Bush Fallowing in West Africa – SS3 Geography Lesson Note (Second Term)

Bush fallowing is an agricultural practice in West Africa in which a piece of land is cleared of vegetation and cultivated for a period, then left fallow (uncultivated) so that natural vegetation can regenerate before the land is cultivated again. The cycle lets the soil recover its fertility. It needs enough land and a suitable climate.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Carry out bush fallowing effectively.
2. Explain bush fallowing and the farmable conditions necessary for it.
3. State the characteristics of bush fallowing.
4. Describe the types of bush fallowing and the tools used.
5. Examine the advantages, the disadvantages and current trends in bush fallowing.

Instructional techniques and materials

Instructional techniques

• Identification
• Explanation
• Questions and answers
• Demonstration
• Videos from the source

Instructional materials

• Videos
• Loudspeaker
• Textbook
• Pictures

What are the characteristics of bush fallowing?

1. Bush fallowing involves a cycle of cultivation and fallow periods. After a period of cultivation, the land is left fallow to recover its fertility and natural vegetation.
2. Fallowing allows the soil to regenerate nutrients and regain fertility. Natural vegetation contributes organic matter, prevents erosion and helps improve soil structure.
3. Farmers typically rotate the fields they cultivate and allow them to fallow. This rotation helps prevent soil degradation and maintains a sustainable agricultural system.
4. During cultivation periods, a variety of crops may be planted. The diversity of crops helps reduce pest and disease pressures and contributes to a more resilient farming system.
5. Bush fallowing relies on natural processes for soil restoration. Rain, sunlight and natural vegetation play major roles in restoring the soil during fallow periods.

What conditions are necessary for bush fallowing?

1. Sufficient land availability: Bush fallowing requires sufficient land to implement the rotational cycle effectively.
2. Suitable climate: The climate should support the regeneration of natural vegetation during the fallow period. Sufficient rainfall and suitable temperature are essential for successful bush fallowing.
3. Understanding of soil fertility: Farmers engaging in bush fallowing should understand soil fertility and the need for fallow periods to maintain or improve soil productivity.
4. Community cooperation: In areas where land is communally owned, community cooperation is essential for effective bush fallowing.

What are the types of bush fallowing?

1. Short fallowing: The land is left uncultivated for a relatively brief period before it is cultivated again. This may be a few months to a couple of years.
2. Long fallowing: The land is left fallow for longer periods, sometimes for several years. This allows more extensive natural regeneration of vegetation and soil recovery.
3. Shifting cultivation: Farmers move to new plots of land for cultivation while previously used land is left to fallow and regenerate. This is a form of rotational bush fallowing.

Which tools are used in bush fallowing?

1. Cutlasses/machetes: Used for cutting down vegetation during the clearing phase.
2. Hoes: Essential for digging and preparing the soil for cultivation.
3. Fire: Controlled burning is often used to clear vegetation and prepare the land for planting.

What are the advantages of bush fallowing?

1. Fallowing allows the soil to recover, replenishing nutrients and improving fertility, which leads to better crop yields.
2. The cycle of fallowing encourages biodiversity, as natural vegetation returns and supports various plant and animal species.
3. Natural vegetation during fallow periods helps in water retention, reduces soil erosion and maintains water quality.
4. The diversity of crops during cultivation disrupts pest and disease cycles, reducing the need for chemical inputs.

What are the disadvantages of bush fallowing?

1. Increasing population and land scarcity can lead to shorter fallow periods, which reduces the effectiveness of the practice.
2. In some cases, extensive clearing for fallow can contribute to deforestation and loss of biodiversity.
3. Unpredictable climate patterns can affect the success of fallow periods and cultivation cycles.
4. Bush fallowing may not meet the demands of modern agricultural markets, which limits income opportunities for farmers.

What are the current trends in bush fallowing?

1. Mechanised agriculture has discouraged bush fallowing.
2. The world’s population is increasing rapidly, which reduces the size of farmland.
3. There is no intensive use of fertilisers and manures.

Evaluation

1. What is bush fallowing?
2. Identify four farmable conditions necessary for bush fallowing.
3. Mention three advantages and three disadvantages of bush fallowing.
4. Discuss the types of bush fallowing.

Classwork: As in the evaluation questions. The teacher closes by commending the students.

Assignment

1. State the characteristics of bush fallowing.
2. List the tools used in bush fallowing and state what each is used for.