Diploma in Agriculture

Purpose

The purpose of the Diploma in Agriculture is to train junior farm managers, production managers, technicians, value chain role-players and advisors with a wide range of technical and practical skills, detailed knowledge and understanding which will equip them to seek a diverse range of employment opportunities, or to further learning and training within the agricultural industry.

The qualification aims to equip learners with skills in the managing of enterprises in agriculture from field crops, fruit, grapes, wine, vegetables, alternative crops, large and small stock, beef and milk production, poultry, aquaculture, processing and extension, across the entire agricultural value chain.

Qualifying learners will be able to perform competently, independently, creatively and innovatively in an agribusiness. They will be good communicators who are able to innovate by identifying opportunities within the agricultural sector with managerial skills to manage effectively.

Rationale

This qualification will form the basis for learners to extend their learning into more specialised areas of plant-animal production, extension and management across the agricultural value chain. It provides the basis of the establishment of sustainable farming operations through the inclusion of a wide spectrum of competencies required by farmers and other role-players in South Africa. Whilst technical production orientated competencies are ensured, other aspects such as agribusiness and good agricultural practices are included in the range of competencies required by farmers and other role-players in order to enable them to strive towards agricultural management standards and practices at higher levels.

The pursuit of agricultural education and training is important as it exposes learners to new developments within the agricultural sector. The Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDOA) is the pillar of the province and it contributes 15.9% of the country Gross Value Added. The contribution indicates the importance of agriculture and its improvement within the province and within the country.

Spreading out of a series of workshops and engagements with various industry role-players and academic staff, the institution reviewed the existing curriculum and developed a Diploma in Agriculture.

Furthermore, Jet Education Services conducted an impact evaluation as an objective professional body during 2016, evaluating the training offerings of EATI over the period, 2009 until 2014. The final report reiterated the need to develop an improved qualification which will ensure better employment opportunities, in line with latest technology, industry needs, etc., without neglecting sustainability of resources.

Phasing out of the Higher Certificate and One Year Diploma is done in line with Gazette No. 40123, dated 06 July 2016, where the Minister of Higher Education and Training announced that 31 December 2019 is the last date for enrolments of first-time entering students into qualifications not aligned to the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework (HEQSF).

The qualification will focus on youth wanting to educate and develop within the agricultural sector with the focus being on the main commodities within South Africa. Furthermore, the Diploma in Agriculture is developed to be in line with industry needs, changes within educational environment, and to ensure compliance to all formal strategic documents of the country. The learner will be able to seek employment within the agricultural sector, across the value chain, including entrepreneurship, agri-processing and will be empowered to embrace opportunities brought to the industry by the fourth industrial revolution (4IR).

The inclusion of latest technology and the opportunities brought by the fourth industrial revolution also are addressed within the qualification, to ensure the learner meets the technological demands of the agricultural industry. Numerous calls for addressing specific factors, within the agricultural sectors, are accommodated to allow students to engage in learning outcomes making them more employable, providing the learners with a meaningful qualification. The objective is to take learners to a level within the agricultural sector enabling them to partake in careers across the value chain. Equipping learners to become specialist within agriculture and not necessarily only agriworkers within primary agriculture. Learners with a Diploma in Agriculture will be able to enrol for an Advance Diploma (NQF 7).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL policy is in place and serves the following purposes within the institution

• To allow mature-age learners (applicants who are at least 23 years old) access to primary degree studies, by accrediting learning obtained through experience, in this way, RPL may function as an alternative access route into Degree studies.
• To recognise prior learning by the award of credits for modules, for non-Degree purposes or towards a qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, National Qualifications Authority (NQF) Level 4.

Or

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at Level 5, 6 and 7 totalling 370 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 95 Credits

• Econ. Planning Principles, 10 Credits.
• Intro to Agribusiness, 5 Credits.
• Biological Processes, 10 Credits.
• Cell Biology, 10 Credits.
• Mathematics, 5 Credits.
• Chemical Properties, 10 Credits.
• Soil Formation and Physics, 10 Credits.
• Crop Protection, 10 Credits.
• Agricultural Structures, 10 Credits.
• Computer Skills, 5 Credits.
• Communication and Innovation, 10 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 5, 30 Credits (Select modules totalling 30 Credits)

• Intro to Agronomy, 5 Credits.
• Intro to Vegetables Production, 5 Credits.
• Tunnel Vegetables, 10 Credits.
• Vegetables, 80 Credits.
• Basic Chemistry, 5 Credits.
• Animal Nutrition,10 Credits.
• Dairy Cattle, 5 Credits.
• Poultry, 5 Credits.
• Small Stock Science, 5 Credits.
• Horticultural Industry, 5 Credits.
• Morphology and Cult, Prac, 10 Credits.
• Intro to Viticulture, 15 Credits.
• Origin of Wine, 10 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 55 Credits

