Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture through its four specializations is to prepare and develop learners as specialists with sound and technical knowledge required to work effectively and efficiently in the agricultural industry and the necessary skills to interact with clients and other important role players within the agricultural food value chain; contribute to sustainable use and management of natural soil and water as natural resources for agricultural and food production, and to ensure that decisions or recommendations made for addressing agricultural production challenges within the complex world of agricultural and rural transformation are research-based. The qualification also includes the development of broader competencies such as leadership, writing and communication, skill acquisition on the use of technology innovation as part of their learning tools, problem-solving, honesty and integrity. Ultimately, it prepares qualified learners for further study and research in various agricultural disciplines including crop production, animal and crop product processing, extension, and postharvest processing.

Upon completion of the qualification the qualified learner should be able to

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of key terms, concepts, principles, insights and current issues in agriculture and agricultural management.
• Assess, evaluate, integrate, and apply such knowledge to address complex and multidisciplinary management issues in agriculture.
• Demonstrate an understanding that knowledge is contested, and that farming and non-farming community members may understand the natural world and agriculture that is different to that of scientists and reflect this understanding in the way multiple views and perspectives are consideed and integrated into addressing agricultural related problems.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify suitable methods for data collection and justify those methods; investigate the sources of and validate data; and evaluate its suitability for building, sustaining, and defending arguments in agriculture production systems.
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of professional ethics in agriculture and identify and apply ethical rules and conduct in practice within a South African context. Take decisions and act ethically with integrity and accountability for their work, decisions, and actions.
• Demonstrate the ability to make decisions, always justify those decisions and act ethically and professionally, and be accountable for one's actions.
• Undertake independent agricultural research and show the ability to analyse and synthesise information to make recommendations to address issues and solve farmers' and agricultural related problems.
• Communicate own ideas in writing and verbally, to both scientific and non-scientific audiences using logically structured argumentation, appropriate discourse, suitable audio-visual tools, and technology, as well as appropriate referencing conventions.
• Manage their learning and demonstrate the attributes of learner-driven and self-directed learners as well as academic autonomy.
• Work in a group as a member or leader, and take full responsibility for own work, and where applicable, that of fellow learners, as well as accountability for her/his actions and where necessary, those of fellow learners.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is 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.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Advanced Diploma in Agriculture, NQF Level 7.

or

Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, NQF Level 7.

Or

• A relevant qualification in the related field, NQF level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 60 Credits

• Agricultural Research Report (project), 30 Credits.
• Statistics and Data Analysis, 15 Credits.
• Special Topics in Agriculture, 15 Credits.

Learners will select one stream and then take all modules from that stream.

Stream 1: Crop production

Elective Modules, Level 8, 60 Credits

• Advanced field and Horticultural Crop Production, 12 Credits.
• Project Evaluation and Appraisal, 12 Credits.
• Seed Science and Technology, 12 Credits.
• Soil-Plant-Water Relation and Irrigation Management, 12 Credits.
• Crop Production Economics and Risk Management, 12 Credits.

Stream 2: Animal Products and Processing

Elective Modules, Level 8, 60 Credits

• Meat Science, 12 Credits.
• Animal Food Microbiology, 12 Credits.
• Processed Animal Products, 12 Credits.
• Animal Food Safety, 12 Credits.
• Analysis of Animal Products,12 Credits.

Stream 3: Post Harvest Technology

Elective Modules, Level 8, 60 Credits

• Food Chemistry and Physiology, 12 Credits.
• Biology of postharvest development, Ripening and Deterioration, 12 Credits.
• Plant Food Quality Control and Management, 12 Credits.
• Postharvest Engineering and Agro-processing, 12 Credits.
• Postharvest Handling and Sanitation, 12 Credits.

Stream 4: Agricultural Extension

Elective Modules, Level 8, 60 Credits

• Agricultural Policy Analysis and Food Security, 12 Credits.
• Advanced Philosophy & Principles of Agricultural Extension, 12 Credits.
• Advanced Development Theories in Agricultural Extension,12 Credits.
• Applied Extension Management and Communication in Rural Context, 12 Credits.
• Designing Practical Extension Programmes and Projects for Rural Development, 12 Credits.

