REPORT ON STUDENT INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME

(SIWES) TRAINING PROGRAMME

AT
FARM PRACTICAL YEAR
UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN
AND

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & COOPERATIVES,

AGRICULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT,
THE SECRETARIAT,
BLOCK 5,
ALAUSA-IKEJA,
LAGOS.

NAME: UMAR, AJEKA KHASIM

MATRIC NO: 10/10AC138
PROGRAMME: AGRICULTURE

UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN,
ILORIN.

A REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE SIWES CO-ORDINATOR IN PARTIAL

FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF
BACHELOR DEGREE (B.Agric) IN AGRICLUTURE
 DEDICATION

I specially dedicate this report first and foremost to Almighty Allah who has been there
for me right from the beginning to this very point. Special thanks also to my ever supportive
mother Mrs. Umar Egene Rekiyat, for her relentless support and compassion towards me during
the course of my SIWES training.
 ACKNOWLEGDEMENTS

All praise to Almighty Allah, the creator of the universe for his mercy, favor, blessing and
provisions. With great honour and gratitude, I dearly appreciate the effort of my supervisors Mrs
Ebinyo and Mrs Kazeem for guiding me through during the course of this work. Your
supervision and support are appreciated. My sincere appreciation also goes to my sweet mother
Mrs U. E Rekiyat, for her parental care and support, thank you. I also want to extend my
appreciation to Alhaji and Alhaja Balogun for taking me as your child and accommodating me
during my industrial training. I must definitely appreciate the effort of my partners Balogun
Mobolaji Fhuad, Miss Shakirat, Miss Hamzat Halimah and so many others I could not mention
here. I really appreciate your love and care during the course of this training.
 REPORT OVERVIEW

This report is a complete write up of an Industrial Training Experience carried out for a year
months, which commenced fully from June, 2013 and ends July, 2014 at the Farm Practical
Training, University of Ilorin and the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture & Cooperatives, Block
5, the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

The report comprises the background and objectives of SIWES, the description of the
organization, its aims and objectives, the experiences gained as an industrial training student and
the summary, conclusions and recommendations.

It has a total of 5 chapters with some sub-chapters. It also has the preliminary pages, such as the
title page, report overview and the table of contents.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page

Dedication

Acknowledgment

Report overview

Chapter One: Introduction

1.1 Background.

1.2 Objectives.

Chapter Two: Description of the Establishment of Attachment

2.1 Location and Brief History of establishment.

2.2 Objectives of Establishment.

2.3 Organizational Structure (including organogram).

2.4 The Various Departments and Units in the Establishment and Their Functions.

Chapter Three: Actual Work Done With Experiences Gained in Animal Production.

3.1 Broiler Production from Day Old to Table Size

Chapter Four: Actual Work Done With Experiences Gained in Agronomy.

4.1 Citrus Planting and Budding

4.2 Maize Production

4.3 Cassava Flakes Processing

4.4 Activities and Experiences Gained at Farm Services Center Agege, Lagos
Chapter Five: Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations

