Investigate and document original products that are harvested from coconuts tree, pandanus, and breadfruit trees.

(ii) Investigate the by-products that have been produced after the original products.

(iii) Investigate and explain how the "value" of the products are affected.

SLO 6. Food preservation method traditionally practiced in Kiribati.

Activity 2: Individual work (ask female household members to assist)

(i) Identify two main traditional food preservation methods commonly practiced in Kiribati

(ii) Briefly describe how these two methods are carried out.

SLO 7: Investigate the process of how a coconut tree is converted into a coconut tree product

Activity 3: Individual work (ask male household members to assist)

(i) Investigate and briefly describe the manufacturing process carried out here and give two examples of the types of products produced.

(ii) Investigate several factors that may affect the manufacturing process of coconut tree products

SLO 8: Describe the process of converting a coconut tree to a coconut tree product

Activity 4: Individual work (ask male household members to assist)

(i) Choose any product from these groups: home furniture, building materials)

SLO 9: Contribution of local products to the development of the economy

Household producers who manufacture or create original local products and selling them locally will firstly, benefit by recieving payments from the consumers. This money will help with the household economy (budget) and can improve their welfare. They will also contribute to the communitie's economy through purchasing goods and services from the community markets (commodity market, human resources market). And when the firms (commodity markets, etc) export or sell the products outside the country they will bring in money that will greatly benefit the economy of the country.

SLO 10: Agricultural production in food supply that may generate income for the household

Activity: Individual work (ask household members to assist)

(i) Investigate some locally grown food crops

(ii) Identify which of these food crops are used or can be used to produce food products that are commonly sold or can be sold locally.

(ii) determine if payments for food products sold have an impact on household income

BIOSECURITY

SLO 11: Define Biosecurity

What is Biosecurity?

Biosecurity refers policies and regulations to protect humans, food, agriculture, and the environment from potential biological threats
procedures intended to protect humans or animals against disease or harmful biological agents.
Biosecurity refers to measures aimed at preventing the introduction and/or spread of harmful organisms intentionally or unintentionally outside their native range and/or within new environments.

Kiribati's biosecurity services aim to prevent the entry and spread of pests and diseases into the country, while also regulating the movement of animals, plants, and their products. The Biosecurity Act of 2011 applies to many items, including:

Animals and animal products
Plants and plant products
Living organisms
Soil, sand, gravel, and aggregate
Genetic material
Human remains
Host material
Clothing, machinery, and other articles that contain or have adhering to them anything mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), or (d)
Garbage

SLO 12: Exotic plant and animal diseases that are in existence in Kiribati