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: 

Diploma in Agricultural Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
104662  Diploma in Agricultural Management 
ORIGINATOR
Central University of Technology, Free State 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Secondary Agriculture 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2033-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The purpose of the qualification is to provide students with a proper understanding and knowledge of agricultural management and an integrated and effective mix of skills in such a way that a high degree of growth in appropriate agricultural management skills and competence can readily take place. The purpose of this qualification is to supply the agricultural industry with competent agriculturalists that can effectively participate as managers in agricultural enterprises. The qualifying student will have had exposure and orientation to various agricultural systems and will be competent to manage and apply basic knowledge, skills and attitudes towards agricultural production.

Rationale:
The agricultural sector in South Africa is currently experiencing many challenges that include, amongst others, economic growth, rural development and sustainable transformation to ensure it stays a reliable and sustainable provider of food. One of these challenges is that, in South Africa, 90% of the food is currently produced by only 6% of the farmers. There is, therefore, both an opportunity to develop land and a dire need for developing more farmers to produce on a commercial level given the persistent urbanisation of the South African population. Agricultural training needs to enable farmers to compete inside the international and globalised market realities of the 21st Century. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

Recognition of Prior Learning is used to give a prospective student access to studying the qualification.

The primary objective will be to recruit students with an interest to improve their agricultural management skills. However, applications from adult/experienced students who have a similar interest in the qualification will also be considered for admission to the qualification. The selection of such students will be conducted on an individual basis in accordance with the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy of the University. A functional system for RPL is in place at the University.

RPL applications for the institution are received by the Centre for Assessments and Graduations. The candidates 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 at-work learning. Once the institution's RPL coordinator has deemed the RPL application as being complete and sufficient, the portfolio will be sent to the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences for assessment. The faculty's RPL committee then assesses the candidate's portfolio thoroughly against the relevant learning outcomes.

The minimum requirements for admission into this Diploma are:
  • Senior Certificate (SC).
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to Diploma studies.
  • National Certificate Vocational (NCV), Level 4.
    Or
  • A Higher Certificate in a cognate field.
    Or
  • An Advanced Certificate in a cognate field. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises compulsory and elective modules at Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 360 credits.

    Compulsory modules, Level 5, 86 Credits:
  • English Proficiency 1, 6 Credits.
  • Computer Skills 1, 6 Credits.
  • Agricultural Management 1, 12 Credits.
  • Plant Production 1, 12 Credits.
  • Animal Production 1, 12 Credits.
  • Pasture Science 1, 10 Credits.
  • Agricultural Soil Science 1, 10 Credits.
  • Agricultural Planning Techniques 1, 12 Credits.
  • Computer Applications (Agriculture) 2, 6 Credits.

    Compulsory modules, Level 6,190 Credits:
  • Agricultural Management 2, 12 Credits.
  • Animal Production 2, 12 Credits.
  • Plant Production 2, 12 Credits.
  • Soil Classification 2, 10 Credits.
  • Agricultural Production Management 2: WIL, 60 Credits.
  • Agricultural Production Techniques 2: WIL, 60 Credits.
  • Agricultural Management: WIL, 0 Credits.
  • Human Resource Management: Agriculture I, 12 Credits.
  • Agricultural Law 1, 12 Credits.

    Compulsory modules, Level 7, 56 Credits:
  • Agricultural Management 3, 28 Credits.
  • Agricultural Engineering 1, 28 Credits.