5.1 Summary of the attachment activities.

5.2 Problems encountered during the program.

5.2 Suggestions for improvement of the scheme.

7
 Chapter One
Introduction
1.1 Background
The acquisition of practical skill is an antidote to meaningful development in any society, in
other words practical knowledge is learning without which mastery of an area of knowledge may
be too difficult to achieve and that practical knowledge involves developing skills through the
use of tools or equipment to perform tasks that are related to a field of study.
The federal government of Nigeria introduced the SIWES Scheme in tertiary institutions in 1974
to ensure acquisition of field practical knowledge and skills by students before graduation.
SIWES was established by Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to solve the problem of lack of
adequate practical skills in preparation for employment in industries by Nigerian graduates of
tertiary institutions. The scheme exposes students to industry based skills that are necessary for
smooth transition from the classroom to the world of work and it gives the students opportunity
to be part of real work situation outside the lecture room. Participation in SIWES is a necessary
pre-condition for the award of Diploma and Degree certificates in specific disciplines in most
institutions of higher learning in Nigeria. SIWES commenced in 1974 with the aim of making
education more relevant and to bridge the gap between the theory and practice of agriculture,
engineering and technology and science related disciplines in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. For
students in polytechnics/mono-techniques and colleges of education, the SIWES duration is four
months while the university undergraduates go for six months. Each institution is expected to
have SIWES coordinator who is in charge of all activities that pertains to student industrial
training in the institutions.
Operators: The ITF, the coordinating agencies (NUC, NCCE, NBTE), employers of labor and
the institutions.
Funding: The Federal Government of Nigeria
Beneficiaries: Undergraduate students of the following: Agriculture, Engineering, Technology,
Environmental, Science, Education, Medical Science and Pure and Applied Sciences.
1.2 Objectives of the study
The following are some of the objectives of SIWES:
1. It provides students the opportunity to test their interest in a particular career before
permanent commitments are made.
2. It helps students develop skills in the application of theory to practical work situations.
3. It provides students the opportunity to test their aptitude for a particular career before
permanent commitments are made.
4. It helps students to develop skills and techniques directly applicable to their careers.
5. It also aid students in adjusting from college to full-time employment.
6. It provides students the opportunity to develop attitudes conducive to effective
interpersonal relationships.
7. It increases a student's sense of responsibility.
8. It prepares students to enter into full-time employment in their area of specialization upon
graduation.
9. It helps students to acquire good work habits.
10. It helps students to develop employment records/references that will enhance
employment opportunities.
11. It provides students the opportunity to understand informal organizational
interrelationships.
12. It helps to reduce student dropouts.
13. It helps students to be able to outline at least five specific goals with several staff
members by comparing performance with job duties and develop a draft plan with staff to
accomplish performance needs, supervision plan and rewards.
14. It helps students to develop a draft agency or project budget and will be able to identify
methods of obtaining revenue to support the budget.
15. It provides students with tools to use in prioritizing tasks of an assigned project and
create with staff a tentative schedule for completion based on these tasks.
16. It helps Students to develop a model policy that gives current front-line leaders the
permission and expectation to work with other staff on conflict resolution and explain
how this works to current front line leaders.
17. It helps students to describe different skills leaders can use to Foster commitment and
collaboration with both internal and external constituents.
 Chapter Two

Description of the Establishment of Attachment

2.1 Location and Brief History of the Establishment

The Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture & co-operatives has long been established since
the creation of Lagos State on May 27, 1967 by virtue of state creation decree no. 14 of 1967,
which restructured Nigeria into 12 States and it is located at Block 5, The Secretariat, Alausa,
Ikeja Lagos. The ministry was first established as the Ministry of Agricultural & Natural
Resources in 1967. The ministry is headed by the Honorable commissioner as the political head
and the Permanent secretary as the administrative head. The ministry comprises of eight (8)
departments of which Agricultural Services Department is one. The departments involved are
headed by their Directors. The ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives main objectives is
promoting and motivating farmers and fishermen in the state towards increased food production
to meet the needs of the ever increasing population. Within the past 35 years of existence, it has
witnessed 17 honorable commissioners with Ashipa Kaoli Olusanya as the longest serving one.
The Ministry had succeeded all the Administrations both civil and military with changing
fortunes and policies over the period. The policy moved from direct production at inception to
facilitation of cooperatives and currently the provision of services to aid agricultural production
in the state.

2.2 Objectives and Core-values of the Establishment

The following are the objectives of the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture & Co-operatives;

1. To be a major contributor to sustainable economic growth and social well-being in Lagos.

2. Promoting sustainable food production in a healthy environment through efficient

delivery.

3. Promoting and motivating farmers and fishermen in the state towards increased food
production to meet the need of the ever-growing population.

4. To guarantee food security in the state.

 5. Expanding employment opportunities to absorb the ever increasing labor force in the
state.

6. To involve appropriate institutional and administrative apparatus to facilitate rapid

development of the state’s agricultural potentials.

7. Improve the quality of the lives of farmers, fishermen and rural dwellers through
provision of social amenities and infrastructures.

