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Technology & Livelihood education


9
Agricultural Crop Production

Learner’s Material

GOVERNMENT PROPERTY
NOT FOR SALE
ALLOTTED TO
District/ School: _________________________________________
Division _________________________________________________
First Year of Use: _________________________________________
Source of Fund (Year included):__________________________

ii
Technology & Livelihood Education – Grade 9
Agricultural Crop Production
Learner’s Material
First Edition, 2013
ISBN: ___________

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the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office
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Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
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over them.

Published by the Department of Education


Secretary: Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC
Undersecretary: Yolanda S. Quijano, Ph.D.
Assistant Secretary: Elena R. Ruiz, Ph.D.
Development Team of the Learner’s Material

Consultant: Andres Z. Taguiam, Ph.D.

Subject Specialist & Management:: Emmanuel S. Valdez


Albert B. Erni
Authors:
JESUS B. NAZARENO, MDM
Principal III, Bersamin Agro-Industrial High School
Division of Pangasinan II, Region I
RODOLFO C. SAJORDA
Principal, Queen of Heart Academy
Dasmarinas City, Cavite

Validated By:
ANICIA P. LORICA
EPS I, Division of Quezon
Region IV-A CALABARZON
Reviewers: Pacifico T. Vizmonte Jr.
Illustrator: Erich David Garcia
Language Editor: Brenda B. Corpuz
Layout Artists and Encoders: Jocelyn M. Gamo and Joel G. Castillo

Printed in the Philippines by ____________


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Office Address: 2nd Floor Dorm G, Philsports Complex, Meralco Avenue,
Pasig City, Philippines 1600
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E-mail Address: imcsetd@yahoo.com
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE

MODULE 1 - ENTRPRENEURSHIP

WHAT IS THIS MODULE ALL ABOUT

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN

LESSON I

Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies (PECs)

What Is This Lesson All About


What Will You Learn
Pre-Test
What Will You Know
What To Process.
What To Reflect And Understand
What To Transfer
Post-Test
Definition Of Terms
References

LESSON II

Market and Environment

What Is This Lesson All About


What Will You Learn
Pre-Test
What Will You Know
What To Process.
What To Reflect And Understand
What To Transfer
Post-Test
Definition Of Terms
References

4
MODULE 1I – PERFORM AGRICUULTURAL CROP WORK

What Is This Module All About


What Will You Learn

LESSON I

Prepare materials, tools, and equipment for


crop production work

What Is This Lesson All About


What Will You Learn
Pre-Test
What Will You Know
What To Process.
What To Reflect And Understand
What To Transfer
Post-Test
Definition Of Terms
References

MODULE III – PERFORM NURSERY WORK

What Is This Module All About


What Will You Learn

LESSON I

Undertake nursery production work

What Is This Lesson All About


What Will You Learn
Pre-Test
What Will You Know
What To Process
What To Reflect And Understand
What To Transfer.
Post-Test.
Definition Of Terms
References

5
MODULE IV – MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP OF A NURSERY

LESSON I

Storing and Stockpiling

What Is This Lesson All About


What Will You Learn
Pre-Test
What Will You Know
What To Process.
What To Reflect And Understand
What To Transfer
Post-Test
Definition Of Terms
References

LESSON 2

Clean up and completion of nursery

What Is This Lesson All About


What Will You Learn
Pre-Test
What Will You Know
What To Process
What To Reflect And Understand
What To Transfer.
Post-Test.
Definition Of Terms
References

6
MODULE 1

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Courtesy of CvSU and DA-TMC, Cavite

DEVELOPING PERSONAL ENTREPRENEURIAL


COMPETENCIES (PECs) ACROSS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Content Standards Performance Standard

The learner demonstrates The learner recognizes his/her Personal


understanding of one‘s Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies (PEC‘s)
Competencies (PEC‘s) in and prepares an activity plan that aligns
agricultural crop production with that of a practitioner/entrepreneur
in agricultural crop production

7
PERSONAL
Lesson ENTREPRENEURIAL
1 COMPETENCIES (PECs)

Introduction

Everybody loves to earn money and accumulate wealth. In the present


times, we have many ways to achieve it. The most common way is to offer
products and services to your friends and to other people in the community and
even in the online arena that can cover a global market. All the business activities
undertaken in selling products and services to people is known as
entrepreneurship and the one who manages these business activities is an
entrepreneur. Students are encouraged to develop skills required in
entrepreneurial activities. Many wealthy people in the country started with small
and community-based entrepreneurial activities.

Learning Objectives

1. Explain the different factors to be considered in setting up a business


2. Assess one‘s PEC‘s, such as, characteristics, lifestyle features , and skills
3. Assess practitioner‘s entrepreneurial competencies, such as,
characteristics, attributes, lifestyle, skills, and traits

Pretest

Direction: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Do not write your answer
on this manual.

1. Which of the following is a common activity of an entrepreneur?


a. Advocating against global warming
b. Delivering goods and services to the market
c. Preaching in different churches or group of churchgoers
d. Volunteering in a community clean-up activity

2. The saying ―Necessity is the mother of all inventions‖ means


a. basic commodities are made for mothers
b. basic commodities are made to satisfy our needs
8
c. necessity is invented by mothers
d. our mother tells us what we really need

3. What really makes up a successful entrepreneur?


a. Ability to act like a customer
b. Ability to study a market
c. Knowledge, skills, and attitude
d. Knowledge, skills, and money

4. People who always feel positive in every effort in order to achieve something
are known to have _______.
a. courage c. self-confidence
b. optimism d. self-control

5. A set of skills that entrepreneurs must possess to take control of the


challenges in business is known as _____.
a. personal business capacities
b. personal entrepreneurial competencies
c. professional enterprise competencies
d. personally preferred competencies

6. Information-seeking and goal-setting belong to what PEC‘s cluster?


a. Achievement cluster c. Planning cluster
b. Empower cluster d. Power cluster

7. Which of the following best describes a risk-taker?


a. Accomplishes targets on time as agreed with customers
b. Anticipates a loss and countering it with feasible alternatives
c. Acts as the prime mover of resources in the achievement of
objectives
d. Pays attention to the needs and demands of people

8. Systematic planning and monitoring include the following EXCEPT ______.


a. be logically flexible for the emergent constraints, challenges, and
needs
b. make a well-organized plan with clearly defined methods
c. Schedule periodic gap-proof monitoring and response activities to
determine emergent constraints, challenges, and needs
d. set calculated goals and objectives

9. When entrepreneurs face a significant obstacle with a well planned action,


they have Personal Entrepreneurial Competency known as _____.
a. initiative c. persuasion
b. Persistence d. risk-taking

9
10. Luis is good in convincing his customers that his product is not only of
best quality but also safe to use. Many of his customers bought and even
returned to buy more of the product because they want to share it with
their friends. What personal entrepreneurial competency does Luis have?
a. Demand for efficiency and quality
b. Goal setting
c. Persuasion
d. Self-confidence

READING RESOURCES AND INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES

What to know
Do you want to get rich like the successful entrepreneurs in your
community? Let’s find out how?

Activity #1:

Before immersing ourselves into the exciting discussion about setting up and
running a business in the most sustainable ways, we will first do inspiration-
drawing activity through the conduct of casual interviews with entrepreneurs in
the community. Look for a partner in doing this. Identify 3 retailers, 3 service
providers, and 1 producer. Use the template below for the interview and in
tracking the answers of the selected entrepreneur-respondents. Discuss the
responses with your partner and present to your class a brief analysis/report of
the interview.

Responses of Entrepreneurs
Interview Guides Retailers Service Producer
Providers (commercial Comments
scale)
Students‘ guide For For example, Producer of Our reactions to
questions to be example, farm rice, corn, entrepreneurs
used but not rice retail machinery banana , responses
limited to the store operators, broiler
following: owners farm ,vegetables,
machinery chicken, etc.
repair shop
owners, etc.
Why did you
choose this
business?
10
How did you start
it?

What are the


challenges you
met?

How did you


counter all those
challenges?

Did you
experience
losses? How did
you respond to
losses?

Can you share


some strategies in
keeping
customers?

What personal
qualities help this
business flourish
up to now?

Are you afraid of


your competitors?
Why?

Can you give us


some pieces of
entrep-based
advice?

11
WHAT STARTED BUSINESSES?

A popular adage that says, ―Necessity is the mother of all inventions‖


simply means that we develop technologies to produce something that will answer
mankind‘s diverse needs. In the 1970‘s the most popular way of tilling the soil for
crop production is through the use of plow and harrow drawn by a carabao. This
method is so tedious and also consumes much of the farmer‘s time. Because
there is a need for faster crop production processes, farm mechanization was
started to be introduced. Many entrepreneurs engaged in farm machinery
operation business like tractor services, to cultivate large tracks of lands; rice
threshing machine for faster threshing and for minimal postharvest losses; and
now the latest the combine harvester which does harvesting and threshing rice at
once.

Courtesy of CvSU and DA-TMC, Cavite


Need-based business opportunities

WHAT MAKES UP A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR?

Knowledge alone does not guarantee success in a business. Skills


developed can greatly help in the production process but it is not an
assurance to the sustainability of the business as well. It takes right
attitude combined with adequate knowledge, competitive skills, and
upheld passion to make significant revenues, profit, and sustainability of
the chosen business.

12
Supply of raw materials is abundant in the locality

An accomplished entrepreneur has so much to share with business


enthusiasts like us. Many were not born with a silver spoon meaning most of
them came from poor families. They have passion to produce and sell to an
identified market or even to serve target clients. These contributed to their
success. Likewise, they accumulated wealth because they possess characteristics,
lifestyles, and skills, suited to their chosen businesses.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURS

Below is a set of characteristics common to entrepreneurs who excel in their


businesses :

Be someone who always feel positive in every


1 Optimistic
effort in order to achieve something.

Once the plan to do entrepreneurial activities is


ready to be started, assure yourself to overcome
2 Self-confident
risks and many other forms of business
constraints.
In any situation that needs to be handled, never
3 Self-control react immediately. Instead respond to the
situation in the most legal and beneficial ways.

13
Be a risk-taker with alternative courses of action
on hand. Business risks are always there however,
4 Courageous
one‘s readiness to face, reduce or eliminate them
depends on how brave you can be.
Sustain every effort you have started. Profit may
dwindle in the most unacceptable way but never
5 Committed
hesitate to invoke your right to persist and regain
lost glory.
Do not stay inside the box which means go out
and flaunt your potential to be effectively different.
Use your imagination to create marketable ideas
6 Creative
and push it. If you think of potentially good ones,
be the first to act upon it. Chances are others‘
have thought about it, too.
Be precise in your principles or standards. Goals
Well-defined coated with well defined values provide guidance
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values in what your business must achieve with reduced
inconveniences.
Competitive entrepreneurs are fueled to succeed.
Your passion in the endeavor is an energy
8 High energy level
enhancer. Success in business comes from your
being passionately energetic.
Guide, direct and influence people according to
what benefits the business. The many ways in
9 Leadership ability
which you lead people can spell success or failure
of your business.
As a business leader, you are accountable to
everyone and everything for the business including
10 Responsible
your strategies. Value everything and everyone as
you value your self.
Your ability to choose good decision may be innate
or experience-based. Learn the art and the
Decision-making systematic and methodical process of decision-
11
skills making. Good decisions must be sensible and
culture-sensitive

14
Pay close attention to what the market generally is
Desire for saying to your products or services. The ultimate
12 immediate consumer of the product and services must be
feedback heard. These feedback become the bases of further
product or services development.
Develop a competitive attitude. Right pricing and
quality-based product development or service
Strong desire to
13 delivery will draw more business revenues. Work
achieve
with the goals in mind and take the best way to
achieve them.
Bad experiences in business should never be
taken as traumatic. Options that supposedly had
Ability to learn
14 prevented those to happen must be noted and
from past failures
archived. Benchmark on past experiences to
know which decision to take.

LIFESTYLE OF SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURS

We often observe that entrepreneurs live a life different from that of an


ordinary citizen. They adapt to new lifestyles gradually and professionalize every
task embedded into it. They follow established standards and even customize
some to fit to the tasks particular to a business type. To sustain business
entrepreneurs develop expertise in all tasks including constraints and problem
solution. Decision making is excellent.

Albarico, et. al, (2011) describes the characteristics of an entrepreneur as


follows:

It is one of the highest lifestyle considerations that


entrepreneurs must adopt. Although inspired by their
A sense of
freedom to lead and control all elements of the
freedom and
business, they must exercise care in choosing the
control
right course of actions and decisions to take.

Choosing their own time for work is a privilege of


entrepreneurs. This feature will allow them to choose
Flexibility of time
their most productive time.

15
Entrepreneurs are the greatest asset of their
businesses. A check and balance between the actual
accomplishment of tasks and physical and mental
Energy and
work capacity must be established. Rest and
stamina
relaxation can help maintain health. Proper stress
management is also of primal importance.

A family does not only serve as inspiration but also as


a group of people to oversee the welfare of
Family support entrepreneurs. Suggestions and recommendations of a
family member must be carefully considered.

Remember that seeking advice from specialist is


helpful in decision making process. There are people
Professional
more knowledgeable than us in a particular area of
support
expertise.

THE PERSONAL ENTREPRENEURIAL COMPETENCIES (PECs) OF


SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURS

There are two major reasons why many people fail in their attempt to do
entrepreneurial activities. First, people who are starting entrepreneurial activities
may only have insufficient experiences to address the problems posed by the
numerous external business constraints. Second, they lack sufficient skills to
lead the people and make the products and services competitive in the market.
Low profit of the business will create problem and many more problems in the
future. Thus, anyone who wants to succeed in a business arena must be
equipped with the different personal entrepreneurial competencies or PECs, a set
of skills that entrepreneurs must possess to take control of the challenges in
business. PECs are the key abilities of entrepreneurs‘ success in business.

16
PECs are clustered into three according to its area of application:

Achievement Cluster
These are the skills that will propel an entrepreneur to resounding success.
It will definitely separate an individual the rest of his/her competitors
thereby creating a clear path towards the sustainability of his/her business.

 Pay attention to the needs and demands of people.


Opportunity  Never procrastinate. Act immediately on marketable ideas.
Seeking and  Common business are well competed in the market while
Initiative unique ones offer lower competition resulting to higher
revenues and profit.

 Calculate risks by identifying the most beneficial alternative


Risk Taking courses of action to minimize effect of risks in the net profit
 Be proactive. Anticipate a loss and counter it with feasible
alternatives.
 In business realities, seasoned entrepreneurs sometimes
take riskier business to get higher profits.

Demand for  Perform business tasks better, faster, cheaper, but do not
Efficiency put safety and quality aside.
and Quality  Accomplish tasks by meeting or exceeding standards of
excellence.

 Face a significant obstacle with a good plan of action.


 Identifies a good alternative for every decision to meet a
Persistence challenge or overcome an obstacle.
 Act as the prime mover of resources in the achievement of
goals and objectives.

17
Commitment  Offer personal sacrifices or give extraordinary efforts in
to the Work completing tasks.
Contract  Accomplish targets on time, as agreed, to keep customers
satisfied.

Planning Cluster
These skills ensure the entrepreneur‘s attainment of goals and objectives.
Equipped with well defined goals and objectives and all the needed
information on the business will certainly make one above the rest.

 Gather data and information or feedbacks from clients,


Information suppliers, and competitors and use those for the
Seeking improvement of products or services.
 Study the market personally for innovation of new product
development.
 Talk with experts for technical advice.

 Sets goals and objectives which are specific and must


Goal guarantee customer satisfaction.
Setting  Set calculated goals and objectives.

Systematic  Make a well organized plan with clearly defined methods.


Planning  Be logically flexible for the emergent constraints, challenges,
and and needs.
Monitoring  Periodic gap-proof monitoring and response activities must
be scheduled to determine emergent constraints, challenges,
and needs.

18
Power Cluster
These skills represent the personal touch of creativity and decisiveness of
the entrepreneur. It is the ability to expand, convince and sustain customers
to hasten business development.

Persuasion  Always be ready to give facts and benefits to convince


and customers to patronize products and services offered.
Networking  To accomplish the business objectives, key people can be
used as agents or channels to hasten product and services
delivery to customers.
Independence  Develop self-trust in the attainment of goals and
and self- objectives.
confidence  Do not need external approval before acting constraints
and challenges. Being consultative does not purely mean
dependence on others‘ advice. An entrepreneur must be
brave enough use one‘s ability to choose which alternative
course of action is the most appropriate.

19
What to process
At this point, let us examine ourselves if we can really become
successful entrepreneurs. Let us know our chances.

Activity #2:

This is a self-examination activity. After knowing the different characteristics that


an entrepreneur must possess, examine yourself if you have these characteristics
too. Simply put check () if that particular characteristic is present in you or an
x (X) if you do not possess it. Comment on your own status by giving possible
options that can help you acquire it.

Do I have
Characteristics of an this? Realizations
Entrepreneur YES NO (What are my options?)
() (X)
1 Optimistism
2 Self-confidence
3 Self-control
4 Courage
5 Commitment
6 Creatively
7 Well-defined values
8 High energy level
9 Leadership ability
10 Desire for responsibility
11 Decision-making skills
Desire for immediate
12
feedback
13 Strong desire to achieve
Ability to learn from past
14
failures

20
What to reflect on and understand
Let’s check for the chances by filling ourselves with competencies we do not have yet
and work for it while we are in our present growth and development.

Activity #3:

Consider the PECs of successful entrepreneurs. Compare these


competencies with you. As a growing individual can you develop these in
yourself?

Do I have Realizations
this? (If Yes how can I
Competencies of an Entrepreneur improve this?)
YES NO
(If NO what will I do
(/) (X)
acquire it?)
Opportunity Seeking and
Initiative
Risk Taking
Demand for Efficiency and
Quality
Persistence
Commitment to the Work
Contract
Information Seeking
Goal setting
Systematic Planning and
Monitoring
Persuasion and Networking
Independence and Self-
confidence

21
What to transfer
We will act like analyst.

Activity #4:

Let us match the result of our Activity #1 with the standard characteristics,
lifestyle, and skills of our interviewees. Do you think that their businesses will be
sustained? Support your answer and present it to the class. Use the template in
Activity #2 and Activity #3 to help you analyze and forecast the sustainability of
their businesses.

Responses of Entrepreneurs
Producer
Service
Retailers (commercial
Providers
scale)
Personal Entrepreneurial
Competencies (PECs) REFER TO THE RESPONSES IN
ACTIVITY #1. Check if the respondents
above possess the PEC’s enumerated in
the first column. Put check () if
observed and x(X) if not observed.
Opportunity Seeking and
Initiative

Risk Taking
Demand for Efficiency and
Quality

Persistence
Commitment to the Work
Contract

Information Seeking

Goal setting
Systematic Planning and
22
Monitoring
Persuasion and Networking
Independence and Self-
confidence

GENERAL ANALYSIS

Sustainability of business (Do


you think the entrepreneur-
respondents can sustain their
businesses? Enumerate your
justifications)

Responses of Entrepreneurs
Producer
Service
Retailers (commercial
Providers
scale)
Lifestyles of Entrepreneurs REFER TO THE RESPONSES IN ACTIVITY
#1. Check if the respondents above possess
the lifestyle features enumerated in the first
column. Put check (/) if observed and x(X) if
not observed
A sense of freedom and control

Flexibility of time

Energy and stamina

Family support

Professional support

GENERAL ANALYSIS
Sustainability of business
(Do you think the entrepreneur-
respondents can sustain their
businesses? Enumerate your
justifications).

23
Posttest

Direction: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Do not write your answer
on this manual.

1. Which of the following is a common activity of an entrepreneur?


a. Preach in different churches or group of churchgoers
b. Advocate against global warming
c. Deliver goods and services to the market
d. Volunteer in a community clean-up activity

2. The saying ―Necessity is the mother of all inventions‖ means _____.


a. our mother told us what we really need
b. basic commodities are made to satisfy our needs
c. basic commodities are made for mothers
d. necessity is invented by mothers

3. What really makes up a successful entrepreneur?


a. Knowledge, skills, and attitude
b. Knowledge, skills, and money
c. Ability to study a market
d. Ability to act like a customer

4. People who always feel positive in every effort in order to achieve something
are known to have _____.
a. self-control c. self-confidence
b. courage d. optimism

5. A set of skills that entrepreneurs must possess to take control of the


challenges in business is known as _____.
a. personal entrepreneurial competencies
b. personal business capacities
c. personally preferred competencies
d. professional enterprise competencies

6. Information seeking and goal setting belong to what PEC‘s cluster?


a. Achievement cluster c. Power cluster
b. Planning cluster d. Empower cluster

7. Which of the following best describes a risk-taker?


a. Paying attention to the needs and demands of people
b. Acting as the prime mover of resources in the achievement of
objectives
c. Accomplishing targets on time as agreed with customers
d. Anticipating a loss and countering it with feasible alternatives

24
8. Systematic planning and monitoring include the following EXCEPT _____.
a. set calculated goals and objectives
b. make a well organized plan with clearly defined methods
c. be logically flexible for the emergent constraints, challenges, and
needs
d. Schedule periodic gap-proof monitoring and response activities to
determine emergent constraints, challenges, and needs

9. When entrepreneurs face a significant obstacle with a well planned action,


they have Personal Entrepreneurial Competency known as _____.
a. persuasion c. persistence
b. initiative d. risk-taking

10. Luis is good in convincing his customers that his product is not only of best
quality but also safe to use. Many of his customers bought and even return to
buy more of the product because they want to share it with their friends.
What personal entrepreneurial competency does Luis have?
a. Demand for efficiency and quality
b. Goal setting
c. Persuasion
d. Self-confidence

Summary

We have studied the different factors in setting up an entrepreneurial


activity. It can be perceived as a complex activity. The market is so diverse and if
we fail to consider one factor which directly affects our business, we will have to
face lots of challenges as consequences. Albeit challenging, we must remember
that wealth accumulation as a return of our legal investments will also give
others opportunities for employment or for making our products and services
available.

The different characteristics, lifestyle, and Personal Entrepreneurial


Competencies or PEC‘s of successful entrepreneurs we learned will surely inspire
us to do our best to start our own business. Be optimistic and take the risks. Use
the PEC‘s we learned and progress into a life full of challenges that will hone us
to become one of the most successful entrepreneurs, one of these days. Good
luck guys!

25
Glossary of Terms

Business refers to any activity that ultimately buys and sells goods, makes
products, or provides services to a market.

Competency is an ability to do something, especially measured against a


standard.

Entrepreneurs a person who has a possession of enterprise, venture or idea


and assumes significant accountability for the inherent risks and the
outcome.

Entrepreneurship refers to the business activity of an entrepreneur.

Goal is anything an entrepreneur wants to achieve.

Leadership is the activity of leading a group of people or an organization or the


ability to do this.

Lifestyle is a way of living of individuals, families (households), and societies,


manifested in their way of coping with their physical, psychological,
social, and economic environments from day to day.

Objective is a specific result that a person or system aims to achieve within a


time and with available resources.

Need is anything required by someone in order to satisfy particular goals


and objective basis.

Sustainability of business is the ability to maintain or support business over the


long term.

References:

http://www.businessdictionary.com

Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation

Albarico J.M., Celarta C.B, Fernando E., and Valdez E.S. 2011.
Agriculture and Fishery Arts I. United Eferza Academic Publications, Co.,
BagongPook, Lipa City, Batangas 4217.

26
Lesson
2 MARKET AND ENVIRONMENT

Courtesy of CvSU and DA-TMC, Cavite

Content Standards Performance Standard

The learner demonstrates The learner independently creates a


understanding of environment and business vicinity map reflective of
market in agricultural crop production potential agricultural crop production
in one‘s town/municipality. market within the locality/town.

Introduction

Entrepreneurs with enough knowledge and background in the market and


environment where their businesses operate will have better strategies and
decisions and will find it easier to sustain business activities. The intended
market of a particular product and service must be carefully studied before and
during the actual operations of the business. Many entrepreneurs fail because of
a very simple reason. There is no enough information gathered about the target
market. Consequently, they incur so much losses leading to bankruptcy.

Learning Objectives

1. Determine the common characteristics of a business market


2. Describe the legal forms of business

27
3. Describe the different industries in the country today
4. Map and analyze the opportunities offered by the industries in the
community
5. Check the needs, wants. and demands of the market through
environmental scanning process
6. Know the 4M‘s of production
7. Discuss the importance of acquiring a start-up capital
8. Make a business plan
9. Apply the standards in selecting the best business location
10. Assess the internal and external environment of the business through
Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats method of business
assessment
11. Practice simple record keeping

Pretest

Direction: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Do not write your answer
on this manual.

