Doctor of Philosophy in Agriculture

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to provide training for an academic career in agriculture by undertaking research at the most advanced academic levels. Graduates will have demonstrated high level research capability and will have made a significant and original contribution at the frontiers of agricultural knowledge. The qualification provides learners with the opportunity to undertake independent research and advanced study under the guidance of a supervisor in a particular subject area within the field of Agricultural Science such as agricultural extension, crop science and/or or animal breeding. The qualification aims to contribute to the agricultural sciences planning and management fields by developing researchers who can apply specialised research knowledge and skills to enhance an understanding of agricultural science issues and their management applications.

On completion of the qualification, learners will be able to

• Undertake independent agricultural research and report on this to reflect independent thinking, originality, critical analysis and advanced insight into the chosen field of research.
• Demonstrate specialist knowledge and an ability to engage critically with current research in a specialised field of agriculture.
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the boundaries, inter-connections, value and knowledge creation systems and paradigms of the chosen field of agriculture and an ability to critically evaluate these and select an appropriate paradigm for the research project.
• Select, apply, and modify where necessary research methods including experimental design, data collection, data analysis and statistics to address a particular research question in agriculture.
• Use a wide range of appropriate knowledge and skills to identify a problem, conceptualize a research question, design, and undertake a research project to address the problem.
• Draw appropriate conclusions and propose interventions at a policy or management level to address the problem being researched, and fully discuss any possible negative consequences.
• Identify any ethical (human and animal) considerations associated with research in the chosen field of agriculture and propose solutions.
• Work independently and take full responsibility for their work and where appropriate to lead, oversee and be held ultimately accountable for the overall governance of processes and systems.

Rationale

The South African agricultural landscape is in flux. It has a long history of inequitable development while millions of land users are effectively marginalised from the mainstream agricultural sector and the social and economic benefits derived there from. The agricultural sector is the largest user of land, covering approximately 68% of the country. The country is well known for citrus, subtropical fruit, nuts, sugarcane, and a variety of flowers and vegetables, field crops and pastures for animal feed. To this can be added many thousands of hectares of commercial forestry and a substantial productive livestock population. Together, these industries can and do have significant social, economic, and environmental impact. Notwithstanding the national estimate that 20-52% of households experience food insecurity, that is mostly prevalent in rural and peri-urban areas, agriculture has a potential to expand its contribution to Gross Domestic Product as well as the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers.

However, sustainable use of the predominantly marginal and the very limited high potential agricultural land available in the country is critical for future food security for the growing population. Thus, the doctoral qualification will contribute significantly to the development of agriculture in the wider South Africa. South Africa will benefit from a knowledge economy supported by the generation of new, cutting-edge knowledge for innovation and sustained growth. This will help promote the upscaling and adoption of green agriculture and agricultural-based green economy initiatives through partnership and participatory on-farm demonstration trials with farmers' training and information sharing. The qualification will prepare the learners to undertake independent research that will contribute to the development of agriculture nationally and internationally.

In the National Development Plan (NDP), agricultural science is considered critical to the country's future with the potential to create close to 1million new jobs by 2030 thus representing a significant contribution to the overall employment target. The NDP calls for increasing and refocusing investment in research and development for the agricultural sector. An important aspect of this is to strengthen capacity to innovate for production efficiency and adaptability, improve soil health and promote resilience, especially in the light of climate change. The design of the qualification seeks to increase research and innovation capacity of the nation to promote sustainability of the agricultural sector, its value chain, and the economy at large. Graduates will be able to join employment as Senior Agricultural Scientists, managers, consultants, and lecturers in various fields of research, education, extension and management in public and private enterprises and apply their knowledge in agricultural production management, research initiatives and community services; in solving problems together with the local communities, as part of the poverty reduction and household food security initiatives.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL will be applied in line with the institutional policy on the Recognition of Prior Learning. This policy is aligned with the National Policy and Criteria for the Implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning (Amended March 2019).

RPL is used as important tools to widen access with success, to achieve inclusion and to overcome barriers to access in higher education and thus promoting lifelong learning and in redressing inequities by providing alternative routes into higher education. The National Policy and Criteria for the Implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning (Amended March 2019) indicates that there are two types of RPL, being RPL for access and RPL for credit.

RPL for Access

Learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements of the required qualification may be considered for RPL. There are two options:

• Advanced Standing, in which case the minimum entry requirements are waived by the admitting institution based on evidence of prior learning, work experience or any other relevant circumstances that may apply to an individual learner. No portfolio is required.

OR

• Applicants may provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that the applicant has acquired sufficient relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies to be able to reasonably meet the expectations for learning demanded by the qualification for which they are seeking access.
• In instances where RPL is applied for the purposes of access, no credits will be awarded for any previous learning. However, the candidate may choose the option of being assessed for credit.