The core values of the establishment are as follows;

1. A--- Accountability.

2. G----Gender sensitivity.

3. R----Responsiveness.

4. I----Integrity.

5. C----Commitment.

2.3 Organizational Structure

Principal Officers of the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture And Cooperatives (with
organogram);

1. Prince Gbolahan, Abdul-wasiu Lawal (Honorable Commissioner).

2. Dr. Olajide Yakub Basorun (Permanent Secretary).

3. Mrs. Azzezat M. Adeyemi (Director, Finance & Administration).

4. Mr. Kayode Ashafa (Programme manager, Agricultural Development Authority).

5. Mr. B.O. Egberongbe (GM, Lagos State Coconut Development Authority [LASCODA]).

6. Mrs. Olufunmilayo Titilayo Bamtefa (Director of Fisheries).

7. Dr. S.O Onasanya (Director of Agric Services).

8. Dr. Ganiu Omotesho Adams (Director of veterinary Services).

9. Mrs. Ayotunde Adebunmi Awokulehin (Director of cooperative Services).

10. Mr. J.A.B Sanuth (Director of Research, Planning, and Statistics).

11. Mr. B. Olatunde Agoro (GM, Lagos State Agricultural Input).

12. Mrs. Adeola Adeoba (Director of Forestry).

2.4 The Various Departments/Units in the Establishment and Their Functions

The Ministry has six (6) technical and two (2) supportive departments, four (4) Ministerial
Agencies, three (3) Units as well as (3) Vocational training schools through which it carries out
its specific mandates. These Departments are:
1. Agricultural Services Department
2. Forestry Services Department
3. Finance & Administration Department (supportive)
4. Fisheries Department
5. Veterinary Service Department
6. Co-operatives & Insurance Services Department
7. Research, Planning & Statistics Department
8. Accounts Department (supportive)

The Units of the establishment are:

1. Public Relation
2. Internal Audit
3. Legal unit

The Parastatals are;

1. Lagos State Agriculture Development Authority (LSADA)
2. Agricultural land holding authority (ALHA)
 3. Lagos state coconut development authority (LASCODA)
4. Lagos state agricultural input supply authority (LAISA)

5. The parastatals have an average of four (4) department and they are all subvented by the
state government. Three (3) vocational training schools operated by the ministry are
6. Agricultural Training Institute, Araga-Poka, Epe
7. Livestock Training Schools, Oko-Oba, Agege
8. Fishermen Vocational Training School, Yovoyan, Badagry.
Functions of the Departments and Agencies

The functions of the department and agencies are enumerated below;

Agricultural Services Department

The objective of this department is to raise the level of agriculture production through the
provision of various agricultural services to farmers all over the state. There are 5 divisions in
this department which are;

Special Programme
1. Manage farm settlement/graduate farmers’ schemes.
2. Manage school agric program.
3. Manage produce inspection services and De-infestation programme
4. Organize and participate in agricultural shows and fairs.
5. other special programme of the ministry

Livestock Division
1. Livestock feed quality laboratory services
2. Livestock training center
3. Register feed millers, demonstration centers
4. Manage livestock demonstration centers
5. Assist livestock farmers in the state
6. Pig breeding/piggery estate project
Crops Division
1. Manage crops demonstration farms.
2. Meteorological services
3. Upkeep of soil laboratories
4. Agricultural input subsidies
5. Seed multiplication

Food Processing and Storage

1. Community based agro-processing centers
2. Improve processing technology to small scale farmers
3. Linkage for regular supply of raw materials in agro-based industries
4. Assist woman in vocational training for income generation
5. Provide and maintain storage facilities
6. Assist farmers in the processing of farm produce

Farm Mechanization/Engineering
1. Farm mechanization services through tractor hiring
2. Monitoring of distributed tractors cooperatives in the state.
3. Over tractor maintenance workshop services.

Fisheries Department

To increase fish production through the motivation of all stake holders in ministry so as to
supplement the protein intake of the populace. This department has 3 divisions.

Inland Fisheries
1. To enhance the productive capacities and reduce production constraints of fisher folks.
2. Development and propagation of modern community based fishing technologies.
3. Provide linkages to market, input and credit.

Artisinal Fisheries

1. Fish Farm Estate Project

 2. Homestead Fish Pond Project

3. Multilateral Agencies Programmes (UNDP etc.)

4. Fish Marketing Infrastructure Development Project

Vocational Training Institute

1. Fishermen Vocational Training Programme

2. Provision of special fishing inputs

Forestry Services Department

To conserve, protect and manage Forest Resource of the State on a sustainable yield basis. The
Department has 3 Divisions:

Afforestation Division
1. Regeneration of forest and plantation establishment.
2. Consolidation, expansion and conservation of forest resources and the environment.
3. Soil conservation and wildlife management.
4. Prevention of illegal felling trafficking of trees.
5. Introduce modern wood processing technologies to minimize waste.
6. Urban Forestry Development.

