AGRICULTURE

     Fresh water fish in Namibia Fish farming is also on the increase in Namibia.  Rainbow trout and sharp tooth catfish are two of the main species cultured, and other species include various 'tilapias' as well as common carp, largemouth bass and goldfish as well as wide variety of ornamental fishes.  The main species found in abundance off the coast of Namibia are pilchards (sardines), anchovy, hake, and horse mackerel.  Smaller but equally significant quantities of sole, squid, deep-sea crab, rock lobster, and tuna, are also much sought after. Pilchard Sardines are small, silvery, elongated fishes with a single short dorsal fin, no lateral line, and no scales on the head. They range in length from about 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches) and live in dense schools, migrating along the coast and feeding on plankton, of which they consume vast quantities.  They spawn mainly in spring, with the eggs and, a few days later, the larvae drifting passively until they metamorphose into fre

 Respiratory System of a fish Respiration is the process of taking in oxygen, using it in oxidation of glucose, releasing energy and eliminating waste products like carbon dioxide and water in the presence of respiratory enzymes. Respiration is brought about in two steps namely external respiration and internal respiration Respiration in fish takes place with the help of gills. Most fish possess gills on either side of their head. Gills are tissues made up of feathery structures called gill filaments providing a large surface area for exchange of gases. A large surface area is crucial for gas exchange in aquatic organisms as water contains very little amount of dissolved oxygen. The filaments in fish gills are organized in rows in the gill arch. Each filament comprises lamellae, which are discs supplied with capillaries. Blood moves in and out of the gills through these small blood vessels. Though gills in fish occupy only a small section of their body, the extensive respiratory surfac

 Non  Ruminant Animals Non-ruminant animals are characterized by their relatively simple digestive systems compared to ruminants. Unlike ruminants, which possess a multi-chambered stomach specifically adapted for fermenting and breaking down complex plant materials, non-ruminants have a single-chambered stomach. This basic structure means that their digestive process is more linear, with food moving through the stomach and into the intestines where it is broken down and nutrients are absorbed. This simpler system is effective for animals with diets that are less dependent on high-fiber plant materials or that consume a varied diet. In non-ruminant digestion, the stomach plays a crucial role in the initial breakdown of food. It secretes digestive acids and enzymes that start the process of protein digestion and the breakdown of other nutrients. From the stomach, the partially digested food, or chyme, moves into the small intestine. Here, digestive enzymes from the pancreas and bile from

 Respiratory System in animals     The respiratory system begins at the nose and ends at the distal alveoli. It is comprised of the upper and lower airways. The upper airway includes the nose, sinuses, and pharynx. The nose provides olfaction and temperature regulation in hyperthermic patients. The nasal turbinates initially humidify and warm air, and filter particulate matter. The lower airways include the trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli. The primary function of the respiratory system is to deliver oxygen to the lungs to be exchanged with carbon dioxide. Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli, which are comprised of one-cell-layer-thick membranes in which oxygen moves into the capillary and where carbon dioxide moves into the alveoli from the blood in the capillary. Failure or major dysfunction of gas transfer due to disease leads to respiratory distress or failure. Additional functions of the respiratory system include maintaining acid-base balance, acting as a blood reservoir

  Cereal Crops  Cereal crops are a fundamental component of  global agriculture and human nutrition, playing a crucial role in sustaining populations around the world. These crops, which include staples such as wheat, rice, maize, barley and oats are cultivated primarily for their edible grains. These grains are rich in carbohydrates, making them a primary energy source for billions of people. Beyond human consumption, cereal crops are also essential for animal feed, industrial applications and even the production of alcoholic beverages. Maize Maize requires a soil pH of 5.8-6.0. Soil microbial activity is optimized at pH levels around 6.0, increasing nutrient cycling and biological activity. When the soil pH drops below 5.5, Mg, calcium, K and molybdenum availability falls . Fertilization needs of Maize : Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) Maize crops use a small amounts of the phosphorous and potassium (potassic) fertilizers applied during the growing season. Phosphorous (P) use is 0.6