1. Which term refers to a group of people with economically important needs


and demands which opens entrepreneurial opportunities to everyone?
a. Environment c. Geography
b. Ethnicity d. Market

2. Which type of business is owned by only 1 person?


a. Cooperative c. Partnership
b. Corporation d. Sole Proprietorship

3. Which of the following is NOT considered an emerging industry in the


Philippines?
a. Agribusiness c. Creative Industries
b. Power and utilities d. Renewable Energy

4. In the 4M‘s of production, which M refers to the persons in the business


known as the labor force?
a. Machines c. Materials
b. Manpower d. Money

5. The process of recording the money received and spent by the operations of
the business is known as _____.
a. bookkeeping c. administering
b. booking d. posting
28
6. Which combination is focused on the internal assessment of the business?
a. Opportunities and Threats c. Strengths and Threats
b. Strengths and Weaknesses d. Weaknesses and Threats

7. Which combination is focused on the external assessment of the business?


a. Opportunities and Threats c. Strengths and Threats
b. Strengths and Weaknesses d. Weaknesses and Threats

8. Study the table and the items on the right. Then answer the question.

a. Competitors analysis
Group Part Of Business Plan
b. Product description
A Production c. Maintenance and repair
d. Promotional strategies
Plan _________ e. Sources of equipment
B Marketing f. Terms and conditions of purchase
Plan _________

Which of the following is the correct grouping of the six indicators in the
box?

a. c.

Group Part Of Business Plan Group Part Of Business Plan

A Production Plan a, b, d A Production Plan c, d, a

B Marketing Plan c, e, f B Marketing Plan b, e, f

Group Part Of Business Plan Group Part Of Business Plan

A A Production Plan c, e, f
Production Plan
a, c, e
B
B Marketing Plan a, b, d
Marketing Plan
d, b, f
b. d.

29
9. Which business principle is applicable in products and development and
marketing?
a. Ask researchers in other communities about their needs and demands.
b. Follow the result of a national survey of needs and demands.
c. Pay attention to the needs and demands of the market.
d. Your own needs and demands are the same with others.

10. What is the reason why an aspiring entrepreneur must make a sound and
impressive business plan?
a. A sound and impressive business plan is likely to be approved for a loan
package.
b. A sound and impressive business plan attracts more customers .
c. A sound and impressive business plan commands tax rebates.
d. A sound and impressive business plan can improve a particular
segment of a market.

Reading Resources and Instructional Activities

What to know
The environment and market of the business must be dealt with
sincerity and cautions should we intend to accumulate long-term
profit.

Activity #1:

Let us do simple community mapping activity to develop a barangay-based


market profile. Use the template below in posting accurate and relevant data of
your barangay.

Dimension Data to be gathered Data


Market demographics Number of households
Number of retailers of various products
Number of wholesalers of various
Number of products
businesses Number of producers (specify products)
Number of service-based businesses

30
1. COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF A BUSINESS MARKET

Market refers to a group of people with economically important needs and


demands which open entrepreneurial or business opportunities to everyone.

Market is a socially,
politically, and economically
organized people whose needs and
demands are based on tradition,
culture, and technology.
Enumerable business
opportunities are open in a
market. Their needs and demands
are enormous depending on the
class of people being referred to.
These classes of people are known
as market segments. These may
be high-end, middle-end, and low-
end market segments. Each
segment will have varying needs of
Courtesy of CvSU and DA-TMC, Cavite
various products and services.

Entrepreneurs must be skillful enough to address needs and demands of


the market. Many successful entrepreneurs‘ secret of success is just paying
attention to the markets‘ needs and demands and later they accumulate so much
wealth. A need or demand-based business will always have a share of market.

2. THE LEGAL FORMS OF BUSINESS

The following are 3 legal forms of business and their characteristics,


advantages and disadvantages:

Forms Characteristics Advantages Disadvantages

Sole  Owned by only 1  Very easy to  Owner-manager is


Proprietorship person who is establish required to render
responsible for the  Decision full operation time.
whole business comes from 1  No one else can
 The owner can person only share in the financial
assume the role of burden of the owner
manager, finance  In case of financial
officer, and worker instability, the firm
can dissolve easily.
31
 2 persons have  Comparatively  Decision making is
combined resources easy to shared between the
and skills. establish. two owners.
Partnership  Any of the 2  There is check  In times of partner
partner can act as and balance conflict, the business
financier or among is at risk.
manager. partners only.  Limited funding may
 They can also share constraint business
responsibilities and operations.
roles in the
business
operations.

Corporation  2 or more persons  Business  The complex


own the business. risks are organizational set-up
 Aside from the shared by imposes a long line
owners, many many people. of more expensive
people known as  If business is ways of control.
shareholders, are good, growth  Complex decision
engaged in a is maximized making process will
corporation due to bigger delay operation.
through their capital.
investment known  Burdens in
as shares or stocks. the operations
are shared by
various
specialized
individuals.

3. THE DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES IN THE COUNTRY TODAY

There are many established and emerging industries in the country. Having
mapped all of those in the community will give a would-be entrepreneur a chance
to examine what entrepreneurial opportunities may be brought to the
community. Once these opportunities are identified, entrepreneurs will lay down
their plan of actions and then start the business activities. Some or may be all of
the industries listed below are located in your locality that could be related to
agribusiness:

1. Health and Wellness (organic agri-products)


2. Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism (Specialized farm products)
3. Banking and Finance(Financing crop production )
4. Manufacturing/Processing (Farm products as raw materials)
32
5. Transport and Logistics (From farm to market)
6. Wholesale and Retail Trade (Farm products and inputs)
7. Creative Industries (Using farm by-products)
8. Diversified/Strategic Farming and Fishing
9. High value crop production

Courtesy of CvSU and DA-TMC, Cavite

4. CHECKING THE NEEDS, WANTS. AND DEMANDS OF THE MARKET


THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL SCANNING PROCESS

The needs and demands of the community can be determined through


environmental scanning. In this process, an aspiring entrepreneur must make a
thorough examination of the target market before a particular business is set.
Many elements of the target market can change from month to month or year to
year, thus, updated data and information of the following must be gathered
which shall become the bases of setting up the planned business.

a. Demographic data such as population size, growth rate,


b. List of competitors which is available in the Department of Trade and
Industry
c. List of Suppliers which can also be sourced from Department of
Trade and Industry
d. Result of a Reliable Mini Survey using considerable samples of target
market

5. KNOW THE 4M’s OF PRODUCTION

Raw materials, whether local or outsourced, are processed into goods to be


sold to an identified market or segments of the market. This economic activity is
referred to as production.

33
Success in production is strictly determined with four (4) factors popularly
known as the 4M‘s:

Refers to all persons in the business who are also


Manpower popularly called labor force. That means the word
manpower includes the entrepreneur himself.

It is known to be the life juice of the business and has


to do with the economic status of the business. These
Money can be in paper bills or coins, generally used to pay for
goods and services, repayment of debts, and saving or
restoring purchasing power of the business.

These can be raw materials or finished products which


Materials shall undergo certain process or combined procedures
which shall end as the expected output of production.

Any semi or fully-automated devices that are used in


Machines converting raw materials into marketable products or
outputs.

6. THE IMPORTANCE OF ACQUIRING A START-UP CAPITAL

Business capital, usually in the form of money, is an indispensable factor


to start a new business. It is considered a working capital because it will keep the
operations going. Entrepreneurs must secure enough capital to start and to
sustain business operations.

Raising the needed capital is not a problem for the wealthy families.
However, if you do not have the cash on hand yet, you need to consider favorable
sources. Would-be entrepreneurs must carefully choose which capital source to
take. Money lenders which offer high interest are always not a good choice. The
34
following are the possible sources of the start-up capital for any types of
businesses to be established:

SOURCES ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

No interest payment to be paid Usually it takes some


Personal Savings In case of bankruptcy, no one time to save enough
will run after the entrepreneur money to start a
for legal actions business.
Entrepreneur has full control
over future net profit
generated.

Family Savings Low or no interest at all will be In rare cases, if


charged to the would-be problem exists between
entrepreneurs. parties, capital may be
Monthly amortizations may not taken in partial or at
be charged depending on the once by parents.
agreements.

External Sources, There are many well-reputed Monthly amortizations


such as, banks and lending institutions, not loan must be paid even
credit cooperatives sharks, in the community. amidst financial
difficulties of an
Lending institutions can enterprise.
confidently lend adequate
capital in exchange of a sound
feasibility study.

35
Well-reputed lending institutions in the community can offer the following
types of loans according to term of repayment:

In this type of loan, monthly


amortizations which will include
low interest will be paid one year or
less. Advanced or on-time payment
Short-term loans of monthly amortization increases
trust and confidence of a bank on
the entrepreneur. This good
relationship will offer more
opportunities to the entrepreneur.

Term of payment can range from


Intermediate loans
one to three years.

Depending on the soundness of the


feasibility or the established trust
and confidence of the bank on the
Long-term loans entrepreneur, terms of payment
can stretch from four to ten years
where lending policies of banks or
credit cooperatives apply.

7. FACTORS IN SELECTING THE BEST BUSINESS LOCATION

The following must be considered in choosing the right business


location:

a. Nearness to target markets


b. Availability and quality of raw materials and supplies
c. Accessibility to consumers and transportation.

36
d. Consider zoning and local ordinances.
e. Availability of power and fuel sources.
f. Taxation, such as municipal tax policies, other local fees and
rates.

Courtesy of CvSU and DA-TMC, Cavite

8. HIRING AND TRAINING PERSONNEL

Before the actual operations of the business begin, hiring the right person
for the right task must be considered. Your business plan will tell you how many
workers you need for the start and how many will be hired again as the
operations progress. Excess personnel will be an extra cost of the business and
this condition must be avoided.

9. REGISTRATION OF A NEW BUSINESS

New business must be registered in the name of legalities. Before you let
your well-planned business rocks the market the following official processes must
be undertaken:

a. Register your official business name in the Department of Trade and


Industry (DTI).

b. Apply for a Mayor‘s Permit to operate the business and the Municipal
Business License of the business.

c. Register your business at the Securities and Exchange Commission


(SEC). The Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws are required for all
corporations and for partnership.

d. Register your business in the Bureau of Internal Revenue whereupon


your business will be assigned a Tax Identification Number (TIN).

e. Register your employees with the PhilHealth, PAG-IBIG, and Social


37
Security System (SSS). Registration in other agencies which provide
welfare and other insurance benefits must also be consulted and legally
followed.

10. PRACTICING SIMPLE RECORD KEEPING

Entrepreneurs must be knowledgeable on the operations of the business.


Although you are already the manager of the business, still you need to develop
expertise in what all your workers are actually doing. This practice helps you
monitor the progress of your business and to carefully track the profit and losses.

Record keeping coexists with bookkeeping. The latter is the process of


recording the money received and spent by the operations of the business. The
following are the most important activities in bookkeeping:

a. Keep and maintain records on a daily basis.


b. Identify source of receipts.
c. Record all incurred expenses.
d. Keep complete records in all assets.

In order to maintain proper recording of business transactions keep


supporting documents, namely, sales slips, paid bills, invoices, receipts, deposit
slips, checks issued and cancelled. Payrolls must be kept.

Generally, the benefits of recording system and good records kept are the
following:

a. It is easy to monitor the success or failure of your business.


b. Information needed to make decisions is provided and accessible.
c. Information needed to take bank financing package is available.
d. References for budgeting are at hand.
e. Easy preparation of income tax return.
f. Easy computation of sales taxes.
g. Profit distribution is facilitated by organized record keeping.

38
What to process
Let’s proceed a little bit further. It would be great if we prepare
ourselves for the possible opportunities in the community.

Activity #2:

Use the data in Activity 1. Analyze and identify business opportunities as


well as challenges these data can offer to aspiring entrepreneurs.

Business Challenges to
Data to be
Dimension Data Opportunities Aspiring
gathered
Offered Entrepreneurs

Number of
Market
households
demographics

Number of
Retailers of
various agri-
related products

Number of
wholesalers of
various agri-
Number of products
businesses

Number of
producers (specify
agri-products)

Number of agri-
based service
businesses

39
Activity #3:

Choose one agri-crop related business opportunity identified in Column 4.


Carefully study the potential of that business idea. Use the SWOT guide below to
accomplish this task. Present your SWOT Sheet to the class for critiquing and
feedbacking. Be sure to record feedbacks given by the teacher and classmates.

Business ideas must be carefully analyzed prior to its actual operations. A


popular way of doing this is to do business idea assessment through the use of
the SWOT analysis. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and
Threats. This technique will signal us either to continue the business idea
because it is viable and profit is expected or to consider other options because the
factors dominate the positive ones and this condition signals imminent losses for
the proposed business. A SWOT sheet can look like this:

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

Enumerate all strengths of a Enumerate all weaknesses of the


selected agri-crop related selected agri-crop related business
business here. here.

(These are internal positive (These are negative indications that


qualities of the agri-crop business deter the good future of the agri-crop
idea that offer advantages and business idea probably contributory to
benefits to the aspiring business losses).
entrepreneurs).

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

Enumerate all opportunities of the Enumerate all threats of the selected


selected agri-crop related business agri-crop related business here.
here.
(These are external indications of
(These are external indications unfavorable situations leading
that offer chance for progress or business to problems and other
advancement of the business) difficulties that will put profits into
risks.)

40
 Bear in mind these simple rules for successful SWOT analysis.

a. Be realistic about the strengths and weaknesses of your business


when conducting SWOT analysis.
b. SWOT analysis should distinguish between where your business is
today, and where it could be in the future.
c. SWOT should always be specific. Avoid any grey areas.
d. Always apply SWOT in relation to your competition i.e. better than or
worse than your competition.
e. Keep your SWOT short and simple. Avoid complexity and over
analysis
f. SWOT is subjective.

What to reflect on and understand


Now it’s about time for evaluation as we analyze and discuss the data we gathered from
the presentations of our resource persons.

Activity # 4:

Refer to your SWOT Sheet and make further analysis. This time the
ultimate task is make decision whether to pursue the proposed business idea or
consider other alternative businesses. There are two possible facets after the final
decision will be made. First, pursue the business because the SWOT reveals more
positive indications than negative ones or, second, disregard the business idea
because there are more negative indications. Consequently, try another business
idea and subject it to the same process of analysis.

Make a presentation of your task and be proud to inspire others that you
now have chosen a viable agri-crop related business idea chosen from the
opportunities obtained from the data generated by the simple community
mapping we did.

41
What to transfer
Why don’t we act like a real farm consultants? We shall hand down
the final recommendations to our focus resource person.

Activity #5:

Since you have chosen one viable agri-crop related business idea, it is just-
in-time to develop an impressive Business Plan. Refer to the guide given below
and read the sample business plan provided. Your own plan must not be limited
to a few pages only, as the example is presented. All data and information must
be given in order to come up with a completely sound and impressive business
plan.

THE BUSINESS PLAN

A business plan refers to the intention of aspiring or experienced


entrepreneurs which precisely defines their business, identifies their goals and
objectives, a current and pro forma balance sheet, an income statement, and a
cash flow analysis. A business plan can help so much in the proper allocation of
resources, initially handle and counter forecasted complications, and make the
right decision for the business operations. A good business plan contributes to
the approval or rejection of any loan package because it provides specific and
organized information about your proposed business and how you will repay
borrowed money. A business plan is equivalent to a business resume.

A business plan has five major parts, namely, the executive summary,
marketing plan, production plan, organization and management plan, and
financial plan.

Below is a detailed guide in the development of a comprehensive business


plan.

PART OF A BUSINESS PLAN DEVELOPMENT GUIDES


BUSINESS PLAN Focus Guide Questions

Business Name Business address


Telephone/Contact Number
Contact Person

42
Contents The usual table of contents

Background of Brief History


the business Information of the business
Form of ownership
Organizational set-up
Industry where it plays

Benefits to the Brief statement of business


community social responsibility in
Economic, community, and
human resources development

 What is the nature


 Brief Description of the of the project?
Project  What are the
 Brief Profile of the entrepreneur‘s
Executive Entrepreneur competencies and
summary  Project‘s Contributions to the qualifications?
Economy  What are the
project‘s
contributions to the
local and national
economy?

 Description of the Product  What is the


 Comparison of the Product product?
with Its Competitors  How does it compare
Marketing plan
 Location in quality and price
 Market Area with its competitors?
 Main Customers  Where will the
43
 Total Demand business be located?
 Market Share  What geographical
 Selling Price areas will be covered
 Sales Forecast by the project?
 Promotional Measures  Within the market
 Marketing Strategy area, to whom will
 Marketing Budget the business sell its
products?
 Is it possible to
estimate how much
of the product is
currently being
sold?
 What share or
percent of this
market can be
captured by the
business?
 What is the selling
price of the product?
 How much of the
product will be sold?
 What promotional
measures will be
used to sell the
product?
 What marketing
strategy is needed to
ensure that sales
forecasts are
achieved?
 How much do you
need to promote and
distribute your
product?

44
 Production Process  What is the
 Fixed Capital production process?
 Life of Fixed Capital  What buildings and
 Maintenance and Repairs machinery (fixed
 Sources of Equipment assets) are needed
 Planned Capacity and what will be
 Future Capacity their cost?
 Terms and Conditions of  What is the useful
Purchase of Equipment life of the building
 Factory Location and Layout and machinery?
 Raw Materials  How will
 Cost of Raw Materials maintenance be
Raw Materials Availability done and are spare
 Labor parts available
 Cost of Labor locally?
 Labor Availability  When and where
 Labor Productivity can the machinery
Production plan
 Factory Overhead Expenses be obtained?
 Production Cost  How much capacity
will be used?
 What are the plans
for using spare
capacity?
 When and how will
the machinery be
paid for?
 Where will the
factory be located
and how will the
factory be arranged?
 How much raw
materials are
required?
 How much will the
raw materials cost?
45
 What are the
sources of raw
materials? Are they
available throughout
the year?
 How many direct
and indirect labor
are needed and what
skills should they
have?
 What will be the
cost of labor?
 Are workers
available throughout
the year? If not,
what effect will this
have on production?
 How will the workers
be motivated?
 What factory
overhead expenses
are involved?
 What is the
production cost per
unit?

 Form of Business  How will the


 Organizational Structure business be
Organization and  Business Experience and managed and
management Qualifications of the operated?
plan Entrepreneur  What is the
 Pre-Operating Activities business experience
 Pre-Operating Expenses and qualifications of
 Office Equipment the entrepreneur?
 Administrative Expenses  What pre-operating
46
activities must be
undertaken before
the business can
operate?
 What pre-operating
expenses will be
incurred?
 What fixed assets
will be required for
the office?
 What administrative
cost will be
incurred?

 Project Cost  What is the total


 Financing Plan and Loan capital requirement?
Requirement  Is a loan needed?
 Security for Loan What will be the
 Profit and Loss Statement equity contribution
 Cash Flow Statement of the entrepreneur?
 Balance Sheet And how much?
 Loan Repayment Schedule  What security
 Break-even Point (BEP) (collateral) can be
 Return on Investment (ROI) given to the bank?
Financial plan
 Financial Analysis  What does the Profit
and Loss Statement
indicate?
 What does the Cash
Flow Statement
indicate?
 What does the
Balance Sheet
indicate?
 What is the loan
repayment
47
schedule?
 What is the break-
even point (BEP)?
 What is the return of
investment (ROI)?
 Is the project
feasible?

The template is applicable to both production and marketing businesses.


There are entrepreneurs who want to venture in marketing alone, thus, the
resulting business plan is done sans the production part. However, in the
marketing part, the source of products to be marketed must be clearly stated
including the details of the product outsourcing process.

Below is a sample business plan prepared by Mr. Godwin N. Nazareno, rice


trader from Alcala, Pangasinan.

I. Executive Summary

A. Brief Summary of the Plan

Godwin‘s Rice Trading is a small business that buy dried rice grains
ready to mill from rice farmers in the locality and nearby municipalities. The
total grain purchases for the day will be milled at night and deliver to the rice
retailers in the nearby municipalities in Pangasinan the next day.The well-
milled rice of Godwin will offer a competitive price to the local market since its
target market is in nearby vicinity with minimal transportation cost.

B. Major purpose of the business

The major objective of the business is to provide high quality, and


competitively-priced well-milled rice to the public and to ensure a good market
price for the farmer‘s rice grains produce in the locality.

C. Description of the Business

The brand name of the business comes from the name of the owner. It is
single /sole proprietorship business. The business name shall be prominently
placed and clearly visible to customers during buy and sales activities. Sold
well-milled rice shall be packed at the time of milling in a well leveled sack.

48
D. Organizational Plan

Godwin‘s Rice Trading will hire ten laborers, with one who could drive a
truck for the buying of grains and delivery of milled rice; and another ten
laborers for the milling of rice at night time. Godwin will serve as the
manager, treasurer and secretary, to minimize cost. The target opening date
will be on September 18, 2014.

E. Production Plan

As a profit-generating business, we chose the location that is not only


well known, but also accessible to the farmer/customers. With this location,
we will capture our target market. Moreover, the location has access to
electricity; water and transportation that will help Godwin realize his
objectives. The business will start by buying 300 bags of rice grains from the
farmers for one day. The purchased rice grains will be milled at night which
will be immediately be delivered in the morning to the pre-contacted rice retail
in the nearby municipalities.

F. Marketing Plan

The business will target the rice retailers in the nearby municipalities
because they have already a considerable number of satisfied customers in
their respective areas. Competition is to be countered through friendly and
respectful disposition of personnel and competitive pricing.

G. Financial Plan

UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS:

1. Strong economy is assumed. It is further assumed that demand and


supply in rice will not change.
2. Cash beginning balance will be provided in order to meet daily cash
inflows.
3. All purchases and sales will be strictly on cash basis only.
4. Rice grains (palay) will be processed further to turn into rice which will
produce an output of 60% ( in units) and a by-product which is
equivalent to 10% (in units).
5. Sale of the by-product will be treated as a reduction in cost of goods sold.
6. All purchases (300 sacks per day weighing 50 kg each) will be stored in
the storage room exactly at 8:00 pm to be milled. Milling time will be from
8:00 pm up to 4:00 am.
7. All products will be sold a day after the purchase (in the morning) @ Php
38.00/ kg delivered to the rice retailers in the nearby municipalities. The
by-product (rice bran)will also be sold to the nearest piggeries @ Php
49
4.00 per kilo.
8. The truck costing 500,000 will be depreciated over a 15-year useful life.
The 90% of depreciation expense will be allocated to Factory Overhead
and 10% will be allocated to selling expense.
9. The rice mill machinery costing 100,000 will be depreciated over a 20-
year useful life.
10. The storage room will be constructed prior to the commencement of the
business for a total construction cost of 300,000 and will be depreciated
over a 30-year useful life. The 90% of depreciation expense will be
allocated to Factory Overhead and 10% will be allocated to
administrative expense.
11. All fixed assets are ready before the commencement of the business.
12. All depreciable assets will be depreciated using straight line method.
13. There will be 1 driver and 9 laborers relating to buying and selling of
rice at Php 420 each.
14. There will be 10 laborers who will be responsible for the milling of rice at
Php 350 each.
15. Wages will be allocated between freight-in and freight out. A 75% will be
allocated to freight-in and the remaining will be allocated to freight-out.
Also, it will be paid on daily basis in order to help them in their daily
needs.
16. The owner will be the manager, treasurer of the business.
17. Utilities expense of 20,000 will be allocated 90% on Factory Overhead
and 10% on General and administrative expense.
18. For simplicity purposes, assume that the tax rate will be 32%.
19. Projections will be made for a time period of 1 month only.

