Bachelor of Agriculture in Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Management

Purpose

In Mpumalanga province, the agricultural sector is the largest user of land, covering approximately 68% of the province. The province is well known for citrus, subtropical fruit, nuts and a variety of vegetables. The province is well positioned to expand its contribution to the Growth and Development Programme (GDP) as well as to the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers. The proposed Bachelor of Agriculture in Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Management enables the university to demonstrate that it is agile and positioning and promoting the province of Mpumalanga's character in this sector, while concomitantly preparing learners to work and contribute to the wider South African economy as well as internationally.

Agricultural extension is an important element in the transformation of the agricultural sector in South Africa. As identified in the National Strategy for Agriculture the National Strategy for Agricultural Education and Training (AET) and the Norms and Standards for Agricultural Extension, there is an urgent need for extension learners who are appropriately trained to meet the demands highlighted by agricultural policy. It is a scarce skill in the country. In this way, and others, the B Agric will contribute significantly to addressing the challenges of the developmental state.

The Bachelor of Agriculture in Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Management builds on the existing strength of the academic qualifications of other institutions which has decades-long experience in training agriculturalists. It promotes life-long learning as training takes place by putting emphasis on critical thinking, problem-solving and reflection. Being, on the other hand, wholly new, the curriculum will be created uniquely to suite the demands of South Africa's transitional agriculture, unencumbered by a past academic heritage. At the same time, it will work in partnership with both the provincial Department of Agriculture and the University of Pretoria as well as with several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community-Based Organisations and private agricultural companies. These collaborations will contribute to the qualification and will feature especially prominently in the final year mandatory placement module.

The Bachelor of Agriculture in Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Management herein proposed is an essential first component of agricultural qualifications to be offered by the institution. Agricultural extension presents the human components of the technical agricultural sciences. It focuses on the development of learners through the training of extension workers who can be deployed by the state, NGOs or the private sector.

Currently, this qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation: no diagonal articulation pathways exist for the OQSF Qualifications, at systemic, specific, or individual levels.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applicants who do not meet the admission criteria as stipulated will be considered through an RPL process. RPL is applied for learners who do not have formal academic achievement to gain access to a particular qualification, but with proven expertise and competency will be considered.

Applicants may apply for exemption from certain modules on grounds of prior qualification of study concerned. The process will be implemented in strict adherence to the relevant University RPL Policy. Reference also needs to be made to the policy of CHE and SAQA on RPL

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate (NSC), NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor's Degree studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.

Or

• National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor's Degree studies.

Or

• Higher Certificate in General Agriculture, NQF Level 5.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework, Level 5, 6 and 7 totalling 384 Credits.

Compulsory Modules totalling 96 Credits at NQF Level 5

• Farming Systems, 16 Credits.
• Natural Resource Identification, 16 Credits.
• Farm Infrastructure, 16 Credits.
• Agricultural Production, 16 Credits.
• Impact on Natural, 16 Credits.
• Production Economics and Marketing, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules totalling 160 at NQF Level 6

• Rural Wealth Creation, 16 Credits.
• Rural Economic Systems, 16 Credits.
• Extension Methods, 16 Credits.
• Beef Production, 16 Credits.
• Forage Management, 16 Credits.
• Infrastructure and Machinery Development, 8 Credits.
• Farm Business Management, 8 Credits.
• Farm Development, 16 Credits.
• Extension Practice, 16 Credits.
• Field Crop Production, 16 Credits.
• Vegetable Production, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules totalling 128 at NQF Level 7

• Designing Extension Projects, 16 Credits.
• Participatory Extension, 16 Credits.
• Land Use Planning, 32 Credits.
• Farm Finance, 32 Credits.
• Extension Placement, 32 Credits.