The  importance of Agriculture Agriculture is often referred to as the backbone for human civilization, is the practice of cultivating the soil , growing crops and raising animals for food and fiber to sustain and enhance human life. It  includes the creativity , imaginations and skills involved in planting crops and raising animals with modern production methods and new technologies. Since ancient times, agriculture has played a crucial role in shaping societies ,economies and the environment. Even with its long history, the importance of agriculture remains  unchanged today, as it continues to be the foundation upon which much life is built on. Three reasons why Agriculture is important   1.Food Production Food is the first in basic necessities of the life. Agriculture plays a crucial in the entire lives of animals and human beings. Without agriculture there would be no food.  Agriculture is basic for growing the the food required to feed the world's population. For humans , it s

Soil profile What is Soil Profile? The soil profile is where the secrets of the soil and landscape around it are hidden. The soil profile is defined as a vertical section of the soil that is exposed by a soil pit. A soil pit is a hole that is dug from the surface of the soil to the underlying bedrock .If you look in a soil pit or on a roadside cut, you will see various layers in the soil. These layers are called soil horizons. The arrangement of these horizons in a soil is known as a soil profile. Soil horizons differ in a number of easily seen soil properties such as color, texture, structure, and thickness. Other properties are less visible. Properties, such as chemical and mineral content, consistence, and reaction require special laboratory tests. All these properties are used to define types of soil horizons. Soil horizons 1.Organic Layer (O) and Top Soil (A) Mostly organic matter such as decomposing leaves. The O horizon is thin in some soils, thick in others, and not present at

  Ruminant Animals Many different species of ruminant animals are found around the world. Ruminants include cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo, deer, elk, giraffes and camels. These animals all have a digestive system that is uniquely different from our own. Instead of one compartment to the stomach they have four. Of the four compartments the rumen is the largest section and the main digestive centre. The rumen is filled with billions of tiny microorganisms that are able to break down grass and other coarse vegetation that animals with one stomach (including humans, chickens and pigs) cannot digest. Ruminant animals do not completely chew the grass or vegetation they eat. The partially chewed grass goes into the large rumen where it is stored and broken down into balls of “cud”. When the animal has eaten its fill it will rest and “chew its cud”. The cud is then swallowed once again where it will pass into the next three compartments—the reticulum, the omasum and the true stomach, the aboma

  Different Farming Systems 1.Monoculture Monoculture is the the agricultural practice of growing of a single type of crop a large area for consecutive seasons or years. This method is widely used in modern industrial agriculture due to to its efficiency in producing large quantities of a single crop such as corn, wheat or soybeans. For example, in the northern part of Namibia, people repeatedly cultivate mahangu on the same field season after season. Advantages of Monoculture Efficiency and Specialization Monoculture allows farmers to specialize in one crop, leading to more efficient farming practices. This specialization often results in higher yields because the techniques, machinery and resources are optimized for that specific crop. Simplified Farming Operations  Since only one crop is grown, tasks like planting, harvesting, and pest control become more straightforward. It also allows for the use of specialized machinery, reducing labor costs and time spent on these operations. In

Types of soil 1.Sandy Soil Sandy soil is coarse in texture with large ,gritty particles .Like the name suggests, sandy soil is mostly made up of sand. Because of the fine grains, water drains easily through this soil and makes it stays pretty dry. It is an easier soil to dig with but it means any plants growing here will need to be well watered. It usually has less organic material in it so needs fertilizer to provide any plants with nutrients  . Sandy soil tends to warm up quickly in the spring because of its light color and the fact that it does not hold much moisture. This can be advantageous for early planting but also means it can overheat and dry out in the summer. Sandy soil is usually formed by the breakdown or fragmentation of rocks like granite , limestone and quartz. 2.Loam Soil Loam soil is known for its ideal balance of the three primarily soil particles: approximately 40% sandy, 40% silt and 20% clay. This balance gives loam a smooth crumby texture that is easy to work wi