A. TOTAL INVESTMENTS

ORGANIZATION COST
CASH P 330,000.00
OFFICE SUPPLIES 1,000.00
TRUCK 500,000.00
RICE MILL
MACHINERY 100,000.00
LAND 100,000.00
STORAGE ROOM P 300,000.00
TOTAL INVESTMENTS P 1,331,000.00

50
B. PROJECTED DAILY CASH OUTFLOW

PURCHASES @ PHP
21/KG P 315,000.00

FREIGHT IN:
WAGES P 3,150.00

GASOLINE P 1,500.00 P 4,650.00

DIRECT LABOR 3,000.00

FREIGHT OUT:

WAGES P1,050.00

GASOLINE 500.00 P 1,550.00

TOTAL DAILY CASH


OUTFLOW P324,200.00

*300 sacks x 50kg x Php 21.00


**Php 420.00 x 10 Laborers x 0 .75
***Php 420.00 x 10 Laborers x 0.25

C. PROJECTED DAILY CASH INFLOW

SALES @ PHP 38/KG P342,000.00


SALE OF BY PRODUCT
(RICE BRAN) 6,000.00
TOTAL DAILY CASH
INFLOW P348,000.00

*300 Sacks x 50kgx 0.60 (milling recovery) x Php 38.00


**300 Sacks x 50kg x 0.10 x Php 4.00

51
D. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION-BEGINNING

GODWIN'S RICE TRADING


STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS OF XXX

ASSETS

Current Assets:
Cash P330,000.00

Office Supplies 1,000.00 P331,000.00

Non-current
Assets:
Land 100,000.00

Truck 500,000.00

Rice Mill 100,000.00

Storage room P300,000.00 P1,000,000.00

Total Assets P1,331,000.00

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND OWNER'S


EQUITY

Mr. Godwin's
Capital P1,331,000.00

52
E. INCOME STATEMENT

GODWIN‘S RICE TRADING


INCOME STATEMENT
FOR THE MONTH________

Sales(300x50x.6x38x3) P 10,260,000.00
Cost of goods sold
Purchases (315,000x30Days) P 9,450,000.00
Freight-in (4,650x30Days) 139,500.00
Direct labor (10LaboresxPhp350x30Days) 105,000.00
Factory overhead
Utilities Expense (Php20,000 x 0.9) P 18,000.00
Depreciation- Storage Room(300,000/30)(0.9) (1/12) 750.00
Depreciation- Rice Mill Machine (100,000/20) (1/12) 416.67
Depreciation- Truck (500,000/15)(0.9)(1/12) P 2,500 .00 P 21,667.00
Sale of By-product (6,000 x 30) P -180,000.00 P 9,536,167.00
Gross Profit P 723,833.00
Selling Expense
Freight-out (1550x30) P 46,500.00
Depreciation- Truck (500,000/15)(0.1)(1/12) 277.078.00
Packaging (300Sacks x .6 x Php10 x 30Days) P 54,000.00 P100,778.00
General And Administrative expense
Office Supplies P 1,000.00
Utilities Expense (20,000 x 0.1) P 2,000.00
Depreciation- Storage Room(300,000/30)(0.1) (1/12) P 83.33.00 P3,083.00
Net Income Before Tax P 619,972.00
Income Tax Expense P 198,391.11
Net Income After Tax P421,581.00

Return on Investments = = = .31674

Payback Period= = = 3.127283 yrs

Gross Profit Ratio= = = 0.070549

Net Margin Ratio= = = 0.0410898

H. Financial Statement

The projected sale for 1 month is amounting to P10,200,000.00 at a


price of @ P38.00/kg for well-milled rice less all the expenses and tax it has a
projected net income of P 421,581. Financial ratios show that Gross Profit IS
7% and Net Margin Ratio is 4% each. The investment costs will be recovered
within approximately 3 years and 2 months.
53
I. Critical analysis

Risk is always present in any form of business. That includes Godwin‘s


Rice Trading business. The foreseen problem is not being able to meet the
targeted number of 300 bags of rice grain everyday and/or the other way of
exceeding it with the difficulty of disposing the excess milled rice to the rice
retailers the next day. As a new entrant of the rice trading business, it is
expected that Godwin‘s Rice Trading will have to gradually establish
customers trust. With excellent personnel training in quality customer ship,
the business will slowly draw-in more customers like the big food chains and
supermarkets as an efficient supplier of well-milled rice.

J. Social significance

This business offers opportunity for the farmers to have a steady market of
their farm produce. It will also open a door of possible employment to some
people in the community. As a registered business, tax payments can go to the
government. Later as the business grows bigger wholesaling will help other small
scale retailers who can avail of competitive pricing.

Posttest

Direction: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Do not write your answer
on this manual.

1. Which is a group of people with economically important needs and


demands which opens entrepreneurial opportunities to everyone?
c. Environment C. Geography
A. Ethnicity D. Market

2. Which type of business is owned by only one person?


A. Cooperative C. Partnership
B. Corporation D. Sole Proprietorship

3. Which of the following is NOT considered an emerging industry in the


Philippines?
A. Agribusiness C. Creative Industries
B. Power and utilities D. Renewable Energy

4. In the 4M‘s of production, which M refers to the persons in the business


known as the labor force?
A. Machines C. Materials
B. Manpower D. Money

54
5. The process of recording the money received and spent by the operations of
the business is known as _____?
c. bookkeeping C. administering
A. booking D. posting

6. Which combination is focused on the internal assessment of the business?


A. Opportunities and Threats C. Strengths and Threats
B. Strengths and Weaknesses D. Weaknesses and Threats

7. Which combination is focused on the external assessment of the business?


A. Opportunities and Threats C. Strengths and Threats
B. Strengths and Weaknesses D. Weaknesses and Threats

8. Study the table and the items on the right. Then answer the question.

g. Competitors analysis
Group Part Of Business Plan
h. Product description
A Production i. Maintenance and repair
j. Promotional strategies
Plan _________ k. Sources of equipment
B Marketing l. Terms and conditions of purchase
Plan _________

Which of the following is the correct grouping of the six indicators in the box?

A. C.

Group Part Of Business Plan Group Part Of Business Plan

A Production Plan a, b, d A Production Plan c, d, a

B Marketing Plan c, e, f B Marketing Plan b, e, f

B. D.

Group Part Of Business Plan Group Part Of Business Plan

A Production Plan c, e, f A
Production Plan
a, c, e
B
Marketing Plan a, b, d B d, b, f
Marketing Plan

55
9. Which business principle is applicable in products and development and
marketing?
A. Ask researchers in other communities about their needs and demands.
B. Your own needs and demands are the same with others.
C. Pay attention to the needs and demands of the market
D. Follow the result of a national survey of needs and demands

10.What is the reason why an aspiring entrepreneur must make a sound and
impressive business plan?
A. A sound and impressive business plan is likely to be approved for a loan
package.
B. A sound and impressive business plan attracts more customers .
C. A sound and impressive business plan commands tax rebates.
D. A sound and impressive business plan can improve a particular
segment of a market.

SUMMARY

Now we know that market and environment are the two major factors that
dictate any business activities. It is so diverse, however; this diversity offers
numerous opportunities for businesses.

An aspiring entrepreneur must consider a lot of factors prior to setting up a


business. Careful examination on the needs and demands must be made.
Competition must be clearly addressed because it may either lead to
accumulation of profit or worse, incurring losses depending on how
entrepreneurs manage their businesses.

Other important task of entrepreneurs is to determine how much capital is


needed to start a business. Selection of the best business location is crucial, too.
Record keeping or bookkeeping is also a skill that entrepreneurs must possess so
he/she can personally ascertain the financial status of the business.

Entrepreneurs play a very important role in the national growth and


development. Aside from tax payment to the government, an entrepreneur is
responsible human resources development. Employment, whether casual,
probationary, and permanent, offers workplace trainings which help employees in
their personal and professional growth.

Entrepreneurs must not only possess passion for the business but
56
personally learn the work of their employee as well. The benefit of this best
practice is that entrepreneurs will find it easier to track the operations of the
business including its profitability.

Finally, getting all these business prerequisites into the heart and mind of
entrepreneurs and together with adequate knowledge, skills and work values,
their businesses will be sustained.

Glossary of Terms

Capital refers to money invested in a business to generate income.

Environmental scanning refers to careful monitoring of the internal and


external environment of an organization purposely done to detect early
signs of opportunities and threats that may influence present and future
plans of the business.

Industry is a commercialized, standardized, and organized economic activity


connected with the production, manufacture, or construction of a
particular product or range of products in which many people are involved.

Market refers to a group of people with economically important needs and


demands which open entrepreneurial or business opportunities to
everyone.

Opportunities in SWOT analysis in is the exploitable set of circumstances with


uncertain outcome, requiring commitment of resources and involving
exposure to risk.

Personnel people employed in an organization.

Production is the processes of transforming inputs such as raw materials, semi-


finished goods, subassemblies and intangible inputs, namely, ideas,
information, knowledge into goods or services.

Strength in SWOT analysis is the capital, knowledge, skill, or other advantage


that a firm has or can acquire over its competitors in meeting the needs of
its customers.

Threats in SWOT analysis are negative indications that can cause a risk to
become a loss, expressed as an aggregate of risk, consequences of risk, and
the likelihood of the occurrence of the event.
57
Weaknesses in SWOT analysis refers to any negative indications that increases
the risk of a losses and failure

REFERENCES:

http://www.businessdictionary.com

Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation

Albarico J.M., Celarta C.B, Fernando E., and Valdez E.S. 2011.
Agriculture and Fishery Arts I. United Eferza Academic Publications, Co.,
BagongPook, Lipa City, Batangas 4217.

58
Module II

SUPPORT AGRICULTURAL CROP WORK

Content Standard Performance Standard


The learner demonstrates The learner independently uses farm
understanding of concepts, materials, tools, and equipment and
underlying theories and applies occupational health and
principles in the preparation of safety in crop production based on
farm materials, tools and required task.
equipment and occasional health
and safety operation in crop
production.

I. WHAT IS THIS MODULE ABOUT

This Module covers the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of students


required to support horticultural production work. It focused on learning the
ability to prepare material tools and equipment for horticultural production,
hygiene and quality control.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

Upon completion of this Module, you must be able to:


1. iIdentify the required materials, tools and equipment;
2. perform routine check-up of tools and equipment;
3. demonstrate manual handling procedures;
4. use personal protective equipment and personal health and
safety requirements;
5. familiarize with common OHS hazards risks and its control;

59
Lesson 1 FARM TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

WHAT IS THIS LESSON ABOUT?

The lesson is all about the farm tools and equipment used in crop
production.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. identify the different tools and equipment in farm production;


2. describe the specific uses of each tools and equipment; and
3. perform the proper care and maintenance of each tools and equipment;

WHAT DO YOU ALREADY KNOW?

Let us find out how much you already know about crop production. Read
and understand the questions below. Choose the letter of the best answer and
write it on your quiz notebook.
60
Pretest

Read the questions carefully and select the best answer by writing only the letter
of your choice on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following is an example of a digging tool?


A. Bolo
B. Crowbar
C. Grub hoe
D. Pruning shear

2. Which tool is used for cutting grasses?


A. Shovel
B. Bolo
C. Crowbar
D. Mattock

3. What tool does NOT belong to the group?


A. Crowbar
B. Mattock
C. Shovel
D. Pruning shear

4. Farm tools are very important in pre-agronomical operations because


they_____.
A. make work easier
B. make work faster
C. save time and effort
D. make work easier and faster thus saving time and effort

5. A tool with one end of its blade flattened and the other pointed at right
angles to its handle is a _____.
A. mattock
B. crowbar
C. bolo
D. spade

6. Which tool resembles the appearance of spoon and use for transferring soil?
A. Spade B. Shovel C. Spading fork D. Grub hoe

7. What work hazard is NOT possible in the repair of the roof of a nursery
shed?
A. Exposed to hazardous liquid
B. Face exposed to extreme heat
C. Prone to fall from above
D. Bodies exposed to sharp or rough surfaces
61
8. What preventive action should a student apply when he/she is exposed
to dust? He/She should wear _____.
A. eye and respiratory protection
B. hearing protection
C. safety footwear
D. hard cap

9. The environmental impact of improper disposal of waste and agricultural


chemicals are the following EXCEPT_____.
A. air pollution
B. water contamination
C. dirty and ugly surroundings
D. friendly and healthy surroundings

10. What equipment in agronomical operations is used to draw water


from a source?
A. Water pump
B. Sprinkler
C. Water pail
D. Sprayer

11. Why do we need to conduct pre-operative check up of tools,


implements and equipment before starting to work?
A. to check if the tools are serviceable
B. to determine the functionality of tools, and implements
C. to repair defective tools
D. to check, repair and determine the functionality of tools

12. What preventive structure shall we provide if the area of our farm is
prone to run off?
A. Fire hydrant
B. Wind breaks
C. Drainage canal
D. Water sealant

13. Why is it necessary to apply oil to the metal parts of tools and
implements before storing them for a long period time?
A. to prevent them from rust
B. to retain its shiny look
C. to clean the tools
D. to make it lubricated

14. What facility should we construct if there are astray animal around?
A. Nursery shed C. Storage barn
B. Vicinity fence D. Farm shop

62
15. The first step in reducing the cause of an accident is
A. assess the risk associated with the hazard
B. identify the hazard
C. review the process
D. control the risk

16. Which is NOT an example of a physical hazard?


A. Electricity
B. Floors, stairs, ladders
C. Heat, cold, radiation
D. Excessively loud and prolonged noise

17. Which of the following is the least objective in installing preventive


structures?
A. to attain aesthetic beauty of the place
B. to safeguard crops from a stray animals and thieves
C. to avoid destruction of farm facilities due to inclement weather
D. b and c

18. Which of the following is a biological hazard?


A. Machinery
B. Pesticides
C. Bacteria
D. Falling objects

19. Which of the following is NOT true about the care and maintenance of
farm facilities?
A. Hand tools must be cleaned, dried, and placed in a tool rack when
not in use.
B. Cutting and digging tools should be frequently sharpened.
C. Defective tools are segregated and brought to the junk shop.
D. Iron parts of tools should be oiled, greased, or painted with coal tar
when they are to be stored for a long time.

20. Which of the following PPE is used to protect hands from injury?
A. Goggles
B. Gloves
C. Boots
D. Earmuffs

63
HAND TOOLS

Hand tools are usually light and are used without the help of animals or
machines. They are being used in performing farm activities which involve small
areas like school garden and home garden.

Examples:

1. Bolo is used for cutting of grasses and


weeds, loosening and pulverizing the soil,
digging small holes for planting and
constructing posts, and breaking the
topsoil in preparing garden plots if no other
tools are available.

2. Crowbar is used for digging holes for posts


and for digging out big stones and stumps.

3. Pick-mattock is used for digging small


canals, breaking hard topsoil and for
digging up stones and tree stumps.

4. Grab-hoe is used for breaking hard topsoil


and pulverizing soil.

5. Spade is used for removing trash or soil,


digging canals or ditches and mixing soil
media.
6. Shovel is used in removing trash, digging
loose soil, moving soil from one place to
another and for mixing soil media.

7. Rake is used for cleaning the ground and


leveling the topsoil.

8. Spading fork is used for loosening the soil,


digging out root crops and turning over the
materials in a compost heap.

9. Light hoe is used for loosening and leveling


soil and digging out furrows for planting.

10. Hand trowel is used for loosening the


soil around the growing plants and putting
small amount of manure in the soil.

11. Hand cultivator is used for cultivating


the garden plot by loosening the soil and
removing young weeds around the plant.

12. Hand fork is for inter row cultivation.

13. Pruning shears is for cutting branches


of planting materials and unnecessary
branches of plants.
14. Axe is for cutting bigger sized wood for
post .

15. Knife is for cutting planting materials


and for performing other operations in the
nursery.

16. Post-hole digger is used for digging


small holes specifically for post.

17. Sledge hammer is used in breaking


rocks, driving posts or stakes, nudging a
heavy timber into place, driving large spikes

FARM IMPLEMENTS

These are accessories which are being pulled by working animals or


mounted to machineries (hand tractor, tractor) which are usually used in the
preparation of wide land. These are usually made of a special kind of metal.

Examples are:

1. Plows. These are farm implements used in horticultural operations either


pulled by a working animal or a tractor. The plow is specifically used for tilling
large areas, making furrows and inters row cultivation.
Plows pulled by working animals are made of either a combination of
metal or wood or pure metal. They are used to till areas with a shallower depth
than that of the disc plows which are pulled by tractors.
Native Plow Disc Plow
2. Harrow. The native wooden harrow is made of wood with a metal tooth and
pulled by a carabao while the disc harrow is a metal mounted to a tractor.
Harrows are used for tilling and pulverizing the soil.

Native wooden harrow Disc harrow

3. Rotavator. The rotavator is an implement mounted to a tractor used for tilling


and pulverizing the soil

EQUIPMENT

These are machineries used in horticultural and agronomical operations


especially in vegetable, rice, corn and cereal production. They are used in different
stages of crop production starting from land preparation up to planting and
harvesting and in transporting farm inputs and products.

1. Hand tractors are used to pull a plow and harrow in preparing a large area of
land. They are also used to draw trailers to transport materials, inputs and
harvests. It is now referred to as the farmer‘s main drawing equipment,
although in some places carabao is still used .
2. Four wheel tractor is used to pull disc plow and disc harrow and other farm
implements in preparing much bigger area of land. It is also used to draw
trailers in transporting bigger bulk of materials, inputs and harvests.

3. Water pumps are used to draw irrigation water from a source. It made crop
production possible in areas without irrigation system.

4. Sprayers are used to apply chemicals to control pests. Although the


knapsack sprayer is still used for easy handling, the power sprayer is being
used for faster and more convenient chemical applications. It is also used to
clean the other farm equipments .

Other Farm Equipment

This is a combined harvester and


thresher used to harvest and thresh
rice at the same time. It could harvest
and thresh a maximum of three
hectares in a day. Clean grains were
accumulated in the compartment that
could be transported to a nearby dry
area for ease in putting into sacks.
This is a rice seeder, used to directly
plant seeds of rice in dry soil method .

This is a corn thresher, used to thresh


harvested mature corn.

This is a rice thresher, used to thresh


harvested rice.

This is a mechanical grain drier, used


to dry harvested grains to attain
desirable moisture content to prevent
spoilage .

 LET US REMEMBER

 Using the right tools and equipment for the specific job, makes work
easier and more economical.

 What to process

Activity #1

Conduct an interactive activity with the class. One group will tell farm operation
and the other group will tell which farm tools/equipment to use and vice-versa.
The group with the highest score will be the winner.
Activity #2

Students will be asked to draw from the box containing the names of farm tools
and equipment and will explain how it will be used in accomplishing the job.

Activity #3

Get your partner, list two farm equipment and make a research in the internet on
the different parts that needs to be maintained, and on how to do the maintenance.

Activity#4

Report your output to the class.

 What to reflect on and understand

Group into three, go to a nearby farm and observe how farm equipment is being
used. Make a clear description how each equipment is used, and why it is
important to know how to use the equipment. Share your findings in class.

 What to transfer

Activity#1

If you are the farm manager of the Bersamin Agro-Integrated School and you
are tasked to prepare the five-year equipment acquisition plan, make a list of the
priority equipment needed, state their uses and why it is very important to acquire
them.

List of priority Use of the equipment Why it is important to


equipment acquire
REFERENCES:

Asuncion R.G. et.al. Agricultural Arts (T.H.E., SEDP, NSEC series)


Phipps, McColly, Scranton, & Cook , Farm Mechanics
Biggs, T. Growing Vegetables
Van Haunte, J. and L.Van Haunte, Growing Rich, Tasty Veggies in Harmony
with Nature, vol. 1
http://library.thinkquest/TQ0312380/machine.htm.
http://www.antiquefarmtools.info
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/01-111b
http://www.ebc.com.au
Lesson
2 PRE-OPERATIVE CHECK-UP OF EQUIPMENT

 What to Know

After knowing the farm tools and equipment, continue the lesson in doing pre-
operative check-up of equipment.

Activity#1

Give at least five reasons why it is very important to do pre-operational check-


up of equipment.

Due to intensive farm mechanization, hand tractor and four wheel tractor are
the most important and an indispensable partner for majority of farmers nowadays. It
is then very important to be familiar with doing pre-operative check-up of this
equipment.

Check Tractor Before Operating

A pre-operational check of the tractor will assure you that it is in safe


operating condition. Check the tires for proper inflation and defects, windows for
visibility, seat position, seat belts, brakes for adjustment, steering response, rear
view mirrors, slow-moving vehicle emblem, reflectors, and running lights for day or
night time operation.

Safety Check: Walk around the tractor and any attached implement checking
the area for obstacles that may be under or near the tractor. This includes
stones, boards, children's toys, etc. Make sure there are no bystanders;
remember this is a working area. Check that the wheels are free, or stuck in
the ground. If the rear wheels are frozen to the ground, then the tractor may
flip backwards around the axle when power is applied. Check for any loose
parts or objects on the tractor such as tools on the platforms or around brakes
and other controls.

Service Walk around: Walk around the tractor a second time to check the
tractor itself. This time look at the tires for wear and inflation, the power
takeoff shaft for shielding and guarding (rotate the shield to make sure it
moves freely), the hitch for proper hitch pin and safety clip. Pay particular
attention to the ground under the tractor for any signs of liquid leaks such as
oil, coolant or fuel.
Check the oil: Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and check the oil level. If oil
is required, remember to wipe off the filler cap before you remove it to avoid
dirt falling into the engine. Use a clean funnel and clean the top of the oil can
to prevent rust or other foreign objects going in with the oil.

Check the radiator: Slowly remove the red cap and check the liquid level.

Check the air pre-cleaner and air cleaner. Remove and shake out any dirt.

Check the fuel level. Fill if necessary, but it should have been filled at the end
of the last day the tractor was used.

Check the fire extinguisher. Your tractor should have a fire extinguisher in
case of fire during operation or refueling. Make sure it is charged and easily
accessible.

 Any noted defects should be corrected immediately. These can affect


performance and your safety!

Handling Batteries

Occasionally, it may be necessary to handle, adjust or change the battery on


your tractor. Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can cause considerable harm if it
comes into contact with your skin. They can also produce mixtures of hydrogen gas
and oxygen which can explode if contacted with heat or sparks. Remember these
safety points:

1. Do the work or adjustments in an area free of sparks and heat sources. Don't
smoke while working near the battery. Make sure the area is well ventilated.
2. Always wear personal protective equipment, covering the eyes and hands. A
full face shield will offer the protection.
3. Never work leaning directly over the battery.
4. Always disconnect the ground cable first and identify the cables as positive
and negative so that you don't re-attach them wrong.
5. Make sure that you clean the terminals and cable connections before re-
attaching them. Make sure the new battery is secured with the provided hold-
down assembly.
6. While installing the battery make sure that the terminals don't come into
contact with metal parts on the engine or body of the tractor.
7. Make sure that you connect the ground cable last to prevent sparks and
tighten the connections!
Hydraulic Systems

Working with or on hydraulic equipment can be dangerous. Some of the


hazards cannot even be readily seen. Hydraulic systems are under tremendous
pressure and this is where the unseen danger lies.

Before servicing hydraulic systems:

1. Shut off the engine powering the hydraulic pump.


2. Lower the implement to the ground.
3. Relieve pressure by moving the hydraulic control lever back and forth.
4. If working around or under a raised implement, make sure that it is blocked or
supported by something other than the cylinder itself.
5. Use a piece of cardboard or wood to check for leaks in hoses and fittings.
Even a small amount of pressurized hydraulic fluid can be injected through
the skin and can cause severe health problems. Seek medical attention
immediately if hydraulic fluid penetrates your skin.
6. Use caution when releasing blocks or transport locks on equipment. If a
cylinder has leaked and lost pressure, the implement may fall to the ground
as the locks are released.

 What to process

Activity # 1

A. Complete the paragraph

A pre-operational check of the tractor will assure you that it is in safe


operating condition. Check the following for day or night time operation
1.__________________, 2. ______________, 3.______________, 4.________________,
5.___________________,6.________________,7.______________,
8.________________,9.____________________, and10._____________________ .

B. True or False

When working with battery:

1. Do the work or adjustments in an area free of sparks and heat sources.


Don't smoke while working near the battery. Make sure the area is well
ventilated.
2. Always wear personal protective equipment, covering the eyes and hands. A
full face shield will offer the most protection.
3. Work leaning directly over the battery.
4. Always disconnect the ground cable first and identify the cables as positive
and negative so that you don't re-attach them wrong.
5. Make sure that you clean the terminals and cable connections before re-
attaching them. Make sure the new battery is secured with the hold-down
assembly provided.
6. While installing the battery make sure that the terminals come into contact
with metal parts on the engine or tractor body.
7. Make sure that you connect the ground cable last to prevent sparks and
tighten the connections!

Before servicing hydraulic systems

8. Shut off the engine powering the hydraulic pump.


9. Lower the implement to the ground.
10. Relieve pressure by moving the hydraulic control lever back and forth.

 What to reflect on and understand

Activity # 1

Using the tractor of the nearest farm in the locality, make a report about the
conditions of the parts needed to be maintained. Are they in the best condition?
Why or why not? Share it in class.

 What to transfer

It‘s your turn to show what you have learned.

Activity # 1

With the supervision of the teacher and/or the farm technician or the owner of the
tractor in the nearby farm in the locality each group will do the pre-operational
check-up of the tractor.
Lesson SAFETY PRACTICES IN USING FARM EQUIPMENT
3

 What to know

Activity # 1

Divide the class into three. The first group will write as many accidents that
happen in the farm, the second group writes all the causes/reasons why accidents
happen and the third will write measures on how to avoid accidents. Match the
accidents that usually happen, and the possible causes /reason, and ways to
prevent them.