Horticulture
1. Beautification of Environment.
2. Encourage home and commercial vegetation and fruit production.
3. Training of citizens in horticultural activities.

Veterinary Services Department

To ensure that animals in the state are free of infections and contagious diseases, control
transmission of zoonotic diseases in the state and protect public health through effective meat
inspection and epidemiological surveillance. The Department has 3 Divisions
Veterinary Public Health Services
1. Control Post
2. Meat Inspection
3. Epidemiology
4. Registration and Monitoring of Meat Shops and Private Abattoirs

Clinics and Laboratories Services

1. Clinical Activities
2. Diagnostic Laboratory
3. Registration and monitoring of Veterinary Pharmaceutical Stores and Pet Shops

Public Enlightenment and Veterinary Extension Services

1. Vaccination Campaign
2. Workshops and seminars for farmers
3. Animal Extension Services
4. Registration of Small and Medium Scale
5. Livestock Farms and Medium scale
Planning, Research and Statistics Department

Provision of planning support for activities of the ministry, monitor progress of

implementation, provides information to the management for decision making and coordinating
the activities of other Departments. Measure and report on the impact and performance of the
various activities of the Ministry on the targeted beneficiaries. It has 2 Divisions.

Planning and Budget

1. Conduction of feasibility studies and surveys.
2. Appraisal of feasibility report.
3. Budget preparation.
4. Project Appraisal.
5. Co-ordination and servicing of Ministerial Tenders Board.
6. Preparation and collation of reports on projects and programmes of the ministry.
Agricultural Publicity and Information
1. Collection of Agricultural findings and innovation.
2. Publication of Agricultural information and Research finding.
3. Production and dissemination of Agricultural news.

Finance and Administration

They oversee the entire administrative structure and day to day running of the Ministry in terms
of personnel Management, Logistics, and Security etc. It has 3 Divisions

Personnel
1. Personnel Management
2. Establishment matters

Training
1. Human Resources Development and capacity building
2. Career and staff development

Accounts Department

Preparation of the ministry’s final accounts viz. Revenue, Receipt and Expenditure, Provision of
adequate accounting records; correct classification of revenue and expenditure, payment to
various departments and rendition of returns to various Ministries. There are 3 Divisions:

Fund Accounts
1. Preparation of variable cards and processing of staff salary
2. Raising and coding of other charges, capital, recurrent etc.
3. Preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual returns on expenditure.

Final Accounts
1. Checking and passing of payment vouchers
2. Writing of other charges/salary into cheques
3. Vouchering/capture of paid voucher for oracle implementation.
Revenue

