Diploma in Agriculture in Mixed Farming

Purpose

The purpose of the Diploma in Agriculture in Mixed Farming is to offer prospective farmers and youth with skills in crop and animal production and management as they acquire entrepreneurial skills, managerial skills, technical skills and experience in an agricultural business and farm productions by completion of instructional offerings and modules, and enterprise assignments in the workplace.

This qualification with its combination of practical experience and practical workable experience is designed for those learners who wish to develop their careers in an appropriate context and to address current challenges in agriculture.

The institution offers the qualification which is two years of residential study and one-year additional experiential training on a farm. The curriculum is developed to provide academic and practical training to meet the needs of commercial farmers and the agricultural sector. The institution's training is focused towards producing professionals that will be able to deal with the changing climate, address sustainability issues and contribute towards commercial farming and thus increase the number of farmers and food insecurity alleviation as focused in mixed farming, having a province that focuses on pasture and arable farming.

Rationale

The qualification is aimed at mixed farming in the Highveld region of South Africa, to satisfy the needs of prospective farmers and the agricultural industry. The qualifications make provision for Plant Production, Animal Production, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Management and Computer skills. Learners will be equipped with insight into, practical knowledge of, and skills in Agricultural Management and Information Technology, Crop Husbandry, Farm Animal Husbandry and Agricultural Engineering to prepare them for any eventuality.

The Diploma in Agriculture in Mixed Farming will provide a broadening of the skills base of the country by developing learners who will be able to initiate and develop their own businesses. It aims to provide learners with skills to be able to come up with solutions to current and future agricultural problems to ensure sustainable production systems.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution shall conduct RPL for credits. It will follow an RPL process for admission or exemption with credits as follows:

Step 1 - RPL application,

Learners will complete the RPL application forms and provide evidence to support the application.

Step 2 - RPL screening,

Screening of the documents supplied by the learner will take place. The applicant registers for RPL assessment.

Step 3 - Assessment plan,

The formulation of an assessment plan in co-operation with an assessor. An assessment method, schedule and report will be finalised.

Step 4 - Support of learner,

RPL office will communicate assessment details to the learner.

Step 5 - Assessment,

An assessor performs the assessment against the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification and makes an assessment judgement and recommends.

Step 6 - Approval of Recommendation,

The Head of Department considers the recommendation for decision making. The Principal of the College will then make his recommendation.

Step 7 - Moderation,

The process of moderation is done by the RPL office.

Step 8 - Feedback to the learner,

The outcome of the assessment is sent to the learner. If the applicant is not yet competent, he/she will be supported by the RPL office for the re-assessment.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be used to demonstrate competence for admission to the qualification. This achievement of part of the qualification is possible through recognition of prior learning processes.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

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

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

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 94 Credits

• Basic Computer Use, 8 Credits.
• Crop Protection, 8 Credits.
• Agric Marketing, 8 Credits.
• Agricultural Economics, 8 Credits.
• Soil Science, 8 Credits.
• Advanced Computer Application, 8 Credits.
• Soil Fertility, 8 Credits.
• Grazing Systems, 8 Credits.
• Agricultural Botany, 8 Credits.
• Planting Breeding, 8 Credits.
• Veld Ecology, 8 Credits.
• Agricultural Mathematics, 6 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 168 Credits

• Animal Health I, 8 Credits.
• Agricultural Entrepreneurship, 8 Credits.
• Cultivated Pastures, 8 Credits.
• Small Stock Production, 8 Credits.
• Animal Health II, 8 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 8 Credits.
• Irrigation, 4 Credits.
• Basic Farm Mechanics, 5 Credits.
• Basic Welding, 5 Credits.
• Agricultural Mechanisation, 5 Credits.
• Animal Nutrition, 8 Credits.
• Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals, 8 Credits.
• Farm Building and Structures, 5 Credits.
• Agricultural Management, 12 Credits.
• Presentation, 18 Credits.
• Artificial Insemination, 4 Credits.
• Irrigation Management, 8 Credits.
• Site-visit reports, 20 Credits.
• Log sheets, 6 Credits.
• Occupational Health and Safety, 4 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 6, (Choose six)

