Diploma in Agriculture

Purpose

The purpose of the Diploma in Agriculture is to provide vocational agricultural training to prepare learners for a productive career in agriculture in order to support development of the livestock industries and related occupational fields in the extensive small stock farming areas. The qualification will offer learners knowledge in Angora goat and training in sheep and wool production. The institution's qualification intends to achieve significant increases in qualifications and skills to support national policy imperatives and priorities such as the National Development Plan (NDP) (Vision 2030), New Growth Path, the Industrial Policy Action Plan, the Human Resource Development Strategy, and, in particular, sector development plans.

Upon successful completion of the qualification, the learner will be able to

• Develop a farm management plan for livestock in line with the 5 principles of sustainability, namely, (i) viability, (ii) protection and preservation of the resource, (iii) acceptance, (iv) productivity and (v) reduction of risk.
• Manage a commercial livestock farm.
• Oversee, perform and advise on all practical hands-on processes of a livestock farming enterprise.
• Provide advice to different categories of farmers/producers in order to increase production efficiency, reduce poverty and to promote food security.
• The development of greater subject matter proficiency such as nutrition, health management, breeding and wool and mohair sorting and classing.
• Improving managerial ability and conceptual skills such as planning, human and financial resources allocation and monitoring.
• Raising the level of technical skills required of a farmer such as tractor and building maintenance and welding.
• The development of spiritual and social attributes so that as a manager he or she can motivate subordinates.

Rationale

A large proportion (� 80%) of agricultural land in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) is only suitable for extensive livestock production with very limited opportunities for household food security projects. Large numbers of livestock are also found in other areas where they are kept in combination with other farming enterprises. Sheep and goat farming occupies approximately 590 000 km2 of land in the RSA. This represents 53% of all agricultural land in the country. Of this, approximately 350 000 km2 of land (31% of all agricultural land) is only utilisable by sheep and goats and not even suited for cattle production. This includes the vast Karoo areas of the Northern-and Western Cape Provinces and the mixed veld types of the Eastern Cape Province and the Southern Free State. Large numbers of commercial sheep farms are also found in other areas such as the Kalahari, the winter rainfall area, and the grass lands of Mpumalanga, Eastern Free State and Kwazulu-Natal, where other farming enterprises, such as cattle farming, can also be practised.

The institution will provide vocational (career) agricultural training to prepare manpower for a productive career in agriculture in order to support development of the small stock industries and related occupational fields in the extensive small stock farming areas. The institution's qualification intends to achieve significant increases in qualifications and skills to support priorities and initiatives such as the NDP (Vision 2030), New Growth Path, the Industrial Policy Action Plan, the Human Resource Development Strategy, and, in particular, sector development plans.

The curriculum is informed by the need of red meat, small stock, wool and mohair industry. In accumulating credits towards the qualification, learners will be prepared to be competent farm managers, agricultural practitioners and agri-preneurs. During curriculum development the following industry players were consulted:

• Red Meat Producers' Organisation.
• National Emerging Red Meat Producers Organisation.
• National Wool Growers' Association (Commercial and Emerging).
• Mohair Growers' Association (Commercial and Emerging).

Upon completion of the qualification learners are expected to be competent in managing small stock (sheep and goat) farm and be able to sort and class wool and mohair. The typical learner for this qualification must have a background of Mathematics, Life Science and Chemistry. Upon completion of the qualification, the learners will be able to work as farm manager, agricultural advisor or technician; alternatively gain admission to the Bachelor's qualification (National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7) so as to be absorbed within government sector as technical adviser to farmers.

The aims and objectives of vocational agricultural education must be in harmony with the basic educational principles and must support the general objectives of education.

The learner will be competent to work on his or her own in managing the farm or advising other farmers in order to produce in line with the required standards of the sector. Such competencies will result in improved productivity, jobs, food security to the society and economic growth to the country.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The RPL policy of the institution is in place and the following procedures are used for the objective appraisal of RPL submissions must be implemented. RPL may be granted for access or credits.

