Diploma in Agriculture

Purpose

This purpose of this qualification is to produce qualifying learners that can plan production system and make informed decisions regarding sustainable land use (selects a feasible enterprise/s). The qualifying learners will also develop skills that will enable to manage a production system in a sustainable manner to optimise economic returns.

It is envisaged that the qualifying learners will add value and be able to market the farm business effectively, manage the agribusiness finances and general management of a farm which includes machinery and farm infrastructure.

Rationale

This qualification is developed to address the National Agricultural Education and Training Strategy which seeks to develop and maintain an effective and well-coordinated Adult Education and Training (AET) that is integrated at all levels and responds appropriately to South African agriculture to enhance equitable access. The meaningful participation in AET for all South Africans will ensure the application of an effective quality assurance at all levels.

The Agriculture Sector Education Training Authority (AgriSETA) has identified Farm Management as a scarce skill. Beneficiaries of the Land Reform programme need training in production agriculture and management of the land.

Production agriculture is a key focus area for the country. Agricultural production is one of the five strategic goals in South Africa and this qualification provide qualifying learners who can assist in this agrarian reform.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution admits potential learners who are literate and numerate with proven relevant experience in Agricultural practices. The applicant is required to write the entrance assessment as all other applicants to determine their suitability. Learners who have been admitted are also able to receive credit for courses already completed elsewhere using the RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Senior Certificate (SC).

Or

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) passed with diploma studies.

Or

• National Certificate (Vocational) (NC(V)) at Level 4.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Level 5, 6 and 7 totalling 384 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5: 136 Credits

• Introduction to Agriculture, 24, Credits.
• Socio Economics of Agriculture, 8 Credits.
• Natural Resources, 24 Credits.
• Farm Infrastructure, 8 Credits.
• Agricultural Production, 24 Credits.
• Agribusiness, 16 Credits.
• Environmental Impact, 16 Credits.
• Farm Construction, 8 Credits.
• Practical Surveying, 8 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6: 104 Credits

• Animal Production I, 16 Credits.
• Crop Production I, 16 Credits.
• Agri-Business Management, 16 Credits.
• Hydraulics and Irrigation, 16 Credits.
• Agri-Entrepreneurship, 24 Credits.
• Land Capability Assessment, 16 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 6: 80 Credits (Choose modules totalling 80 Credits)

• Animal Production II, 16 Credits.
• Crop Production II, 16 Credits.
• Beef Production, 32 Credits.
• Dairy Production, 32 Credits.
• Game Management, 32 Credits.
• Pig Production, 32 Credits.
• Poultry Production, 32 Credits.
• Small Stock Production, 32 Credits.
• Agronomy, 32 Credits.
• Sugar Cane Production, 32 Credits.
• Vegetable Production, 32 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7: 64 Credits

• Land Use Planning, 32 Credits.
• Risk Management, 32 Credits.

1. Plan selected production system/s.
2. Manage a production system in a sustainable manner to optimise economic return.
3. Adds value and markets the farm business effectively.
4. Manage agribusiness finances as a means of planning and monitoring the management of the enterprise.
5. Manage human resources of the farm.
6. Manage the external farm environment.
7. Engage in personal risk taking to exploit opportunities in an informed manner.
8. Make informed decisions regarding sustainable land use.
9. Manages the farm infrastructure and machinery.
10. Demonstrate ability for self-development, good communication, professional and ethical workmanship; and working as a team.

Assessment Associated Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify farming systems in any given area in South Africa.
• Collect and apply data to classify farming systems.
• Determine the ideal production requirements of a selected production.
• enterprise (health, nutrition, land preparation, harvesting, post harvesting practices, sustainability).
• Implement a production plan (health, nutrition, land preparation, harvesting, post-harvest, chain management, logistics, labour).
• Keep basic production records.
• Formulate a production plan for an enterprise of choice using standard recommendations.

Assessment Associated Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Monitor and evaluate a production plan against production standards and in response to sustainability indicators.
• Customise a production plan to suit specific farm conditions and production objectives (selection, breeds/ cultivars, available resources, logistics - labour requirements, management tasks, harvesting, marketing).
• Apply adaptive management and responds to new social, technological and environmental developments and issues (Beef, Dairy, Game management Pigs, Poultry, Small Stock, Agronomy, Sugar Cane, Vegetables).

Assessment Associated Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Identify markets for sustainable market orientated agriculture the farm business.
• Identify agro-processing and value adding opportunities effectively.
• Advertise and promote products to identified target audience.

Assessment Associated Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Keeps basic financial records.
• Determine the economic feasibility of possible enterprises to make final decision.
• Approaches and interest's relevant clients.
• Analyse financial records.
• Process and evaluate production and financial records against pre-determined standards to enable short term financial and production.

Assessment Associated Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Plan and evaluate work plans against production standards and the production plan.
• Allocate and supervise daily tasks related to the implementation of a production plan.
• Identify, evaluate and resolve labour problems within the working place.

Assessment Associated Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Consider legal and social requirements which may affect one's choice farm environment of farming enterprise.
• Identify sources of potential collaboration within the surrounding community and organisations.
• Recognise political issues.

Assessment Associated Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Devise marketing plan/ strategy risk taking to exploit.
• Identify further products for future development.
• Engage in long term financial planning and troubleshooting to ensure the financial sustainability of the enterprise.
• Develop human resource development plan (skills development, legislation, performance management, leadership style).
• Anticipate external opportunities and threats to the farming business.

Assessment Associated Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Conduct an inventory of the critical resources for sustainable farming operations.
• Identify impact of farmer intervention on the environmental.
• Evaluate land capability using the physical requirements of possible farming enterprises to select those most suitable for a specific enterprise.
• Engage in farm planning to integrate the infrastructure and machinery requirements of the farm as a whole.

Assessment Associated Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Identify and classify major infrastructure and machinery requirements infrastructure and at different farming systems in South Africa.
• Determine the major infrastructure and machinery requirements needed for production agriculture.
• Ensure that the farm infrastructure and machinery are maintained at a standard required for sustainable production.
• Show understanding of fluid flow, capacity and pressure.
• Explain pipe types, uses, advantages and disadvantages etc.
• Describe types and uses of pumps.
• Discuss needs and requirements of stock watering systems and be able to calculate water needs.
• Explain flow measurement and be able to do corresponding calculations.
• Conduct survey using dumpy level.

Assessment Associated Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Engage in personal risk taking to exploit opportunities in an informed and exit level outcomes manner (Entrepreneurship).
• Identify and address competency gaps between own and required performance (Self-management).
• Express a message in such a way that a previously identified audience understands it coherently (Communication).
• Work as a member of a team in such a way that the individual efforts have an optimum contribution to the successful completion of the task (Team work).
• Demonstrate a morally acceptable standard of behaviour as defined by the profession (Ethics).

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment

• Tests.
• Assignment.
• Presentation.
• Practicals.

Summative assessment

• Final examination.

Some modules e.g. Practical Surveying, are entirely assessed on competency (competent or not yet competent).