The cost of accidents

1. Physical costs – pain and suffering


2. Money – both for the injured person and the employer
3. Time off work because an accident may lead to loss of earnings for the
individual. For the self-employed, it could even end their business
For the employer, there may well be hidden costs. Many people believe
that minor injuries cost nothing more than the price of a sticking plaster.
But people will have to spend time dealing with the accident. They may
have to:
1. help the injured person and give first aid.
2. clean up.
3. reschedule the job.
4. repair or reset the equipment or check for faults.
5. investigate the accident and prepare reports.
6. deal with insurers or Health and Safety Inspectors.
7. wait to have to get back to work.
8. accidents which cause damage to expensive plant and equipment can
cost even more.

Types of tractor-related accidents

Rollovers or overturns are generally due to driving too fast ; striking


surface hazards such as rocks, stumps and holes; running into ditches; hitching
high for extra traction; driving on steep slopes; and operating front-end loaders
improperly.
Falls from moving tractors often occur when there‘s an extra rider when
moving and transporting to and from the farm.

Another cause of tractor-related death and serious injury is being caught


by, or entangled in, rotating power takeoff (PTO) shafts. In most cases, the
PTO shields were inadequate or had been removed.

Other tractor-connected injuries and damage involve:

1. colliding with motor vehicles or roadside objects;


2. slipping and falling while mounting and dismounting;
3. running over bystanders;
4. striking overhead hazards;
5. being struck by flying objects, broken parts, or hydraulic fluid;
6. being crushed by a poorly supported tractor during repair work;
7. sustaining cuts, bruises, burns and other nuisance, but painful injuries,
connected with maintenance and routine operation;
8. being overcome by exhaust gases inside closed buildings;
9. being burned by fires that erupt during refueling or as a result of a collision
or upset.

HOW TO REDUCE THE RISK OF TRACTOR ACCIDENTS

There are numerous human factors involved in fatal tractor-related


accidents. Certain factors like poor judgment, poor attitude, insufficient knowledge
or training, fatigue, haste, stress, depression, intoxication , or showing off can
cause a fatal tractor overturn accident.

Each operator should be physically and mentally fit when operating a


tractor. An operator who is sleepy, tired or not feeling well may not be able to react
in time to avoid an accident.

Be Properly Trained

A person who does not know how to operate a tractor safely in potentially
hazardous situations can be injured or killed by exercising poor judgment. Make
sure all persons permitted to operate tractors have been thoroughly trained. A good
place to start training is with the Operator's Manual. Review the Operator's
Manual, if possible with the tractor in front of you.
Be Familiar with Operator's Manual

Read and follow procedures as outlined in the operator's manual. By being


familiar with the operating features of a tractor, the operator will develop
confidence when the tractor is driven under adverse conditions. Learn the location
and purpose of all of the gauges and controls as well as other indicators. Knowing
where the controls are by memory can allow you to react more quickly in an
emergency situation. There have been accident situations where individuals have
become entangled in machinery or the power takeoff shaft and rescuers or family
did not know how to disengage the equipment. Family members should know how
to shut down equipment or disengage the PTO in case of emergency.

Study the various decals on your equipment. They may point out DANGER,
WARNING and CAUTION for various points on the tractor. Have an experienced
tractor operator with you as you review the various decals and ask questions!

A copy of all Operating Manuals and other relevant safety materials should be kept
on file for quick reference.

Special danger areas

An analysis of accidents investigated by HSE indicates that there are certain


places and parts of machines which present special danger. These are some – but
not all – of them. Remember that any agricultural machine under power like the
one given below represents potential anger.

1. Rice mill-rotating/moving mechanisms


2. Thresher-all rotating mechanisms
3. Combine harvester – grain tank.
4. Tractor – hitch mechanism, PTO shaft.
5. Mounted equipment – underneath.
6. Hand Tractor- rotating pulley

Also beware of:

1. in-house modifications to machines, and home-made machines;


2. substandard parts (which may fail and throw off flying particles);
3. any mechanism which can be turned manually but which may gather
momentum;
4. any mechanism which has momentum and takes time to stop; and
5. hydraulic fluid (where there is a danger of oil injection).

Hazardous activities

During the maintenance of agricultural machinery, there are many activities


which are potentially hazardous. Here are some of them:
Lubricating

 If you need to remove the guard to lubricate the machine, never lubricate
while the machine is in motion.

Checking hydraulic systems

 Remember that hydraulic oil is under high pressure. The external signs of
oil injection may be slight, but the internal damage is not and may lead to
surgery or amputation.
 If checking for leaks, use something (eg. a piece of card run along the hose)
to show where the leak is. Do not use your hands.
 Release the pressure before working on the system

Sharpening

 When working on, for example a forage harvester, only the actual
sharpening should take place with the machine in motion. All activity before
and after (eg. guard removal) should be done with the machine stationary –
even if rundown takes a long time.
 Beware of flying particles when sharpening machinery. Use protective
equipment such as goggles.

Working under machines

 When working under raised machines, jacks should be used and correctly
located, and additional support (eg axle stands) provided.
 When working on hydraulically-raised equipment (eg. trailers) use props.
Never rely just on the hydraulics.

Hammering

 Beware of flying particles. Always use the appropriate personal protective


equipment. It offers protection not only against flying particles, but also
many other risks.

Cleaning

 Be aware of the danger of falling off or into machinery, particularly in


wet or muddy conditions. Make sure you know how to access machines
safely –especially large machines such as combines.
 Don‘t clean with machines running and guards removed.
Blockages

 Many accidents happen while cleaning machine blockages – often because


operators attempt to clear a blockage while the machine is still powered.

 Again, the key question to ask is: ―Have I been trained to do this job
properly?‖ If the answer is ―no‖, do not attempt it.

Removing blockage

1. Use safe stop.

 Safe Stop is probably the single most important procedure for the
prevention of accidents. A blocked machine may suddenly start operating
again unless the engine is stopped before the blockage is cleared.
 The power must be locked off or the key removed to stop other people
restarting the machine while you are working on it.
2. Check if the equipment has already stopped.
 Even if the power has been turned off, machine parts may continue to
rotate.
 On some machines, run-down times of five minutes are not unusual.
Many injuries are caused because work is begun before the machine has
come to a complete stop.
3. Make the stop positive: chock it.
 Where possible, take additional precautions to ensure that moving parts
remain stationary – eg chocking the cutting cylinder of a harvester to
prevent movement.
4. Use a tool to clear the blockage.
 Never use your bare hands to clear a blockage or try to kick it free. Note
that, even in cases where operators use a tool to clear a blockage, a
significant number are injured because the machine is still running.
5. If it isn’t cleared, don’t touch.
 Remember, machines can suddenly move when a blockage is cleared.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is designed to protect workers from


serious workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with chemical,
radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards. Besides
face shields, safety glasses, hard hats, and safety shoes, protective equipment
includes a variety of devices and garments such as goggles, coveralls, gloves, vests,
earplugs, and respirators.
Protection from head injuries

Hard hats can protect workers from head impact, penetration injuries, and
electrical injuries such as those caused by falling or flying objects, fixed objects, or
contact with electrical conductors. It also protects long hair to prevent from getting
caught in machine parts such as belts and chains.

Protection from leg and foot injury

In addition to foot guards and safety shoes, leggings (e.g., leather,aluminized


rayon, or other appropriate material) can help prevent injuries by protecting
workers from hazards such as falling or rolling objects, sharp objects, wet and
slippery surfaces, molten metal‘s, hot surfaces, and electrical hazards.

Protection from eyes and face injury

Besides spectacles and goggles, personal protective equipment such as special


helmets or shields, spectacles with side shields, and face shields can protect
workers from the hazards of flying fragments, large chips, hot sparks, optical
radiation, splashes from molten metal‘s, as well as objects, particles, sand, dirt,
mists, dusts, and glare.

Protection from hearing injury

Wearing earplugs or earmuffs can help prevent damage to hearing. Exposure to


high noise levels can cause irreversible hearing loss or impairment as well as
physical and psychological stress. Earplugs made from foam, waxed cotton, or
fiberglass wool is self-forming and usually fit well. A professional should fit workers
individually for molded or preformed earplugs. Clean earplugs regularly, and
replace those you cannot clean.

Protection from hand injury

Workers exposed to harmful substances through skin absorption, severe cuts or


lacerations, severe abrasions, chemical burns, thermal burns, and harmful
temperature extremes will benefit from hand protection.

Protection from body injury

In some cases workers must shield most or all of their bodies against hazards in
the workplace, such as exposure to heat and radiation as well as hot metals,
scalding liquids, body fluids, hazardous materials or waste, and other hazards. In
addition to fire-retardant wool and fire retardant cotton, materials used in whole-
body personal protective equipment include rubber,
leather, synthetics, and plastic.

Respiratory protection

Workers must use appropriate respirators to protect against adverse health effects
caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists,
gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors. Respirators generally cover the nose and mouth
or the entire face or head and help prevent illness and injury. A proper fit is
essential, however, for respirators to be effective.
 What to process

Activity# 1

Make an interview with an expert farm equipment operator on how they


practice safety in their everyday wors. Best practices will be shared in the class.

 What to reflect on and understand

Activity # 1

A video presentation of how the different farm tools and equipment are used
in the performance of the different farm jobs will be shown to you. Make a
description of what you have seen which may answer the following questions:

1. Do the equipment operators practice proper handling and safety


procedures?
2. What are the observed malpractices in proper handling of tools and
equipment and how are the workers/operator affected?
3. Why is it important to practice safety procedure and proper handling
of tools and equipment in the workplace?

Activity# 2

Matching Type: Match column A with Column B. Write only the letter of your
answer on the blank provided before each number on column A.

Column A Column B

___1. Protection from head injury a. face mask


___2. Protection from leg and foot injury b. earplugs
___3. Protection from eyes c. hard hat
___4. Protection from hearing injury d. goggles
___5. Respiratory protection e. boots
f. guantes

 What to transfer

Activity # 1

You are a farm machineries technician and you are tasked to demonstrate to
the newly hired farm workers how to safely handle tools and equipment in
performing their work. Demonstrate to them the proper outfit, protective gear and
precautions to make to avoid accidents. You will be rated based on the rubrics
below.

Able to demonstrate properly the proper outfit, protective gear and


5 all the precautions to make.
Able to demonstrate properly the proper outfit, protective gear and
4 some of the precautions to make.
3 Able to demonstrate properly the proper outfit and protective.
2 Able to demonstrate properly only the proper outfit.
Was notable in demonstrating properly any of the proper outfit,
1 protective gear and precautions to make.

Resources:

Pruning shear
Pick-Mattock
Grub hoe
Wheel barrow
Bolo
Spade
Axe
Shovel
String
Knife
Cutting saw
Rake
CBLM
Water pump
Plow
Sprayer
Sprinkler
Harrow
Tractor and its accessories
Nursery shed or greenhouse
Bodega or Farm shop building

REFERENCE:

Asuncion R.G. et.al. Agricultural Arts (T.H.E., SEDP, NSEC series)


Phipps, McColly, Scranton, & Cook , Farm Mechanics
Biggs, T. Growing Vegetables
Van Haunte, J. and L.Van Haunte, Growing Rich, Tasty Veggies in Harmony
with Nature, vol. 1
A Practical Safety Guide for the Horticulture Industry in Murray Valley
http://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/topics/machinery.htm
http://www.antiquefarmtoolsinfo
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/01-111b
http://www.ebc.com.au
http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/safe@work/workplace_hazards.asp
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/iacl102.pdf
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/misc165.pdf
http://www.farm-garden.com/growing-vegetables/artichokes
http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/safe@work/workplace_hazards.as
Lesson HAZARD, RISK AND EXPOSURE IN THE FARM
4

 What to know

Activity #1

Answer the following questions briefly.

1. What is hazard?
2. Give at least 3 examples of common farm hazards and explain how these
particular hazards affect the farmers.
3. How farmers can protect themselves from these hazards?

Agricultural crop production deals with a lot of activities to be done in the


different workplace. While performing these activities we expose ourselves to a lot
of risk. Workplace hazard is a major cause of accident, injury, or harm to a worker
who performs such task. These hazards should be the major concern of all who
are involved in a certain job or work.
It is important to distinguish hazard, risk and exposure when undertaking
risk management.

o Hazard is the potential for harm, or adverse effect on an employee‘s health.


Anything which may cause injury or ill health to anyone at or near a
workplace is a hazard.
o Risk is the likelihood that a hazard will cause injury or ill health to anyone
at or near a workplace. The level of risk increases with the severity of the
hazard and the duration and frequency of exposure.
o Exposure occurs when a person comes into contact with a hazard.

Classes of Hazard

Hazards are classified into five different types. They are:

1. Physical - includes floors, stairs, work platforms, steps, ladders, fire, falling
objects, slippery surfaces, manual handling (lifting, pushing, pulling),
excessively loud and prolonged noise, vibration, heat and cold, radiation,
poor lighting, ventilation, air quality
2. Mechanical and/or electrical - includes electricity, machinery, equipment,
pressure vessels, dangerous goods, forklifts, cranes, hoists
3. Chemical - includes chemical substances such as acids or poisons and
those that could lead to fire or explosion, like pesticides, herbicides, cleaning
agents, dusts and fumes from various processes such as welding
4. Biological - includes bacteria, viruses, mold, mildew, insects, vermin,
animals
5. Psychosocial environment - includes workplace stressors arising from a
variety of sources
Health and Safety Hazards in Farms

Farm workers—including farm families and helpers—are exposed to hazards such


as the following:
• chemicals/Pesticides
• cold
• dust
• electricity
• grain bins
• hand tools
• lifting
• livestock handling
• machinery/Equipment
• manure pits
• mud
• noise
• ponds
• slips/trips/falls
• sun/heat
• toxic gases
• tractors
• wells

List of Possible Hazards in Agronomical Operations

Possible Harmful Possible Supervisor Preventative Action


Effects Action to Prevent Students Can Take
HAZARD Injury / Illness

Handling farm Wounds/cuts  Provide necessary  Observe safety


tools safety precaution precautions
Unleveled Falls  Place appropriate  Observe safety
terrain Cuts safety signs signs
 Require  Wear PPE
appropriate PPE including safety
including safety footwear
footwear
Dust Foreign body in eye  Provide eye and  Wear eye and
Respiratory effects respiratory respiratory
protection protection
provided
Fertilizers Skin contact may  Use least  Use PPE provided
result in allergic hazardous product  Follow safe
reaction for the task working
Pesticides Swallowing or  Dispense and mix procedures when
inhalation of fumes in well-ventilated handling
Herbicides can lead to areas chemicals
headache, nausea,  Store and label  Clean up spills
Fuel dizziness, vomiting chemicals immediately
- poisoning, loss of appropriately
consciousness and
 Ensure First Aid
fatality.
arrangements
Long-term
 Provide emergency
eyewash bottle
exposure may
and/or shower
result to chronic
(ongoing) illness,  Provide appropriate
including cancers PPE
 Clean up spills
immediately
Manual Musculoskeletal  Provide mechanical  Use mechanical
handling disorders, aids aids provided
(bending, including sprains  Provide training in  Seek help when
reaching, and strains safe manual you think a team
stretching, handling lift is required
pulling, lifting, techniques  Exercise: warm
repetitive  Encourage team up/stretch before
motions, lifts starting work
awkward
posture)
Heat, or Heat rashes, heat  Provide regular rest  Be aware of
cold/wet cramps, heat breaks potential for hot
weather stress,  Provide shade or cold weather
conditions dehydration, loss of where practicable conditions to
fine motor controls,  Re-schedule work if cause illness –
sunburn, extreme weather rest and seek
numbness, conditions present assistance if you
frostbite, risk feel that heat or
cold may be
 Assess work hours
affecting you
in difficult
conditions  Wear appropriate
clothing and take
 Provide water in regular rest
hot weather
breaks
 Provide appropriate 
clothing / PPE
Handling soil/ Legionnaire‘s  Minimize dust  Follow hygiene
Potting mixes disease  Provide appropriate procedures
clothing and PPE  Wear appropriate
 Establish hygiene clothing and PPE
procedures
Risk management

Risk management is a four-step process

1. Identify the hazard

The first step in reducing the cause of an accident is hazard


identification. Hazard identification is identifying all situations or events that
could cause injury or illness. Eliminating or minimizing workplace hazards
needs a systematic approach. It is essential to try and anticipate all possible
hazards at the workplace - known as the ‘what if?’ approach.

Methods for identifying hazards

There are many methods which are useful for identifying hazards,
including:

o Injury and illness records - review your workers‘ compensation data


and check the incidence, mechanism and agency of injury, and the
cost to the organization. These statistics can be analyzed to alert the
organization to the presence of hazards
o Staying informed on trends and developments in workplace health
and safety, for example via the internet or OHS publications
o Reviewing the potential impact of new work practices or equipment
introduced into the workplace in line with legislative requirements
o Doing walk-through surveys, inspections or safety audits in the
workplace to evaluate the organization‘s health and safety system
o Considering OHS implications when analyzing work processes
o Investigating workplace incidents and ‗near hits‘ reports - in some
cases there may be more than one hazard contributing to an incident
o Getting feedback from employees can often provide valuable
information about hazards, because they have hands-on experience
in their work area

2. Assess the risk associated with the hazard

This step involves collecting information and making decisions. It is


important for you to consider the extent of the harm or consequence from a
hazard and the cause of harm that is occurring. If your assessment is an
unacceptable risk to health, introduce controls to reduce the risk to it.

3. Control the risk

The third step in effective risk management is to establish and


maintain systems which give opportunity for regular evaluation and review
procedures. Evaluation means examining control measures to ensure risks
are eliminated or reduced and have not caused new hazards presenting
unacceptable risk.
There are three categories of control measures you might take. You
can
o eliminate the hazard
o minimize the risk
o introduce ‗back-up‘ controls (when all other options in the previous
categories have been exhausted).

4. Review the process.

The review system applies to the overall risk management process


and checks if the process is working effectively to identify hazards and
manage risks.

 What to process

Activity#1

Interview a farmer to share his experience on health hazards in the farm.


Share how these hazards affected their lives in class.

 What to reflect on and understand

Activity# 1

Show a video presentation of occupational hazards in the farm and


workplace. Based on viewed presentation role play with a group on how to
eliminate those risks and respond to emergencies brought about by those hazards.

Activity# 2

Search in the internet more videos of practicing OHS in the work place, write
an essay about it and share in the class.

 What to transfer

Activity# 1

You are the well-known Safety Engineer Of the Alcala Dairy farm and you
are invited to identify the risk factors in a newly established JBN integrated farm.
After the evaluation, discuss your findings with the manager. In a convincing
manner cite the hazards; discuss the risks associated with it and the measures to
control.
Post Test

A. Read the questions carefully and select the correct answer. Write only the
letter of your choice in your quiz notebook.

1. A bolo is used for _____.


A. breaking hard top soil
B. cutting grasses and weeds
C. digging up stones and tree stumps
D. removing trash or soil
2. Axe is used for _____.
A. cutting bigger posts
B. cutting grasses
C. cutting planting materials
D. trimming small branches

3. What tool does NOT belong to the group?


A. Crowbar
B. Pick mattock
C. Pruning shear
D. Shovel
4. Farm tools, implements, and equipment are very important in pre-
agronomical operation because they?
A. Make work easier
B. Make work faster
C. Save time and effort
D. Make work easier and faster thus saving time and effort

5. Which tool has one end flattened and the other pointed at right angle toward
its handle?
A. Bolo
B. Crow bar
C. Pick mattock
D. Spade

6. Which tool has resembles the appearance of a spoon and is used for
transferring soil.
A. Grub hoe
B. Shovel
C. Spade
D. Spading fork
7. A wheel barrow is used for _____.
A. cutting
B. digging
C. hauling
D. pulling
8. When is the time to perform operative check-up of tools, implements, and
equipment?
A. After the cropping season
B. After the harvest season
C. Before the start of the growing season
D. During the cropping season

9. What equipment in horticultural operations is used to draw water from a


source?
A. Sprayer
B. Sprinkler
C. Water pail
D. Water pump

10. A cart used to transport things, usually drawn by a hand tractor or a tractor
is called a _____.
A. trailer
B. four-wheeled tractor
C. hand tractor
D. wheel barrow

11. Injuries inflicted by animal‘s include _____.


A. bites
B. brushing
C. kicks
D. bites, brushing and kicks

12. Chemicals such as pesticides can cause injuries such as burns, respiratory
illness and _____.?
A. poisoning
B. roll-over
C. run-over
D. salmonella

13. Which farm hazard includes faulty switches, cords and overhead power lines.
A. Animals
B. Chemicals
C. Electricity
D. Heights

14. The following are effects of chemical exposure EXCEPT ________.


A. leptospirosis
B. nausea
C. poisoning
D. skin rashes and irritation
15. Material safety data sheet is your guide in using _________.
A. animals
B. chemicals
C. electricity
D. equipment

16. Electrical systems in barns, especially in older structures, are often the cause
of a ___________.
A. falls
B. fire
C. flood
D. illness

17. The following suggestions can help to avoid tractor accident EXCEPT _____.
A. fit a falling object protective structure (FOPS) on the front-end loader
B. keep a well-stocked, up-to-date first aid kit in an accessible area
C. read and follow the manufacturers‘ instructions for operation
D. remove or modify safety features

18. Which PPE is used to protect the ears from hearing injury?
A. Boots
B. Earmuffs
C. Gloves
D. Goggles

19. Which of the following PPE is used to protect the eyes from injury?
A. Boots
B. Earmuffs
C. Gloves
D. Goggles

20. Which of the following PPE is used to protect hands from injury?
A. Boots
B. Earmuffs
C. Gloves
D. Goggles

21. Why do we need to conduct pre-operative checkup of tools, implements and


equipment before starting to work?
A. To check if the tools are serviceable
B. To determine the functionality of tools, and implements
C. To repair defective tools
D. To check, repair and determine the functionality of tools

22. Why is it necessary to apply oil to the metal parts of tools and implements
before storing them for a long period time?
A. To maintain their durability
B. To clean the tools
C. To prevent them from rust
D. To retain its shiny look
23. The first step in reducing the cause of an accident is _____.
A. assess the risk associated with the hazard
B. control the risk
C. identify the hazard
D. review the process

24. Which of the following is NOT an example of a physical hazard?


A. Electricity
B. Excessively loud and prolonged noise
C. Floors, stairs, ladders
D. Heat, cold, radiation

25. Which of the following is a biological hazard?


A. Bacteria
B. Falling objects
C. Machinery
D. Pesticides

B. Answer the question below. (10 points)

1. What benefit/s do you get if you familiarize yourself with the uses of the
different tools, implements, and equipment in horticultural operations?

Glossary of Terms

Hand tools – objects that are usually light and are used without the help of
animals and machines

Farm implements – accessories pulled by animals or mounted to


machineries to make the work easier
Equipment – powered tool machine used in farming

Repair – to restore to good condition something broken or damaged

Prepare – to take the necessary action to put something into a state


where it is fit for use or for a particular event or purpose

Farmer- refers to a person working in the farm

Combustible- any materials that will burn not just by spark

Flammable- is a material that can easily catch fire under normal


circumstances and with the help of minimal ignition source
Accelerants are substances that increase the speed at which a fire spreads.
All accelerants are highly flammable or combustible, but not all highly
flammable or combustible materials are accelerants
Storage barn- a building where agricultural chemicals are being stored

Fire retardant- A chemical used as a coating for or a component of a


combustible material to reduce or eliminate a tendency to burn; used with
textiles, plastics, rubbers, paints, and other materials. It is also known as
fireproofing compound.

Ignition- cause of burning by providing heat or spark

Building code- A series of ordinances enacted by a state or local


governmental entity, establishing minimum requirements that must be met
in the construction and maintenance of buildings.

Hand tools-objects that are usually light and are used without the help of
animals or machines.

ROPS- Roll Over Protective Structure

MSDS- Material Safety Data Sheet

ATV-All Terrain Vehicles

PTO- Power Take Off

Safety- the physical or environmental conditions of work which comply with


the prescribed Occupational Health Safety (OHS) standards and which allow
the workers to perform his or her job without or within acceptable exposure
to hazards.

Occupational safety- the practices related to production and work process

Health- a sound state of the body and mind of the workers that enable him
or her to perform the job normal.
References:

Asuncion R.G. et.al. Agricultural Arts (T.H.E., SEDP, NSEC series)


CBLM Horticulture http://www.safework.sa.gov.au/contentPages/docs/emp
FarmChemicals.pdf
Phipps, McColly, Scranton, & Cook , Farm Mechanics
Biggs, T. Growing Vegetables
Van Haunte, J. and L.Van Haunte, Growing Rich, Tasty Veggies in Harmony
with Nature, vol. 1
A Practical Safety Guide for the Horticulture Industry in Murray Valley

http://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/topics/machinery.htm
http://www.antiquefarmtoolsinfo
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/01-111b
http://www.ebc.com.au
http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/safe@work/workplace_hazards.asp
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/iacl102.pdf
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/misc165.pdf
http://www.farm-garden.com/growing-vegetables/artichokes
http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/safe@work/workplace_hazards.
Module III

PERFORM NURSERY WORK

Content Standards Performance Standard

The learner demonstrates The learner uses farm materials, tools


understanding of concepts, and equipment in nursery work based
underlying theories and principles on required task.
of nursery work.