• A written request for RPL must be submitted in writing to the Principal.
• A meeting with the learner and the Principal will be arranged to assess the potential for RPL success.
• If the possibility of success is high, an assessment plan is agreed on with the learner (i.e. forms of assessment, as well as a proposed date and venue for assessment).
• The request will be submitted to the institution's RPL committee who will appoint an assessor(s). The RPL committee consists of: The Registrar, Examinations officer and heads of the teaching departments.
• The competencies of learners will be assessed according to the following criteria:

> Relevance or applicability of learning experiences to objectives of the institution's qualification.

> Validity: Is there a sound relationship between the prior learning and the requirements of the institutions qualification?

> Quality: Is the prior learning at an acceptable level - does it conform to the outcomes of the institutions qualification?

> Transferability: Can the learner interpret what he/she has learnt and transfer/apply it to other situations?

> Can the claimed prior learning be verified by authentic and relevant documentation/evidence (portfolio)?

> Is the prior learning still valid and applicable?

• Further evidence may be required by the assessors and must be provided by the learner.
• If the RPL process is unsuccessful, the learner may appeal to the Principal of institution, who will forward it to an independent assessor, as appointed by the institution.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate granting access to Diploma studies.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 370 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 5, 126 Credits

• Agricultural Biology 1, 6 Credits.
• Animal Breeding 1A, 6 Credits.
• Agricultural Chemistry 1, 6 Credits.
• Wool Production 1A, 6 Credits.
• Mohair Production 1A, 6 Credits.
• Meat and Milk Production 1A, 6 Credits.
• Veld Management 1A, 6 Credits.
• Agronomy 1, 6 Credits.
• Agricultural Technical Skills 1A, 6 Credits.
• Agricultural Management 1A, 5 Credits.
• Information Management Systems 1A, 3 Credits.
• Animal Health 1, 5 Credits.
• Animal Breeding 1B, 5 Credits.
• Animal Nutrition 1, 5 Credits.
• Wool Production 1B, 6 Credits.
• Mohair Production 1B, 6 Credits.
• Meat and Milk Production 1B, 6 Credits.
• Veld Management 1B, 6 Credits.
• Crop Production 1, 6 Credits.
• Agricultural Technical Skills 1B, 6 Credits.
• Human Resource Management 1, 5 Credits.
• Agricultural Management 1B, 5 Credits.
• Information Management Systems 1B, 3 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 6, 163 Credits

• Animal Health 2A, 5 Credits.
• Agricultural Calculations 1, 3 Credits.
• Artificial Insemination 1, 3 Credits.
• Animal Nutrition 2B, 3 Credits.
• Wool Production 2A, 10 Credits.
• Mohair Production 2A, 6 Credits.
• Meat and Milk Production 2A, 6 Credits.
• Veld Management 2A, 6 Credits.
• Crop Production 2A, 6 Credits.
• Agricultural Technical Skills 2A, 6 Credits.
• Agricultural Management 2A, 5 Credits.
• Agricultural Law 1, 5 Credits.
• Information Management Systems 2A, 3 Credits.
• Animal Health 2B, 6 Credits.
• Animal Breeding 2B, 6 Credits.
• Animal Nutrition 2B, 5 Credits.
• Wool Production 2B, 6 Credits.
• Mohair Production 2B, 6 Credits.
• Meat and Milk Production 2B, 6 Credits.
• Veld Management 2B, 6 Credits.
• Crop Production 2B, 6 Credits.
• Agricultural Technical Skills 2B, 6 Credits.
• Agricultural Management 2B, 5 Credits.
• Information Management Systems 2B, 3 Credits.
• Animal Nutrition 3A, 5 Credits.
• Natural Resource Management 3A, 6 Credits.
• Agricultural Extension 1A, 4 Credits.
• Animal Nutrition 3B, 5 Credits.
• Natural Resource Management 3B, 6 Credits.
• Agricultural Entrepreneurship 1, 5 Credits.
• Agricultural Extension 1B, 4 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 7, 81 Credits

• Agricultural Management 3, 10 Credits.
• Agricultural Production Units 3, 53 Credits.
• Animal Health 3, 10 Credits.
• Animal Breeding 3, 8 Credits.

