Advanced Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture in Rural Development

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to promote the development of life-long learning skills, to assist the learner to develop principles to guide their work activities and to provide them with methods they can use to apply knowledge needed for sustainable agriculture in rural development. The qualification also aims to qualify learners to make informed decisions, to address challenges and to take into account scientific and social dimensions in the field. In addition, it intends to produce learners who can act ethically and professionally, think analytically and evaluate relevant information in the workplace, take responsibility to solve problems and consequently supports sustainable agriculture and rural development in South Africa. It will enable learners to strengthen extension and advisory services and play a leading role in the field.

The qualifying learner will be competent to work in government, agribusiness, private consultancies, extension projects, education, and rural development agencies and in their own business.

Rationale

The Advanced Diploma: Sustainable Agriculture in Rural Development was designed to address the need to intensify the provision of training in agriculture and to enhance sustainable agriculture and rural development. It also offers the opportunity for the upgrading of the skills required by extension officers, farmers, teachers, consultants, and community leaders involved in the field to enable them to work effectively and efficiently. The qualifying learner will be equipped to play a role in the scientific management of key issues in Africa, e.g. alleviation of poverty, sustainable conservation and utilisation of natural resources and the production of quality food for human consumption and to offer solutions for the alleviation of related problems.

This qualification assumes that the learner

• Is competent in Communication at NQF Level 4.
• Is competent in Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4.
• Has general theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of agriculture and rural development.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Formal, informal and non-formal learning is recognised for the purposes of Recognition of Prior Learning.

Applicants who do not meet the admission criteria but who have relevant life and work experience may obtain admission through Recognition of Prior Learning.

Learners may also obtain credits towards the qualification through Recognition of Prior Learning.

Assessment of prior learning comprises the recognition of formal learning successfully attained at other institutions or in other UFS qualifications (learning that has already been assessed and accredited), as well as the Recognition of Prior Learning acquired in other contexts by means of work experience or other formal training within the sustainable agriculture and rural development environment.

Access to the Qualification

Learners must be in possession of one of the following

• An Advanced Certificate in Agriculture, NQF Level 6.

Or

• A Diploma in Agriculture, NQF Level 6.

All five Modules are compulsory, are at NQF Level 7 and worth 24 credits each

• Fundamentals of Rural Development.
• Fundamentals of Agricultural Economics: Production, Marketing and Value Adding.
• Foundational Theories and Practices in Plant Production.
• Foundational Theories and Practices in Animal Production.
• Basic Communication for Sustainable Agriculture.

Total Credits: 120.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of management of rural structures and their challenges.
2. Design strategies to establish sustainable businesses.

• Range of strategies includes; production, marketing and value adding to the community.

1. Identify different resources to sustain plant production practices.
2. Identify different resources to sustain animal production practices.
3. Demonstrate the skills of effective communication and transference of knowledge.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate an understanding of the skills and knowledge required to deal with the challenges of rural life and gender issues.
• Describe the importance of agriculture in communities and the ways it is managed in rural communities.
• Develop and manage programmes related to alleviation of hunger and building food security.
• Create support structures for self sufficiency in all spheres of rural life.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Demonstrate an understanding of the means whereby rural communities and individuals can finance sustainable businesses.
• Demonstrate an understanding of what a small business developer needs to do in order to establish and maintain a sustainable business in a rural area.
• Develop and explain a detailed marketing strategy to support the implementation of a small business.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the legal requirements to establish and run a small business.
• Evaluate the ways in which the financial stability of the members of communities can be facilitated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Develop techniques of water harvesting and cultivation practices.
• Establish an integrated pest management and weed control programme.
• Describe the ways in which economical crop production can be facilitated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Describe practical rotational grazing systems and the effect of over-grazing on the land, sustainable animal production and stock farming.
• Explain the effect of high mortality and low fertility rates in stock on the sustainability of farming enterprises.
• Describe ways in which grazing land can be improved.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Facilitate communication to improve harmony in diverse communities.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the need to design training for communities based on a contextual needs analysis.
• Design and conduct training and assessment sessions to capacitate members of a rural community.

Integrated Assessment

The progress of the learner is monitored through continuous formative assessments drawing on a range of methods and contexts relevant to the outcomes, assessment criteria and mode of delivery of the qualification.

Formative assessments include assignments, case studies and the assessment of practical sessions in the workplace. Assessment methods are aligned with learning activities, based on a work integrated learning cycle where the integration of theoretical and practical competencies eventually leads to applied competence on a professional level. Constructive feedback on the learning process and/or learning progress is provided to individual learners and/or groups of learners in oral and/or written format and clearly explained and justified.

Learners are also required to take part in a summative assessment opportunity, comprising a written examination session for each module.