Introduction

This Module will allow students to learn the basic knowledge and skills
on the different activities done in the plant nursery. It will orient them on how
to support nursery work in a safe, appropriate and environmentally sound
manner. Likewise it will also develop in them the right attitude while working
with others especially with customers professionally.
.

Learning Objectives

After completing this module you should be able to:


1. follow and clarify instructions and directions based on authority
requirements and workplace procedures;
2. undertake nursery work in a safe, appropriate and environmentally
sound manner according to nursery guidelines;
3. carry out interactions with other staff and customers in a positive and
professional manner as specified in the employee manual;
4. observe workplace hygiene practices, handling and disposal of materials
following nursery policy, and OHS requirements;
5. report to authority based on company reporting procedures the problems
or difficulties in completing work to required standards or timelines .

97
Pretest

Greetings! Let us begin the lesson by answering the following


questions. These will test you of your prior knowledge relative to the lesson.

Direction:

Choose the letter of the best answer. You may use an answer sheet or
a test notebook.

_____1. In selecting the best site for plant nursery, the availability and
adequacy of _______ is the most important factor to consider.

A. compost C. soil
B. microclimate D. water

_____2. Which is refer to when we talk about choosing a relatively flat


area with at least 1-2% slope?

A. Accessibility C. Soil type


B. Location D. Topography

_____3. What do we need if the soil is too heavy or clayey in the area of
the nursery or the media used?

A. Charcoal C. Sand
B. Gravel D. Water

_____4. Which of the following must be removed because it will compete


with nutrients needed by plants?

A. Diseases C. Stray animals


B. Insects D. Weeds

_____5. What disease in the nursery is caused by Phythium spp.


Rhizoctonia Salani and other type of fungus?

A. Blotch C. Damping off


B. Canker D. Rust
_____6. Which of the following media is best for nursery material?

A. Forest top soil C. Sandy loam


B. Loam soil D. All of those

_____7. Which of the following is NOT considered the best location for a
nursery site?

A. Flat land C. Gently slope


B. Hill top C. Rugged terrain
______8. Which is the best location for a nursery site?
98
A. Near a river bank
B. Close to the growing area
C. Kilometer away from a road
D. Far from people in the community

______9. In which of the following stages in plant growth in the nursery


needs more water?

A. Branching C. Matured
B. Flowering D. Seedling

_____10 What is the best thing to do if your nursery medium is clayey?

A. Add more water to it.


B. Mix the soil sand
C. Add compost to the material
D. Mix the soil, sand and add compost to the material

B.. Write True if the statement is correct and False if it is wrong.

_______1. It is advisable NOT to overload wheel barrows and trolleys with


soil or plants when used.

_______2. It is best to clear dead plants away quickly, burned or buried


into the soil to avoid contamination.

______3. Always use sharp tools with caution and concentration to avoid
cuts to hands and fingers.

______4. Any source of water will do to ensure water availability in the


farm.
______5. You can directly plant seedlings in the farm in anytime of the
day.

Do you think you were able to answer correctly the above questions?
If yes, very good. Still you can browse the content of this material to
supplement further knowledge. If not, don‘t you worry this Module is for
you.

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Lesson UNDERTAKE NURSERY WORK
1

Introduction

After learning the tools, materials and equipment used in nursery


work, it is necessary that you‘ll be oriented on how different activities in the
nursery is done. Practices follow proper guidelines based on authority
requirements and workplace procedures. Interpersonal relationships
between and among co-workers and possible customers are also assessed in
this lesson to make the venture not only a success but socially stimulating
as well.

Assessment criteria:

1. Instructions and directions in workplace procedures are clearly


followed.
2. Nursery work is appropriately and environmentally followed based on
guidelines.
3. Appropriate manner of interacting with customers and other staff is
observed.

What to know:

Rice Corn/Maize Cassava, Camote cuttings and taro

1. What are the two types of plant propagation?___________________


______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

2. What is the difference between sexual and asexual propagation?


_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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3. If you are to choose between the two methods, which one is best and
why?__________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

COMMON NURSERY WORK

Establishing a nursery needs a considerable amount of time and


planning. An ideal plant nursery does not only supply the best planting
materials that you need but can be a source of livelihood as well. In order to
attain this, the project must be well planned from site selection, water
supply, soil/media preparation, labor and other factors. These can influence
the effort that will be required in maintaining the project.

A. Selecting the ideal site

The site of the nursery is important to ensure efficient production of good


quality planting materials and proper nursery management. The factors to be
considered in choosing the ideal site are:
1. An adequate source of water supply – The site should be near a
natural source of water (river, spring) or a deep well can be
constructed to assure adequate water supply will be available year
round
2. Soil – A good source of sandy loam or loamy soil should be as close
as possible to the site. This is important especially if a large number of
potted seedlings will be produced. Farm manures, fully decomposed
rice hull are good materials that will be needed in case clayey soils are
predominant in the area.
3. Accessibility – The site must be close or near a main road to minimize
transportation cost. It must also be near or close to sources of
production inputs (agricultural and farm supply stores).
4. Topography – Ideally the site should be relatively flat with a 1-2%
slope. The gradual slope prevents waterlogging.
5. Availability of additional labor- There will be instances when additional
manpower is needed, thus additional labor is a necessity.

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6. Ownership of the farm or site – In case the area/site will be rented,
terms and conditions should be clear before putting up the nursery.
7. Location – The site must be away from strong winds. Windbreaks are
necessary in case strong winds occur regularly

PROPER USE OF NURSERY TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

For the safe use of the tools and equipment the following is required;

o Conduct checks on all tools and equipment before using them


to identify unsatisfactory or faulty items.
o Always use sharp tools with caution and concentration to avoid
cuts to hands and fingers. Secateurs, scissors and knives may
be used for the propagation and maintenance of plants.

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o Use correct lifting methods when you are lifting plants, tools
and equipment. Team lifts anything that is too heavy for one
person.
o Do not overload wheelbarrows and trolleys with soil or plants.

o Wear protective gloves when sorting and neatly stacking pots,


pot trays and propagation trays as they tend to attract spiders
and other insects.
o Always return tools and equipment to the designated safe
storage areas after use. Keep walkways or working areas
uncluttered by equipment when temporarily not in use.
o Be aware of vehicle and trailer movement at all times in and
around the nursery areas.

NURSERY HYGIENE

Keeping the nursery clean and tidy is important not only for its
appearance and organization but also helps to reduce the emergence of
weds, infection, fungus and pests.

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Procedure and practice

Sorting, weeding and pruning of potted and newly propagated


seedlings should be done regularly. This is done in order to avoid nursery
pests and diseases. These activities may prevent spread of diseases and
pests once early emergence is detected.

Here are suggested ways:

At the end of each week activity:

 wash down working benches


 clear dead plants away quickly (burned or buried into the soil
 wash out kidney trays and seed soaking containers after us.
 wash used tools including soiled trays
 remove and pack unused moss, coir dust and soil

At the end of the day:

 clean up pots and trays under tables


 remove unused sterilized soil from potting table
 put things away in their storage places
 remove rubbish
 store used moss, compost, coir dust and soil in closed bags

Always:

 wash used pots and trays and tools, equipment in diluted


bleach, vinegar or detergent
 keep cigarettes and food away from production areas
 separate recycling
 compost left over foods and seed flesh into the worm farm or
composting bin
 compost, water soak and rot seedlings or burn infected plant
parts quickly

QUALITY CONTROL

Quality control embraces every detail of nursery operation from


simplest area lay-out to most complicated management practices.
Standards for every component should be set and made clear to all nursery
workers for them to perform to the highest level of standards. In doing so, it
is not far that plants grown in the nursery are of high quality and
customers‘ satisfaction is guaranteed.

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CARE OF SEEDLINGS AND GROWING PLANTS

Water and Irrigation

The regular supply of clean water is essential to plant growth. Plants


are made out of more than 90% in water. When grown in containers,
nursery plants have only a limited volume of substrate and do not have the
ability like mature plants to search for water from below the soil surface.
The amount of water seedlings require depends upon the following:

a. Seedling age. More water is required after germination when the


seedling is young and at pricking out but this requirement reduces as
the seedling grows in age. The amount of water should be reduced four
weeks before the seedlings are planted out. At that stage, the soil can
be left to dry out completely and the plants to wilt for the day. The
process should be repeated several times.

b. Amount of sunlight. If the area is exposed to sun, more water is


needed and vice versa. However, do not keep the area shady for too
long to reduce water use.

c. Soil type. A sandy soil losses water faster than a soil with high clay
content hence sandy soil needs more frequent watering. However a
clayey soil becomes hard and cracks when it dries out.

The substrate should be watered thoroughly so the water should be


directed to the soil and not the leaves except to dust the soil lightly. A
watering can or hosepipe with a nozzle should be used to ensure uniform
distribution of water and one should water the whole bed and not just the
plants in the centre of the bed. Low water pressure is good but one should
ensure that water gets to the bottom of the container to avoid a dry and
hard bottom, which will affect the growth of the roots as they get to the
bottom of the container.

Water should be clean to ensure seedling health so water from such


sources as kitchen waste should not be used. Too much water can damage
the plants just as much as not enough water because of water clogging
which hinders the roots to breath. Avoid direct use of hosepipes while
watering the seedlings as this may wash away the soil. Use a watering can
or an empty tin can with holes at the bottom.

The illustration below shows how watering is done using a simple tin
can with holes at the bottom.

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This is used to reduce the power of water drops which causes soil
erosion. It helps distribute water evenly. As already mentioned watering in
principle should be done twice a day early in the morning and late in the
afternoon after 4.00 P.M. when the sun is not too hot. If this is not possible,
then water once a day in the evening.

During rainy season, watering may be done once or none at all.


Avoid under watering and over watering. Use adequate amount of water,
e.g. 20 liters for 1,000 seedlings

Weeding

Weeds are a threat to healthy seedlings‘ development. They compete


with seedlings for nutrients, water and light hence they must be eradicated
or controlled. With your hands or a dibble gently pull out unwanted growth
(rouging). This should be done whenever weeds are observed.
Remove all the weeds around the beds with a small fork or dibble and
don’t leave any rubbish around unless you are sure that this can be converted to
compost.
If your soil is full of weeds, it will rob your plants off of available
nitrogen. If this is a problem, you will need to add more nitrogen to the soil
when initially potting up in the form of worm castings, seaweed extract or
compost.

Adding more fertilizer

To determine when to add more fertilizer, use the date of potting up as


your starting date and add on 3 or 6 months (depending on your fertilizer
release time frame). If the plant is showing signs of low nitrogen then you
could do one of three things.

106
 Make a shallow hole into the pot and add 4 to 5 granules of
slow released fertilizer. Example is Osmocote.
 Apply worm castings directly to the surface and water well.
 Apply seaweed water solution to the leaves (foliar spray) or soak
in seaweed solution once in every week until plants recover.

Deficiency symptoms:

 Trace or micro nutrients are necessary for healthy plant growth.


A plant will show symptoms of deficiency early on or during
vegetative stage. This should be remedied promptly to ensure
proper plant growth and development.

Hardening off/Hardening - Hardening is to expose the seedlings to harsh


conditions to make them strong so that they will be able to survive under
harsh climate in the field after planting out. It is also a gradual preparation
of seedlings for field conditions.

The process is done:

 When the seedlings grow and reach the planting size, the
shade should be removed to expose them more to
sunlight.
 Reduction in watering intensity (quantity) and frequency-
water. It is done twice a week and later once a week
 Before planting out, root pruning should be carried out
frequently or re-arrangement of pots to allow more
adoption to stress.
 Good preparation for out planting results in good field
survival. Therefore hardening off should be done 2 – 3
weeks before planting out time.

Postponing planting

If it‘s not possible to plant when the seedlings are ready for planting
out (reached right size for planting-1.5 ft) or the seedlings are not bought;
cut the tips of the plant to suppress further growth so that they will not be
overgrown during next season planting.

Root pruning

Root pruning is the cutting of roots to control root system


development beyond the container. Why root prune? When seedlings have
reached to a certain size, their roots become longer than the depth of the
pots. If the roots are left without pruning, they penetrate into the ground
and develop the root systems. Once the root system develops under the
ground, it is hard to move the pots, and if the roots are cut when the

107
seedling is old, the seedlings will be weakened hence periodic root pruning
is required before the root system reaches into the ground. The period and
interval of pruning depends on different species and other conditions. Root
pruning should be done regularly preferably every 2 –3 weeks. Prune when
seedlings are the height of the span of your palm and when their roots have
started to penetrate into the under surface

Procedure:

 Water the seedlings properly before root pruning.


 Using a sharp knife or wire or scissors to cut the long roots
underneath the container. You can also uplift the containers
(wrenching) to cut overgrown roots.

Below is a root pruning using a pruning shears.

Water the seedlings well after root pruning. This helps the plant
withstand moisture stress.

o Note that to reduce root pruning, you can place the seedlings on a
bed of stones or on polythene sheet and this reduces root
development.
o If the seedlings are in a raised bed, prune the roots by using a
bolo, knife underneath the bed right after watering .

Seedling protection

Seedlings are delicate and susceptible to attack by various pests and


diseases as well as weather conditions. Such damages can seriously
weaken or kill the seedlings. It is important that the damages be dealt with

108
immediately. Damage and disasters in the nursery may be categorized as
follows:

a. Weather conditions

This is damage caused by the adverse weather conditions. We can


either regulate watering or shading to comply with prevailing weather
conditions.

b. Human

This is the stealing and/or intentional damaging of seedlings by human


beings. Fencing and security are such options to overcome this.

c. Livestock and wild animals

Livestock and wild animals browsing or grazing on seedlings, fencing can


offset this. Rodents such as field mice/rates frequently cause serious damage to
seedlings in the nursery as well as in the field by eating them. To control these,
cleaning the nursery helps to reduce their population.

d. Insects Common insect pests in the nursery are:

1. Thrips (Stenchaetothrips biformis)- There is laceration of the tender


leaves and it the plant sap is sucked. Young seedlings show yellow
(or) silvery streaks on the leaves. Terminal rolling and drying of leaves
from tip to base and causes damage both in nursery and main field.

You can spray any insecticide available in the market in order to


control infestation.

2. Green leafhopper (Nephotettix virescens)- The symptom of damage is


yellowing of leaves from tip to downwards. Vector for the disease is
rice tungro virus and the plant is characterized by transitory yellowing.

To control its infestation, apply neem cake at recommended dosage


based product recommendation.

3. Rice case worm (Nymphula depunctalis)- The caterpillars feed on green


tissues of the leaves and leaves become whitish papery.

To control, spray monocrotophos .

4. Paddy stemborer (Scirpophaga incertulas)- It causes drying of the central


shoot known as “dead heart” and the panicle becomes dried known as
“white heads”.

To control, spray any of the following insecticides: quinalphos


25 EC,,phosphamidon 40SL and profenophos50EC.
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5. Swarming caterpillar (Spodoptera mauritia)- The larvae cut the seedlings
in large scale. If severe infestation happens, cattle grazing appearance
will be seen in the rice field. They feed voraciously and transfer from
one field to the other.

They can be identified by the following:

o egg –laid in masses on leaves and covered with grey hairs.


o larva-caterpillar is cylindrical dark to pale green with lateral lines
along the body.
o pupa - Pupates in an earthen cocoon in soil
o adult - Moth is medium sized stoutly build. Dark brown with a
conspicuous triangular spot on fore wings.

To control: Drain the water and spray chlorpyriphos 20 EC 80ml


+ 20 liter of water.

Common diseases

Although there are various diseases which attack seedlings in the nursery,
damping off and wilt are described here since they are the most common fungal
diseases in the country.

Damping Off

This is a fungal disease caused by Pythium spp.,Rhizoctonia salani.


The severity of the attack usually increases with increase in soil moisture.
Damping off can occur before germination, after germination and during
pricking. The fungi attack the seedlings at soil level and causes rotting.

Conditions favorable for the spread of the disease are;

o high sowing density


o over watering
o using soil with partially decomposed material

Powdery mildew

First, small white powdery patches are formed on the leaf surface and
later the whole surface of the leaf is covered with white powdery mycelial
colonies. Damaged leaves gradually defoliate. This affects the growth of
young seedlings. Control-fallen diseases leaves should be buried in soil or
burned and the young seedlings sprayed with Benlate.

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Wilting

This is a dying bark of the main shoot of a seedling. It is mainly caused


by overcrowding. Separating the seedlings or immediate planting out can
help control it.

Control measures: Practice optimum sowing density and use of appropriate


amount of water.

TYPES OF PLANTING MATERIALS (PROPAGULES)


The planting materials or propagules can be prepared through seeds and by
asexual means. The asexual means of propagation in most instances is preferred,
but there are plant species that do not lend themselves to this method of
propagation. Some species can only be multiplied through the use of seeds.

METHODS OF PLANT PROPAGATION


A. Propagation by seed – The use of seed is the most practical and even the
cheapest way of propagation. Fruits like jackfruit, pili, papaya, guyabano and
plantation crops like coconut and cacao are commercially propagated by
seeds. Rootstocks that are used in grafting are propagated by seeds.
Advantages of using seeds
a. Most practical and cheapest way
b. Stronger anchorage (for fruit trees grown from seed) which
makes the tree resistant to strong winds

Disadvantages of using seeds


a. Fruit trees take a longer time to bear fruits.
b. The resulting plant does not retain the characteristics of the
parents because of gene segregation.
c. Plants tend to grow into large trees.

Seed Quality/Viability
Seeds can be categorized into two types based on the initial moisture
content during extraction and the way viability is influenced by reduction in
moisture while at storage. They are:
1. recalcitrant seeds – here the moisture content is initially high and
the loss by drying below the critical level (20%) will lead to rapid

111
loss of viability. Examples are mango, lanzones, santol, jackfruit,
rubber and oil palm
2. orthodox seeds – these seeds can be dried to prevent respiratory
processes and placed in air tight containers to exclude oxygen.
Refrigeration and the use of desiccants in ordinary room storage
will ensure viability to be extended for a year.

Germination Test
One way of assessing the viability of seeds is by performing germination
test. Most seeds especially fruits and plantation crops are enclosed by a hard
seed coat or a mucilaginous material that prevents the entry of water into the
seed. Water imbibition or absorption is the first step in seed germination.
Mucilaginous materials normally contain germination inhibitors. To stimulate
seed germination, the following steps can be done.
1. Scarification – This procedure can be done chemically (dipping in
sulfuric or hydrochloric acids for less than minute; mechanically
(soaking the seeds in plain water until the seed swell); dipping in
boiling water for around 5 seconds; use of nail cutter to remove a
small portion of seed to allow water to enter; physical cracking or
rubbing the seed in sandpaper.
2. Removal of the mucilaginous substance by soaking the seeds
(papaya) overnight ; rubbing with fine sand for cacao and santol

B. Vegetative or Asexual Propagation

The planting materials used here are vegetative propagules obtained from
roots, stems leaves and asexually propagated seedlings.
The advantages in the use of vegetatively propagated materials are:
1. they produce true-to-type plants
2. suitable for plant species that do not normally produce seeds or
may also produce seeds but are difficult to germinate
3. trees are smaller compared to those propagated by seeds and they
bear fruits much earlier
4. highly useful for species with distinct maleness and femaleness (
example: rambutan)
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Kinds of vegetative propagules

1. Runners- these are specialized growing stem parts that arise from the leaf
axils of the plant and form roots of their own that render them excellent
propagating materials like strawberry and black pepper
2. Slips- leafy shoots that arise from axillary buds produced at the base of the
plant

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Parent plant B. New plant

3. Suckers – adventitious roots that arise from underground stems below the
ground.\
Separation of banana sucker from the mother plant

Trimming roots from


sucker

6. Corms – underground solid stem structures that contain nodes and


internodes; the corm can be further divided into several seed pieces
7. Root cuttings – these are used in propagating breadfruit
8. Leaf bud cuttings – these are derived from axillary buds in stem and leaf; the
stem bearing buds are cut into pieces and inserted in a rooting medium
(example: blackpepper)
9. Stem cuttings – these can be used in propagating grapes, vanilla
10. Asexually propagated materials produced from layerage, marcotting,
graftage, budding
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PRACTICES AND OPERATIONS IN A NURSERY

The nursery is a facility where planting materials are grown, cared and
maintained until the propagules are ready to be transferred to a permanent site for
commercial growing.The common practices or operations in a nursery include the
following:
1. Preparation, use and maintenance of germination or rooting beds to be
used only for germinating seeds or rooting of cuttings
2. Potting or the transfer of young seedlings to individual containers like thick
black plastic bags in various sizes. The size of the plastic bag varies with
the size of the seed; black plastic bags for atis (sugar apple) are smaller
compared to the ones to be used for coconut or rambutan. This practice
provides an advantage of giving the seedling the vigor and the condition
for robust root ramification and development
3. Care and maintenance of seedlings ready for transplanting. Normally
seedlings are ready for transplanting when they have attained around 30
cm in height and at least 3-4 mature leaves but this varies with species
and variety. For specific crops, the basis is age in months. They are as
follows:
a. Papaya - 2 to3
b. Jackfruit and guyabano - 4 to6
c. Guava - 3 to 4
d. Lanzones – 6 to 8
e. Cacao – 3 to 6
f. Coffee – 6 to 10
g. Coconut – 6 to 9

4. Management of light (solar energy in nursery)


Some form of shade is needed by some seedlings while in the early
stages of growth and development and also those that are in the rooting
beds. Crops that can be exposed to direct sunlight after transferring to
polybags or thick plastic bags include mango, coconuts and citrus. Those
crops that need 25 to 50% partial shade include coffee, cacao, rambutan

114
and lanzones.
The shade can be provided naturally in conditions provided by the
canopy of coconuts and artificial structure like nets, bamboo slats or used
plastics in improvised screen houses.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF NURSERY WORK

Every endeavor is an individual position when it comes to adopting


and implementing eco-efficient practices. Your plant nursery operations
may be just beginning this process, while others, already benefiting from
incorporating initial, easy-to-apply strategies and procedures, are now
prepared to implement the next level to achieve further gains.

Plant nurseries are increasingly considering environmental


performance as part of their planning and operational procedures. Adopting
eco-efficient agricultural practices will not only benefit the environment,
they will also improve business operational efficiency and reduce costs.

Guidelines:

The guidelines include safety equipment, personal protective


equipment, safe work methods and operating procedures and the safe use of
tools in a safe environment.

1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required where there is a risk


of injury or contamination to you or others.

Equipment for use with chemicals or nursery materials may include:

o respirator for dust or gas particles


o waterproof boots
o waterproof gloves made from vinyl, rubber, or synthetic material
o waterproof pants and jacket
o waterproof wide-brimmed hat with non-absorbent headband
o clean overalls or outer clothing
o pace shield or goggles with side shields

Appropriate clothing is required for all nursery work and this includes:

 strong, sturdy, comfortable, closed in shoes or boots


 long pants and long sleeved shirt
 wide brimmed sun hat

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Other necessary items of protection include:

 sunscreen lotion
 leather gloves
 sunglasses
 vinyl gloves – latex gloves are not recommended as many
people have or develop allergies, in the form of skin rashes.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

The information on a MSDS outlines the composition of the material,


its safe storage, use and application. The MSDS should always accompany
chemicals and substances including soil or potting mixes. Users should be
made aware of the MSDS and adhere to any recommended safety directions.

Working with soil

There had been reported cases respiratory type illnesses from


exposure to potting mix mainly from the use of bagged potting mixes.
Nevertheless, as a precaution it is imperative to keep soil mixes moist at all
times including when moving it from one place to another. This reduces the
amount of air borne dust particles. Also, workers are required to use
disposable vinyl gloves when handling potting mixes.

Potting and sowing materials

Some other materials used in propagation mixes also have fine


particles. When using these materials, a respirator must be worn and the
substances need to be moistened when blending to reduce air borne particle
movement.

Problem potting/sowing materials are:

Chemicals
 Perlite ( fine silky dust)
 Cocoa peat ( dust)
 Soil
It is always best to avoid the use of chemicals as much as possible
and rely on alternative methods to control pest and diseases such as
integrated pest management. However, sometimes it is necessary to
use horticultural oils, pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers and additives.

If using chemicals:

o Always read the label before mixing and follow safety directions.
o Gloves and appropriate clothing must always be worn when
mixing and applying and respirators will be necessary when
spraying chemicals.