1. Apply knowledge of Animal and Pasture Sciences as well as Economics and legislative frameworks to compile Farm Management Plans for commercial livestock farming enterprises.
2. Apply knowledge of livestock farming, business management, record keeping and relevant legislative frameworks to implement, and manage a Farm Management Plan of a commercial livestock farming enterprise.
3. Utilise acquired knowledge, skills and competencies to oversee, perform and advise on all practical hands-on processes of a livestock farming enterprise.
4. Utilise knowledge and skills in Livestock Production to advise different categories of farmers/producers in order to increase production/efficiency, reduce poverty and to promote food security.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Explain the relevance of the biology of farm animals, plants and micro-organisms in relation to livestock farming.
• Understand the application of organic and inorganic chemistry in agriculture with specific reference to animal nutrition and animal health.
• Use knowledge on the interrelationships of the ecology of farm animals, natural resources, the principles of veld management, soil conservation and different grazing systems in fodder flow planning towards sustainable utilisation and management of veld.
• Describe the relevance and application of crop and cultivated pasture production under irrigation in relation to livestock farming and farm planning in arid environments.
• Use animal diseases and the interrelationships among, animal health, animal nutrition, human health and human nutrition for designing of livestock health and production plans.
• Use the principles of agricultural economy, production cycles and plans for various livestock enterprises as well as marketing for the compilation of farm business plans.
• Use the principle of genetics and selection in genetic improvement for the design of livestock breeding plans.
• Apply knowledge of fodder flow plans, livestock health and production plans and livestock breeding plans together with farm business plans in the compilation of an integrated farm management plan.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Utilise computers with word processing and spread sheet software to write documents, capture data, analyse data and compile reports.
• Use knowledge on animal nutrition, feeds and rations to formulate diets and conduct a feedlot experiment.
• Analyse integrated industry case studies using knowledge acquired on applied flock health and production aspects.
• Analyse farm case studies using knowledge acquired on applied breeding and genetics.
• Understand the importance of knowledge on agricultural legislation and labour relations as well as the principles of human resources management in a successful farming enterprise.
• Manage physical, planning, execution and reporting on an agricultural production unit (mini-farm) that by a group of learners for a period of one year.
• Use financial record keeping and compilation of financial statements in the analysis of the financial status of a farming enterprise.
• Use available information management systems is practiced in the compilation of tasks and assignments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Use knowledge of wool and wool marketing together with acquired skills and competency of wool classing to physically class wool fleeces into the different marketing classes.
• Use knowledge of mohair and mohair marketing together with acquired skills and competency of mohair classing to physically class mohair fleeces into the different marketing classes.
• Use knowledge of meat/mutton together with acquired skills and competency in meat processing to physically process carcasses into different value-added products.
• Use knowledge of milk together with acquired skills and competency in diary processing to physically produce yogurt and cheeses.
• Use physiological regulation of the hormonal cycle in livestock and the anatomy of the reproduction system in sheep and goats for practicing artificial insemination in livestock herds.
• Use mathematical calculations in a multitude of applications relevant to day-to-day activities livestock production system.
• Practice farm building construction knowledge is practiced by means of scale-model projects.
• Practice skills on farm metal work by means of practical gas and arc welding projects.
• Acquire knowledge and skills on maintenance of tractors and farm implements through demonstrations on tractors and implements and the disassembling and reassembling of petrol and diesel engines.
• Understand different farm infrastructure maintenance work and conduct such knowledge and skills in projects for fence making, windmill repairs and maintenance as well as elementary electrical maintenance projects.
• Communicate principles and theories of fire-fighting and occupational health and safety are communicated with the aid of presentations and demonstrations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Acquire and apply knowledge, skills and competencies on breed specific characteristics of small ruminant breeds and functionality of farm animals to perform judging of animals in terms of industry standards.
• Conduct the transfer of knowledge and skills to farmers and other stakeholders by applying different communication methods and techniques.
• Apply knowledge on livestock farming and management applicable for game ranch management through theory and academic tours.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessments within this qualification include assignments, class tests and quizzes, practical assessments and semester tests. Summative assessment will be at the end of semester in the form examinations.

During the final year learners are placed/attached to the institution's farms for Work Integrated Learning (WIL). Assessment for WIL is done through learner reports (assignments) which include a log book for evidence of time spent on the assigned farm. Learners will also present their reports to a panel which includes external members.