1. Collection and prompt lodgment of Government revenue into cheques.

2. Preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual returns on revenue.
 Chapter Three

Description of the Attachment Activities

3.1 Actual Work and Experiences Gained

This aspect of the report was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm University of Ilorin,
Ilorin (FPT Year) and it is basically prepared to depict the various activities carried out and
experiences gained during the training.
3.1.1 Broilers production
It practically involves the brooding of broilers from day old to table size. The total number of
birds brought was 250 day old chicks, projected capital for the brooding was N240, 000. The
birds were purchased from ZARM FARM, Offa at the rate of N200 per bird. The type of
management adopted for brooding was an intensive method of keeping poultry referred to as the
‘Deep Litter System’.
Week One
The brooding house was cleaned, sanitized and fumigated on the 22nd of January, 2014;
with the use of Izal and Morigad, while all other equipment including the feeding trough,
drinkers, lanterns, buckets, kegs, and stoves were thoroughly washed and cleaned with soap and
water. On the 23rd of January 2014, wood shavings were spread on the floor to about 2cm deep of
the brooding pen; coal pot and lanterns was set inside the brooding house, in order to raise the
temperature of the brooding house. This helps in providing the correct amount of temperature
needed for the day old chicks. Subsequently, the day old chicks were introduced into the pen.
Because of the long distance in which the chicks were transported, they must have undergone a
lot of stress, so anti-stress (glucose) and antibiotics (Furasol) was given to them orally. These
were administered at the rate of 10g each into 10 liters of water. About 30 minutes later, the
drinkers containing the drugs were withdrawn, after which they were provided with feed (Broiler
starter mash) and water; and allowed to brood. The average weight of the birds was taken and it
was 100g at day old.
Daily Routine Management
1. Drinkers and feeders were washed on daily basis.
2. Chicks were supplied with fresh feeds and clean water free from any form of
contamination at least twice per day at a regular time interval.
3. Feeding was increased to three times per day starting from fourth week due to increase in
 feed intake.
4. Foot dips was created for disinfection and was changed and disinfected with protex 20 on
daily basis.
5. We paid close attention to notice feed intake, temperature, sound of their cry and
deformed and or dead birds were removed as soon as possible.
6. The litter was always changed regularly (weekly).
7. Taking the average weight of the birds weekly for weight check and to monitor their
growth rates.
8. Multi vitamin, antibiotic and sometimes anti-stress was always given daily for four weeks
and when any disease is noticed.
9. At week one, two, three and four, the birds were vaccinated against Gomboro vaccine
against Newcastle disease and Lasota vaccine.

Expense incurred
This was recorded as follows;
Week one
Item Purchased Rate Amount
250 Day old chicks 200 50,000
2 bags of broiler starter feed mash 2,650 5,300
1 bag of charcoal 1,100 1,100
5L empty gallon 150 150
12L of Kerosene 125 1,500
100g of antibiotics (Furasol) 530 530
175g of glucose 400 400
Transportation 1,400 1,400
1 Log book 350 350
1 pen 20 20
Gomboro vaccine & Vitalyte 930 930
TOTAL 61,680
To Calculate the Average Feed Consumption for the First Week
250 chicks consumed 1 bag (25 kg) of feed for one week i.e. 25000g
Total amount of feed consumed by a chick for one week = 25000g/250 = 100g
Total amount of feed consumed by one chick in a day = 100g/7days = 14.285g per day
 Procedures Followed During the Gomboro Vaccination Exercise
1. The chicks were starved of water for two hours in order to make them eager to take the
vaccine.
2. 5 liters of well water was measured into a bucket.
3. The vaccine was opened gently inside the water and mixed thoroughly.
4. The chicks were served with the vaccinated water for 1 hour preferably done in the
morning.
5. The brooding house was sprayed with disinfectant (Izal & Morigad).
6. The vaccinated water was withdrawn.
7. A pit was dug at a reasonable distance outside the brooding house and the remaining
vaccinated water was buried in it after which the area was disinfected.
8. Subsequently, the equipment used during the vaccination was washed with soap and
water and were disinfected as well.
9. Finally, the chicks were served with clean water and allowed to rest for some time before
they were provided with feed.

Week Two
Item Purchased Rate Amount
1 bag of Net broiler starter 2,600 2,600
Transport & Recharge card 1,100
4L of Kerosene 122.5 490
1000 dosage lasota vaccine 530 530
Feed ingredients 700
TOTAL 5,420
Procedures Followed In Administering Lasota vaccine
The procedures are the same as with when administering the Gomboro vaccine except
that in giving these chicks the lasota, 10 liters of water was used as against the 5 liters used
during the Gomboro vaccination. This was because Lasota in its own case was being sold in
1000 birds per dosage; against the 500 dosage in Gomboro vaccine.
Week Three
Item Purchased Rate Amount
4 sacks for wood shavings 100 400
Transportation ----- 300
5L of Kerosene 140 700
1 bag of broiler starter feed 2,600 2,600
Protex 20 ----- 700
2 bag of broiler starter feed 2,650 5,300
1 bag of broiler mash (concentrate) 2,600 2,600
Transportation of feeds ----- 1,300
TOTAL 13,900
Feed Consumption Rate at Week three
250 chicks consumed 4 bags of feed in 1 week, i.e. 100kg = 100000g
1 chick will consume: 100000g/250 = 400g of feed
Average daily consumption for each birds = 400g/7 days = 57.14g of feed per day.
Week Four
Item Purchased Rate Amount
2 bags of feed 2,825 5,650
Transportation ---- 900
Recharge card 100 100
2 bag of broiler feed mash 2,600 5,200
1 bag of broiler finisher mash 2,400 2,800
TOTAL 14,650
Feed Consumption rate at Week four
Total no. of feed consumed by the 250 birds for the week = 5 bags = 125kg = 125000g
Average consumption for each bird = 125000g/250 = 500g per week
Average daily consumption for each bird =500g/7days = 71.43g per day.

