Diploma in Agriculture

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to address the production entrepreneurship skills, which are significant for the agricultural sector by producing learners that are technically capable to manage sustainable primary farming operations and conversant with value-addition of various products.

Rationale

The farming industry representatives in the department advisory committee have identified poor knowledge and skills in the National Certificate learners and more knowledge and lack of practical skills in the University learners and thus, a need for a holistic Diploma qualification that will train learners in Agriculture was needed. Direct industry involvement has been sought in the design of this qualification through the Department's Advisory Committee meetings. The qualification is designed for the learner who plans to seek employment in agriculture industry, manage, or own a farm. For those who want to further their studies they can to progress into an Advanced Diploma in Agriculture. Skilled workforce would result in efficient production leading to improved productivity and thus contribute to economic development.

Upon completion of this qualification, the learners would be able to work as farm managers, supervisors, a facilitator in short courses, extension officer, agriculture teachers, agriculture sales representatives as well as technicians in various farming operations/enterprises.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The RPL policy of the institution has been approved and in place for implementation. The RPL process will involve the application, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal and non-formal learning. The institution will offer two options for RPL, namely, access into first-year level for applicants and exemption from certain modules. For access into first year level studies a learner should have work experience that is related to Agriculture but does not meet the academic requirements for entry into the first year of the qualification, they may apply for RPL for access. For exemption of modules a learner should have gained knowledge in specific areas through informal and non-formal learning and this knowledge is closely related to the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification but the learner who is seeking to enrol may apply for 'Exemption RPL' rather than 'RPL for access'. In this case, the learner's knowledge will be assessed against the Exit Level Outcomes of particular module (s), for recognition. Based on the assessment results, the applicant will be enrol and be may be exempted from modules.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Senior Certificate without endorsement.

Or

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, granting access to Diploma studies.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5 and 6 totalling 360 Credits.

This qualification has 3 specialisations, a learner must select one specialisation

Specialisation in Animal Production.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits

• Agricultural seminar, 8 Credits.
• Basic Scientific Concepts, 12 Credits.
• Agricultural Mathematics, 8 Credits.
• Fieldwork Practical 1, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Crop Production, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Agricultural Economics, 8 Credits.
• Farm Accounting, 8 Credits.
• Fieldwork Practical 2, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Agricultural Engineering, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Animal Production, 12 Credits.
• Animal Anatomy and Physiology, 8 Credits.
• Agricultural Extension 1, 8 Credits.

Compulsory Module, Level 6, 240 Credits

• Agricultural Extension 2, 12 Credits.
• Farm Structures, 12 Credits.
• Animal Nutrition, 12 Credits.
• Poultry Production, 12 Credits.
• Pig Production, 12 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship, 8 Credits.
• Business Management, 8 Credits.
• Rangeland and Pasture Management, 12 Credits.
• Beef Production, 12 Credits.
• Small Stock Production, 12 Credits.
• Animal Health Management 1, 8 Credits.
• Agro-Processing: Animal, 16 Credits.
• Dairy Production, 16 Credits.
• Animal Health Management II, 12 Credits.
• Agricultural Projects, 16 Credits.
• Work-Integrated Learning, 60 Credits.

Or

Specialisation in Agribusiness.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits

• Agricultural seminar, 8 Credits.
• Basic Scientific Concepts, 12 Credits.
• Agricultural Mathematics, 8 Credits.
• Fieldwork Practical 1, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Crop Production, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Agricultural Economics, 8 Credits.
• Farm Accounting, 8 Credits.
• Fieldwork Practical 2, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Agricultural Engineering, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Animal Production, 12 Credits.
• Animal Anatomy and Physiology/Crop Physiology and Ecology, 8 Credits.
• Agricultural Extension 1, 8 Credits.

