NECO Agricultural Science Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks
The NECO Agricultural Science Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks is structured to test both theoretical knowledge and practical skills from SS1 to SS3. Key areas include agricultural ecology, soil science, crop production, livestock production, agricultural engineering, and economics.
The NECO Agricultural Science syllabus 2026 covers key areas including Introduction to Agriculture, Agricultural Ecology, Genetics, Soil Science, Farm Mechanization, and Crop/Animal Production. It focuses on practical applications like farm surveying, management, and pest control to prepare candidates for both objective and essay exams.
Ace NECO Agricultural Science by understanding the syllabus, exam structure, and marking guide. The subject combines theory and practical skills, so consistent preparation and practice are essential. Create a study schedule to cover all topics, revise, and solve past questions.
Structure & Marking
Section 1 – Theory
- Paper 1: 50 multiple-choice questions (50 marks, 50 minutes) assessing fundamental concepts.
- Paper 2: Six essay questions (answer 5; 90 marks; 2 hours 10 minutes) covering syllabus topics.
Section 2 – Practical
- Paper 3: Practical exam for school candidates or alternative for private candidates (4 questions; 60 marks; 1½ hours). Focus on accuracy, as marks can be easily gained or lost.
The NECO Agricultural Science Syllabus
| NECO AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE SYLLABUS | ||
| SN | TOPICS | OBJECTIVES |
| 1 | BASIC CONCEPTS | 1.1 Meaning and importance of agriculture 1.2 Problems of agricultural development and possible solutions 1.3 Meaning and differences between subsistence and commercial agriculture 1.4 Roles of government in agricultural development 1.5 Role of non-governmental organizations in agricultural development 1.6 Agricultural laws and reforms |
| 2 | AGRICULTURAL ECOLOGY | 2.1 Meaning and importance of agricultural ecology 2.2 Land and its uses 2.3 Factors affecting land availability for agricultural purpose 2.4 Agro-allied industries and relationship between agriculture and industry 2.5 Environmental factors affecting crop and animal distribution and production 2.6 Rock formation 2.7 Soil formation and profile development 2.8 Types, composition and properties of soil 2.9 Plant nutrients and nutrient cycle 2.10 Irrigation 2.11 Drainage 2.12 Agricultural pollution |
| 3 | AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING/MECHANIZATION | 3.1 Simple farm tools 3.2 Farm machinery and implements 3.3 Maintenance practices and precautionary measures 3.4 Agricultural mechanization 3.5 Prospects of agricultural mechanization 3.6 Farm power 3.7 Farm surveying 3.8 Farm planning 3.9 Principles of farmstead planning |
| 4 | CROP PRODUCTION | 4.1 Classification of crops 4.2 Husbandry of selected crops 4.3 Pasture and forage crops 4.4 Crop improvement |
| 5 | FORESTRY | 5.1 Forest management 5.2 Agroforestry practices in West Africa |
| 6 | ORNAMENTAL PLANTS | 6.1 Meaning and importance of ornamental plants 6.2 Common types of ornamental plants 6.3 Settings and location for planting ornamental plants 6.4 Methods of cultivating ornamental plants 6.5 Maintenance of ornamental plants |
| 7 | CROP PROTECTION | 7.1 Diseases of crops 7.2 Pests of crops 7.3 Weeds |
| 8 | ANIMAL PRODUCTION | 8.1 Types and classification of farm animals 8.2 Anatomy and physiology of farm animals 8.3 Animal reproduction 8.4 Environmental physiology 8.5 Livestock management 8.6 Animal nutrition 8.7 Rangeland and pasture management 8.8 Animal improvement 8.9 Animal health management 8.10 Aquaculture 8.11 Apiculture or bee keeping |
| 9 | AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND EXTENSION | 9.1 Basic economic principles 9.2 Factors of production 9.3 Principles of demand 9.4 Principles of supply 9.5 Implications of demand and supply for agricultural production 9.6 Functions of a farm manager 9.7 Problems faced by farm managers 9.8 Agricultural finance 9.9 Farm records and accounts 9.10 Marketing of agricultural produce 9.11 Agricultural insurance 9.12 Agricultural extension |
| PRACTICAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE | ||
| 1 | AGRICULTURAL ECOLOGY | 1.1 Soil 1.2 Soil profile 1.3 Rocks 1.4 Laboratory work on physical properties of soil 1.5 Laboratory work on chemical properties of soil 1.6 Irrigation and drainage |
| 2 | AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING/MECHANIZATION | 2.1 Farm tools and equipment 2.2 Tractor and animal drawn implement 2.3 Harvesting, processing and storage equipment 2.4 Farm tractor 2.5 Uses and maintenance of horticultural tools and implements. 2.6 Livestock and fishing equipment 2.7 Farm surveying equipment |
| 3 | CROP PRODUCTION | 3.1 Seeds, seedlings, fruits and storage organs of crops. 3.2 Main pests and diseases of crops 3.3 Planting dates, seed rates, plant population and seed quality tests of the more common local crop plants 3.4 Preparation of seedbeds, fertilizer application, mulching, use of pesticides, watering, vegetative propagation, germination tests etc 3.5 Forest products and by-products 3.6 Methods of propagation of horticultural plants 3.7 Common weeds |
| 4 | ANIMAL PRODUCTION | 4.1 Common breeds of animals and types of animals available in the locality 4.2 Major internal organs of farm animals, e.g. organs of the digestive system, reproductive and excretory systems 4.3 Animal by-products 4.4 Animal feeds and feedstuffs and their local sources 4.5 Main pests and parasites of farm animals 4.6 Diseases of farm animals 4.7 Routine management practices in farm animals, e.g. selection of livestock and poultry for breeding, culling, ear-notching, tattooing, horn or skin branding, debeaking, dehorning, and castration. 4.8 Fish harvesting and preservation |
NECO Agricultural Science Textbooks 2026/2027
- C.K. et al (2014) Extension Modern Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary Schools (2010), Extension Publication.
- Are, L. A et al (2010) Comprehensive Certificate Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary Schools, University Press Plc.
- STAN (1999) Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary Schools, Lagos: Longman.
- Daramola A. M. Et al (1999) Exam Focus Agricultural Science for SSCE and JME
- Adeniyi, M.O.et al (1999) Countdown to Senior Secondary Certificate Examination Agricultural Science, Ibadan: Evans.
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