1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of key terms, concepts, principles, insights and current issues in agriculture and agricultural management.
2. Apply advanced knowledge of key terms, concepts, principles, insights, and current issues in agriculture to address complex and multidisciplinary management issues in agriculture.
3. Demonstrate an understanding that knowledge is contested, and that farming and non-farming community members may understand the natural world and agriculture that is different to that of scientists and reflect this understanding in the way multiple views and perspectives are considered and integrated into addressing agricultural-related problems.
4. Demonstrate the ability to identify suitable methods for data collection and justify those methods; investigate the sources of and validate data; and evaluate its suitability for building, sustaining, and defending arguments in agriculture production systems.
5. Demonstrate an ability to deal with complex biological and socio-economic problems in familiar and unfamiliar agricultural settings, identify solutions and evaluate those solutions in the light of the understanding that problem-solving is context-bound and does not happen in isolation.
6. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of professional ethics in agriculture and identify and apply ethical rules and conduct in practice within a South African context. Take decisions and act ethically with integrity and accountability for their work, decisions, and actions.
7. Undertake independent research and show the ability to analyse and synthesise information to make recommendations to address issues and solve farmers' and agricultural-related problems
8. Communicate own ideas in writing and verbally, to both scientific and non-scientific audiences using logically structured argumentation, appropriate discourse, suitable audio-visual tools, and technology, as well as appropriate referencing conventions.
9. Manage their learning and demonstrate the attributes of learner-driven and self-directed learners as well as academic autonomy.
10. Work in a group as a member or leader, and take full responsibility for own work, and where applicable, that of fellow learners, as well as accountability for her/his actions and where necessary, those of fellow learners.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate a critical awareness of relevant philosophies and research paradigms.
• Perform a critical review and use relevant theories, principles, procedures and practices, research methodologies, methods, and techniques in agriculture to support the development of convincing arguments and positions in assignments, research reports and examinations.
• Discuss critically the current issues in agriculture informed by an advanced understanding of, and supported by reference to current literature

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Develop through a given familiar and unfamiliar case studies, solutions to complex issues in agriculture through the application of advanced knowledge and understanding.
• In addressing multidisciplinary problems in agriculture, perspectives from a range of disciplines are successfully brought together and creative tensions managed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Develop data collection procedures to ensure that the voice of all stakeholders is heard.
• Develop solutions to agricultural problems and research questions and successfully incorporate the views of all stakeholders.
• Develop perspectives from different disciplines including from IKS successfully and manage creative tensions such that multiple voices are heard.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Apply routine and specialised agricultural research methods correctly.
• Understand and describe inherent weaknesses of an applied or recommended method clearly.
• Consider in familiar and unfamiliar examples, a range of approaches to data analysis and recommended and justify fully an appropriate method.
• Apply qualitative and quantitative research methods correctly.
• Use software correctly to undertake routine and more complex statistical tests.
• Interpret the output of statistical tests correctly.
• Report statistical results correctly in writing and illustrated in tables and figures.
• Access, critically evaluate and include information from a wide range of sources in the research paper and all assignments.
• Review and analyse existing knowledge in the field of specialisation critically.
• Manage contradictory information well, consider alternative viewpoints and reach a balanced conclusion.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Address complex agricultural problems through the application of advanced knowledge and skills.
• Apply systems thinking approach to understand complex agricultural questions and to develop possible solutions.
• Suggest in unfamiliar scenarios, solutions that take into consideration the context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Identify in a range of familiar and unfamiliar contexts, ethical issues correctly and discuss ways to address them in assignments and the research report.
• Obtain ethical approval before starting research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Demonstrate an ability to undertake independent research in a specialised field of agriculture in the research report module. The research report will demonstrate the following outcomes:
• Decide and present the project question and scope.
• Identify appropriate methods, including statistical methods, where a range of methods are considered, and the appropriate ones are chosen.
• Consider ethical issues and seek approval if necessary.
• Collect, collate, and analyse data successfully.
• Interpret data and discuss it in the context of the available information gathered in the literature review.
• Formulate recommendations are supported by the data and justified fully.
• Conduct the research report in a format that is appropriate for the discipline and demonstrates no plagiarism.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

Oral communication

• Communicate results from the research project to both professional and lay audiences using appropriate language and technology.
• Communicate oral arguments in a convincing manner.
• Communicate complex concepts, ideas, and theories clearly.
• Present presentations that are engaging, clear and completed within the given time.

Written communication

• Use appropriate language in the research paper and present all assignments which are in the approved style and adhere to norms for academic scientific writing.
• Use a standard referencing style accurately and consistently in the research report.
• Communicate written arguments convincingly.
• Present statistical results clearly in the research paper.
• Prepare all assignments that include no plagiarism.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Submit all assignments on time.
• Produce a research journal that includes positive and constructive reflection on the learning process.
• Consider feedback critically and incorporate it successfully into iterative drafts of work.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

• Agree on and execute group work, and responsibilities within the group.
• Successfully plan, execute, and complete group assignments and research within the time provided.