Week Five
Item Purchased Rate Amount
2 bag of broiler finisher mash 2,940 5,880
Feed transportation 750
Wood shavings transportation 1,320
4 bag of broiler finisher mash 2,600 10,400
TOTAL 18,350
Feed Consumption Rate at week five
Total no. of feed consumed by the 249 birds for the week = 6.5 bags = 162.5kg = 162500g
Average consumption for each chick for this week = 162500/249 = 652.61g
Average daily consumption for each bird = 652.61g/7 days = 93.23g of feed per day.
Week Six
Item Purchased Rate Amount
3 bag of broiler finisher mash 2,600 7,800
Purchase of disinfectant (Izal) 150
6 bags of growers mash feed 2,600 15,600
Feed transportation 1000
TOTAL 24,550
Rate of Feed Consumption at Week six
Total no. of feed consumed by the 249 birds within the week = 6 bags = 150kg = 150000g
Average consumption for each chick for this week = 150000/249 = 602.41g
Average daily consumption for each bird = 602.41g/7 days = 86.06g of feed per day.
Week Seven
On the seventh week, the birds were split into two equal halves and the first half remained in
their initial brooding house, the other half was moved into another newly prepared brooding
house. This was done purposely in order to reduce the competition for space among the bird
which could further cause them to be clamping together. After these, anti-stress (Top multi-
vitamin powder) was given to them via their drinking water.
Item Purchased Rate Amount
4 bags of finishers mash feed 2,400 9,600
Transportation of feed & wood shavings 950
Tetracycline (1 packet & a sachet) 350
Izal 150
Top multi-vitamin powder 460
6 bags of feeds 2,400 14,400
TOTAL 25,910
Rate of Feed Consumption at the seventh Week
Total no. of feed consumed by the 246 birds within the week = 10 bags = 250kg =250000g
Average consumption for each chick for this week = 250000/246 = 1016.26g
Average daily consumption for each bird = 1016.26g/7 days = 145.18g of feed per day.
Week Eight
The birds were given E.S.T powder (recommended rate of 100g / 200L of water), and Furasol
(recommended rate of 100g / 100L of water). But due to the population of the birds, only 40L of
water was used instead of the recommended rate. The average body weight of each of the birds
was done and it was between 2.1kg and 2.5 kg.
Therefore:
Quantity of E.S.T used = (40L/200L) *100g = 20g out of the 100g
Quantity of Furasol used = (40L/200L) * 100g = 40g out of the 100g.
Item Purchased Rate Amount
9 bags of feeds 2,400 21,600
Transportation 2,150
Recharge card 100 200
1 sachet (100g) of E.S.T. powder 1,000
1 sachet (100g) of Furasol 530
1 bottle of morigad (150ml) 350
Transportation 140
TOTAL 25,970
Grand total of all the expenses incurred at the end of the eight with cost of labor set as free.
N190,500.00
Evaluation of the sale
Number of birds available for disposal 240
Market price for each bird 1,200
Total income realized after sales 240 x 1,200 = N288,000
Profit N 288,000 - N190,500.00 = N 97,500.00
Benefits and Experiences Gained From the Practical Training
1. I can now raise broilers from day old to table size.
2. I have being enlightened on how to make maximum use of my time, capital for any
business, labor and resources in any form of agricultural project so as to maximize profit.
3. I have also been able to see the impact of proper and well planned management on
broilers brooding. This can be attested to from the yield at the end of the project (with
less than 5% mortality recorded).
4. Also in the course of the training, we bought and sold thereby improving marketing
skills.
 Chapter Four
Actual Work Done With Experiences Gained in Agronomy
4.1 Citrus planting and Budding.
This report basically gives a brief overview of all the activities carried out on the Citrus plot
(Agronomy section).
The activities are listed below according to how they were carried out on the farm.
1. Nursery establishment
2. Sourcing for planting materials
3. Raising the seedlings
4. Daily routine management carried out on the already established Citrus plot
5. Pruning
6. Budding
7. Precautions taken in carrying out each of these activities

