JAMB Syllabus For Agricultural Science 2025/2026

In this detailed guide, we will cover everything you need to know about the JAMB Agricultural Science syllabus, its sections, and recommended resources to help you ace the exam.

What is the JAMB Agricultural Science Syllabus?

The JAMB Agricultural Science syllabus is a crucial study guide provided by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

This syllabus outlines all the important topics, concepts, and areas that candidates need to focus on to succeed in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for Agricultural Science.

Why is the JAMB Agricultural Science Syllabus Important?

The syllabus helps you:

Understand the topics you need to study
Identify areas that require more attention
Organize your study sessions effectively
Boost your chances of scoring high in the exam

JAMB Syllabus for Agricultural Science 2025/2026

The JAMB syllabus for Agricultural Science is divided into five main sections, each covering specific sub-topics. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. General Agriculture

Meaning and Scope of Agriculture: Understand the definition, branches, and importance of agriculture.
Agricultural Ecology: Learn about the various ecological zones of West Africa and their impact on agriculture.
Genetics in Agriculture: Key topics include Mendel’s laws, plant breeding, and genetics terms like genotype and alleles.
History of Agricultural Development: Familiarize yourself with agricultural systems like shifting cultivation and bush fallowing.

Candidates should be able to:

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Use the definition of Agriculture in modern terms as it relates to production, processing and marketing.
Differentiate between the various branches of Agriculture.
Differentiate between the various types of Agriculture, their advantages and disadvantages and their respective problems.

2. Agronomy

Crop Production: Topics include crop classification, crop rotation, soil preparation, and planting techniques.
Crop Protection: Learn about crop pests, diseases, and control measures.
Weed Management: Understand different types of weeds and methods of controlling them.

Candidates should be able to:

Relate agricultural benefits to individual farmers.
Relate agro-allied industries to their respective raw materials.
Relate the various contributions of Agriculture to economic development in West Africa.

3. Animal Production

Livestock Management: Covers types of livestock, feeding practices, housing, and animal welfare.
Animal Health: Focus on livestock diseases and effective prevention and control.
Reproductive Systems: Learn about animal reproduction and breeding methods.

Candidates should be able to:

Differentiate between the features of the ecological zones in West Africa.
Classify agricultural products according to each ecological zone.
Differentiate abiotic from biotic factors affecting agricultural production.

4. Agricultural Economics and Extension

Agricultural Economics: Gain knowledge of farm management, marketing, and agricultural economics principles.
Agricultural Extension: Learn how extension services impact agricultural development and the methods used.

5. Agricultural Technology

Farm Structures: Explore various farm structures, their types, and construction.
Farm Machinery and Equipment: Learn about essential farming tools and maintenance practices.
Post-Harvest Technology: Understand harvesting, storage, and processing of agricultural products.

TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES	OBJECTIVES
SECTION A	General Agriculture
1. Meaning and Scope of Agriculture a. Definition of Agriculture b. Branches of Agriculture c. Types of Agriculture i.e. subsistence and commercial	Candidates should be able to: use the definition of Agriculture in modern terms as it relates to production, processing and marketing. differentiate between the various branches of Agriculture. differentiate between the various types of Agriculture, their advantages and disadvantages and their respective problems.
2. Importance of Agriculture i. Provision of raw materials for agro- allied industries ii. Provision of employment iii. Development of rural areas, etc.	Candidates should be able to: relate agricultural benefits to individual farmers. relate agro-allied industries to their respective raw materials. relate the various contributions of Agriculture to economic development in West Africa.
3. Agricultural Ecology a. Ecological zones of West Africa b. Agricultural products of each ecological zone c. Environmental factors and their effects on crop and livestock production	Candidates should be able to: differentiate between the features of the ecological zones in West Africa. classify agricultural products according to each ecological zone. differentiate abiotic from biotic factors affecting agricultural production.
4. AgriculturalGenetics a. First and second laws of Mendel b. Cell division c. Terminologies e.g. locus, alleles, genotype, dominance d. Methods of crop improvement e.g. introduction, selection, crossing, quarantine etc. e. Methods of animal improvement e.g. introduction, breeding, quarantine and selection: Breeding systems – inbreeding, line-breeding, cross- breeding, artificial insemination	Candidates should be able to: apply the first and second laws of Mendel to genetics. differentiate between the types of cell division. i. determine the outcome of genetic crossing involving homozygous and heterozygous traits. ii. compute simple probability ratios. i. give reasons for crop improvement. ii. distinguish between various methods of crop improvement, and their respective advantages and disadvantages. i. give reasons for animal improvement. ii. differentiate between the various methods of animal improvement, and their respective advantages and disadvantages.
5. Farm Inputs e.g. planting materials, agrochemicals, etc.	Candidates should be able to: classify different types of farm inputs and their uses.
6. History of Agricultural Development in West Africa a. Agricultural systems e.g. shifting cultivation, bush fallowing, etc. b. Problems of Agricultural development e.g. land tenure systems, inadequate infrastructures, inadequate finance for agriculture, environmental degradation, etc. c. Establishment of national research institutes e.g. NCRI, IAR, IAR&T, CRIN, NIFOR, FRIN, RRI, NRCRI, NIHORT, LCRI, etc. and international research institutes e.g. IITA, ILRI, ICRISAT, WARDA, etc., leading to increased application of science to the development of agriculture. d. Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) e.g. RTEP, FADAMA etc. e. National Agricultural Programmes such as OFN, NAFPP, NALDA, Green Revolution, NCRPs, NARP, Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) etc.	Candidates should be able to: compare various agricultural systems. identify the problems, their effects and proffer solutions i. trace the history of research institutes from past to present. ii. assess their role in the development of agriculture. give reasons for the establishment of ADPs. evaluate the contributions of national agricultural programmes.
7. Roles of Government and NGOs in Agricultural Development a. Development of fiscal policies favourable to agricultural production e.g. import duties, ban on importation, e.t.c. b. Agricultural laws and reforms e.g. Land Use Act. c. Government programmes aimed at agricultural development e.g. subsidies, credit facilities, e.t.c. d. Provision of infrastructures e.g. transport systems, communication systems, e.t.c. Contribution of NGOs to agricultural development	Candidates should be able to: evaluate the effects of government policies on agricultural development. identify agricultural laws and their effect on agricultural production. i. identify the various agricultural incentives provided by the government. ii. assess their effects on agricultural development. compare the various infrastructural facilities provided by government and their uses. examine the roles of NGOs in the development of agriculture.
SECTION B	Agronomy
1. Rocks and Soil formation a. Rock formation b. Factors affecting rock weathering and soil formation c.Physical properties of soil i. Soil profile ii. Soil components, texture and structure d. Chemical properties of soil i. Soil acidity and alkalinity ii. Chemical components of soil e.g. silicate	Candidates should be able to: Identify the major types of rocks and their formation. identify major types and properties of soils; factors and processes of soil formation. differentiate between the horizons in a soil profile. i. differentiate between the components of soil. ii. compute the proportion of soil components. iii.analyse soil into its component parts. determine the water-holding capacity of soil. iv. determine the soil pH.
2. Soil Water and Soil Conservation a. Soil water: its importance, sources, movement, management and conservation. b. Soil conservation: meaning and importance, causes, effects, prevention and control of leaching, erosion, continuous cropping, burning and oxidation of organic matter. c.Irrigation and drainage methods.	Candidates should be able to: i. compare capillary, gravitational and hygroscopic water. ii. determine water-holding capacity, wilting points and plant available/unavailable water. iii. Identify the methods of soil water management and conservation. i. identify the causes of erosion and leaching. ii. determine control methods. i. classify irrigation and drainage systems. ii. examine the importance and challenges of irrigation and drainage.
3. Soil Fertility a. Macro and micro-nutrients and their roles in plant nutrition: carbon, water and nitrogen cycles. b. The living population of the soil (flora and fauna), and their roles in soil fertility. c. Maintenance of soil fertility: Methods of maintaining soil fertility e.g. use of cover crops, application of organic manures, etc. d. Nutrient deficiency symptoms e.g. chlorosis, sickle leaves, stunting, apical necrosis etc.	Candidates should be able to: i. classify plant nutrients. ii. identify factors affecting their availability. examine the roles of soil flora and fauna in maintaining soil fertility. i. compare the different methods of maintaining soil fertility. ii. differentiate between organic and inorganic fertilizer, and their methods of application. iii. determine common fertilizer ratios. i. identify the deficiency symptoms and their causes. ii. suggest remedies.

TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES

OBJECTIVES

SECTION A

General Agriculture

1. Meaning and Scope of Agriculture

a. Definition of Agriculture

b. Branches of Agriculture

c. Types of Agriculture i.e. subsistence and commercial

Candidates should be able to:

use the definition of Agriculture in modern terms as it relates to production, processing and marketing.

differentiate between the various branches of Agriculture.

differentiate between the various types of
Agriculture, their advantages and disadvantages and their respective problems.

2. Importance of Agriculture

i. Provision of raw materials for agro- allied industries

ii. Provision of employment

iii. Development of rural areas, etc.

Candidates should be able to:

relate agricultural benefits to individual farmers.

relate agro-allied industries to their respective raw materials.

relate the various contributions of Agriculture to economic development in West Africa.

3. Agricultural Ecology

a. Ecological zones of West Africa

b. Agricultural products of each ecological zone

c. Environmental factors and their effects on crop and livestock production

Candidates should be able to:

differentiate between the features of the ecological zones in West Africa.

classify agricultural products according to each ecological zone.

differentiate abiotic from biotic factors affecting agricultural production.

4. AgriculturalGenetics

a. First and second laws of Mendel

b. Cell division

c. Terminologies e.g. locus, alleles, genotype, dominance

d. Methods of crop improvement e.g. introduction, selection, crossing, quarantine etc.

e. Methods of animal improvement e.g. introduction, breeding, quarantine and selection: Breeding systems – inbreeding, line-breeding, cross- breeding, artificial insemination

Candidates should be able to:

apply the first and second laws of Mendel to genetics.

differentiate between the types of cell division.

i. determine the outcome of genetic crossing involving homozygous and heterozygous traits.

ii. compute simple probability ratios.

i. give reasons for crop improvement.

ii. distinguish between various methods of crop improvement, and their respective advantages and disadvantages.

i. give reasons for animal improvement.

ii. differentiate between the various methods of animal improvement, and their respective advantages and disadvantages.

5. Farm Inputs

e.g. planting materials, agrochemicals, etc.

Candidates should be able to:

classify different types of farm inputs and their uses.

6. History of Agricultural Development in West Africa

a. Agricultural systems e.g. shifting cultivation, bush fallowing, etc.

b. Problems of Agricultural development e.g. land tenure systems, inadequate infrastructures, inadequate finance for agriculture, environmental degradation, etc.

c. Establishment of national research institutes e.g. NCRI, IAR, IAR&T, CRIN, NIFOR, FRIN, RRI, NRCRI, NIHORT, LCRI, etc. and international research institutes e.g. IITA, ILRI, ICRISAT, WARDA, etc., leading to increased application of science to the development of agriculture.

d. Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) e.g. RTEP, FADAMA etc.

e. National Agricultural Programmes such as OFN, NAFPP, NALDA, Green Revolution, NCRPs, NARP, Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) etc.

Candidates should be able to:

compare various agricultural systems.

identify the problems, their effects and proffer solutions

i. trace the history of research institutes from past to present.

ii. assess their role in the development of agriculture.

give reasons for the establishment of ADPs.

evaluate the contributions of national agricultural programmes.

