Unit 4: Sources of Water
Subject: Primary Agriculture (Malawi Curriculum)
Lesson Title: Sources of Water
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, learners should be able to:
1. Identify different sources of water.
2. Explain the importance of water in agricultural activities.
3. Differentiate between natural and man-made sources of water.
Key Vocabulary:
Water source: The origin from which water is obtained.
Natural water sources: Sources of water that occur naturally.
Man-made water sources: Sources of water created by human activities.
Introduction:
Water is essential for agriculture, domestic use, and sustaining life. Farmers use water to
grow crops, feed animals, and maintain healthy soil. Understanding where water comes from
helps us manage this valuable resource efficiently.
Types of Water Sources:
1. Natural Water Sources
These are water sources that occur naturally in the environment. They include:
o Rainwater: Water that falls from the atmosphere as precipitation. It is an
important source for crop irrigation.
o Rivers and Streams: Flowing water bodies that supply water to surrounding
areas.
o Lakes and Ponds: Still water bodies that provide a significant amount of
water for both farming and domestic use.
o Underground Water (Boreholes/Wells): Water found beneath the earth’s
surface in aquifers. This water can be accessed through wells or boreholes.
2. Man-Made Water Sources
These are created by human intervention to ensure a reliable water supply. They
include:
o Dams: Large barriers built to store water for irrigation, domestic use, and
industrial purposes.
o Canals: Man-made channels that carry water from rivers or reservoirs to
farmlands.
o Reservoirs: Artificial lakes created by damming rivers, primarily used for
storing water for various uses.
Importance of Water in Agriculture:
Activity:
1. Class Discussion:
o Ask learners to mention the water sources available in their communities.
Write these on the board.
o Discuss the differences between natural and man-made water sources.
2. Group Work:
Divide the class into groups. Each group will research and present on one of the
following water sources:
o Rainwater
o Rivers
o Dams
o Wells/Boreholes
o Lakes
Conclusion:
Water is a vital resource in agriculture and everyday life. Knowing where water comes from
helps us protect and manage these resources to support farming and ensure everyone has
enough clean water.
Lesson Title: Importance of Water to Livestock
Subject: Primary Agriculture (Malawi Curriculum)
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, learners should be able to:
1. Explain the importance of water for livestock.
2. Identify the functions of water in the body of livestock.
3. Describe the effects of water shortage on livestock health and productivity.
Key Vocabulary:
Livestock: Farm animals raised for their products such as meat, milk, eggs, or wool.
Introduction:
Water is as essential for livestock as it is for human beings. It helps animals grow, stay
healthy, and produce more products like milk, meat, and eggs. Understanding the role of
water in livestock farming will help ensure that animals are kept in good health.
Importance of Water to Livestock:
1. Used for drinking:
o Water helps animals digest food, absorb nutrients, and regulate body
temperature.
2. For fish Farming:
o Fish need enough water in their ponds for them to live.
3. Used in dip tanks
o Water is mixed with chemicals and the animals are dipped to kill external
parasites for example ticks.
Activity:
1. Class Discussion:
o Ask learners to describe how they care for their livestock at home or in their
community. Discuss the role of water in keeping livestock healthy.
2. Group Exercise:
o Divide the class into groups. Each group will create a poster showing the
importance of water to a specific type of livestock (e.g., cattle, chickens,
goats). They will present their findings to the class.
Assessment:
Learners will list 3 reasons why water is important to livestock.
Lesson Title: How to Improve Water Availability and Quality
Subject: Primary Agriculture (Malawi Curriculum)
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, learners should be able to:
1. Identify methods to improve water availability.
2. Explain how to improve water quality for domestic and agricultural use.
3. Understand the importance of conserving water resources.
Key Vocabulary:
Water availability: The presence of water in sufficient quantities for use.
Water quality: The condition or cleanliness of water, determining its safety for
drinking and use.
Conservation: The careful use of natural resources to prevent waste.
Rainwater harvesting: Collecting and storing rainwater for later use.
Irrigation: A method of supplying water to crops using controlled systems.
Introduction:
Water is a critical resource for both human and agricultural activities. In some areas, water
can be scarce, while in others, it may be polluted or unsafe for use. To sustain farming and
ensure good health, it is important to improve water availability and maintain high-quality
water for use. This lesson will explore different ways to achieve this.
Methods to Improve Water Availability:
1. Avoid cutting down of trees carelessly around the water source:
o Reduce cutting down of trees without planting other trees.
2. Constructing Dams and borehole:
o Building structures to store large amounts of water for use during times of less
water.
3. Provision of piped water:
Connect more houses to piped water, but water wastage and increases the
amount of water available for the whole year.
4. Protecting Water Sources:
o Keeping rivers, lakes, and wells clean and ensuring they are not contaminated
by waste or chemicals.
Ways to Improve Water Quality:
1. Water Purification:
o Boiling Water: Boiling water kills germs making it safe to drink.
o Filtering Water: Using simple filters to remove dirt.
o Chlorination: Adding small amounts of chlorine to water kills harmful
microorganisms, ensuring that the water is safe for drinking.
2. Proper Sanitation Practices:
o Avoid dumping waste, chemicals, or fertilizers near water sources.
o Promote the use of latrines or toilets to prevent contamination of water by
human waste.
Activity:
1. Class Discussion:
o Ask learners how water is collected, stored, and used in their homes or
communities. Discuss ways they think water availability and quality can be
improved.
2. Group Exercise:
o Divide learners into groups. Each group will create a model or diagram
showing one method of improving water availability (e.g., a rainwater
harvesting system, a dam, or an irrigation system).
Conclusion:
Improving water availability and ensuring good water quality is essential for farming,
livestock, and human health. Techniques like rainwater harvesting, irrigation, and protecting
water sources can help ensure a steady supply of clean water. By adopting good practices,
communities can better manage their water resources and reduce the risk of water shortages.
Homework:
Learners will research and write about any traditional or modern methods used in
their communities to improve water availability and quality.