    Elective modules, Level 7, 28 Credits (choose one):
  • Plant Production 3, 28 Credits, Level 7.
  • Animal Production 3, 28 Credits, Level 7. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Manage intensive and extensive sustainable animal production systems
    Or
    Manage intensive and extensive sustainable plant production systems.
    2. Plan a complete pest, disease and weed control programme for a planting season
    Or
    Plan a seasonal disease control and treatment on livestock.
    3. Interpret a soil analysis and write a report on the results.
    4. Formulate recommendations on human resources management.
    5. Perform sound financial management practices.
    6. Propose a strategic and integrated plan for a selected farm. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Explain the management of effective and profitable animal production.
    Or
  • Explain the management of effective and profitable plant production.
  • Consider the economic value of a variety of species and breeds OR cultivars.
  • Consider the conditions of soil, OR pasture management, and many other nutritional factors for effective production.
  • Discuss techniques to combat various forms of soil, OR pasture, degradation.
  • Evaluate fodder flow planning against the following main criteria: Safe use of resources; meeting animal needs; margin overall feed costs.
    Or
  • Compile a work plan for all activities for the season: Identify possible problem areas in the work plan; make recommendations to treat the problem areas; compile a budget for all production during the year.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Identify pests, diseases and weeds, OR parasites and infections, in the specific enterprise.
  • Consider the life cycles for purposes of an effective control programme.
  • Calculate equipment, applications and other costs for this plan.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Evaluate the physical, chemical and microbiological profiles of the soil.
  • Recommend fertiliser types and quantities.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Review the human resources management system of a farming organisation, identify problems and recommend appropriate solutions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Correctly use a selected number of crucial financial ratios that are important in measuring the level of financial success in farming.
  • Evaluate an integrated budget system on a selected farm.
  • Explain various strategies in obtaining finance.
  • Discuss financial recordkeeping and budgeting in a farming business.
  • Discuss the mutual financial influence of operational subsections on a farm by means of comparative analyses.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Perform farm planning sufficiently in all of the following areas: Maps and aerial photographs; resource description; resource assessment; present land use; proposed land use; financial planning; implementation of the plan.
  • Formulate the criteria for sustainability on a selected farm.
  • Identify the main risks of a specific farming enterprise.
  • Explain the impact of various legislative acts on employment in agriculture.
  • Explain the importance of land use and management for effective production.
  • Formulate a plan for the economically effective use of a number of physical structures in agricultural production.
  • Formulate a needs and maintenance plan for a selected number of mechanised operations on a specific farm.
  • Discuss supply chain management in agriculture.
  • Explain entrepreneurship in agriculture.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative and Summative Assessment:
    All work and assessment are required to preferably start with situations and required decisions in a farming setting. But apart from a work-directed approach in all learning, there is also a dedicated period in the second year where the student is required to work for several weeks on a farm and, during this time, the student has to perform certain monitored tasks on the farm. At the end of the period, the student has to submit several assignments related to the farming enterprise where the work was done.

    The notional time of the student is allocated as follows: Lectures (30%); Tutorials (10%); Practical workplace experience (25%); Independent self-study of standard texts and references (25%); Independent self-study on specially prepared materials (10%).

    The lecturers perform the assessment and moderators are used. At the exit level, external moderators are used. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    At the University, the most obvious way in which standards are kept on par with international practices is by regular reviews which are driven by the Programme Advisory Committee. Members serving on this body are representative of the industries and also informed about the nature of international qualifications and the latest scientific research.

    The California Polytechnic State University (situated in San Luis Obispo), was used as benchmark university. This university also puts a strong emphasis on hands-on experience. Cal Poly's College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences has nine undergraduate departments (Agribusiness, Agricultural Education and Communication, Animal Science, BioResource and Agricultural Engineering, Experience Industry Management, Food Science and Nutrition, Horticulture and Crop Science, Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences, and Wine and Viticulture).

    Selection of new entrants:
    Cal Poly comprehensively reviews all applications as they look for students who have strong academic records and are active in and outside the classroom. Beyond the basic qualifications for the California State University, Cal Poly considers other factors for admission deemed important to the campus and does so in an objective format. All candidates are objectively evaluated by cognitive and non-cognitive variables. Strong emphasis is placed on English proficiency, Biology and Physical Sciences.

    The process followed by Cal Poly is very similar to the procedure followed at the University. The University can however, consider putting more emphasis on non-cognitive variables as it also significantly contributes towards student success.

    Methodology:
    Cal Poly follows a "Learn by Doing" methodology which can be compared with the Work Integrated Learning approach at the University. Cal Poly has extensive farming facilities where hands-on training is presented. As a result of their ability to combine professional skills and technical competence with a big-picture vision and an innovative spirit, students are more prepared for the working environment. With the acquisition of the University's farm, practical training and demonstrations will also be promoted more in future.

    Similarities in course content:
    The Diploma in Agricultural Management contains components of several courses offered at Cal Poly, including: Computer Skills, Agribusiness, Animal Science, Horticulture and Crop Science, and Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences.

    Articulation:
    At Cal Poly, students who completed the undergraduate course can proceed with an Honours Degree which is again comparable with the Advanced Diploma in Agricultural Management to be offered at the University. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers vertical articulation opportunities.

    Horizontal Articulation:
    Diploma in Agriculture, NQF Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Agricultural Management, Level 7.
  • A cognate Bachelor's Degree, Level 7. 
    		•

    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.