7. Roles of Government and NGOs in Agricultural Development

a. Development of fiscal policies favourable to agricultural production e.g. import duties, ban on importation, e.t.c.

b. Agricultural laws and reforms e.g. Land Use Act.

c. Government programmes aimed at agricultural development e.g. subsidies, credit facilities, e.t.c.

d. Provision of infrastructures e.g. transport systems, communication systems, e.t.c. Contribution of NGOs to agricultural development

Candidates should be able to:

evaluate the effects of government policies on agricultural development.

identify agricultural laws and their effect on agricultural production.

i. identify the various agricultural incentives provided by the government.

ii. assess their effects on agricultural development.

compare the various infrastructural facilities provided by government and their uses.

examine the roles of NGOs in the development of agriculture.

SECTION B

Agronomy

1. Rocks and Soil formation

a. Rock formation

b. Factors affecting rock weathering and soil formation

c.Physical properties of soil

i. Soil profile

ii. Soil components, texture and structure

d. Chemical properties of soil
i. Soil acidity and alkalinity
ii. Chemical components of soil e.g. silicate

Candidates should be able to:

Identify the major types of rocks and their formation.

identify major types and properties of soils; factors and processes of soil formation.

differentiate between the horizons in a soil profile.

i. differentiate between the components of soil.

ii. compute the proportion of soil components.

iii.analyse soil into its component parts. determine the water-holding capacity of soil.

iv. determine the soil pH.

2. Soil Water and Soil Conservation

a. Soil water: its importance, sources, movement, management and conservation.

b. Soil conservation: meaning and importance, causes, effects, prevention and control of leaching, erosion, continuous cropping, burning and oxidation of organic matter.

c.Irrigation and drainage methods.

Candidates should be able to:

i. compare capillary, gravitational and hygroscopic water.

ii. determine water-holding capacity, wilting points and plant available/unavailable water.

iii. Identify the methods of soil water management and conservation.

i. identify the causes of erosion and leaching.

ii. determine control methods.

i. classify irrigation and drainage systems.

ii. examine the importance and challenges of irrigation and drainage.

3. Soil Fertility

a. Macro and micro-nutrients and their roles in plant nutrition: carbon, water and nitrogen cycles.

b. The living population of the soil (flora and fauna), and their roles in soil fertility.

c. Maintenance of soil fertility: Methods of maintaining soil fertility e.g. use of cover crops, application of organic manures, etc.

d. Nutrient deficiency symptoms e.g. chlorosis, sickle leaves, stunting, apical necrosis etc.

Candidates should be able to:

i. classify plant nutrients.

ii. identify factors affecting their availability.

examine the roles of soil flora and fauna in maintaining soil fertility.

i. compare the different methods of maintaining soil fertility.

ii. differentiate between organic and inorganic fertilizer, and their methods of application.

iii. determine common fertilizer ratios.

i. identify the deficiency symptoms and their causes.

ii. suggest remedies.

Recommended Study Materials for JAMB Agricultural Science 2025/2026

To effectively prepare for the exam, here are some recommended textbooks:

Introduction to Agricultural Science by O.A. Olayide
Principles of Crop Production by S.O. Oyenuga
Animal Husbandry by A.O. Akinmoladun
Agricultural Economics by O.O. Olayemi
Farm Structures and Equipment by A.O. Akinmoladun

These textbooks provide comprehensive coverage of the syllabus and will help you gain in-depth knowledge of Agricultural Science.

How to Use the JAMB Agricultural Science Syllabus for Effective Preparation

Create a Study Plan: Break down the syllabus into manageable chunks. Dedicate time for each section based on its importance and difficulty.
Practice Past Questions: Review past JAMB Agricultural Science questions to get a feel for the exam format and identify areas that need more focus.
Group Study: Consider joining study groups to exchange ideas and discuss complex topics.
Regular Revision: Keep revisiting topics periodically to retain information and improve recall during the exam.

What is the JAMB Agricultural Science Syllabus?

Why is the JAMB Agricultural Science Syllabus Important?

JAMB Syllabus for Agricultural Science 2025/2026

1. General Agriculture

2. Agronomy

3. Animal Production

4. Agricultural Economics and Extension

5. Agricultural Technology

Recommended Study Materials for JAMB Agricultural Science 2025/2026

How to Use the JAMB Agricultural Science Syllabus for Effective Preparation

JAMB Syllabus for All Subjects