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Some chemicals used are:

 Clonex –Rooting hormone


 White oil or neem oil-used as fungicides
 Iron chelates or iron sulfate-is used to enhance plants once it
shows yellowing or iron deficiency symptoms.
 Ozmocote fertilizer- a type of slow release fertilizer

These are not dangerous substances however always follow directions


when applying them and be aware that even though substances may be
organic or plant-based there may still be a need to wear protective gloves
and even a respirator.

OHS LIGESLATIVE REQUIREMENTS AND CODES OF PRACTICE

Running a nursery is like managing a farm crop production. From


time to time, you will probably hire workers to help run your farm
operations. It will become a business enterprise involving ―employer-worker‖
relationships. As the employer, you are responsible to ensure the health
and safety of all people working on your farm. Just as you need to know
crop management, you also need to know what is required by government
occupational health and safety legislation. The legislation can be used as
farm management tools which can help you farm more safely and more
profitably.

Accidents in the nursery

All farms have dangerous machinery and work situations. People of


all ages, who work and live on farms, are at risk of injury. Children are
especially vulnerable to hazards on farms because it is their home, as well
as, a place of work. Young, inexperienced workers are at a higher risk for
injuries than older experienced workers. Performance changes which occur
with aging can result in reduced balance and reaction time, vision and
hearing impairment. These and other changes affect the aging farmer‘s
ability to work safely. Working alone and time pressure also increase the
risk of injury. When these injuries occur, especially at critical farming
times, they can reduce farm revenues. Losing a limb and the resulting loss
of productive work time can devastate both the short and the long-term
profitability of a farm operation. The Occupational Health and Safety Act
will apply to all workplaces, including farms.

In our country the agency that is in-charge to take the lead in the
conduct of Occupational Safety and Health System (OSHS) is the
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). The agency should monitor
the following:

o Prevention- Executive Order 301 (OSHC)


o Enforcement- Administrative Code of 1987
o Compensation Rehabilitation-Presidential Decree 626 (Environmental
Certificate Compliance)
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o Updating of Health & Safety Standard and Other Related OSH
Policies- Adm. Code 1987

The DOLE is the lead agency of the government in the administration


and enforcement of laws, policies, and programs on occupational safety and
health.

The legal basis of its mandate is the Presidential Decree No. 442 ,
Labor Code of the Philippines. The OSHS was created in 1978 under these
standards:

A set of mandatory rules on OSH which codifies all safety orders and
patterned after the standards of other developing countries.

Objectives:

Protection of workers from occupational risks and hazards

Coverage: All workplaces, except safety in mines

Rule 1000 General provisions:

Objective: To protect every worker against injury, sickness or death.


Scope: Applies to all places of employment except mines

Under the rule:

Duties of employers:

o Furnish safe healthful working conditions


o Give job safety instruction
o Comply with OSHS
o Use approved safety devices

Duties of workers

o Cooperate with management


o Report unsafe condition
o Use all safe devices

Hazardous Workplaces

o Exposure to dangerous environmental elements, contaminants


or work conditions
o Construction work, logging, fire-fighting, mining, quarrying,
blasting, stevedoring, dock work, deep sea, fishing and
mechanized farming
o Manufacture or handling of explosives and pyrotechnic
products
o Use or exposure to power=driven or explosive materials
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o Exposure to biological agents as bacteria, fungi, viruses,
protozoa, nematodes and other parasites

Eminent danger

A condition or practice that could reasonably be expected to cause


death or serious physical harm before abatement under the enforcement
procedure can be accomplished.

Government Agencies Covered:

The following government agencies are: Department of Health, Local


Government Units such as provinces, towns, cities and its barangays,
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of
Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Education,
Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of
Transportation, Department of Transportation and Communication,
Department of Energy, National Economic and Development Authority,
Department of Science and Technology and Department of Agriculture.

NGOs , Labor and Employer groups:

They are Philippine College of Occupational Medicine (PCOM),


Occupational Health Nurses Association of the Philippines (OHNAP),
Employees Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), People Management
Association of the Philippines(PMAP), Trade Union Congress of the
Philippines (TUCP), Federation of Free Workers (FFW), Association of Safety
Practitioner of the Philippines (ASPPI), and World Safety Organization
(WSO).

Academe:

Among colleges and universities are University of the Philippines


College of Public Health (UPCPH), University of the Philippines School of
Labor and Industrial and Relations (UPSOLAIR), De la Salle University
(DLSU), Pamantasang Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) etc.

INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATION

As a functioning member of society, it is necessary to learn


interpersonal relations, from fleeting interactions with street vendors to
customers who might visit your plant nursery and become interested with
your plant collections. Properly communicating and effectively dealing with
other people is something you will want to give a great amount of attention.
It is but high time for you to develop it right away since it can boost yourself
in improving the business you are in now.

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In order to succeed with your interpersonal relations, you must be
able to speak authentically, passionately, and confidently and be able to
convey your personal thoughts and ideas articulately. Not only do you need
to convey your thoughts, ideas and emotions, but you need to be good at
deciphering and understanding the messages of your customers.

Let us start with listening. Listening has been identified as one of the
most frequent problems in dealing with others, business negotiations, and
employee/employer disputes. Listening is not a passive activity. When you
take part in any conversation, you become an active participant and as such
you have a responsibility to receive as much as you give. The good news is
that effective listening is a learnable skill but it does not require mental
focus, patience, and a little bit of practice. Here are the steps to become a
good listener.

1. First, you must physically hear the other person. If you cannot hear,
politely move to another environment, insist that the other person speaks
louder, or perhaps have your hearing checked by a professional if you
feel you have a hearing problem.

2. Second, you must decipher what you have heard. Most deciphering is
done unconsciously; however, it is beneficial to pay close attention to
pitch, accents, rhythm, and tonality of any voices that you come into
contact with.

3. Understand what you have heard and deciphered, which means that you
can make sense of the words that were spoken. Some conversations may
be very easy to understand while others may be very difficult.

4. Once you have heard, deciphered, and understood the information that
has been given, you must acknowledge these three things by responding
in kind. Responding is simply giving observable feedback to the other
person. Typical responses are small gestures like a head nod, a smile, or
a strong eye contact.

5. The final step of being a good listener is the ability to remember and
recall the information that is presented to you. Do you have trouble
remembering name of person you just met? Are you occasionally
reminded of something you supposedly said but don‘t recall?

Another major component of interpersonal relations is body language.


According to social scientists, verbal communication skills account for only
7% of the communication process. The other 93% consists of nonverbal and
symbolic communication called body language. Body language is the sum of
messages expressed by other than verbal means and includes posture, hand
gestures, facial expressions, and voice tonality. Smell and anything else is
perceived by the five senses.

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Another vital communication skill in dealing with people especially if
you are in business is how to write your thoughts, ideas creatively and
correctly.

Don‘t you know that writing well is a learned skill that benefits from
practice? The practice of good writing involves planning, researching,
drafting, reviewing, and revising. Writing for different purposes may have
different products‘ too; from asking information about a new product in the
market, an order, to anything that your nursery project needs.

Good writing shares common characteristics:

1. Clarity: Well chosen words and structured sentences help convey the
intended meaning. The reader should not ask, ―What does this mean?‖

2. Coherence: Information presented and arguments used should flow


logically. Writing should be easy to understand.

3. Conciseness. State the information simply. Do not use words that are
merely there to impress.

4. Correctness: Verify your facts. Document sources accurately. Check for


accurate spelling, grammar and sentence structure in your work. Use
standard pattern.

5. Completeness: Good writing represents critical thinking. Analyze


completely and support your position.

6. Context: Write appropriately for the audience (peers, customers and /or
clients, teachers, and classmates.

What to process:

A. The class will be divided into groups. Each group will plan on how
to put up a plant nursery. You are going to answer the following as part of
the plan.

1. Which among the factors are you going to consider in your plan?
Why?__________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

2. What method of plant propagation will you concentrate in the


project?
Why?______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

B. Why are interpersonal relations and communication important in plant


nursery operations ?
_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

What to reflect on and understand

1. Visit a nearby plant nursery in the area be it backyard or


commercial. Inspect the availability of water, the location of the area and
other factors considered in choosing the site. Write an observation. Make a
short presentation of your visit during class discussion.

2. Note the following plant propagation techniques that are available


in the nursery.

a. Seed propagation
b. Cuttings
c. Grafted seedlings ( shield, bark, marcotting and others)

3. Conduct an interview.

Ask the following:

a. What are the most common media used in the nursery?


b. What kind of planting materials are most sought by customers?
c. What techniques of plant propagation are highly sought by most
customers?

Share the result with your classmates during class discussion.

What to transfer

Germination test
The viability of seed is commonly measured by performing germination test.
Seeds with more than 80% viability are considered of good quality. If the %
germination is below 70%, then there is a need to make or adjust the seeding rate.
In some seeds, dormancy (the inability of seed to germinate even if conditions like
sufficient water, favorable temperature and sufficient gas or oxygen are provided) is
a problem. Seed dormancy is normally caused by a hard seed coat (physical
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dormancy) or an immature embryo (physiological).
In this activity, students will perform a procedure using the germination test to
determine the best method of breaking dormancy in ampalaya (bitter gourd) or ipil-
ipil.
The objective: To determine the best method of breaking seed dormancy in
ipil-ipil.
The materials are:

 15 sets of petridishes
 1 roll of tissue paper
 1 plastic wash bottle
 1 Sand paper (fine)
 1 bot. 500 ml. commercial grade muriatic acid
 3 250 ml. beakers
 1 small ( 10 cm. diameter) strainer with handle
 1 mouth open kettle (for boiling water)
 10 popsicle sticks for the whole class.
 seeds: 125 of seeds of ipil-ipil

Procedure:
1. Fifteen (15) sets of petri dishes will be provided for each class which will be
divided into three (3) groups. The three (3) groups will serve as replicates.
2. Each group will randomly collect 5 sets of 25 seeds of ipil-ipil that will be used
in each treatment which means 25 seeds will be used for each treatment.
3. Wipe clean by using clean toilet paper each petri dish. A total of 5 sets of petri
dish will also be provided for each group.
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4. The following are the treatments:
Treatment 1 - Control (No manipulation will be made)
Treatment 2 - Mechanical scarification to be done by rubbing each
seed 10 times in a fine sand paper. Here only one person
should do the rubbing to minimize variation.
Treatment 3 - Immersion of seeds in boiling water for 5 seconds
Treatment 4 - Immersion of seeds in commercial grade muriatic acid
for 20 seconds
Treatment 5 - Immersion of seeds in 50 ml plain water for 12 hours
5. Detailed procedure for each treatment
For each group, on a masking tape, label each petri dish with the
following:

RIT1 RIIT1 RIIIT1


RIT2 RIIT2 RIIIT2
RIT3 RIIT3 RIIIT3
RIT4 RIIT4 RIIIT4
RIT5 RIIT5 RIIIT5
5a. Treatment 1
a. Carefully line 3 layers of tissue paper in the inside of the of the
bottom part of petri dish
b. Using the wash bottle, wet the tissue paper until sufficient moisture
moves in the tissue paper
c. With clean hands (wiping hands with 70% ethyl alcohol) put 25
seeds of ipil-ipil in the wet tissue paper). Give enough space
between seeds.
d. Add water if necessary.
e. Cover the petri dish with the petri dish glass cover.
f. Check the set up daily for 7 days. Add water when water is lacking.
Do not “shake or move” the set up.
5b. Treatment 2
a. Follow step a to b in 5a.
b. For this treatment, rubbing 25 seeds in sandpaper will be done by
only one student.
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c. With clean hands, carefully place the “rubbed” ipil-ipil seeds into the
petri dish and then add sufficient water.
g. Cover the petri dish with its glass cover.
h. Check the set up daily for 7 days. Add water when water is lacking.
Do not “shake or move” the set up.
5c. Treatment 3
a. Place 25 seeds in a strainer with a handle.
b. When water starts to boil, allow it to boil for another 30 seconds
and then put the strainer with the seeds in the briskly boiling for 5
seconds. Immediately remove after 5 seconds.
c. Carefully place the seeds subjected to boiled water in the petri dish.
d. Follow procedure d to f in 5a.
5d. Treatment 4
a. In a 250 ml beaker, place 25 ipil-ipil seeds and then carefully pour
50 ml of muriatic acids prepared in another beaker.
b. Count 20 seconds and after wards, transfer the muriatic to the other
beaker.
c. Use a popsicle stick to avoid seed to be carried with the acid being
poured.
d. Carefully place the seeds subjected to muriatic acid using the
popsicle stick in the petri dish then add sufficient water.
e. Cover the petri dish with the petri dish glass cover.
f. Check the set up daily for 7 days. Add water when water is lacking.
Do not “shake or move” the set up.
5e. Treatment 5
a. In a 250 ml beaker, place 25 ipil-ipil seeds and then carefully pour
50 ml plain water prepared in another beaker.
b. Place in a safe place and allow the seeds soaked in plain water for
12 hours.
c. After 12 hours, remove the water and use another clean popsicle
stick to transfer the soaked seeds to the petri dish lined with three
(3) layers of tissue paper and then add sufficient water.
d. Cover the petri dish with its glass cover.

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6. Check the set up daily for 7 days. Add water when water is lacking. Do not
“shake or move” the set up.
7. After seven days, count the number of normal or healthy seedlings that
germinated. Infected or blackish seedlings should not be considered as
normal. Use the following formula to compute for the % germination:

% Germination = Number of healthy seedlings that germinated x 100


Total number of seeds tested (25)

8. Enter the data in the Table (Table 1)below.

Table 1. Average or mean per cent (%) germination


________________________________________________________________
Treatment Replicate Mean
I II III

___________________________________________________________________

Treatment 1-Control

Treatment 2-Use of sandpaper

Treatment 3- Boiling water

Treatment 4- Muriatic acid

Treatment 5-Soaked for 12 hours


in plain water

___________________________________________________________________

Based on the results shown in the table, answer the following questions:
a. Which treatment produced the highest percentage of germination?
b. What conclusion can be made from these results?
c. State possible reasons why no germination (if there is) in some or
one treatment.

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Post Test
A. Scoring rubrics for seed germination.

Response Criteria Score


Completes all steps. Work has a control, logical
and clear procedures, data are recorded and
Exemplary thoroughly analyzed. Graphs are present. 6
Prediction made. Conclusions thorough and
thoughtful.
Competent Completes all steps. Experiment may lack control,
procedures lack thoroughness. Data are recorded,
analysis not complete. Conclusions too brief. 5
Completes nearly all steps. Control missing,
procedures lacking or illogical. More than one
Satisfactory variable present. Data recorded but poorly 4
analyzed. Conclusion does not accurately sum up
experiment.
Nearly Completes most steps. Procedures missing. Data 3
satisfactory recorded but not analyzed. Conclusion missing.
Fails to Most steps missing. Data recorded but
complete procedures do not indicate its origin. Conclusion
missing. 2
Fails to Directions not followed. Nearly all steps missing.
begin Doesn‘t show understanding of how to develop
effectively experiment. 1
No attempt Did not attempt to work 0
mode

B. Enumerate the different factors to consider when selecting the best site
for a nursery.
1. __________________________________________
2. __________________________________________
3. __________________________________________
4. __________________________________________
5. __________________________________________
6. __________________________________________
7. __________________________________________
8. __________________________________________
9. __________________________________________
10. __________________________________________
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C. Match Column A with Column B

A B

______1. These are a threat to healthy A. Swarming caterpillar


seedling development
______2. Method applied when seedlings B. Cuttings
attain a stage where roots
become long.
______3. Technique that exposes plant to C. Damping off
harsh environment to become
strong
______4. This is a fungal disease caused by D. Air layering
Pythium spp.
______5. A disease of seedling which E. Crown
shows dying bark of the main
shoot.
______6. Method of plant propagation which F. Division
comes from any part of the stock
plant. (stems,leaves or roots)
______7. Plant propagation technique wherein G. Pruning
roots are induced on the stem of a plant
using a rooting media or saw dust
_______8 An insect pest that voraciously eats H. Wilting
palay.
______ 9. A method of plant propagation best I. Hardening
used in flowering plant such as
gladiolus.
______10. Method of plant propagation where J. Suckers
shoots are separated from the mother
plant. K. Weeds

Glossary

Accessibility- easily reached through transportation or near a road where


clients or customers could easily buy the products
Coherence- a logical, orderly, and aesthetically consistent relationship
of parts.
Conciseness- expressing much in few words but clear.
Context- part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or
passage which determines its meaning.
Latex- an emulsion of rubber or plastic globules in water, used in paints,
adhesives, and various synthetic rubber products
Microclimate- the climate of a small, specific place within an area as
contrasted with the climate of the entire area.
Mound- a pile of earth, gravel, sand, rocks, or debris heaped for protection
or concealment
Supplement- any material that is added to the media that can promote
growth to plants
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References

__________2001,Good Nursery Practices; A Simple Guide, Nairobi Kenya,


2001, First Ed.
__________1986,Health and Safety for Greenhouses and Nurseries.
Horticultural Educ.
Keats C. hall, 1984, Manual on Nursery Practices, Forestry Project Dept. 2nd
Edition
__________2001,Prince Edward Island Farm Safety Code of Practice, First
Ed.
__________1988, Trees in Newcastle; Nursery Operations and Practices,
Hustle Central Rivers.
Lantican, R. M. 2001, The Science and Practice of Crop
Production,published SEAMEO, SEARCA and UPLB, College, Los
Banos, Laguna
http://www.icrc.org/eng/assets/images/photos/2011/colombia-v-p-co-e-
02114.jpg
https://encryptedtbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR87mmpwQ2eRz
5TSKOr92VYowy_1mAHNHPh2c-WYvuyZvJ3bAK-GA
https://encryptedtbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQZTOP9DffI8Qj_3
tO56ncA5dwiA4j_ct6bYKAbKMjtDfZcgiLzC f54FA
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/YOlCWLGYmS4/TW9HPFxcrbI/AA
AAAAAAB2I/6_rDVYpQuaw/s1600/nursery2.jpg
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/hort/info/fruit/graft/bark1.gif
http://www.nzdl.org/gsdl/collect/envl/archives/HASHb166.dir/p118.gif
http://seattletimes.com/ABPub/2007/01/22/2003536302.jpg
http://www.icrc.org/eng/assets/images/photos/2011/colombia-v-p-co-e-
02114.jpg
http://www.fao.org/inpho_archive/content/documents/vlibrary/ac306e/i
mg/ac306e03.gif
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/propagation/budding/38.jpeg
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/hort/info/fruit/graft/bark1.gif
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/hort/info/fruit/graft/cleft.gif

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Module IV

MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP OF A NURSERY

Introduction

This lesson is all about the procedure in cleaning and storing tools
and outfits. It will also tackle waste disposal and recycling, stockpiling of
surplus materials, processing of plant debris produced during nursery
activities. These are important because as nursery operator you must learn
those activities that need to be extra careful in order to minimize risks to
human health and the environment. In this case, nursery will not only be
an income generating endeavor but also as a task that helps proper wastes
utilization.
.

Assessment criteria

1. Follow and clarify instructions and directions based on authority


instructions and procedures
2. Perform composting procedure that is safe and environmentally
appropriate.
3. Observe workplace hygiene practices, handling and disposal of
materials following nursery policy

Pretest

Before you start studying this Module, answer the following questions
to find out what you already know about the topic

A. Choose the letter of the best answer.

_______1. Which of the following fertilizers is used to cover food waste in


order to decrease smell?

A. Bokashi C. Compost tea


B. Compost D. Vermicasting

_______2. What is this liquid extract of compost that contains plant growth
compounds and bacterial organisms?

A. Bokashi tea C. Humanure extract


B. Compost tea D. Vermicasting

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_______3. Which of the following is the other term for vermicasting?

A. Worm casting C. Worm manure


B. Worm humus D. Worm casting, humus and manure

______ 4. Which of the following are NOT considered potting materials for
plants in the nursery?

A. Banana leaves C. Polyethylene bags


B. Earthen pots D. Recycled pots
_______5. Where is the best place for grown-up seedlings in the nursery?

A. Display area C. Growing-on area


B. Germination area D. Pricking-out room

_______6. What term is used for preservation of viable seeds from the time of
collection until they are required for sowing?

A. Pricking out C. Storage


B. Scarification D. Thinning

_______7. What is the best thing to do for containerized plants once they
attain a full growth?

A. Bring them to the growing area.


B. Sell them at once even at lower cost.
C. Repot to prevent encircling of roots.
D. Ask someone to bring them to a nearest waste bin.

______8. Why are plants pruned in the nursery?


A. To eradicate pests and diseases
B. To ensure good health and structure
C. To destruct insects especially leaf eating one
D. To make it good to look at especially to buyers

______9. Which of the following type of fertilizers is best for growing plants?

A. Compost C. Organic
B. Liquid D. Slow release

______10. What is the best way to water plants if they are in different sizes?

A. Drip irrigation C. Hand watering


B. Drizzle type D. Spray

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Lesson STORE AND STOCKPILE MATERIALS
1

BASIC STOCK CONTROL PROCEDURES

There are several materials needed in plant propagation activities. There


are bamboos, wood, poles, nets and others needed in the construction. Once
the nursery operation starts, materials such as potting medium, containers,
plant materials shall be included as its stocks.

The supply of these materials must be sufficient for the nursery to


become operational

A good nursery owner or manager should know the number of its


supplies or stocks.

Initially, it will take a considerable effort to compile a stock list, but this
should be done before investing an amount of money in either purchasing or
acquiring additional stocks

Some of these are the following:

a. Soil-This is a very common easily available and cheaper medium used in the
nursery. It contains both organic and inorganic matter. The organic part is
the residues of living and dead parts of plants, animals and microbes. The
liquid part of the soil is the solution containing water, dissolved minerals as
well as oxygen.

b. Sand- It is the result of weathering effect on parent rocks. The usual size of
sand is from 0.05 to 2.0 mm. Sand is generally used in plant propagation
media. The sand used in plastering is very much suitable for rooting of
cuttings.

c. Peat- This consists of the residues from a marsh swamp. Vegetative peat
moss is available but should be broken into fine parts before use in
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mixtures or as media. It contains some organic nitrogen and is favorable for
newly rooted cuttings.

d. Sphagnum Moss- It is the dehydrated remains of acid hog plants and


has three genera, growing naturally in damp humid forest lands. It is
relatively sterile, light in weight and has a very high water holding capacity.
Normally, it absorbs and holds water 20 times to its weight.

e. Vermiculite- This is the micaceous or crumb mineral which expands


significantly when heated. Chemically it is hydrated magnesium, aluminum,
iron, silicate. When expanded it is very light in weight. It is neutral in
reaction and has good buffering properties. It is insoluble in water.

Vermiculite is available in 4 Grades, one of which is the Horticultural


Grade No. 2 which should be used for rooting and No. 4 for seed
germination.

f. Perlite-This is gray white material having volcanic origin. It is neutral. It has


no buffering reaction and it contains no mineral nutrients.

g. Leaf Mold- It is prepared by using fallen leaves of various tree species


available locally, eg Ficus, Ipil-ipil, Madre de cacao etc. it is prepared by
stacking a few layers of leaves then covering them with a thin layer of
soil and cow or chicken dung. Some live culture of decomposing organisms
such as bokashi is added to hasten the process of decomposition. The
medium is ready or use after about 12 to 18 months of decomposition.

h.Saw Dust- It is a by product or waste material from saw mills. The quantity
and quality depend on the parent wood material. Why this so? Because
some wood shavings contain raisin that is not good use as rooting media.

i. Grain Husk-Several type of husks are available, paddy husk is one of the
important wastage from rice mills. It is light in weight and cheaply available.
It is suitable for mixing with other types of media.

j. Coco Peat: Coco peat, cow dung are also used as media. A mixture of
few media is always preferred and used in commercial nurseries. Many times
soil is one of the main parts for mixtures. Media must be selected on the
basis of the availability, cost, ease in handling The media should be
procured and stored.

There are other materials such as earthen pots, black polyethylene bags,
plastic pots, trays (undivided or with built in cells). These containers come in
different sizes used in the different stages of plant age. As plant grows it needs
repotting. This is done in order to maintain its good appearance.

Fertilizers such as inorganic or organic are part of the stocks needed in


the nursery. There are also chemicals such as fungicides and others used to
control pests and diseases.

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Preparing stock control procedure:

When preparing record for stock materials you can list down what are
available and those that need to be replenished.

Example:

Date Purchase: ____________________

Materials No. of Stocks Stocks used Remaining Needed


1. Earthen 1,000 pcs 500 pcs 500 pcs. ______
pots (size 10)
2. Trays 150 pcs 75 pcs 75 pcs ______
(undivided)
3. Sphagnum 10 sacks 8 sacks 2 sacks 5 sacks
moss (30k/s)

Others

By identifying what stocks are available in the nursery, the owner knows
what to order with its supplier. In this manner wastage of money and resources
are avoided. Remember that many of the nursery materials are organic and
may become waste once they are not properly managed by workers.

