SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111072  Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Management 
ORIGINATOR
Central University of Technology, Free State 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Secondary Agriculture 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-08-16  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
Two purposes will be achieved in the Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Management. Firstly, and in line with the official qualification descriptor this qualification will still provide a continuing professional development by enhancing a deeper and more systematic understanding of current thinking and current practices as well as an understanding of theory and methodology in a number of areas related to agriculture. Graduates will focus more on areas at the forefront of industrial development and become competent in new ways to exploit bodies of data for purposes of application.

Learners will in this qualification reach a point where they will be able to perform reflective thinking, make systematic surveys of current practices and bodies of knowledge and in the process achieve theoretical independence. The qualifying learner will have exposure and orientation to various agricultural systems and will be competent to manage and apply knowledge, skills and attitudes towards agricultural production at a higher level than was the case with the Advanced Diploma.

Secondly the learners will also be prepared for postgraduate study at the Master's level by the development of their ability to formulate, undertake and resolve more complex theoretical and practice-related problems and tasks through the selection and use of appropriate methods and techniques. The notion of systems thinking is now also given prominence.

Rationale:
The production environment in South Africa is in many cases marginal which makes the production of agricultural commodities challenging. Because of shrinking profit margins there is a strong tendency where farmers increasingly participate in the value chain. Bearing this in mind, a module in Value Adding and Agro processing was included.

The following will shed light on the Agricultural production environment:
  • Only 12% of the surface area of South Africa is suitable for the production of rain-fed crops: As much as 91% of South Africa is defined as arid or semi-arid. For the country as a whole, on more than 50% of the surface area, the annual rainfall varies between 30% and 60%. Such conditions forbid reckless optimism in planning.
  • Much of most of South Africa's grazing land (69% of surface), especially communal rangelands are stocked beyond its long-term carrying capacity. This practice causes irreversible damage to the quality of grazing provided. It also implies a looming crisis in the actual subsistence provided.
  • The shortage of surplus water limits irrigation opportunities even as farmers will have to double their use of water by 2050 if they are to meet growing food demands using current farming practices. Of the irrigated land an estimated 260 000ha is affected by salinisation. This implies a need > Much land is utilised under subsistence management which means that no surpluses are generated for the food security of urban populations.
  • The urban population number has since 1985 passed that of the rural population. It is expected that by 2020 about 70% of the population will be urban. This renders futile any expectation about subsistence farming as a national mode of existence.

    Sophisticated farming practices have enabled large farming units to not only survive but to increase their profits and yields dramatically. However, the conditions for achieving such profits are also sophisticated and raised commanding barriers to entering the productive agricultural industry.

    This Postgraduate Diploma qualification is a response to the need of higher levels of agriculture-associated occupations for the ability and agility for responding quicker to changes that may occur in any or all of the following market dimensions:
  • Outlet Markets.
  • Suppliers of Input Items and Services.
  • Trading Practices.
  • International Trade Agreements.
  • Available Breeds and Cultivars.
  • Production Practices.
  • Management Practices.
  • Local Climatic Patterns.
  • Local Legislative Conditions.

    Graduates are required who have received a broad-based training which improves their changes of performing well in the following career environments:
  • Financing institutions.
  • Governmental services to agriculture.
  • Various levels of farming.
  • Various levels of agribusiness.
  • Providing a form of consulting service. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution has embraced the "Access with success plan" as its commitment to realizing its endeavors of widening access of learners to higher education. Learners from the previously disadvantaged designated groups are targeted through the institutional recruitment strategies.

    To facilitate and promote access to the qualification, learners will also be selected based on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Selection of such learners will be conducted on an individual basis in accordance with the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy of the institution.

    The learners are required to complete an RPL application document. Accompanying the RPL application must be certified copies of all previous qualifications and a comprehensive portfolio of evidence, reflecting on extensive work learning.
    RPL will be provided only for entrance requirements or for granting credits. It will not be provided for a stand-alone awarding of a qualification.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Advanced Diploma in Agricultural Management, NQF Level 7, 120 Credits.
  • Bachelor's Degree, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Compulsory Modules National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8 ,100 Credits:
  • Value Adding in Agro-Processing, 20 Credits.
  • Business Planning in Agriculture, 20 Credits.
  • Applied Agricultural Research, 60 Credits.

