Advanced Diploma in Agriculture and Crop Production

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide the agricultural crop production industry and its associated value chain with suitably competent and qualified agricultural practitioners that are able to develop and apply knowledge, competencies and appropriate agricultural technical/scientific and suitable associated social and communication management skills in operating and supporting agricultural and crop production systems of moderate to advanced complexity effectively as part of a production and/or advisory team variedly positioned in the agricultural value chain.

Qualifying learners will be able to define and conceptualise problems in broader agricultural and specifically crop production systems and develop solutions for agricultural problems demanding solutions of moderate complexity relating to specifically crop production systems and general agricultural production activity and outcomes in broader agricultural production systems.

In addition, this qualification will significantly contribute to prepare graduates to

• Furthering lifelong learning, practice and career activities within the agricultural and crop production and/or associated industries and through improved competence in crop production that will equip learners to pursue opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and purposeful contributions to society.
• Creating the essential core of knowledge and competencies to promote the uptake of innovation and promote the role and importance of agricultural and crop production as economic, social and environmentally responsive industry. The importance of interpersonal relations and communication skills (in social, professional, scientific and strategic conceptual planning settings and processes) is duly addressed.
• Improving the eminent employability of agricultural and crop production graduates and also actively contribute to improving the career development opportunities for agricultural and crop production practitioners.

Rationale

This qualification is specifically aimed at learners who wish to further their career in agriculture as an important field of economic activity and wish to improve their formal qualifications to support their experience and knowledge and expand on their competencies.

The assumptions and the characteristics regarding the structuring and concept of the Advanced Diploma in Agriculture and Crop Production are the following:

This qualification also effectively addresses the following shortcomings identified over a number of years and discussed in documents like the Norms and Standards for Advisory Services of Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) (2005) as well as international organisations such as Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS).

• Furthering sustainable development rests on the ability to engage in and report on independent research. Most extension practitioners do not have these skills.
• There is a deficiency of leadership and managerial skills among agricultural practitioners at all levels. This limits the ability of agricultural practitioners to engage effectively as leaders and managers.
• Given the stated complexities of the agricultural landscape, single-discipline focussed training and education has become largely inadequate, and there is an increasing need in practice to be able to integrate disciplines and programmes to cope with this increasing complexity.
• Monitoring and evaluation of agricultural and crop production systems are important requirements of such systems, but suitable skills and competencies are lacking. Many development practitioners who do not necessarily have adequate agricultural and crop production training are increasingly being required to engage in extension and crop production activities, without adequate training.

For these reasons the qualifications have been developed. This qualification will increase the competence of its learners through equipping learners with the necessary knowledge, skills, motivation and competence to:

• Confidently and constructively engage in and deal with the identification and conceptualisation of problems and challenges facing crop production systems and agricultural development in South Africa at moderate levels of complexity.
• Successfully and efficiently engage in crop production and research strategies and programmes in agricultural problem scenario's requiring solutions of moderate complexity to overcome the challenges associated with agricultural growth and development; and
• Participate with increasing self-confidence, as a knowledgeable and competent member of a team or group, or as independent individual, in a variety of problem-solving and policy development activities in agricultural problem scenario's requiring solutions of moderate complexity.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• In keeping with national policy frameworks and the institution's mission and vision, widening of access is promoted through Recognition of Prior Learning. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process of identifying the knowledge and skills of an applicant against the admission requirements of a qualification and/or for credits against a part thereof.
• The process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal, non-formal and/ or formal learning. RPL in this qualification will relate to gaining access to the qualification and/or credits/advanced standing as described in institutional guidelines.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• A relevant 360 Credits Diploma or National Diploma in relevant fields.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Level 7, totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules: 65 Credits

• Agricultural Economics, 15, Credit.
• Agricultural Extension, 15, Credits.
• Integrated Research Project, 20, Credits.
• Crop Physiology, 15, Credits.

Elective Modules: (choose only 55 Credits)

• Soil science and Plant Nutrition, 18, Credits.
• Agronomy, 25 Credits.
• Integrated Pest Management, 12, Credits.
• Table and Raisin Grape Production, 13, Credits.
• Grape Quality Management, 12, Credits.
• Agronomy 25, Credits.
• Grape Quality Management, 12, Credits.
• Oenology, 43 Credits.

1. Communicate effectively with farmers, peers and research organisations in a variety of modes, in the discourse of agricultural and crop production.
2. Demonstrate responsible and effective time-management and organisation of agricultural and crop production projects and research, meeting personal objectives and negotiated deadlines.
3. Interact with increasing self-confidence, as a member of a team or group in a variety of discussion and problem-solving situations in an agricultural and crop production environment.
4. Exhibit a detailed knowledge and understanding of a range of agricultural and crop production theories, and scientific communicating them in the agricultural environment in engaging with the multidisciplinary nature of problems of agricultural and crop production systems.
5. Demonstrate the ability to work independently in developing a deeper understanding of specified areas of agricultural and crop production.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Confidently engage in group discussions and contribute to peer seminars, scientific communication opportunities, popular discourse themes and related publications and communications on a variety of crop production matters reasonably expected from this level of academic study.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Responsibly and effectively, organise and complete crop production research projects within set time frames whilst meeting personal objectives and negotiated deadlines.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Actively participate as a member of a team or group in a variety of discussion and problem-solving situations in an agricultural and crop production environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Apply and scientifically communicate a range of agricultural and crop production theories in engaging with the multidisciplinary nature of the problems of managing moderately complex agricultural and crop production systems demanding multidisciplinary solutions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Independently develop practices and programme to exhibit a deeper understanding of specified areas of agricultural and crop production.

Associated Assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Effectively manage and interpret data and information on agricultural and crop production in engaging with the multidisciplinary nature of the problems of moderately complex agricultural and crop production systems demanding multidisciplinary solutions using a variety of analytical methods and techniques.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Successfully carry out an agricultural research project of a moderate level of complexity in crop production.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment forms part of continuous assessment at the institution and takes the form of an appropriate mix of both formative and summative assessment methods. Assessment policy and practices at the institution promote constructive alignment of the curriculum, learner centred-learning and assessment, and the importance of feedback to enhance student engagement. Assessment practices should be fair, reliable and valid. It should also be in keeping with academic disciplinary and professional field norms and standards.

Formative assessment is aimed at enhancing student learning and provides learners with an opportunity to reflect critically on their own learning and to improve their own levels of personal accountability and time management. Formative assessment usually consists of a variety of assessment tasks relevant to the field of study. In this qualification it will consist of a variety of tasks such as problem-solving individual and/or group assignments and projects, case studies, portfolio development, class discussions, quizzes, field trip reports and poster design.

Summative assessment will take place at the end of a section of work/quarter or semester and is aimed at assessing learners' attainment against the learning outcomes of the programme and subject(s). Summative assessments are internally and externally moderated based on institutional policy and requirements. Summative assessments usually consist of a variety of formal assessment tasks relevant to the field of study, including written tests, reports and examination.

Continuous assessment is used in the department where the work done throughout the course of the semester by the learner contribute to the final mark obtained. Both formative and summative assessment methods are used and no single assessment carries a heavier weighting.

Learners will be assessed holistically by means of project reports, a portfolio of evidence and an oral presentation related to the needs and requirements of industry. The Integrated Research Project undertaken by the learner is an important exercise that offers integrated assessment opportunities since it allows various disciplines reflecting on the socio-institutional, technological and economic aspects of agriculture and crop production to be assessed in one project.