Tropical Agriculture

Your first set of course materials will be sent to you when you enrol. You can start as soon as you want and progress through the course at your own pace, studying when and where you choose.

This flexibility makes it easy to fit learning around work and family commitments.

The extensive course materials have been developed by tropical farming experts and are clear and straightforward, so your studying is easy and enjoyable. As you complete each lesson, your tutor will promptly return your marked assignment with constructive feedback and guidance. (You can also contact your tutor or the support team for help at any point during your studies.)

The course includes all the required study materials.

There is no formal examination. On successful completion you will be awarded an HCC Certificate and the Certificate of Achievement at QLS Level 3. You have 2 years to complete the course.

We are proud of our friendly, caring ethos and aim to do all we can to help you succeed.

Our tutors are all experienced, highly qualified and passionate about sharing their love of their subject. You can phone or email your tutor throughout the course – to ask questions, for advice, encouragement or to draw on their wealth of knowledge.

You can also contact the support team who are here to help you Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Lesson 1 – Introductions – regions and climate

• Classification of farming systems
• Some common characteristics of tropical agriculture. Implications for tropical farming
• Tapping the potential
• Main farming systems found in the tropics
• Shifting cultivation
• Fallow systems
• Ley and dairy systems
• Permanent upland cultivation
• Arable irrigation farming
• Perennial crops
• Grazing systems

Lesson 2 – Characteristics of soil

• The organic cycle
• Properties of sand, silt and clay
• Soil texture classification
• Particular features of tropical soils
• Paddy rice soil profile
• Soil water
• Water in the soil
• Water conservation
• The water cycle
• Soil temperature and organisms
• Plant nutrients
• Soil pH
• Soil management
• Manuring and compost making
• Storage and composition of compost
• Mixed cropping
• Fertilisers and amounts to use
• Methods of fertiliser application
• Soil erosion
• Soil and water conservation
• Drainage
• Irrigation

Lesson 3 – Introduction – plant structure

• Plant reproduction
• Plant groups
• Plant growth
• Cultivation
• Planting
• Mixed and relay cropping
• Weeds
• Diseases of crops
• Pests
• Crop improvement

Lesson 4 – Introduction – principles of livestock production

• The reproductive system
• The digestive system
• Animal nutrition
• Classification of feeds
• Constituents of feed
• Principles of livestock rationing
• Types of feedstuffs for farm animals
• Animal health
• Animal improvement
• Cattle
• Management of cattle
• Dairy cattle management
• Beef cattle

Lesson 5 – Vegetables

• Planning the vegetable garden
• Preparation and layout of site
• Cropping patterns
• Cultural practices
• Egg plant
• Okra, pepper; amaranth; tomato; watermelon; sweet potato
• Fruit trees – propagation techniques
• Establishing the orchard
• Citrus fruits
• Bananas; cashew; coconut; mango; papaya; pineapple; oil palm

Lesson 6 – Classification of crops

• Food crops – rice; maize; sorghum; millet; cowpeas; yam; cassava
• Cash crops – groundnuts; sugar cane; cotton; sesame; tea
• Crop recording

Lesson 7

• Sheep – Management systems; diseases
• Goats – breeds of goats; management of goats
• Pigs – types of management; housing; feeding; breeding
• Parasites and diseases
• Poultry – types and breeds of chicken
• Types of management
• Housing
• Breeding and reproduction
• Management of layers
• Management of broilers
• Feeding
• Health and diseases

Lesson 8 – Rural development

• What is development?
• Development in rural areas
• Participatory development
• Planning development projects
• Evaluation and monitoring of development programmes
• Case studies

Lesson 9 – Appropriate technology

• Intermediate technology
• Choice of technology
• Agricultural mechanization
• Implements for agriculture.

Lesson 10 – Agroforestry

• Principles of agroforestry
• Agroforestry tree management
• Agroforestry practices
• Applications
• Some suitable species
• The future potential

If needed you have 2 years to complete the course. Many students are able to complete this course in approximately 6-12 months*.

*Timescales are approximate and depend upon application and motivation.

Upon successful completion you will receive; the Certificate of Achievement* at QLS Level 3. This course has been designed by The Horticultural Correspondence College to meet specific learners’ and/or employers’ requirements which cannot be satisfied through current regulated qualifications. The Quality Licence Scheme, endorses high-quality, non-regulated provision and training programmes.

You will also receive an HCC Certificate*, graded to show the standard you have reached. The HCC’s reputation means this can be highly regarded on a CV and, combined with your portfolio of coursework, is evidence of your achievements (whether you are applying for a job or a more advanced study course).

* Your certification will be issued once you have successfully completed your course and finished your course payments.

• Once you have successfully completed this course you could work on a farm in tropical areas, either self employed or working for a farmer
• You could also work for a charity or other organisation supporting farmers in tropical areas
• You could progress to the following HCC courses:

  Mixed Farming
  Organic Arable Farming
  Organic Livestock Farming
  Sheep Farming
  Crop Tech
  Market Gardening

You do not need previous farming knowledge or experience to enrol on this course.