Remember, there might be some wastes that are harmful in the


nursery. Some of these are:

a. materials that could pollute the nursery soil or the water supply ;
b. broken glass, thorns or spines, which can cause cuts and infections if
they get into the potting mix or the nursery topsoil;
c. weeds that have ripening fruits or persistent underground organs;
d. plants and soil that are contaminated with spores carrying diseases, or
with the eggs or resting stages of insect pests; or
e. water that contains a lot of nutrients and is full of bacteria or algae.

There are solutions to these things.

1. Some sharp items can be sieved out from components such as ‗black
soil‘, and disposed of carefully;
2. Soil and plant material contaminated with pollutants, weeds, pests or
diseases could be sterilized, burnt or taken far away from the
nursery; and
3. Water can be cleaned by running it through gravel or sand.

134
Maintain stockpiled material

Stockpiles of potting mix and other materials are a potential source of


sediment and litter.

To minimize sediment and litter generated from stockpiled material


consider the following:

• locate stockpiles away from drainage


• minimize the number and size of stockpiles
• build the stockpile with no slope greater than 2:1 (horizontal to vertical)
• provide suitably enclosed storage areas for stockpiled material such as
potting mix or enclose the potting mix stockpile with silt fences or a
drainage system that will collect contaminated runoff, or do both
• avoid locating stockpiles close to waterways.

RECYCLING/COMPOSTING PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES

Don‘t you know that there are materials in the farm thatcan be produced
as plant supplement? Yes, it is through composting. The soil or substrate that
you are using, can be reconditioned through the process of composting.

Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as


fertilizer and used as soil amendment. Compost is a key ingredient in organic
farming as well as plant crop production. There are plant leftovers and other
biodegradable materials such as dried leaves, saw dust, kitchen waste, weeds.
manure, grasses, leaves, vines and others that could be used for making
compost.

135
The following are the steps in preparing compost.

1. Choose a site near your supply of waste materials. It should also be near
your house and at a level that will not be flooded easily.

2. Construct a shelter to protect the pile from hard rain, measuring at least two
meters by three or four meters. If this cannot be done, provide covering of the
pile with polyethylene materials.
136
3. Spread a five to six –inch layer of soil under the shelter.

4. Gather and dust weeds, leaves, animal manure, wood ashes, garbage,
garden waste, kitchen leftovers, and other biodegradable materials on top of
the soil layer. Continue adding weeds, grasses, garden cuttings until the pile is
about shoulder high. Keep the sides of pile vertical with lightly dished top to
hold water.

5. Water the pile evenly everyday or every two days to keep it moist. The
moisture will help in rotting the file faster.

137
6. Provide aerators like bamboo poles in the middle of the pile to allow air to
pass down the pile thereby helping decomposers in its process.

Modern method of composting nowadays is a multi-step, closely


monitored process aided by shredding the plant matter, adding water and
ensuring proper aeration by regularly turning the mixture. Worms, fungi and
organisms further break up the material. Aerobic bacteria manage the
chemical process by converting the inputs into heat, carbon dioxide and
ammonium. The ammonium is further converted by bacteria into plant
nourishing nitrites and nitrates through the process of nitrification.

Compost is generally recommended as an additive to soil, or other


matrices such as coir and peat, as a tilth improver, supplying humus and
nutrients. It provides a rich growing medium, or a porous, absorbent material
that holds moisture and soluble minerals. It provide support and nutrients in
which plants can flourish. Compost is primarily mixed with soil, sand, grit,
bark chips, vermiculite, perlite, or clay granules to produce loam. Compost can
be tilled directly into the soil or growing medium to boost the level of organic
matter and the overall fertility of the soil. Compost that is ready to be used as
an additive is dark brown or even black with an earthy smell.

Other Composting approaches

In addition to the traditional


compost pile, there are various
approaches that have been developed to
handle different processes, ingredients,
locations, and applications for the
compost product.

A. Bokashi- is a method that uses a mix


of microorganisms to cover food waste to
decrease smell. It was derived from the
practice of Japanese farmers centuries
ago of covering food waste with rich, local soil that contained the
microorganisms that would ferment the waste. After a few weeks, they would
138
bury the waste that weeks later, would become soil.
Most practitioners obtain the microorganisms from the product Effective
Microorganisms (EM1), first sold in the 1980s. EM1 is mixed with a carbon
base (e.g. sawdust or bran) that it sticks to and sugar for food (e.g. molasses).
The mixture is layered with waste in a sealed container and after a few weeks,
removed and buried. EM is primarily composed of lactic acid bacteria, yeast
and phototrophic (PNSB) bacteria.
Newspaper fermented in a lactobacillus culture can be substituted for
bokashi bran for a successful bokashi bucket.

http://www.small-farm-permaculture-and-
sustainable-living.com/images/compost-tea-
equipment.gif

2. Compost tea-is a liquid


extract of compost that
contains plant growth
compounds and beneficial
organisms. Liquid extracts have
been used for hundred of years
in agriculture to promote plant
and soil health.

3. Humanure" is a human
excrement (feces and urine)
that is recycled via composting
for agricultural or other purposes. The term was first used in a 1994 book by
Joseph Jenkins, that advocates the use of this organic soil amendment.
Humanure is not sewage that has been processed by waste-treatment
facilities, which may include waste from industrial and other sources; rather, it
is the combination of feces and urine with paper and
additional carbon material (such as sawdust). A humanure system, such as
a compost toilet, does not require water or electricity, and when properly
managed does not smell. A compost toilet collects human excrement which is
then added to a hot compost heap together with sawdust and straw or other
139
carbon rich materials, where pathogens are destroyed.

4. Vermicomposting is the product of composting utilizing various species of


worms, usually red wigglers, white worms, and earthworms to create a
heterogeneous mixture of decomposing vegetable or food waste (excluding
meat, dairy, fats, or oils), bedding materials, and vermicast.
Vermicast, also known as worm castings, worm humus or worm manure,
is the end-product of the breakdown of organic matter by species of earthworm.
Vermicomposting has gained popularity in both industrial and domestic
settings because, as compared to conventional composting, it provides a way to
compost organic materials more quickly (as defined by a higher rate of carbon-
to-nitrogen ratio increase) and to attain products that have lower salinity levels
that are therefore more beneficial to plant mediums. Available worm species in
the country today is the African nightcrawlers.
There are other species that can be used such as the red wigglers (Eisenia
fetida or Eisenia andrei), though European nightcrawlers (Eisenia
hortensis or Dendrobaena veneta) could also be used. Red wigglers are
recommended by most vermiculture experts, as they have some of the best
appetites and breed very quickly. Users refer to European nightcrawlers by a
variety of other names, including dendrobaenas, dendras, Dutch
Nightcrawlers, and Belgian nightcrawlers.

PROPER STOCKPILING OF NURSERY MATERIALS

140
Good nursery hygiene is extra essential. Disease-free seedlings are those
that are greatly needed by plant growers because they do not have to spend
money to maintain newly transplanted plants in the field. In order to maintain
nursery hygiene and to ensure a high standard of plant health surplus
materials must be properly managed.

This can be done by:

1. Potting materials such as earthen pots, polyethylene bags, recycled cups


should be properly arranged and placed together in one area.

2. Media, mixing area including a section for sterilization of media and trays;
sterile material must be protected.

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3. Seed store, seed treatment section, seeding and germination room are
neatly found.
4. A pricking out room must be placed as an extension of the germination area.

5. Plants that aged already should be in the growing-on area.

6. A holding area for reject, surplus material, or returned trays for recycling
and composting, until sterilized recycled material need to be kept
separate and isolated from the nursery

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING SEED MATERIALS

Storage may be defined as the preservation of viable seeds from the time
of collection until they are required for sowing (Holmes and Buszewicz 1958).
When seeds are for afforestation, it can be sown immediately after collection,
no storage is needed. The best sowing date for a given species being raised in a
nursery depends on:

(a) The anticipated date of planting which by itself is dependent on


seasonal climate
(b) The time needed in the nursery for planting stock of that species to
reach the right size for out-planting. Only rarely does best sowing date
coincide with the best date for seed collection. More often it is
necessary to store the seed for varying periods which may be:

1. Up to one year when both seed production and afforestation are


regular annual events, but it is necessary to await the best season
for sowing.
2. 1 – 5 years or more when a species bears an abundant seed crop at
intervals of several years and enough seed must be collected in a

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good year to cover annual afforestation needs in intermediate years
of poor seed production.
3. Long-term storage for purposes of conserving genetic resources.
The period of storage will vary according to the seed longevity of
the species and the storage conditions, but will be measured in
decades in species which are easy to store.

The storage facilities to be provided must be related to the amount of


seeds and the period over which they are to be stored. It is a waste of money to
create expensive facilities capable of maintaining viability for 10 years if the
seeds will never stay longer than nine months between collections and sowing.
It is equally wasteful to spend money on seed collection, extraction and
cleaning if storage conditions are so inadequate that the seeds are 90 % dead
before they reach the nursery.

WASTE MATERIALS MANAGEMENT

Every business especially agricultural practice produces waste. Waste


represents a loss of resources and money for your project. By thinking
creatively, you can reduce the waste you create and make better use of the
waste that can‘t be avoided.

Here are the following strategies that can be done to manage waste properly:

a. Install recycling bins in and around your premises. There are materials
that can be used as media or containers in the nursery. Place them in a bin
immediately then sort them into recyclables. You can reduce the volume of
waste going to landfill and you may be able to ‗on-sell‘ your waste.

143
b. Use recyclable and reusable plant trays. Reusable and returnable plant
boxes, pots and trays can reduce the waste generated significantly.

c. Reuse and recycle other nursery products. For example, reuse potting mix
in top soil production, use pruning material for compost and mulch.

d. Install water efficient monitoring and management systems. Read how


to save water in the reducing water use section.

e. Order in bulk where possible. Purchasing in bulk minimizes packaging. If


necessary, consider installing larger storage facilities so that you can order
raw materials in bulk and store them for later use. Bulk purchasing is
usually cheaper and you will also be reducing the environmental impacts of
frequent deliveries to your premises.

f. Minimize production waste. Look at your production processes and see


what can be altered to minimize waste. If you have a café, consider the size
of the meals and if food is leftover consider downsizing the portion a little.

g. Think about waste produced by your customers. With takeaway coffee,


consider refillable mugs, which costumers can come back and get refilled at
a discount, rather than
throwaway cups. If the
throwaway cups are used
choose cups made from
recycled materials and/or are
certified as sustainable.

h. Establish a composting
system. If you are preparing
food at your nursery, you
might like to consider a simple
composting system. Even a city business can compost nowadays, using a
counter-top composter like a ‗bokashi bucket‘. If you have outdoor space,
you could establish a worm farm or compost heap. Paper can be composted,
along with fruit and vegetable scraps.

i. Introduce a no or low plastics policy. Ask members to bring their own


water bottles of clean cups or use recycled alternatives.

j. Use recycled materials for fixtures where possible. Recycled building


materials can also reduce the construction costs.

k. Act as a recycling centre for other recyclables. Work with council to be a


recycling centre and promote this service to customers.

l. Implement inventory control procedures to avoid over-ordering. Custom


made computer programs can be set up specifically to track your business
needs, if necessary.

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m. Eliminate materials that cannot be recycled from the production
process or the services you provide. Convert to recyclable materials to
reduce your waste volume and seek out businesses that will take your waste
for recycling.

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE OF WORKPLACE

It is important that plant nursery should be managed properly. If not,


effort and money will turn into nothing but a wastage of investment. A properly
and organized plant nursery can become a source of income. Customers,
clients who need planting materials, ornamental plants, seeds are looking for
reliable source. How can you become a known supplier if plant nursery is in
disarray and not properly maintained.

The following are preventive maintenance techniques SPR uses to ensure


the quality of its nursery grown plants.

• Plants will be pruned as needed to ensure good health and structure.


• Routinely groom crops. Remove debris from ground cloth to reduce the
slips and falls.
• All plants shall be spaced to allow for optimal growth and good air
circulation to prevent diseases.
• Containerized plants will be re-potted as needed to prevent encircling
roots and to allow them to grow into their desired natural form
without girdling.
• All plants will be watered as needed. The primary method of irrigation
is the existing overhead system. This system works well for field
growing areas but is modified as needed for watering containerized
plants.
• Fertilize plants as needed with a fertilizer appropriate to the crop. Use a
slow release product whenever possible.
• Plants requiring shade conditions will be held in the shade houses or
provided a shade cover.
• City water used for plant irrigation purposes will be used efficiently.

145
 Plants should be grouped by size and water needs.
 Watering will be done on an as-needed basis.

The most efficient system for watering individual planted areas will
be used. Where plants are dissimilar in size or species differ, hand
watering will be required.

Avoid watering nursery areas that aren‘t currently holding plants.

• The nursery will support recycling operations.

Compost will be used whenever possible.


Growing containers will be reused (following cleaning).
Plant debris will be sent to ―clean-green‖.

• Plant holding areas will be used for plants that are in transition. While in
holding, plants shall be mulched, staked as needed, watered, and provided
with shade protection if required.

• Protection shall be provided for plants as needed especially during rainy days
and when the environment is too hot. Smaller and more tender plants will
have priority during these period.

• Routinely evaluate all gravel surfaces where crops are staged for the presence
of potholes and standing water.

Site Maintenance

• All potting soil, compost, and bark mulch will be covered with a tarp to
prevent weed seed germination. Alternatively, routinely turn all piles.

• Noxious weeds will be controlled or removed from the site during


preparation

• Roads and pathways will be maintained on an annual basis to ensure


accessibility.

• While the nursery supports various community programs the general


public shall not be allowed to get in and out of the vicinity.

WHAT TO PROCESS:

This is for you to do:

1. Can you enumerate some materials that are abundant in your community
and can be used as containers in the nursery?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
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2. What is composting? Is there a composting project found in your
community? What method is being practiced?_________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

3. Which method of composting is best in your area? Why?___________________


______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

4. Do you know a method of storing seeds for future use? What is it and how it
is done? _____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

5. How do you manage waste materials in your home, in school or in the


community? _________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

What to reflect and understand

1. Visit an agricultural crop nursery near your area and record your
observations on how plants are propagated, the method of propagation used,
care and maintenance of the plants, etc. Report your findings to the class.

2. Visit a vegetable seedling production nursery and record most popular


vegetable seedlings grown in trays and their maintenance techniques and
aftercare.

3. Visit a floriculture nursery and record your observations regarding special


horticultural practices like composting, pinching, desuckering, debudding,
fertilization and watering.

What to transfer

There are many ways on how to make compost. In order to test your
understanding about this lesson, will you do this activity?

147
How to make compost:

1. Select a site near your supply of materials. It should at least be 150 feet
away from the house. A well-drained area with adequate water is ideal.

2. Gather and prepare compost materials. Farm wastes in the form of animal
manure, grass trimmings, crop residue, rice straw, kitchen refuse, and decayed
leaves can also be used as compost materials.

148
3. Pile up the materials. a.) Pile up layers of chopped grasses, straw and
kitchen leftovers about 12-15 inches on thick covering of the compost bin. b.)
Pile the second layer of animal manure about 5-8 cm. thick over the first
layer. c.) Spread a layer of loam soil mixed with lime or wood ash at least 4-5
cm. thick over the manure layer. d.) repeat steps a-c or until the pile has
reached the height of 1 ½ meters. Sprinkle the compost pile with water to
make it moist.

4. Provide breathers. This is to hasten decomposition. Place two or more


perforated bamboo poles on the side and in the middle of the compost pile.

149
5. Provide moisture. Add water evenly to the top of the pile for a day or two to
keep it moist. This will make the materials rot fast, but too much water also is
unadvisable.

6. Cover the compost pile. Cover the top of the pile with either plastic
material or galvanized iron. This is to protect the pile from wash out in case of
heavy rain.

7. Take care of the compost pile. After a month of preparation, the compost
pile can be turned over to hasten decomposition. This compost could be used
as fertilizer three months after preparation. It can be mixed with soil in every
hill during planting.

150
Posttest

A. Write T if the statement is correct and F if it is wrong.

_____1. Compost is considered a plant supplement.


_____2. Compost and other media should be sterilized first before using.
_____3. Seed treatment can be done anywhere in the nursery.
_____4. Plants and other seedlings can be placed along with others.
_____5. A holding area for rejects must be separated or isolated in the
nursery.
_____6. Seeds can be stored for a longer period of time .
_____7. All waste materials in the nursery can be sorted as recyclables.
_____8. Plastic cups and other materials are best to use for repotting.
_____9. It is best to have a composting bin near your house for nursery
needs.
_____10. Plants need not be groomed because it will not good for them in the
future.

B. Arrange the procedure in compost making in an orderly manner.


Write 1 for the first, 2 for second and so forth.

_____ Spread a five to six –inch layer of soil under the shelter.

_____ Provide aerators like bamboo poles in the middle of the pile to allow
air to pass down the pile thereby helping decomposers in its process.

_____ Construct a shelter to protect the pile from hard rain, measuring at
least two meters by three or four meters. If this cannot be done,
provide covering of the pile with polyethylene materials.

_____ Choose a site near your supply of waste materials. It should also be
near your house and at a level that will not be flooded easily.

_____ Water the pile evenly everyday or every two days to keep it moist. The
moisture will help in rotting the file faster.

_____ Gather and dust weeds, leaves, animal manure, wood ashes, garbage,
garden waste, kitchen leftovers, and other biodegradable materials on top
of the soil layer. Continue adding weeds, grasses, garden cuttings until
the pile is about shoulder high. Keep the sides of pile vertical with lightly
dished top to hold water.

151
Rubric for compost making (Group Work)

Score Evaluation

The project can be applied to real life sustainable education.


The work of the team is presented in a way that catches the attention of
the teacher (resourceful and creative)
The presentation and the content of the work is appropriate
The team demonstrates a clear knowledge of their subject/theme.
The team demonstrates confidence in their work.
TOTAL (of 25 points)

Scoring

5 Excellent
4 Very good
3 Good
2 Average
1 Needs improvement

Glossary of Terms

Aerobic- Living or occurring only in the presence of oxygen

Afforestation- It is the establishment of a forest or stand of trees in an


area where there was no forest.

Effective Microorganisms (EM)-It is a system of odorless composting,


where carefully selected, "effective" microbes or "EM" are used to
decompose organic kitchen waste.

Molasses- A thick, brown, sweet liquid that is made from raw sugar.

Phototropic- An organism obtaining energy from sunlight to synthesize


organic compounds for nutrition.

152
References

__________2001,Good Nursery Practices; A Simple Guide, Nairobi Kenya, 2001,


First Ed.
__________1986,Health and Safety for Greenhouses and Nurseries.
Horticultural Educ.
Keats C. hall, 1984, Manual on Nursery Practices, Forestry Project Dept. 2nd
Edition
__________2001,Prince Edward Island Farm Safety Code of Practice, First Ed.
__________1988, Trees in Newcastle; Nursery Operations and Practices, Hustle
Central Rivers.
Lantican, R. M. 2001, The Science and Practice of Crop Production,published
SEAMEO, SEARCA and UPLB, College, Los Banos, Laguna
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02114.jpg
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SKOr92VYowy_1mAHNHPh2c-WYvuyZvJ3bAK-GA
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56ncA5dwiA4j_ct6bYKAbKMjtDfZcgiLzCf54FA
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AAAAB2I/6_rDVYpQuaw/s1600/nursery2.jpg
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/hort/info/fruit/graft/bark1.gif
http://www.nzdl.org/gsdl/collect/envl/archives/HASHb166.dir/p118.gif
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02114.jpg
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ac306e03.gif
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/propagation/budding/38.jpeg
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/hort/info/fruit/graft/bark1.gif
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/hort/info/fruit/graft/cleft.gif

153
Lesson CLEAN-UP ON COMPLETION OF NURSERY WORK
2

Introduction

This lesson will allow students learn independently the knowledge and
skills in cleaning up the nursery area after its work completion. The different
Operational Health System (OHS) requirements, procedure for storage of plant
and materials, cleaning and maintenance and storage of tools and equipment
and how to prepare a report of work outcomes will train them on how clean-up
operations are done in order to avoid untoward incidents in the workplace .
.

EXPECTED OUTCOME

After completing this Module, should be able to:

1. Store plants and materials according to company storage guidelines


and OHS requirements.
2. Clean, maintain and store tools and equipment according to
manufacturer‘s specifications
3. Report the work outcomes to the supervisor following established
reporting formats

PRE ASSESSMENT

Before you start studying this Module, answer the following questions to
find out what you already know about the topic

A. Choose the letter of the best answer. Use another sheet of paper for
your answer sheet.

____1. Which of the following is NOT included in the workplace hazards in the
nursery?
A. Working with chemicals
B. Pushing and lifting heavy equipment
C. Posting communications to clienteles
D. Operating power tools such as pruners and clippers

____2. Which material is NOT included as hazardous when storing tools and
materials in the nursery?
A. Compost C. Herbicides
B. Fungicides D. Pesticides

154
____3. Which of the following is dangerous when it happen in the nursery after
work?
A. Chemical spills
B. Scattered potting media.
C. Disposal of excess compost.
D. Chemical spills, scattered potting media and disposal of excess
compost .

_____4. What is best to do to tools with sharp edges after their use?
A. Apply oil on it. C. Keep it at once.
B. Brush it with paint. D. Wrap it with cloth before storing.

_____5. What is best to do to remind workers about storing of tools and


equipment?
A. Remind them from time to time.
B. Send someone to observe them.
C. Post a visible reminder in the area.
D. Remind them once in every month.

_____6. What is best to do to empty containers of chemicals?


A. Ask someone to sell those items.
B. Use it in anyway to practice economy.
C. Throw them away to the nearest waterways.
D. Bury them underground before someone takes them.

_____7. What is best to do to half filled pesticides after using them?


A. Wrap them with cloth to avoid evaporation.
B. Seal the bottle and keep them under the bed.
C. Place them in an area where no one could see them.
D. Properly seal the container and keep them in the storage
locker.

_____8. What is the best way to keep sharp tools in the nursery?
A. Keep them in the highest area.
B. Put them in holster if possible.
C. Wrap them with cloth and keep them beside the plant.
D. Put it under the potting materials so that no one could
see them.
_____9. The following are OHS orientation needed by new workers in the
nursery EXCEPT _____.
A. rights and responsibilities C. safework procedures
B. compensation and bonuses D. workplace hazards

_____10. What is best to identify workplace hazards in order to control or


eliminate them?
A. Safety inspections
B. Unannounced visit
C. Additional incentives
D. Rewarding for a job well done

155
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM (OHS) REQUIREMENTS

Contrary to the popular image of fresh air and peaceful


surroundings, a nursery is not a hazard-free work setting. The use of
chemicals such as fertilizers and fungicides produced methane gas in the
decomposition of organic substance used as media. Responsible health
practices and good safety practices could reduce fatal injuries and
illnesses caused by irresponsible nursery management. There are also
associated costs that result to unhealthy practice, workers‘
compensation insurance premiums, lost production, and medical
expenses. A safer and more healthful workplace improves morale and
productivity.

Labor law states that workers need to be provided with


instructions to protect their safety and health and ensure that what they
do does not harm others. Everyone needs to be aware of his/her
responsibilities regarding safety and health.

Nursery operation is not excluded in this aspect. Different activities


done in raising plants needs Operational Health System (OHS) concern.
Health and safety are a legal requirement for all. All small businesses,
including plant nurseries, must have an occupational health and safety
program to prevent workplace injury and disease. Health and safety
programs for plant nursery are necessary especially upon the
completion of day‘s job. It is necessary that they shall meet certain
standards. All people concerned must exercise due diligence in taking
steps to meet these standards.
A health and safety program consists of eight basic components
that will help prevent accidents and injuries from happening, as well as
help deal effectively with any incidents that do occur.

The eight components are:

1. Hazard identification and risk control — Determine which hazards


are present in the workplace and take steps to eliminate or minimize
them. For example, chemicals, such as pesticides, fungicides,
fertilizers must be identified and placed in an area where they will be
safe if not used.

Some of the most common hazards faced by workers in nurseries


include:

o Operating heavy equipment such as forklifts


o Operating power tools such as pruners and clippers
o Pushing and lifting heavy equipment such as loaded
wheelbarrows or large containers
o Using sharp tools such as pruning shears and picking knives
o Working with pesticides

You can prevent most workplace injuries and illnesses if you identify
workplace hazards and take steps to control them. Risk control
involves eliminating the hazard entirely or, if that is not possible,
minimizing the risks as much as possible. Ways to minimize the risks
include the following:

o Select appropriate safety features when purchasing or


replacing equipment.
o Modify work processes or equipment.
o Develop and implement safe work procedures for hazardous
tasks.
o Ensure that workers use appropriate personal protective
equipment.

