Introduction to Farming Systems

A farming system refers to the method or way in which farming activities are organised and carried out by farmers to produce crops and rear animals. Farming systems differ based on the purpose of farming, scale of production, use of technology, and types of crops or animals involved.

In Ghana, farming systems are largely influenced by:

• Climate

• Availability of land

• Level of technology

• Purpose of production (food or income)

The major farming systems practised in Ghana are:

1. Subsistence farming

2. Commercial farming

3. Mixed farming

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1. Subsistence Farming

Meaning of Subsistence Farming

Subsistence farming is a system of farming in which farmers grow crops and rear animals mainly for their own consumption and that of their families, with little or no surplus for sale.

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Characteristics of Subsistence Farming

• Practised on small pieces of land

• Uses simple farm tools such as hoes and cutlasses

• Relies heavily on family labour

• Produces small yields

• Uses little or no modern technology

• Mostly practised in rural areas

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Examples of Subsistence Crops in Ghana

• Maize

• Cassava

• Yam

• Plantain

• Cocoyam

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Advantages of Subsistence Farming

• Provides food for the family

• Requires low capital

• Makes use of local knowledge

• Reduces dependence on market food

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Disadvantages of Subsistence Farming

• Low productivity

• Little or no income generated

• Cannot meet national food demand

• Farmers remain poor

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GTLE Emphasis

Candidates may be asked to:

• Identify subsistence farming from a scenario

• State one advantage or disadvantage

• Compare it with commercial farming

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2. Commercial Farming

Meaning of Commercial Farming

Commercial farming is a system of farming in which crops and animals are produced mainly for sale and profit rather than for personal consumption.

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Characteristics of Commercial Farming

• Practised on large-scale farms

• Uses modern farm machinery

• Requires high capital investment

• Employs skilled and unskilled labour

• Produces large quantities of food

• Uses improved seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides

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Examples of Commercial Farming in Ghana

• Cocoa farming

• Oil palm plantations

• Pineapple farming

• Poultry farming

• Rice farming on irrigation schemes

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Advantages of Commercial Farming

• Generates income and employment

• Increases national food supply

• Promotes industrial development

• Contributes to foreign exchange earnings

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Disadvantages of Commercial Farming

• Requires high capital

• Can cause environmental problems

• Small farmers may be displaced

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GTLE Emphasis

Questions may test:

• Purpose of commercial farming

• Difference between subsistence and commercial farming

• Benefits to farmers and the economy

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3. Mixed Farming

Meaning of Mixed Farming

Mixed farming is a system of farming where a farmer grows crops and rears animals on the same farm.

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Characteristics of Mixed Farming

• Combines crop production and animal rearing

• Animal waste is used as manure

• Crops provide feed for animals

• Reduces risk of total crop failure

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Examples of Mixed Farming Activities

• Growing maize and rearing poultry

• Growing cassava and keeping goats or sheep

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Advantages of Mixed Farming

• Efficient use of farm resources

• Improves soil fertility

• Provides diversified income

• Reduces dependence on one product

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Disadvantages of Mixed Farming

• Requires more knowledge and management

• Labour intensive

• Diseases may spread between animals and crops

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Comparison of Farming Systems (GTLE Core Skill)

Feature	Subsistence	Commercial	Mixed
Purpose	Family consumption	Profit	Food & income
Scale	Small	Large	Medium
Technology	Low	High	Moderate
Output	Low	High	Moderate

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UNIT 10: HEREDITY

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Module 10.1: Heredity and Inheritance

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Meaning of Heredity

Heredity is the process by which traits or characteristics are passed from parents to their offspring.

These traits are transferred through genes, which are found in the cells of living organisms.

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Explanation of Heredity

Heredity explains why children:

• Look like their parents

• Share similar traits such as height, skin colour, and eye colour

Heredity occurs during reproduction, when genetic materials from the father and mother combine.

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Meaning of Inheritance

Inheritance refers to the actual transmission or receiving of traits from parents to offspring.

While heredity explains the process, inheritance refers to what is received.

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Difference Between Heredity and Inheritance

Heredity	Inheritance
Process of passing traits	Traits received
How traits are transferred	What traits are transferred

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Importance of Heredity

• Explains similarities among family members

• Helps understand genetic diseases

• Important in plant and animal breeding

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GTLE Emphasis

Candidates may be asked to:

• Define heredity or inheritance

• Explain the difference between the two

• Give examples

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Module 10.2: Inheritable Characteristics

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Meaning of Inheritable Characteristics

Inheritable characteristics are traits that can be passed from parents to their children through genes.

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Examples of Inheritable Characteristics

1. Eye Colour

Eye colour is an inheritable trait passed from parents to children.
A child may have:

• Brown eyes

• Black eyes

• Blue eyes

depending on the genetic makeup of the parents.

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2. Skin Colour

Skin colour is also inherited from parents.
Children may have:

• Dark skin

• Fair skin

• Medium skin tone

based on the combination of genes they receive.

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Other Examples of Inheritable Characteristics

• Hair type

• Blood group

• Shape of nose

• Height (partly inherited)

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Non-Inheritable Characteristics (For Contrast)

These are traits not passed through genes:

• Scars

• Language spoken

• Tattoos

• Skills learnt

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Importance of Studying Inheritable Characteristics

• Helps understand family resemblance

• Useful in medical science

• Important in agriculture and animal breeding

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GTLE Emphasis

Candidates may be tested on:

• Identifying inheritable vs non-inheritable traits

• Giving examples

• Applying concepts to real-life situations

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SUMMARY (EXAM-READY)

• Farming systems include subsistence, commercial, and mixed farming

• Heredity explains how traits are passed from parents to offspring

• Inheritance refers to the traits received

• Eye colour and skin colour are inheritable characteristics

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