Diploma in Agriculture: Irrigation

Purpose

The purpose of the Diploma in Agriculture in Irrigation is to equip learners with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle the challenges of the modern, dynamic agricultural sector.

This qualification will

• Equip the learner with theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and the exposure required in the agricultural sector.
• Equip learners for a sustainable and profitable career in the agricultural sector.

A qualified learner will be able to design, maintain, and evaluate various irrigation systems for effective and efficient production, and be competent to work in government, agribusinesses, private consultancies, extension projects, or their own agribusinesses.

On completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Identify different types of resources used in agricultural production and understand the crop management practices and their impact on the agricultural sector.
• Apply the principles of design and maintenance of irrigation systems and evaluate the efficiency of various irrigation systems.
• Perform irrigation management tasks and implement new irrigation projects.
• Apply the principles of economics, marketing, and trade to farm management and understand the role of agricultural policy on irrigation and agribusiness performance.

Rationale

Water is a scarce resource that requires careful use and management. Water covers about 71% of the Earth's surface, and only 3% of the Earth's water is fresh. Only about 32% of the freshwater is accessible for usage. About 70% of the fresh water is used for agricultural production. Irrigated agriculture plays a crucial role in South Africa's agricultural sector, contributing significantly to food security, employment, and economic development. The qualification will benefit the nation and economy by equipping the workforce with practical skills that are essential for economic development. One critical area that warrants attention is the training of irrigation technologists.

Most of the areas in South Africa receive below-average rainfall to establish and maintain agricultural production; therefore, irrigation is pivotal to the agricultural industry. There is high potential arable land, which comprises of 22% of the total arable land, and 1.3 million hectares are under irrigation. Irrigation comprises of 62% of South Africa's surface and groundwater resources. Irrigated agriculture is facing fierce competition for this substantial share of water as the water demand for mining, industrial, domestic, municipal, and other activities is increasing rapidly.

Given South Africa's agricultural potential and the challenges posed by climate change and water resource management, Training irrigation technologists is a strategic move that offers numerous benefits for South Africa's agricultural sector, economy, and environment. By developing a skilled workforce capable of implementing and managing advanced irrigation systems, South Africa can enhance agricultural productivity, ensure sustainable water use, create jobs, and foster economic growth. The government's investment in this area will not only address current challenges but also position the country as a leader in agricultural innovation and climate resilience.

Realizing this potential requires addressing challenges related to water resource management, such as groundwater potential exploration, infrastructure, training of Irrigation Technologists, and environmental sustainability. With strategic investments, policy support, and the adoption of innovative technologies, irrigated farming can play a pivotal role in South Africa's agricultural future.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) has been recognised as one of the most powerful ways of opening up access to further and higher education for previously disadvantaged people in South Africa. It furthers the democratic and human rights and transformative goals of the College and it is also a requirement in terms of national legislation and policy.

It refers to the practice of awarding credits or granting educational access to learners on the basis of prior learning acquired through a variety of formal, non-formal and informal means, including life and work experience. Learners may apply for RPL if applicable.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations, should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

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

Or

Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, without endorsement.

Or

• National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4, granting access to Diploma studies.

Or

• Higher Certificate in General Agriculture, NQF Level 5.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5, 6, and 7, totalling 369 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 5, 122 Credits

• Anatomy and physiology of farm animals; 8 credits.
• Agricultural botany; 8 credits.
• Soil science; 8 credits.
• Veld management; 8 credits.
• Fundamentals of irrigation; 6 credits.
• Natural resource management; 6 credits.
• Agricultural economics; 8 credits.
• Computer application; 8 credits.
• Pig production; 7 credits.
• Small stock production; 7 credits.
• Crop protection; 8 credits.
• Soil fertility; 8 credits.
• Soil survey; 8 credits.
• Farm trades: 8 credits.
• Irrigated pasture management; 8 credits.
• Agricultural marketing; 8 credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 6, 147 Credits

• Beef production; 7 credits.
• Poultry production; 7 credits.
• Vegetable production; 7 credits.
• Winter crop production; 8 credits.
• Hydraulics and flow measurements; 8 credits.
• Pumps and propulsion; 8 credits.
• Soil and water conservation; 8 credits.
• Agricultural financial management; 8 credits.
• Dairy production; 7 credits.
• Fruit production; 7 credits.
• Summer crop production; 8 credits.
• Chemigation; 8 credits.
• Evaluation of irrigation systems; 8 credits.
• Irrigation equipment and system design; 8 credits.
• Irrigation management; 8 credits.
• Rural development; 8 credits.
• Drainage system and design; 8 credits.
• Irrigation economics; 8 credits.
• Irrigation management principles; 8 credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 7, 100 Credits

• Automated irrigation systems; 8 credits.
• Irrigation system evaluation; 8 credits.
• Maintenance of irrigation dams; 8 credits.
• Agribusiness management; 8 credits.
• Research principles: 8 credits.
• Work-integrated learning: 60 credits.

1. Identify different types of resources used in agricultural production and understand the crop management practices and their impact on the agricultural sector.
2. Apply the principles of design and maintenance of irrigation systems and evaluate the efficiency of various irrigation systems.
3. Perform irrigation management tasks and implement new irrigation projects.
4. Apply the principles of economics, marketing, and trade to farm management and understand the role of agricultural policy on irrigation and agribusiness performance..

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify different types of resources used in agricultural production and understand the crop management practices and their impact on the agricultural sector.
• Apply the principles of design and maintenance of irrigation systems and evaluate the efficiency of various irrigation systems.
• Perform irrigation management tasks and implement new irrigation projects.
• Apply the principles of economics, marketing, and trade to farm management and understand the role of agricultural policy on irrigation and agribusiness performance.
• Describe and discuss different types of natural resources, including soil, water, and climate.
• Discuss poor and good crop management practices (land preparation, planting, nutrient management, and crop protection)
• Analyse the impact of crop management practices on the agricultural sector.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Explain the process of irrigation planning.
• Perform crop water requirement and hydraulic calculations.
• Apply SABI norms for the design of irrigation systems.
• Identify irrigation equipment and explain its respective functions.
• Describe the standard irrigation system installation procedure.
• Explain the testing and operation of various irrigation systems.
• Perform the field evaluation of different irrigation systems, the pump house and filter station, and complete system evaluation forms.
• Execute routine maintenance of irrigation systems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Develop an irrigation scheduling program.
• Interpret water quality analysis report and discuss the water's suitability for irrigation.
• Discuss irrigation water legislation in South Africa and its application.
• Explain the need for agricultural drainage and the different agricultural drainage systems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Explain and apply economic principles to farm management.
• Describe and discuss agricultural policies as they apply to irrigation management and agribusiness performance.
• Evaluate the financial and operational performance of agricultural businesses.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment

Assessment procedures used to evaluate student performance throughout a course focus on teaching and learning to improve learner success. These include formal tests, assignment/class tests, and practicals. These procedures help students to improve their understanding and learning and help instructors to improve their teaching.

Summative assessment

Summative assessment is conducted at the end of the learning period or learning programmes, to evaluate learning related to a particular qualification. The summative assessment conducted is an examination at the end of each learning programme.

Assessment structure

Theory Term Mark: Class tests/assignments (20%) + Semester Test 1 (40%) + Semester Test 2 (40%)

Semester Mark: {Theory mark (60%)} + Average Practical mark (40%)

Final Mark: Semester mark (50%) + Exam mark (50%)

The Work Integrated Learning programme accounts for a total of 60 Credits of the whole qualification.

Work Integrated Learning Assessment structure: Assignments + presentation = final mark.