RPL for Credits

Learners who do meet the necessary entry requirements for admission to a qualification may be awarded some or all the credits towards the qualification. There are two possibilities:

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted a module or some modules by providing sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that a level of competency, equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module or modules, has been achieved. Credits will be awarded for such modules.

OR

• Learners may apply for RPL to be awarded all the credits required for the qualification. Sufficient evidence must be provided that demonstrates a level of competency equivalent to all the learning outcomes of the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Master of Agriculture, NQF level 9.

or

• Master of Science in Agriculture, NQF Level 9.

or

• Master's Degree in cognate field, NQF Level 9.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 10, 360 Credits

• Research project and Thesis, 360 Credits.

1. Undertake independent agricultural research and report to reflect independent thinking, originality, critical analysis, and advanced insight into the chosen field of research
2. Demonstrate specialist knowledge and an ability to engage critically with current research in a specialized field of agriculture.
3. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the boundaries, inter-connections, value and knowledge creation systems and paradigms of the chosen field of agriculture and critically evaluate these and select an appropriate paradigm for the research project.
4. Select, apply, and modify where necessary research methods including experimental design, data collection, data analysis and statistics to address a particular research question in agriculture.
5. Use a wide range of appropriate knowledge and skills to identify a problem, conceptualize a research question, design, and undertake a research project to address the problem.
6. Within the agricultural system being studied, and based on the outcomes of the research, draw appropriate conclusions, and propose interventions at a policy or management level that would address the problem being researched, and fully discuss any possible negative consequences.
7. Identify any ethical (human and animal) considerations associated with research in the chosen field of agriculture and propose solutions.
8. Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility to the environment and health and welfare of others (humans and animals) and with due consideration to cultural differences.
9. Manage, collate, critically evaluate, and synthesise information from a range of sources as relevant to the field of specialisation in agriculture.
10. Communicate effectively and efficiently with both professional and lay audiences using appropriate language, academic discourse, and technology. Defend new ideas using logical argumentation that is supported by data.
11. Demonstrate responsible and effective personal organization skills, work independently, and incorporate feedback into one's work.
12. Work independently and take full responsibility for allocated resources.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

The thesis reports the outcome of original research including the following steps

• Identify and justify the projects question and scope.
• Carefully and critically evaluate the literature review draws from multiple sources and materials.
• Identify and apply a range of methods, including statistical methods and the appropriate chosen ones.
• Identify ethical issues and seek approval if necessary.
• Collect, collate, and analyse data.
• Interpret and discuss data in the context of the available information gathered in the literature review.
• Formulate recommendations.
• Prepare the thesis according to the prescribed format, write in appropriate academic language, and includes no plagiarism.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Critically and fully engage with the current literature in the field of specialisation and incorporate own results into the existing knowledge base.
• Show mastery of the literature by producing original insights into new and complex ideas, information, and issues in a specific area of the field of Agricultural Sciences.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Demonstrate comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the nature, strengths, and limitations of science.
• Plan, resource, manage and optimise all aspects of research processes within complex and unpredictable contexts in the field of Agricultural Sciences.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Select, justify, and apply appropriate research methods to address the research question.
• Demonstrate intellectual independence and advanced research skills through the ability to apply sophisticated knowledge and research methodologies for the solution of complex.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Demonstrate originality in the independent research, from identification of a research question to completion of the thesis.
• Demonstrate an epistemological engagement with the chosen field of study in identifying the research problem.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Discuss fully the recommendations in the thesis and consider any possible negative outcomes, and propose mitigation.
• Findings contribute significantly to the appropriate field.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Indicate explicitly ethical concerns, or the lack thereof, in the thesis and provide reference to Ethical Approval Number. Where ethical issues exist, the thesis will clearly indicate how they have been dealt with.
• Demonstrate the ability to adhere to research ethics.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Demonstrate a full and well-reasoned understanding of the need to use science in a responsible manner.
• Apply inter-relatedness and multi-disciplinarily of reasoning and arguments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Include a full and critical analysis of the existing knowledge in the field of study drawing from a range of sources in the Introduction and Discussion chapters of the thesis.
• Synthesis of information into a coherent body of knowledge is done to the extent that it adheres to academic standards regarding accuracy, truthfulness, and bias.
• Critically communicate own analysis to existing theories.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Adhere to the norms for style, format, academic language and referencing in the thesis and use figures and tables to illustrate the results.
• Demonstrate evidence of no plagiarism in any work of the thesis.
• Use a language and technology appropriate for the audience in oral presentation and defend ideas with logical argumentation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11

• Ability to meet all deadlines.
• Incorporate critical feedback from supervisor and peers in the production process of the thesis.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12

• Ability to complete of the research project and submit the thesis within the prescribed time frame.
• Write papers that are linguistically correct and of a high standard.
• Publish papers that are technically and scientifically of a high standard.
• Write and publish many papers that are published in highly reputable journals and make a significant contribution to the field of study.