1. Apply the principles and philosophy of extension in practice to implement policies and strategies related to extension and advisory services in agriculture.
2. Implement a communication strategy by applying the principles of communication, leadership skills and group dynamics in extension for the benefit of the target group.
3. Facilitate behaviour change and adoption of innovation for impact on local economic development through the production of food, the improvement of household food security and access to mainstream agriculture.
4. Design and implement an integrated development/extension project that improves and sustains agricultural production and the livelihoods of clients.
5. Implement an integrated, sustainable agri-business management plan by applying business principles through utilising agricultural, financial, marketing and production-conversion information.
6. Implement an integrated, sustainable farming systems plan by applying natural resource management principles.
7. Apply animal production practices to ensure the quality of livestock on a farm.
8. Apply production practices to plant systems to ensure the quality of the yield on a farm.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Compare extension approaches and recommend them in terms of relevance to the 'client', the issue being addressed and alignment towards policies and strategies relevant to agriculture.
• .Interpret relevant policy documents in terms of the principles and philosophy of extension.
• Interpret extension project plans and evaluate according to the principles and philosophy of extension.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Develop communication plan in extension the purpose and outcomes of the service to be delivered.
• Evaluate selection and application of written, verbal and non-verbal communication techniques and tools in extension for applicability to diverse situations.
• Apply the principles of communication to optimise the impact and effectiveness of the extension project.
• Select and apply group techniques and tools to attain previously set objectives.
• Identify conflict resolution techniques and tools to attain previously set objectives in diverse situations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Select theories and processes and applied amongst diverse clientele to optimise the impact of extension in community development interventions.
• Establish and facilitate multi and inter-disciplinary teams to optimise extension service delivery through the interfacing of research, extension, and farmer/producers and input suppliers for increased participation.
• An intervention plan which supports improvement of production of food, household food security and access to mainstream agriculture is designed, implemented, managed and assessed for impact on local economic development.
• Apply intervention that refers to behaviour change, diffusion and adoption of innovations, participatory technology innovation/development, and decision-making.
• Identify indigenous knowledge and practices and integrated with agricultural science innovation strategies.
• Enable beneficiaries to access information in lobbying and mobilising required resources to improve production and livelihood.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Select and apply extension approaches are relevant to the target individual/group and the issue being addressed.
• Design extension projects according to the principles and philosophy of extension and in accordance with relevant national and provincial strategies, including identified goals, descriptions and main elements of the project.
• Acquire and mobilise resources needed to complete the plan according to the requirements of processes and systems in extension.
• Implement extension projects in accordance with the plan and in the context of the workplace.
• Manage extension projects to ensure that the aims of the project are realised.
• Evaluate extension projects in terms of the intended outcomes of the project plan, are clearly articulated and are integrated with parallel extension plans.
• Facilitate behaviour change and innovation to realise the outcomes of the extension project are realised.
• Record and report project information and stored according to required formats and protocol and are current, complete, and concise.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Integrate sustainable agricultural systems into planning and management processes of entrepreneurial and enterprise activities.
• Develop an agri-business management plan for an enterprise which includes input for production, processing and value adding processes.
• Develop a plan and implemented for food safety and quality practices in an agricultural supply chain.
• Integrate the marketing and distribution component is a part of the total agri-business.
• Develop and implement a data collection plan for farming enterprises.
• Analyse financial information and interpret them on an ongoing basis in support of growth in the agri-business.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Integrate sustainable systems thinking into planning and management processes of an agricultural enterprise.
• Optimise and integrate farming systems to ensure sustainable resource allocation and utilisation.
• Describe the process of optimisation of agricultural and environmental resources for quality and quantity in a sustainable farming system.
• Implement a natural resource management plan of the farm in relation to area wide planning of local government structures and policies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Evaluate and manage animals according to specific criteria related to anatomical, physiological, physical and biochemical systems.
• Develop and implement health care, prevention and treatment procedures to maintain and enhance the condition of livestock.
• Develop a strategic animal nutrition plan to support the production of livestock and animal products.
• Apply and integrate advanced breeding and selection practices into a breeding management programme.
• Provide guidance during the harvesting of animal products.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Determine the responses of plants to the environment and how they impact on growth and production by applying the basic biochemistry processes involved in the anatomy and physiology of a plant.
• Develop a soil fertility, irrigation and plant nutrition plan for growth and maximise plant health.
• Propagate plants in a variety of production systems by applying different processes and methods to optimise yield.
• Apply integrated pest management principles by identifying, monitoring and controlling pests and plant diseases to conserve the environment.
• Control weeds through the application of a variety of methods for environmental conservation.
• Manage and apply a plant manipulation plan is applied to maximise growth and yield.

Integrated Assessment

Appropriate policies and procedures are in place for internal assessment; internal and external moderation; monitoring of student progress; explicitness, validity and reliability of assessment practices; recording of assessment results; settling of disputes; the rigour and security of the assessment system. Semester tests, oral examinations, practical assignments and semester examinations are used to ensure that assessment is of an appropriate mix and balance.

Formative Assessment

Assessment practices will be effective and reliable in measuring the "fitness for purpose" of assessment instruments mentioned above. Assessment instruments will be in compliance with the prescriptions of Learner Guides in respect of curriculum focus, syllabus coverage and the relevant NQF level.

Summative Assessment

Assessment of all modules in Year 1 and 2 will be subject to internal moderation.

Exit level modules in Year 3 will be subject to external moderation.