• Dairy Production Management, 8 Credits.
• Agri Financial Management, 8 Credits.
• Poultry Production Management, 8 Credits.
• Pig Production Management, 8 Credits.
• Agronomy I, 8 Credits.
• Poultry Production, 8 Credits.
• Vegetable Production, 8 Credits.
• Agronomy II, 8 Credits.
• Beef Cattle Production Management, 8 Credits.
• Fruit Production, 8 Credits.
• Pig Production 308, 8 Credits.
• Agronomy 308, 8 Credits.
• Vegetable Production 308, 8 Credits.
• Beef Cattle Production 308, 8 Credits.
• Greenhouse Management, 4 Credits.
• Dairying 308, 8 Credits.
• Labour Management 304, 4 Credits.
• Pasture Science 308, 8 Credits.
• Fruit Production 308, 8 Credits.
• Soil Science 308, 8 Credits.
• Feedlot Management 308, 8 Credits.
• Small Stock Production 308, 8 Credits.
• Large Stock Judging 304, 4 Credits.

1. Apply knowledge and principles of crop and animal production, management as well as entrepreneurial skills, processes and procedures to solve farming problems.
2. Plan and manage a farming production system of choice.
3. Develop and apply sound farm planning knowledge and skills for a profitable farming production.
4. Manage the Human Resources of a farm.
5. Financial management knowledge comparison, evaluation, analysis, interpretation, investigation, planning and application for the cost effective, user friendly and environmentally friendly practices.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Apply knowledge of animal nutrition, animal health and production plans, animal breeding in solving farming problems.
• Describe the relevance and application of crop production and cultivated pasture production under irrigation in relation to livestock farming and farm planning.
• 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.
• Apply crop and animal agricultural production principles to solve farming problems.
• Identify and provide solutions to current and future agricultural problems to ensure sustainable production systems.
• Analyse and describe the total extent of the farming operation with all its different enterprises and their proportional financial contribution and importance; beef industry of South Africa; farm production system.
• Development of applied knowledge, skills and attitude towards crop origin, local and global production, yield and crop uses of onions, green beans, carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbage and cucurbits; identify, analyse, evaluate.
• Analysis and description of the dairy parlour, existing parlour routine practices and milk quality and recommendations for improvement.
• Description of the herd profile; description of the feeding and management programmes for heifer calves, heifers, lactating cows, bull calves and motivated recommendations.
• Identification, classification and mapping of soil areas of at least two cultivated fields, and soil use planning. Assessment of current and future soil use, with recommendations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Determine the ideal production requirements of a production system.
• Determine the required budget for the production system.
• Apply the principles of agricultural economy production cycles and plan for various animal or crop production systems as well as the marketing for the compilation of farm business plan.
• Identify, analyse and describe the current production system; management programme, breeding, feeding, disease control etc.
• Develop market strategies considering the target group.
• Identify markets for a sustainable farm production system.
• Discuss the communication and implementation of a strategic marketing plan.
• Develop a sound agricultural business plan.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Implement a production system plan of choice.
• Collect, analyse and apply data to determine profitable farming production system.
• Identify and classify major infrastructure and machinery requirements for different farming systems.
• Determine the major infrastructure and machinery required for agricultural production.
• Implement a plan for the infrastructure and machinery requirements of the farm.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Understand the importance of knowledge of relevant agricultural legislation as well as the principles of Human Resource Management in a successful farming production system.
• Identify, evaluate and resolve labour problems within the working environment.
• Discuss, analyse, compare and recommend the most efficient and effective means of implementing the framework of acts applicable to labour on the farm business, as well as the clarification of acts.
• Plan, apply, monitor and evaluate Labour management in the agricultural business environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Plan, apply, monitor and evaluate Financial Management.
• Interpretation and discussion of the financial ratios.
• Analyse and evaluate current marketing strategies with recommendations.
• Analyse current financial policy and make recommendations.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment types include formative and summative assessment, where formal class tests, semester tests, examinations, projects, seminar presentation and assignments contribute to determine progress, as well as practical skills development which is assessed by means of direct measurement and demonstration by the learner. During the fifth Semester, final year learners are placed/attached to appropriate farms for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for a year. 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.