2. Safe work procedures — Describe in writing how to carry out specific


tasks safely. How these materials will be kept safe and can be used in
the future before they expire.

There are chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, fungicides that are


used in the nursery. See to it that containers of these items are
properly sealed before leaving them in the storage cabinet. Chemical
spills of pesticides may cause severe problems once they are spilled
out and can contaminate with other materials used in the nursery.
If possible post procedures on proper use, safekeeping and
disposal of empty containers prominently so that workers could easily
see the reminders.

Verbal instructions are not prohibited but aside from them posting
is necessary. There are times workers do not take instructions
seriously. Supervisors find it helpful to post written reminders to avoid
accidents to happen.

For tools and equipment, see to it that they are placed in the
toolbox or room for safety keeping.

For tools with sharp edges, apply oil on them to avoid rusting. For
pruning shears, clean the blade and apply oil on them and put them in
a holster to be safe. Again never leave other tools like pick mattock,
axe, budding knife in an area where they can cause accident. Make it a
habit to place them in a tool box or cabinet every after use.

Among others:

o Store respirators and other protective clothing and equipment,


safely away from chemicals.
o Keep pesticide storage area locked and use for no other purpose
o Ensure absorbent materials are located close by to clean up any
spills. These may include kitty litter, absorbent pillows, lime
and/or sand.
o Never store chemicals in food or drink containers.
o Locate storage area as far away as possible from humans and
livestock to prevent accidental poisoning.

Disposal of Pesticide Containers

Triple or jet rinse empty containers to remove all traces of the


chemical. If possible, return containers to the manufacturer or
supplier, or call a representative of the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR) or Department of Agriculture (DA) for
information on approved disposal methods. Material Safety Data
Sheets may provide disposal information.

3. Orientation, education, training, and supervision — Prepare


workers for the job and make sure they continue to work safely. This
is particularly important for new and young workers.

Occupational health and safety program should describe the type


of education and training that will be provided, especially if observed
there is really a need to provide it. most especially, if there are new
workers in the area. For example, paste on the wall the safe work
procedures to follow when performing hazardous tasks. Workers
should also be trained in the use of emergency equipment and
procedures.

If new in the service, this is the orientation that you need:

o Rights and responsibilities


o Workplace hazards
o Safe work procedures

Other typical topics include:

• Falls from elevation (including ladder safety)


• Lockout (for machinery and power tools)
• Lifting and moving objects or people (strains and sprains)
• Guarding (for machinery and power tools)
• Forklifts and other mobile equipment
• Confined spaces
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
• First aid and emergency procedures

4. Safety inspections — Identify workplace hazards so that they can be


eliminated or controlled.

Besides correcting any hazards that you observe from day to day,
set aside time for regular workplace inspections, and control any
hazardsyou find during your inspection. Because safety inspections
are preventive in nature, they are an important part of your overall
health and safety program.

Expect that you will be inspected by your immediate supervisor.


Very common in big nurseries a once or twice a month supervise visit.
In small nurseries, owners usually visit the area daily or every other
day. The purpose of the visit is to conduct an ocular inspection if
health and safety system in the area is properly attended to.

What is being inspected

During an inspection, it is expected that the owner identifies


unsafe conditions and acts that may cause injury and apply corrective
measures right away.
A checklist is used to ensure that the inspection is thorough and
consistent with previous inspections. Expect to do the following:

• Ask everyone what hazards are associated with the job that
workers observe or that would be performed in that work area.
• Observe how workers perform tasks. Are they following safe work
procedures and using PPE?
• Talke to workers about what they‘re doing. Ask about safety
concerns.
• Ask workers how they perform their tasks.
• Record any unsafe actions or conditions that they observe.

While the first inspections may seem slow and difficult, over time
they will become much easier and ultimately will help make the
health and safety program more effective.

If there are problems observed, it is possible that they may ask


the following:

Getting the root of the problem. For example, if they see a wet
floor, they may ask:

Why is the floor wet?


Where is the water coming from?
How long has it been like that?

Possible explanations include:

• A water leak
 A job process that creates workers who need training and
education on how to clean up the hazard
 Fix it right the first time and the problem shouldn‘t recur.

What to do:

Check whether safe work procedures are being followed. For


example, consider the following questions:

 Are workers turning off power tools before walking with


them to another location?
• Are gloves being used for handling garbage and debris?
• Are safe lifting techniques being followed?
• Do workers know the procedures for working alone and
handling the problem?
5. Incident investigation — Find out why an accident or injury
occurred so the causes can be corrected.

Everyone in a greenhouse or nursery has a role to play in an


incident investigation. Workers must report incidents to their
supervisors. Owners, employers, or supervisors must initiate incident
investigations promptly. If possible, investigations should include at
least one employer representative and one worker representative.

6. Health and safety meetings — Provide an opportunity for workers


and supervisors to communicate any concerns about health and
safety.

Good communication among employers, supervisors, and workers


on health and safety issues is vital for the success of a workplace
health and safety program. The following are some guidelines for
successful health and safety meetings: Expect that workers will be
required to attend the following:

• Hold regular monthly meetings with workers to discuss health


and safety matters.
• Focus your meetings on identifying and correcting hazardous
conditions or tasks and making health and safety a priority
in your workplace.
• Post an agenda to get workers thinking about the topics to be
discussed.
• Keep a record of each meeting, including what was discussed
and who attended.
• Post meeting minutes for everyone to read.

Bring the following to each meeting:

• Your latest inspection report


• Any incident reports completed during the last month
• First aid and incident investigation reports
• Any new safe work procedures
• The minutes for last month‘s meeting

This is important in order to allow workers to know that


nursery work is comparable to other job that requires professional
dealings from owners. This dignifies workers as they are treated
with utmost concern by concerned agencies.
7. First aid — Determine what level of first aid is required for your
workplace, and make sure everyone knows what to do if someone is
injured on the job.

All workplaces must meet the first aid requirements. Effective first
aid treatment can reduce the severity of work-related injuries, which
helps minimize the financial costs associated with extensive medical
treatment or the need to replace employees who are unable to work.

All businesses must keep a first aid kit onsite. Many will also need
a first aid attendant. The type of kit and the need for a first aid
attendant will depend on three factors:

• the hazard rating for your business


• number of workers
• travel time to the nearest hospital

Most nurseries and greenhouse operations are considered


moderate-risk workplaces.

Nurseries should be prepared to respond to emergencies such as


fires, chemical spills, or natural disasters. If an emergency occurs,
there will be a need to make quick decisions that will minimize
injuries and damage. Such decisions are easier if you have already
developed an emergency plan.

Follow these guidelines to develop and implement an emergency plan:

• List all possible events (for example, serious injuries, fires,


explosions, or natural disasters).
 Identify the major consequences associated with each event (for
 example, casualties, equipment damage, or facility damage).
 Determine the necessary measures to deal with those
consequences (for example, first aid, notification of medical
authorities, rescue, firefighting, or equipment evacuation).
 Determine what resources will be required (for example, medical
supplies or rescue equipment).
 Store emergency equipment where it will be accessible in case
of emergency.
 Ensure that workers are trained in emergency procedures and
shown where equipment is stored.
 Hold periodic drills at least annually to ensure that employees
will be ready to act if an emergency occurs.
 Communicate the plan to everyone involved.

8. Records and statistics — Maintain documentation to help identify


recurring problem, and ensure that hazardous conditions are corrected.

Employers are required to keep health and safety records and


statistics on file. Examples of documentation include training activities,
first aid treatments, and incident investigations. Written records and
statistics can help:

• Identify trends for unsafe conditions or work practices so you can


take steps to correct these hazards.
• Provide material for education and training.
• Provide documentation in case a DOLE representative requests it,
or if an incident occurs and you need to prove that you did all you
could reasonably do to prevent it.

STORING PLANTS AND MATERIALS

Propagation nurseries must have a reliable supply of good-quality


plant material. This might be seed from reliable seed suppliers or from
plants which can be readily used as a source seed collection. It might
also be cutting or grafting material from healthy, correctly identified
plants (―known varieties‖).
Seeds are alive and like any living thing they can be harmed by
adverse conditions. While some seeds may survive for thousands of years
under the proper conditions, others will lose viability quickly, even when
properly stored.

To maintain dormancy the following must be done.

1. Keep seeds in a cool, dark location with low humidity, like a


refrigerator.

2. Label (seed name, source, year) and store them in a small


resalable bag or empty film canister that is, in turn, kept in a larger
plastic container.

Once you are ready to sow, you can test the viability of many, but
not all, seeds by soaking them in water for a few hours. The seeds that
are still living will sink to the bottom, while the dead ones will float on
the surface. This test generally works better for larger seeds, but there
are no absolutes.

Stored seed can be affected by:

o Moisture content. Many short-lived seeds lose viability if they


become dry-citrus seed, for example, can withstand only slight
drying. Medium-to long-lived seeds need to be dry to survive long
periods of storage (4-6% moisture level is ideal-higher or lower can
be detrimental to viability). For seeds not adversely affected by low
moisture, each 1 % decrease in seed moisture, between 5% and
14%, doubles the life of the seed. Fluctuations in moisture levels
during storage will reduce longevity. For this reason, seeds keep
better in dry climates than in areas of high humidity.
o Temperature. Most seeds will store for longer periods t lower
temperatures. Each decrease of 4.6ºC (9ºF) between 0º and 44ºC (32º
and 112ºF) will double the seed storage life.
o Storage atmosphere. Some techniques of modifying gas levels
(increasing carbon dioxide) can be of value.

Types of seed storage

1. Open storage with no control. Storage in bins, sacks or paper bags.


Fumigation or insecticide/fungicide applications are sometimes
necessary. Seeds of many annuals, perennials, vegetables and
cereals can be successfully kept this way. Apart from a few
exceptions (corn, onion, parsley ), seeds from these groups will
normally retain viability for at least a few years.

2. Cold storage with or without humidity control. Temperatures below


10ºC (50ºF) will improve the longevity of virtually any type of seed.
Cold storage of tree and shrub seed is recommended if the seed is to
be held for more than one year.

3. Cold moist storage. Seed should be stored between 2º and 10ºC (35-
50ºF) in a container which holds some moisture – retaining material
such as peat or sphagnum moss. Relative humidity should be 80-
90% . It should be placed in an area of the nursery that is cool. The
roots must be moist and are protected from direct sunlight, wind or
extreme temperature inside the nursery area.

Materials Storage

Proper storage of materials can range from sealing chemicals in a


well-labeled container indoors to covering piles of materials outdoors.
Hazardous materials require special attention, but non-hazardous
materials also need to be stored so that they do not contribute to dirt,
trash, and debris in storm water. Designate a storage area where runoff
will not lead to the street or storm drains. Minimize mishandling by
training staff and posting applicable pollution prevention information in
storage areas.
The purpose of this best management practice is to minimize leaks,
spills, and runoff that may might pollute storm water.

Implementation

DO:
 The first step in properly storing materials is to compile a
materials inventory by reviewing purchase orders and touring
the physical plant or work area of your business.
 Identify chemicals that are hazardous or toxic. Maintain Material
Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and other safety material for
stored inventory in an area accessible to employees. Include
information on safety equipment and appropriate materials and
procedures to clean spills. In some cases, posters in storage areas
may be the best way to remind employees of this information
when it is needed. Provide all materials in the first language of
employees.
 Keep applicable clean up kits where materials are stored.
 Label stored materials for contents, unit number, expiration date,
handling instructions, and health or environmental hazards.
Store materials where runoff will not lead to the street, gutter, or
storm drain. Storage areas should be graded so that runoff will
not lead to storm drains or stored materials can be lifted away
from the runoff, for example, by storing on pallets and then
covering with a tarp.
 Close off drains in storage areas.
 Provide Secondary Containment. This provides a backup in case
of leaks or spills.
 If possible, store materials indoors. This prevents wind and rain
from carrying them away.
 Outdoors, cover any materials that are toxic or could contribute to
trash, debris, and sediment in storm water. For example, use leak
proof lids on containers or plastic tarps over dirt piles. If they are
exposed to runoff, they should also be isolated by either using
beams, or elevated, for example, by using pallets.
 Keep in mind the lifespan of the cover used. Tarps and plastic
sheets, for example, may not hold up well in certain climates.
 For dirt piles, block rainwater runoff with a berm.
 In storage areas, clean up regularly with dry methods.
 Keep dumpster lids closed and consider constructing a roof or
overhang to shelter the dumpster. Replace leaking dumpsters.
 Take care when loading and unloading materials to minimize
losses or fugitive emission losses such as dust or mist.

DON’T:
 Do not dispose of unwanted materials in the street or storm drain.
 Do not assume that a material is safe for storm water because it
says it is non-toxic or biodegradable. Non-toxic means the product is not
toxic to the user. Biodegradable means the product will eventually break
down, but it may harm the environment in the meantime.
CLEANING, MAINTAINING AND STORING TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

It is important that nursery tools and equipment must be properly


managed. This is in order to avoid additional cost on the part of the
nursery owner. Purchasing new tools and equipment makes nursery
operation very costly when available implements are still serviceable. The
only thing to do is to properly clean and do all maintenance procedures
of said implements after their use.

The first step in tool and equipment maintenance is to read any


instruction or manual supplied with said farm implements. Regular
servicing or maintenance procedure may be required. If there are no
specific instructions, a number of simple maintenance tasks generally
help prolong the life of many tools.

Looking after tools is very important. If you look after them they
don‘t have to be replaced as frequently. Tools and equipment in good
condition are easier and safer to use. Some simple general reminders are
listed below.

 Metal – To prevent rust or corrosion, metal needs either painting


with a good metal primer or regular coating with oil. It may be
good if after use the metal parts are cleaned and wiped with an oil
rag.

 Sharpening – Keeping tools sharp usually means less effort is


required to use them, so less strain is applied.

 Washing – If tools are kept clean they are less likely to corrode or
have moving parts size. This also reduces the likelihood of pests
and diseases being spread from infected areas to uninfected areas.

 Storing – Keeping tools stored properly means they are less likely
to be damaged, lost or stolen. Tools left lying around can also be
dangerous, particularly if the business is likely to have young
children visiting (a retail nursery) or if they can be used by
burglars to break the office, work buildings or storage sheds.

Other reminders are the following:

a. Make sure the tools are free of foreign matter or obstruction that may
impede the efficient and safe use of said nursery implements.
b. Make sure that worn or damaged parts are replaced promptly. This
includes pull-start cords that might be frayed.
c. Make sure that all moving parts are well-lubricated.
d. Protect any parts that are likely to rust or become corroded with paint
or wipe with an oil rag.
e. Keep battery terminals free of corrosion. Cover terminals with a smear
of petroleum jelly. Battery level should be topped up. All connections
should be kept tight.
f. Make sure any oil are kept topped up, drained and replaced at regular
intervals. Follow manufacturer‘s recommendations.
g. Keep air cleaners clean and unblocked.
h. Keep any cutting edges properly sharpened.
i. Periodically check up and tighten any loose nuts, bolts, screws , etc.

REPORT PREPARATIONS

The nursery enterprise is an important source of employment and


income generation. It is important for the nursery owner to make an
estimate of expenditure and probable income during the operation of the
nursery.

Similarly, it is also beneficial for the entrepreneur to make a


nurseryM production plan of work, manpower and raw material
requirement for successful operation of the nursery. The anticipation of
income is also an area which requires planning for proper financial
appraisal in the nursery venture. Proper financial planning of the
income, expenditure statements is an essential factor in the success of
the nursery business.

Entrepreneurs can use business analysis as a guide for important


decisions such as business expansions, financing, marketing strategies,
operations planning, and product selection. When applied properly, this
information can increase nursery business profitability, control costs,
reduce the risk of business failure, boost employee productivity and job
satisfaction, enhance physical efficiency, and improve management
professionalism.

It can also support the evaluation of costs and returns for


individual products to determine a more profitable product mixture.
Financial analysis can assist in identifying some common problems in
wholesale plant nurseries such as low output, slow crop growth or poor
pricing, excessive costs, waste or overuse, poor cash flow,
overcapitalization or undercapitalization, and imbalanced debt structure.
Records Maintenance for Sale and Income

The nursery should maintain the record of mother plants illustrating


both the rootstock and the scion trees as well. Additionally it should also
maintain separate record of production of grafts and, seedlings and sale
of plants.

Here are formats of records in maintaining stocks in the nursery.

A. Source of Rootstock and Scion material in nursery

Name of Fruit Plant and Tree number allotted


Land Survey type/variety to the
No fruit tree
of Mother
Plants Rootstock Scion Rootstock Scion

B. Record of Production in Nursery

Name of Fruit Tree number allotted No of No. of


Plant and to the tree Grafts plants
type/variety produced ready for
Rootstock Scion sale and
plantation

C. Record of Sale of Plants from Nursery

Name & Record of source of


Date of Address of rootstock and scion Rate of Remarks
Sale person to Sale
whom per
plants are plant
sold
Rootstock Scion
number numbe
Apart from the record for the sale and production of nursery
plants it is also recommended that the nursery entrepreneur maintain
record of expenditure in the nursery which is called bookkeeping.

Bookkeeping is one of the functions of financial accounting.


Bookkeeping entails maintaining proper records and books for
recording complete details of transactions made during the course of
business. Business transactions can be classified into several major
activities/groups e.g. sales, purchases, assets, etc.

Separate books for recording transactions pertaining to these


activities are maintained. Details of the transactions were recorded
into respective heading. This exercise is called Bookkeeping.

It is advisable to maintain books of accounts for the following


reasons:

 They provide up-to-date information about the nursery business.


 They reflect the outcome of transactions made during the period
under review.
 They give information about the state of affairs of the business at
regular intervals.
 They help governments and other authorities to decide about the
incidence of various taxes.
 They help to analyze the performance of the nursery business.
 They help to compare the performance of several business firms.

Various records of expenditure and income are recorded in different


book records as follows:

1. Purchase Book: In the purchase book, all transactions pertaining to


purchases on credit or cash are recorded. Transactions of purchase
returned are also recorded here separately;

Date Party‘ Bill Ledger Folio Item Quantity Amount Terms


name No. Name Rate

Total
2. Sales Book: In the sales book, all transactions pertaining to credit or
cash sales are recorded. Transactions of sales returned are also
recorded separately.

Date Party‘ Bill Ledger Folio Item Quantity Amount Terms


name No. Name Rate

Total

3. Ledger: All accounts involved in the transactions recorded in the


journal or its subsidiary books are maintained here, and necessary
posting is made.

Debit Side Name of Account


Credit Side
Date Particular Folio Amount Particular Folio Amount
No. No.

It may be noticed from the format that a ledger account has two sides:
debit into four sections, viz. `Date', `Particulars', `Journal Folio
Number' and `Amount'.

(i) Date: In this column, the date of a transaction as entered in the


journal book from where the entry is brought to the ledger account is
mentioned.
(ii) Particulars: In this column the name of the account in which the
corresponding credit or debit (under the double entry principle) is
mentioned.
(iii) Journal Folio Number: In this column the page number of the journal
book or subsidiary book from where the transaction is brought to the
account is mentioned.
(iv) Amount: In this column the amount, with which the account is
debited or credited, is mentioned.
What to process:

This time let us see whether you understand the concept in this
lesson.

1. Visit a nearby nursery in your area and observe the following:

a. Do they have a method of identifying hazards? ________


b. When hazards have been identified, do they conduct a risk
assessment to help determine the best way to eliminate or control the
risks? How?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
c. Do they inform new workers about work rules prohibiting horseplay
and the use of alcohol and drugs at work ? _________
d. Do they inspect the workplace regularly? _______
e. Have you observed workers to determine if they need refresher training
in safe work procedures? _______________

2. Visit the first aid program of the nursery.

a. Ask one worker if all of the workers know the location of the first
aid kit?
b. Do workers know who the first aid attendant is, how to contact
him/her, and how to get assistance in emergencies?
c. Are workers instructed to report all injuries?
d. Do they record all injuries?

What to reflect and understand

Visit a nearby school nursery and fill up the following records.

A. Source of Rootstock and Scion material in nursery

Name of Fruit Plant and Tree number allotted


Land Survey type/variety to the
No. fruit tree
of Mother
Plants Rootstock Scion Rootstock Scion
B. Record of Production in Nursery

Name of Fruit Tree number allotted No of No. of


Plant to the tree Grafts plants
and produced ready for
type/variet Rootstock Scion sale and
y plantation

C. Record of Sale of Plants from Nursery

Date of Name & Record of source of


Sale Address of rootstock and scion
person to
whom Rate of
plants are Sale Remarks
sold per
Rootstock Scion plant
number number

What to transfer

Visit a nearby school nursery in the area and use this sample to
develop a report for recording the results of your regular workplace
inspections.

A. INSPECTION CHECKLIST

Go over every aspect of your workplace to identify possible


hazards. Use blank lines to add items specific to your workplace.

A. Tools and Equipment Yes No


1. Are tools and equipment kept clean?
2. Is equipment in good working order and
regularly maintained?
Sprayer
Chainsaws
Others….

3. Are operators trained properly?


4. Are controls clearly marked?
5. Is machinery adequately guarded?
6. Are there lockout procedures in place?
B. Ladders
1. Do you have the appropriate types of ladders
for your work?
2. Are ladders safe and in good condition (no
loose or damaged rungs, steps, or rails)?
3. Are ladders clean and free of slippery material
such as debris, ice, and oil?
4. Are spreaders on stepladders sturdy, and can
they be locked in place?
5. Are ropes and pulleys on extension ladders in
good repair and free-moving?
6. Do ladders have anti-slip treads?
C. Storage
1 Are supplies and materials stored properly on
shelves?
2. Does your storage layout minimize lifting
problems?
3. Are floors around shelves clear of obstacles?
4. Are racks and shelves secured to the floor or
wall and in good condition?
5. Are storage areas well lit to allow safe access
to contents?
6. Are tools stored safely?
D. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
(PPE)
1. Is all necessary PPE available to workers?
2. Is all PPE clean and maintained properly?
3. Do workers know where to find PPE?
4. Do workers know how to use PPE?
5. Do workers use PPE according to their
training?
o Eye and face protection
o Safety headgear (hard hats)
o Gloves
o Protective clothing
o Respirators
E.SAFE WORK PRACTICES
1. Do workers use safe lifting techniques?
2. Are wastes disposed of properly?
3. Do workers know how to deal with violent
customers?
4. Do workers know the procedures for working
alone?
5. Do workers know how to work safely in hot,
cold, and wet conditions?
6. Do workers know how to work safely around
insects and dangerous plants?
7. Do workers know how to check a site for
dangers such as electrical wires (overhead and
underground), debris, potholes, and steep
slopes?
F. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
1. Are material safety data sheets (MSDSs)
provided for all hazardous materials?stions.
2. Are containers clearly labelled?
3. Are hazardous materials stored properly?
4. Are hazardous materials disposed of
properly.rker
B. INSPECTION REPORT

Nursery
name:______________________________________________________________
Date:_______________________________________________________________
Inspectors‘
names:___________________________________________________________
Type of hazar
T Type of DE Recommended PPPerson Date
hazard Describe corrective responsible remedied
(critical, hazard action for remedial
urgent, and action
important) precise
Ty location

Report to class the result of the inspection


Posttest

A. Write T if the statement is correct and F if it is wrong.

____1. It is best to identify unsafe conditions and acts that may cause
injury when conducting inspections in the nursery.

____2. It is NOT advisable to ask workers how they perform in the


nursery.

____3. A water leak is an ordinary problem in a nursery.

____4. A problem that exists in I the operation must be fixed right away
to avoid it to recur.

_____5. It is best to hold a regular meeting with workers to avoid bigger


problems to happen in the future.

_____6. All workplaces must meet the first aid requirements.

_____7. Nurseries are considered high-risk workplaces.

_____8. It is NOT advisable to communicate to workers of whatever plans


one has for the nursery.
_____9. Store emergency equipment in an area where no one can
open/get it right away.

_____10. Seeds are alive and living organisms that need not be harmed or
exposed to harsh environment.

Glossary of terms

Berm- A flat strip of land, raised bank, or terrace bordering a river or


canal.

Journal Folio- The number of the ledger account in which


the journal entry was posted is recorded in the folio number column
Storm water- is water that originates from precipitation.
References:

__________2001,Good Nursery Practices; A Simple Guide, Nairobi Kenya,


2001, First Ed.
__________1986,Health and Safety for Greenhouses and Nurseries.
Horticultural Educ.
Keats C. hall, 1984, Manual on Nursery Practices, Forestry Project Dept.
2nd Edition
__________2001,Prince Edward Island Farm Safety Code of Practice, First
Ed.
__________1988, Trees in Newcastle; Nursery Operations and Practices,
Hustle Central Rivers.
Lantican, R. M. 2001, The Science and Practice of Crop
Production,published SEAMEO, SEARCA and UPLB, College, Los
Banos, Laguna
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