    Elective Modules NQF Level 8, 20 Credits (Choose one):
  • Sustainable Plant Production Systems, 20 Credits.
  • Sustainable Animal Production Systems, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Compile a report on the opportunities for strategic repositioning of an agricultural business in a processing value chain.
    2. Compile a comprehensive and detailed business plan for all aspects of a farming enterprise.
    3. Compile a mini dissertation on an approved research problem of a quantitative nature.
    4. Compile a report on how the sustainability of a plant production system in a specific region could be improved.
    5. Compile a report on how the sustainability of an animal production system in a specific region could be improved. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Conduct a survey on technical nature of agro-processing in a selected number of sub-industries.
  • Identify the ownership of infrastructure on which a selected agro-processing value chain is dependent.
  • Analyse the input and output trading patterns that occur in a selected local agro-processing value chain.
  • Compare the output and input trading inside a selected agro-processing value chain between two elected countries.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Describe the income streaming and the supportive technology of a farming enterprise.
  • Describe the capital position of the enterprise and how debts will be served and additional investments be made.
  • Describe the infrastructure and stock maintenance and renewal processes.
  • Describe both the internal and external strategies for ensuring longer term sustainability.
  • Describe the use of human resources in relation to key operational and strategic considerations.
  • Compile a financial management plan for the enterprise.
  • Compile a risk management strategy.
  • Compile a separate roll-out plan for every aspect of the enterprise.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Explain the data support for a theory that is proposed to influence the decisions in a selected agricultural sub-industry.
  • Explain a limited set of more advanced research techniques.
  • Formulate a desktop research design that will deliver the required data for quantitative processing and interpretation.
  • Execute a departmentally approved quantitative research project with implications for an agricultural sub-industry.
  • Process, analyse and interpret the data meeting the protocols for the specific research project.
  • Compile and present a report on research done according to the applicable criteria.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Explain the agro-ecological determinants of cropping systems.
  • Survey existing sustainability practices for plant production practices in a specific region.
  • Give an overview of the qualitative and quantitative methods for investigating and evaluating the sustainability of regional land use.
  • Survey the main interactive components between crop farming systems and rural livelihoods in a given region.
  • Analyse governmental policies that shape the environmental economics in agriculture.
  • Identify a specific problem regarding the sustainability of plant production practices in a selected region.
  • Investigate possible solution(s) to (a) non-sustainable plant production practice(s).

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Explain the agro-ecological determinants of animal farming systems.
  • Survey existing sustainability practices for animal production practices in a specific region.
  • Give an overview of the qualitative and quantitative methods for investigating and evaluating the sustainability of regional land use.
  • Survey the main interactive components between animal farming systems and rural livelihoods in a given region.
  • Analyse governmental policies that shape the environmental economics in agriculture.
  • Identify a specific problem regarding the sustainability of animal production practices in a selected region.
  • Investigate possible solution(s) to (a) non-sustainable animal production practice(s).

    Integrated Assessment:
    Provision is made for integrated assessment in its entirety. The underpinning principle for the achievement of integrated assessment is ensuring that all work and assessments are directed at enabling learners to commence with situations and required decisions in an Agricultural environment. Both formative and summative forms of assessment practices are accommodated.

    Furthermore, as the qualification is practice-oriented, the theory acquired is put into practice. This synergy between theory and practice are achieved via:
  • Addressing a number of outcomes together.
  • Clustering a number of assessment criteria together.
  • Promoting and raising awareness of the connections and relationships between the knowledge, processes and skills inside the different modules.
  • Using a combination of several different assessment methods, instruments and tools to achieve outcome(s).

    Finally, work done in the module Applied Agricultural Research will specifically integrate all Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The University of Reading's (United Kingdom (UK)) Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture Business Management compares well to this qualification. The duration of the qualification is 12 months full time and 24 months part time.

    The qualification has a set of core modules designed to equip learners with appropriate analytical and research skills, and optional modules which enable learners to pursue their own interests. In addition, the Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture Business Management will enhance skills in communication, data analysis and interpretation, problem solving, evaluation, teamwork and the use of information technology.

    The qualification offered at the University of Reading will prepare learners for both employment and further study, such as a Higher Degree by Research. Similarly, the Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Management will articulate to a Master's Degree in Agriculture (Agr).

    The qualification at the University of Reading consists of a taught component (120 Credits) over two eleven-week terms and a dissertation (60 Credits). The Postgraduate Diploma also offers over eleven three-day block sessions.

    The Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Management contains components of several modules offered at the University of Reading including Agribusiness, Animals Science, Crop Science and Natural Resource Management. The module in Research Methodology will prepare learners for progressed research projects later in their study career.

    Welingkar Education in India offers the Postgraduate in Agribusiness Management (PGP-ABM) as a part-time qualification specially designed to prepare learners for careers in management related to agriculture, food, agri-business, rural and allied sectors of the economy.

    The main objective of the qualification is to develop learners as competent professional managers for agriculture, food, rural, and allied sectors. The Postgraduate in Agribusiness Management caters to the needs of enterprises serving these sectors, both domestic and international. The Postgraduate in Agribusiness Management specifically attempts to: to equip learners with requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes for managerial decision making, to acquaint the participants on the latest developments in the field of agriculture and allied sectors, to enhance the techno-managerial competence of participants who wish to shape their career in agribusiness or related area. The Postgraduate in Agribusiness Management prepares learners for managerial and entrepreneurial careers in enterprises serving or dependent on agriculture and allied sectors.

    Unlike the Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Management this is an online qualification. Learners are expected to complete certain task online.

    The Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Management contains components of several modules offered at the Welingkar Education, including Principles of Management, Managerial Economics, Business Communication, Agribusiness and Rural Marketing, Supply Chain Management and Agri Price Risk. Management SEMESTER II-Organisational Behaviour, Agri Finance Management, Agri Input Management (Seed Technology and Industrial Application, Fertiliser Technology Management and Pesticides & Pests Management), Import Procedure and Documents, export Procedure and Documents. It appears that the qualification offered at the South African university puts a stronger emphasis on Research and Agro processing.

    The learner must hold a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Agriculture Sciences or in Agriculture related disciplines. The learners who do not have formal education in Agriculture or Agriculture related disciplines but they must have at least a Bachelor's Degree in any other discipline from a University or institution and a strong interest in Agriculture, Agro/Food Processing, Rural and Allied Sectors are also eligible to apply. These requirements are in line with the selection criteria set by the South African university. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor Honours in Agricultural Management, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor Honours in Agriculture, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Agriculture NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Central University of Technology, Free State 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.