Establishing the Nursery

This marks the beginning of the whole agronomical processes on the Citrus spp plot and it all
began on the 28th of January, 2014.
Planting
The type of nursery material used for planting was a plastic one and during this process, the
following steps were followed respectively:
1. Initially, we got a plastic container and perforated the bottom to allow for water
drainage.
2. Subsequently, we got a fine loamy soil which was well filtered and free from debris.

Sourcing For Planting Materials

The planting seeds used as planting materials were gotten from Cleopatra mandarin at the
pavilion University of Ilorin and the following steps were followed systematically for seed
extraction:
1. We plucked about 10 orange fruits from the Cleopatra mandarin tree
2. These fruits were dissected bilaterally
3. The seeds were squeezed out and washed thoroughly with clean water
4. Then, the seeds were air dried for 24 hours.

Other planting materials includes hoe, watering can for wetting the nursery.
Raising the Seedlings
Here, the seeds were planted in holes made at random spacing interval and planting depth of 2cm
each on the nursery bed, the seeds were dropped singly in each of the holes; the holes were
covered lightly with soil and watered. The nursery bed was watered on daily basis.
Emergence
The seeds started to emerge on the 23rd day after sowing. The data is given below:
Date of emergence Number of Emergence
20th of February, 2014 11
21st of February, 2014 26
24th of February, 2014 39
26th of February, 2014 19
3rd of March, 2014 9
Total 104
Daily Routine Management Carried Out On the Already Established Citrus Spp Plot
Mapping Out and Demarcation
The plots were initially mapped out and demarcated, this was done by erecting wood pegs on the
four corners of the plots each and a twine rope was tied to these pegs, enclosing the Citrus beds.
The main reasons for doing this were;
1. For easy identification of each of these Citrus beds.
2. To restrict human movement and trespassing from these beds.
3. To differentiate between the beds and passage.

Irrigation and Weeding

The plants were watered on daily basis especially during the periods of no rainfall and weeding
was carried out as at when due and the plots were also kept clean.
Pruning
This is refers to the removal of excess branches on the plant stems. This was carried out on the
two plots on the 27th of February, 2014.
The reasons for pruning the Citrus plants include:
1. To control the growth and reduce excessive branching
2. The principle of pruning helps the plants in conserving the limited available water
supplied during irrigation.
 3. Pruning also facilitates the survival of scion during budding by reducing
competition among the plants’ tissue.

Budding
These were carried out on the 17th to 28th of March, 2014.
Materials used in the budding exercise are: budding knife, bud wood, scion and cellophane
paper.
The steps followed in carrying out the budding operation are stated below:
1. A bud wood was gotten from the stem of a Citrus tree.
2. The budding knife was used to cut out the scion from the bud wood.
3. An inverted T-shaped cut was made on the stem of the Citrus plant intended budding.
4. The scion was attached to the plant by inserting it into the cut already made on the Citrus
plant.
5. Lastly, the budded area was tied with cellophane.

Precautions
1. The budding exercise was carried out during cold weather condition so as to aid
the survival and success of the bud.
2. We made sure that the bud wood was gotten from a healthy tree.
3. When making the T-shaped cut, we ensured it was not too deep so as not to cause
a wound on the plant.
4. Lastly, we ensured that the budded area was properly tied with cellophane paper
so as to prevent any foreign body from penetrating through into the plant’s tissue.

4.2 Maize Production

In this report we planted 5 hectares of maize crop, harvest it, milled and stored it in bags
for sale. The land was cleared, ploughed, harrowed and ridged by a tractor. These land
preparation procedures were done with implement-mounted tractors. We started planting the
maize seeds by hand at the beginning of the second week. We planted about 2 hectares in the first
day and the remaining 3 hectares on the next day. Immediately after planting was spraying of
pre-emergence herbicides. Thereafter germination, thinning was done and application of
fertilizer in the 4th week of planting. It was performed using the hand placement method were
Urea and NPK fertilizers were mixed together and applied at the same time in one week.
Weeding was done in the sixth week. After the final manual weeding, the farm was left for about
two months in which we used in attending to other activities in the program. After the maize crop
had matured and dried properly, we harvested the maize manually milled it using the STEEL
MAN diesel engine miller. It was winnowed to remove shaft and post storage pesticide was
applied.