• Investment, Credit and Marketing, 10 Credits.
• Planning Techniques, 10 Credits.
• Irrigation, 10 Credits.
• Spraying Machines, 5 Credits.
• Environmental Studies, 10 Credits.
• Social Dynamics and Change, 10 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 6, 150 Credit (Select Modules worth totalling credits)

• Agronomy, 80 Credits.
• Cool Weather Crops, 10 Credits.
• Cult. of Potatoes and Onions, 10 Credits.
• Grain Production, 10 Credits.
• Aquaculture 215, 5 Credits.
• Aquaculture 370, 80 Credits.
• Dairy Herd Management, 20 Credits.
• Large Stock, 80 Credits.
• Poultry, 80 Credits.
• Sheep Management, 20 Credits.
• Small Stock, 80 Credits.
• Small Stock, Wool, Meat, 20 Credits.
• Citrus Cultivation, 10 Credits.
• Fruit Production Practices, 10 Credits.
• Horticulture, 80 Credits.
• Pests and Diseases, 10 Credits.
• Post-Harvest Physiology, 10 Credits.
• Integrated Wine Production, 10 Credits.
• Table & Raisin Grape Cult, 10 Credits.
• Viticulture, 80 Credits.
• Wine Grape Cult, 10 Credits.
• Wine Biochemistry and Microbiology, 10 Credits.
• Cellar Technology, 80 Credits.
• Wine Chemistry, 10 Credits.
• Wine Evaluation, 5 Credits.
• Wine Making Technology, 10 Credits.
• Beef Cattle, 20 Credits.

Compulsory Module Level 7, 40 Credits

• Scientific Methods, 10 Credits.
• Ext. in Practice, 15 Credits.
• Project Management, 15 Credits.

1. Demonstrate successful management of production principles in a specialised enterprise as part of a production system in order to supply agricultural produce profitably and sustainably.
2. Display knowledge of the complete agricultural business management environment within a farming enterprise, including agri-socio economics, research methodology and computer practice.
3. Optimally manage and utilise resources within a specialised production unit or enterprise in order to supply agricultural products economically and sustainably.
4. Manage farm infrastructure, equipment and machinery, farm construction, irrigation, spraying machines.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify farming systems in any given area in South Africa, with the focus on the Western Cape Province.
• Collect and apply data to classify farming systems.
• Keep basic production records.
• Determine the ideal production requirements of a selected production.
• Display knowledge of the farm enterprise (health, nutrition, land preparation, harvesting, post harvesting practices, sustainability).
• Implement a production plan (health, nutrition, land preparation, harvesting, post-harvest, supply chain management and logistics, labour).
• Formulate a production plan for an enterprise of choice using standard recommendations.
• 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 and marketing).
• Apply adaptive management and responds to new social, technological and environmental developments and issues (Large Stock, Small Stock, Agronomy, Vegetables, Horticulture, Viticulture and Oenology).
• Recall knowledge and concepts relating to introductory biological concepts as well as biochemistry; cellular biology, microbiology, plan an animal morphology.
• Display knowledge to complete practicals and worksheets on all biological physiological processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Identify markets for sustainable market orientated agriculture the farm business.
• Promote products, identify agro-processing and value adding opportunities effectively.
• Record keep and analyse financial records.
• Determine the economic feasibility of possible enterprises to make final decision.
• Plan, supervise and evaluate work plans against production standards and the production plan.
• Identify, evaluate and resolve labour problems within the working place and collaboration with the surrounding community.
• Consider legal and social requirements which may affect one's choice farm environment of farming enterprise.
• Devise marketing plan and/or strategy risk to inform decisions.
• Develop human resource development plan (skills development, legislation, performance management, leadership style) and recognise political issues.
• 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).
• Apply formatting and changes to data and information.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• 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.
• Demonstrate knowledge of principles underlying sustainable use of natural resources (soil, water, climate).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Identify, classify major infrastructure and machinery requirements of 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 and pump types, uses, advantages and disadvantages etc.
• Discuss needs and requirements of production watering systems and be able to calculate water needs.
• Explain flow measurement and be able to do corresponding calculations.
• Engage in farm planning to integrate the infrastructure and machinery requirements of the farm as a whole.

Integrated Assessment

The choice of the particular assessment option will be done at faculty level for every module of the qualification. There are three scheduled Summative Assessment events (predicate tests) of which the learners must use two and can only gain access to the third one with authorised absence.

The Summative Assessments are written during the scheduled periods for tests and the dates cannot be altered after publication in the Annual Year Planner. These two assessments contribute towards the predicate mark and may not be less than 70%.

The second component of the predicate mark is made up of Formative Assessment events in the form of practicals. This may not contribute more than 30% toward the predicate mark. A sub-minimum of 50% is required for the practical component.

There are two equivalent examinations conducted at the close of the module, which are scheduled during the examination period as indicated in the Annual Year Planner. The two examinations for a module are known as the main examination and the supplementary examination.