Oil Crops SS2 Horticulture and Crop Production Lesson Note

Class: SS2

Subject: Horticulture and Crop Production

What are Oil Crops?

Oil crops are plants whose seeds, fruits, or nuts contain a high amount of natural fats. We crush or press these parts to get vegetable oil for cooking, making margarine, or producing soap and body creams.

In Nigeria, the “Top Three” we will look at are Oil Palm, Coconut, and Sunflower.

Oil Palm (The “King of the East”)

The oil palm is one of the most useful trees in the world. Almost every part of the tree can be used or sold.

• Varieties: 1. Dura: Has a thick shell and small oil content. 2. Pisifera: Has no shell but the fruit often drops early. 3. Tenera: This is the “Super Breed” (a cross between Dura and Pisifera). it has a thin shell and plenty of oil. Most farmers plant this one.
• Nursery: You don’t plant the seeds directly in the bush. You start them in a “Pre-nursery” for 3 months, then a “Main Nursery” for 9 months until they are strong.
• Transplanting: Move them to the field at the start of the rainy season. Space them 9m×9m in a “Triangle” pattern so their leaves don’t block each other’s sun.
• Harvesting: Use a chisel or a sickle on a long pole to cut the “Fresh Fruit Bunches” (FFB) when the fruits turn bright orange-red.

Coconut Palm

The coconut is the “Tree of Life.” It can grow near the ocean because it doesn’t mind salty water, but it grows well inland too.

• Planting Material: We use Mature Seed Nuts. Pick a heavy nut that has “water” splashing inside when you shake it.
• Planting Method: Lay the nut on its side in a nursery bed and cover it halfway with soil. Once it sprouts a “spear” (leaf), it is ready for the field.
• Spacing: Usually 7m×7m or 9m×9m.
• Harvesting: You can harvest “Green Coconuts” for the refreshing water inside, or “Brown Coconuts” for the white meat (copra) used to make coconut oil.

Sunflower

While palms are huge trees, the sunflower is a fast-growing plant with a big, beautiful yellow flower that “follows” the sun across the sky.

• The Oil Source: The oil comes from the Seeds found in the center of the large flower head.
• Planting: Plant 2 to 3 seeds directly in the soil at a depth of 3cm.
• Spacing: 60cm between rows and 30cm between plants.
• Bird Control: Just like rice, birds love sunflower seeds! You may need to cover the flower heads with a light cloth or mesh as they ripen to keep the birds away.
• Harvesting: Cut the flower heads when the back of the “head” turns brown and the yellow petals fall off.

Summary Table for Revision

Why Oil Crops are Great for Farmers

1. Multiple Income: From one Oil Palm, you get red oil, kernel oil, broomsticks (from the leaves), and palm wine.
2. Long Life: Once you plant a Coconut or Oil Palm, it can produce for 30 to 60 years. It is a gift for your children!
3. Industrial Demand: Factories are always looking for vegetable oil to make biscuits, soaps, and paints.

Processing the Oil

To get the oil out, we usually follow these steps:

1. Cleaning: Remove dirt and stones.
2. Steaming/Boiling: To soften the fruits or seeds.
3. Crushing/Pressing: Using a machine or a manual press to squeeze out the oil.
4. Filtering: To make the oil clear and remove any “pulp” or bits of shell.

Teacher’s Classroom Discussion

Ask the students: “If you have a small backyard in a city, which of these three would be the easiest to grow? Why?” (Answer: Sunflower—because it is small, grows fast in 3-4 months, and doesn’t take up space like a giant palm tree).