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: 

Master of Agriculture in Crop Protection 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
105524  Master of Agriculture in Crop Protection 
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Primary Agriculture 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0335/25  2024-06-30  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:
1. To train professionals as strategic managers cum subject matter specialists to serve agriculture and rural development in the South and Southern African context.
2. To develop Post-graduate-level knowledge of the field of Crop Protection.
3. To provide skills and knowledge to understand and apply and transfer knowledge of crop health management. More extensive knowledge of plant microbial interactions, complexity of diseases and the organisms that cause these diseases, including insects and weeds.
4. To provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.
5. To provide opportunities for learners of crop protection to communicate information to growers and small-scale farmers to ensure sustainable crop production.
6. To develop learners' management skills to enable them to advise growers in pest and disease control strategies.

Rationale:
The means improving the livelihood of South Africans by ensuring sustainable crop production. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Access may be gained to the qualification through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Entry Requirements:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Plant Pathology, Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Science Honours, Level 8 in one of the following fields of specialisation: Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Crop Protection, Plant Protection, Plant Production, Horticultural Sciences, Botany, Entomology, Plant Breeding, Plant Biotechnology. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of course work and a research project. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Understand principles involved in plant diseases and defence mechanisms as well as the interaction of micro-organisms, insects and weeds with plants. Communicate effectively with growers, understand the sociological and economic aspects of farming systems and advice on basic concepts of disease, pest and weed control.
    2. Apply basic techniques to identify pests, pathogens and weeds ant to confirm the presence of the disease.
    3. Collect, analyse, interpret, select and critically evaluate general extension, plant protection, plant production literature and utilise this knowledge to solve problems, thereby helping growers to produce high yields of good quality crops.
    4. Understand the basic principles of plant disease development and the complex interaction between pathogens and plants and to develop disease management strategies.
    5. Recognise his/her responsibility towards ensuring healthy crops and to communicate crop management strategies to growers and small-scale farmers.
    6. Comply with the ethics demanded by science and provide practical problem solving solutions to reduce crop losses and to convey this information to farmers. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria is assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Problem solving ability through economic applications in natural and biological resources.
  • In-depth knowledge of the problems of rural communities in developing areas.
  • An understanding of group dynamics and extension.
  • Basic knowledge of rural governance issues and settlement planning.
  • Basic knowledge of land law.
  • Ability to negotiate and plan strategically.
  • In-depth knowledge of rural institutions and systems.
  • Knowledge of research methodology and the ability to apply it successfully.
  • Identify a relevant topic for research.
  • Identify research problem.
  • Do survey and analyse and present results in a logical fashion.
  • Theoretical basis for problem solving in natural and biological resources.
  • Knowledge of rural institutions and systems.
  • Understanding of group dynamics.
  • Knowledge of project planning and appraisal.
  • Basic understanding of the issues in rural development.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • Simulations.
  • Written examinations.
  • Oral examinations.

    Other:
  • Assignments and exercises for course work.
  • Research report on approved research topic.
  • National or international publication.
  • Poster presentation at a national conference, symposium or workshop. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Agriculture, Level 9 (relevant specialisations).

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Crop Protection, Level 10. 
    		•

    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.