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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Management

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
111734	Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Management
ORIGINATOR
University of Limpopo
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Master's Degree	Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies		Generic Management
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
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		SAQA 091/21	2021-07-01	2023-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30		2027-06-30

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:
The qualification provides training in disciplines of specialisation and in research methodology to equip the candidate with the skills necessary either for employment in a variety of agricultural fields at advanced levels in public and private sectors, or to progress in academia. The research project instils professionalism in research expertise and equips the learner to provide essential solutions to solve complex agricultural problems in order to sustain food security through innovation.

Rationale:
The agricultural sector is crucial to rural development and contributes significantly to enhance food security and alleviate poverty. The world's population of humans is expected to double by 2050. This will result in an increased demand for food. Coupled with this is the highly competitive nature of the farming industry. This calls for learners who have requisite skills to contribute effectively in both the production, business environment, and continued research of the agricultural sector. The qualification is consistent with national government development plan. This is captured in the recommendations made amongst others, to expand agriculture and create an additional one million jobs in the agricultural sector in South Africa. Other National Department of Agriculture (NDA) strategic initiatives that the qualification feeds into includes the Strategic Plan for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (2012). The Master of Agriculture Management program will produce learners who possess problem solving and interpersonal skills, who can function in multidisciplinary teams, can effectively communicate to multiple audiences and engage in life-long learning through research.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be used to access the qualification where the Undergraduate qualification obtained does not relate directly to the disciplinary area, but where a multi-disciplinary approach can be applied. Appropriate assessment tasks and tools are designed to assess individual candidates against the admission requirements on a case-by-case basis, with detailed records maintained. The institution has trained professionals on RPL in various disciplinary fields to facilitate this process.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Bachelor of Agricultural Management Honours, Level 8.
Or

Bachelor of Science Honours in Agriculture, Level 8.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following elective modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits

Elective Modules, 180 Credits (Select one module):

Dissertation (Agricultural Economics,180 Credits.
Or

Dissertation (Animal Production),180 Credits.
Or

Dissertation (Plant Production),180 Credits.
Or

Dissertation (Agricultural Extension),180 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply specialised knowledge within a particular agricultural discipline of interest
2. Ability to research the literature and other available resources to gain a better insight in the topics at hand.
3. Make decisions on ethical values and practices within their field of specialisation.
4. Communicate effectively regarding topics with their field of specialisation. Reasoning skills should include the ability to express own opinions clearly and coherently, justify a position and present it logically, systematically using properly substantiated arguments.
5. Make an informed decision on the types of methods and techniques available to execute, analyse and report on a research topic within their field of specialisation.
6. Compose a structured, well-articulated scientific dissertation, showing analytical thinking through the synthesis of information from relevant sources, applying them to real problems and posing acceptable conclusions and suggestions.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Disciplinary expertise is reflected in the correct use of the terminology, concepts, principles and theories in written and/or oral communication within a particular discipline of Agriculture.

Critical appraisal of the relationship among concepts and principles of the specialised disciplines.

Apply knowledge to propose solutions to complex practical problems (both concrete and abstract).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Access relevant and various information primary and secondary sources related to the core discipline.

Identify the central theme (s) of the essay.

Extract and explain competing arguments.

Reflect in explicit recognition of the diversity, complexity and multi-dimensionality of a context and how that affects the particular work being undertaken.

Demonstrate through the provision of relevant information pertaining to the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of the context for addressing specific problems in an agricultural context.

Clearly identify relevant role players and resources that will contribute to resolution of specific problems.

Identify critical factors and knowledge gaps that impact on practical problems to be investigated from the perspective of the discipline.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Know the ethical implications of various kinds of research and be able to act accordingly.

Ensure that all aspects of a problem have been considered so that the resolution has the least negative impact on society and the environment.