Compulsory Module, Level 6, 240 Credits

• Agricultural Extension 2, 12 Credits.
• Production Economics, 12 Credits.
• Agricultural Marketing 1, 8 Credits.
• Human Resource Management, 8 Credits.
• Field Crop Production, 12 Credits.
• Pig Production/Poultry Production, 12 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship, 8 Credits.
• Agricultural Marketing 2, 8 Credits.
• Business Management, 8 Credits.
• Agricultural Industry, 8 Credits.
• Vegetable Production, 12 Credits.
• Beef Production/Small Stock Production, 12 Credits.
• Agro-Processing: Crop/Animal, 16 Credits.
• Project Management, 12 Credits.
• Financial Management, 8 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management, 8 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship Projects, 16 Credits.
• Work-Integrated Learning, 60 Credits.

Or

Specialisation in Crop Production.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits

• Agricultural Seminar, 8 Credits.
• Basic Scientific Concepts, 12 Credits.
• Agricultural Mathematics, 8 Credits.
• Fieldwork Practical 1, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Crop Production, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Agricultural Economics, 8 Credits.
• Farm Accounting, 8 Credits.
• Fieldwork Practical 2, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Agricultural Engineering, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Animal Production, 12 Credits.
• Crop Physiology and Ecology, 8 Credits.
• Agricultural Extension 1, 8 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 240 Credits

• Agricultural Extension 2, 12 Credits.
• Farm Structures, 12 Credits.
• Fruit Production 1, 8 Credits.
• Field Crop Production, 12 Credits.
• Crop Protection, 12 Credits.
• Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition, 8 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship, 8 Credits.
• Business Management, 8 Credits.
• Fruit Production II, 12 Credits.
• Vegetable Production, 12 Credits.
• Irrigation, Soil and Water Conservation, 16 Credits.
• Agro-processing: Crop, 16 Credits.
• Farm Mechanisation, 12 Credits.
• Agricultural Projects, 16 Credits.
• Land Use Planning, 16 Credits.
• Work-Integrated Learning, 60 Credits.

1. Understand the principles of agricultural production and the use of the different resources in an environmentally sustainable way.
2. Design, apply and implement the practices of agriculture in sustainable, socio-economic local, regional and national development and production.
3. Evaluate, compare, advice and integrate appropriate agricultural management strategies in order to promote sustainable land use practices, improve rural livelihoods and improve commercial production.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Define and describe the principals involved in agriculture.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of living entities, plant and livestock, soils and agricultural economics.
• Identify and explain ecological principles.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the concepts of conservation and sustainability.
• Categorise traditional and commercial systems in agriculture.
• Select and apply traditional and commercial knowledge in agrarian development.
• Display observational competency in fieldwork and data information collection.
• Effectively communicate information to specific audiences.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Describe the role of plants and animals in agriculture.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the principles involved in the agricultural Industry.
• Apply the theory in a South African agricultural context.
• Identify and categorise a variety of production and management systems.
• Provide evidence of practical experience in these production systems.
• Demonstrate theoretical and practical competency.
• Design an extension tool to obtain specific information.
• Utilise and apply collected information in a variety of agrarian development situations.
• Display appropriate knowledge and understanding of communication aspects critical to development of agricultural activities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Critically analyse interaction between different production, economic, environmental systems and cultural groups.
• Demonstrate awareness and understanding of the personality traits, attitudes and skills necessary for successful interactions within agricultural development.
• Draft plans to incorporate interventions aimed at obtaining realistic outcomes.
• Utilise multi resource inventories, appropriate technology and indigenous knowledge.
• Analyse and evaluate different management options for sustainability and improved production.
• Demonstrate critical knowledge of sustainable and commercially economical agricultural management within the appropriate legislation.
• Assemble and convey knowledge of policies and legislation of agriculture in the South African environment.
• Write a report and present it to peers and external examiners on the practical application of the theory gained in experiential training.
• Compare and evaluate holistic approaches integrating acquired skills and attitudes in the form of case study analyses.

Integrated Assessment

The formative assessment comprises assignments or practicals which account 40% and tests account 60% to the semester mark. Summative assessment comprises a final examination contributing 50% to the final mark. While experiential learning programme account a total of 120 Credits of the whole qualification.