4.3 Cassava Flakes Processing

The cassava roots was harvested manually and peeling of the cassava was done using knife. It
was followed by washing and grating. The Grating was done using motorized cassava grater, the
grated cassava pulp were then properly packed into polypropylene sacks and placed in hydraulic
press for five days depending on consumer taste. The main reason of pressing is to help in
draining off the water content. This process helps the removal of cyanide present in cassava and
also to produce desirable flavor. This is followed by Sifting/sieving of the drained cassava pulp
to sieve off large particles.

Frying of the garri was then carried out in a large cast-iron pan over fire (coal) with constant
stirring using a broken calabash or small short broom for close to 20 minutes or more. During
frying of the garri, you can also add red oil to reduce cyanide content, beautify the garri and give
better taste. The fried garri was left to cool and it sieved again. The sieved garri were then
packed in polythene bags and stored in a cool, dry place. The following chart describes the
summary of the whole process:

Harvesting of Cassava—Peeling—Washing—Grating—Fermentation—Pressing—Sifting—
Frying—Cooling--Sieving (After frying)—Packing—Storing.
4.4 Activities And Experiences Gained At Farm Service Center Agege Lagos.
There are so many departments and sections here. We were at the poultry section for up to three
weeks. We had a lot of lectures on other aspects of animal production including snailery,
rabbitery and fishery respectively. We also went on excursions in Mushin (abattoir), Badagry and
Ikorodu.
 Chapter Five
Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
5.1 Summary of Attachment Activities

This report is a complete write-up of an Industrial Training Program carried out in my Farm
Practical Training Year (2013/2014) University of Ilorin, Ilorin and Lagos State Ministry of
Agriculture & Cooperatives Block 5, Alausa, Ikeja. Attachment activities including practical
field work experiences such as clearing of allotted portions of land for cultivation of various
crops, weeding, herbicide application and fertilizer application. Farm implements uses and
tractor driving and handling, poultry production and lots of visits and excursions to different
farms and Agricultural centers in Lagos.

5.2 Problems Encountered During the Program

There were quite a number of problems and difficulties during the industrial attachment program.
These problems include:
1. Inadequate monitoring of students on industrial training.
2. Lack of cooperation and support from companies and organizations
3. Delay in release of funds for supervision and student’s industrial training allowances.
4. It was also observed in the course of this study that student’s project reports were not
corrected.
5. There was difficulty in finding the establishment to work in, which took away some
of the time of the attachment period.
6. The distance from home to place of the attachment was quite far and sometimes
caused delay in arriving to work.
7. There was also the issue of low level of infrastructures, were we use buckets in
watering our vegetables plots due to insufficient watering cans. Even in the case of
producing heat in the brooding house, we had to use charcoal pots and lantern instead
of electricity.
8. There was also the problem of late arrival of the supervisors at some occasions during
the program.
5.3 Suggestions for Improvement of the Scheme
1. Visiting of students during the SIWES program should be ensured by the Industrial
Training Fund officials and college coordinators in order to ensure that students get
necessary exposure and to boost their morale.
2. Companies/Organizations should be sensitized through organization of
workshops/seminars in order to acquaint them with their expected roles towards students
on industrial training.
3. Federal government should endeavor to make fund available to the institutions as at when
due in order to facilitate proper monitoring of students on IT.
4. Students should be paid their IT allowance to time so that they can be motivated.
5. Also the federal government should make it mandatory for companies/organizations to
supplement funding of the scheme by paying students stipends and providing enabling
condition for them.
6. Students should be taught how to write reports and their reports should be read through
and corrected.
7. Selection of placement should not be left completely to students. The college should
device a means of allocating students to related companies/organizations.
8. I suggest there should be full participation by the government in the provision of tools
and equipment, rehabilitation and taking care of the limited equipment available in the
ministry. This will improve the level of infrastructures and other amenities needed in the
establishment.