Responsible for all decisions made and defend their action within the norms of the law, society and the environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Communication should show an awareness of audience, and capability in using different modes of communication (oral and written) and discipline-specific conventions, and utilisation of different techniques and strategies for communicating results.

Communicate clearly using scholarly discourse and discipline-specific conventions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Apply standard procedures within the specific agricultural discipline, such as experimental or computational techniques, or deductive or inductive reasoning.

Collect and record appropriate data truthfully and in the appropriate format.

Analyse and interpret results appropriately, reaching valid conclusions.

Argue persuasively about such analyses, interpretations and conclusions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Structure the dissertation by showing understanding of the question and indicating the direction of the answer through laying out the subsections of the dissertation and their linkages with the overall theme.

Clearly state the context in which its basic concepts and assumptions of the research topic are to be evaluated.

Debate the subject matter by developing logically coherent arguments as well as citing and discussing illustrative examples.

The conclusion is consistent with the arguments raised in the dissertation and possible outcomes of alternative initiatives at addressing the subject matter are suggested.

The dissertation is presented according to appropriate and/or recommended structure, word processing and referencing protocols.

Integrated Assessment:
Learning and assessment are integrated throughout this qualification. Continuous formative feedback is provided to learners on their progress towards the achievement of specific learning outcomes, particularly in their project proposal and through interactions such as seminar presentations, discussions and supervision. Summative assessment is concerned with the judgement of the learning in relation to the exit level outcomes of the qualification. Such judgement includes integrated assessment, which assesses the learners' ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, competencies and attitudes that are represented by the exit-level outcomes of the qualification. Evaluation of learner performance to demonstrate applied competence; and criterion-referenced assessment, which is clearly explained to and understood by the learners and that, can be applied in the Recognition of Prior Learning.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Curtin University, Australia:
The institution offers the Master of Research (Agriculture) at, it is a full research qualification over one to two years. The purpose of the qualification is for learners to develop a strong critical and problem solving approach to professional practice in the natural and physical sciences, and forms a basis for the professional development of experts able to plan, analyse, evaluate, conduct and communicate the outcomes of sophisticated research and development problems. Learners enter the qualification with a Bachelor Honours qualification, and undertake an approved research program leading to a thesis for independent examination. The outcomes for the qualification are as follows:

Demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on that knowledge and its application.

Investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice.

Generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level.

Design, use and evaluate research and research methods.

Design, evaluate, implement, analyse, theorise and disseminate research that makes an original contribution to knowledge.

Communicate and present a coherent and sustained argument and to disseminate research concepts, plans and results to the general community, peers and national and international research community.

The University of Melbourne in Australia
The institution offers a Master of Philosophy in Agricultural Sciences by research. This compares to the proposed qualification in terms of the outcome being to develop advanced skills in carrying out independent and sustained research, and the focus spanning across agricultural disciplines from which a candidate will choose one to specialise in. Learners enter with a Bachelor Honours (4 year) qualification and require some research knowledge, and the qualification takes a minimum of two years to complete. Learners may proceed with a cognate Doctoral qualification.

Newcastle University in the United Kingdom
The institution offers a Master of Philosophy research qualification in a variety of Agriculture disciplines such as Crop Science and Sustainable Agriculture. The institution also offers the Master of Philosophy in Animal Sciences. Learners enter the qualifications with an upper honours qualification and some research experience is normally required. The learner is expected to complete a focused and original piece of research, without the time commitment required for a Doctoral award The supervised research dissertation that may be offered as a one-year full time qualification compares to that of the University of Limpopo qualification. The outcomes of the qualifications are similar in that the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) intends to achieve the following:

Extend knowledge and skills in a specific subject beyond Undergraduate level.

Prepare a learner to undertake Doctoral research.

Develop the skills required for careers in academic or industrial research, or professions where an understanding of research methods is essential.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
Horizontal Articulation:

Master of Development in Planning and Management, Level 9.

Vertical Articulation:

Doctor of Agriculture, 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.

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