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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112181  Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
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  Primary 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  2019-09-18  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:
Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture is a non-professional qualification which will serve to strengthen and deepen learner knowledge in the field of agriculture. The primary goal is to enable working professionals from various agricultural disciplines to undertake advanced reflection and development using a systematic current thinking, practice and research methods in the area of specialisation. The qualification demands a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence. The curriculum includes research methodology and a project under supervision.

Rationale:
Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture is a structured multi-disciplinary qualification with majors in Animal Production, Crop Production, Animal Health, Agri-business Management, and Research Methodology.
Typical learners will be holders of a 3-year Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Science or an Advanced Diploma in Agriculture (Agricultural Management, Animal Production, Animal Health, and Crop Production) at Level 7, or equivalent; and related fields.

The qualification will prepare learners who do not have an equivalent of a Bachelor's Honours Degree in agriculture by equipping them with advanced knowledge in agricultural sciences and research skills, that they need to progress to higher qualifications. Successful graduate learners will be able to access the Masters of Science in Agriculture and related fields.

Graduates from this qualification will be able to apply their knowledge to access higher education to build higher capacity and skills or join the workforce in solving problems together with the local communities, as part of the poverty reduction and household food security initiative. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The university recognises RPL as an alternative method for admission into qualifications. The institution has RPL procedures that guide the implementation of the RPL policy. The later entails the following three processes:
  • Pre-assessment and application,
  • Assessment and
  • Post assessment.

    The department of RPL assists learners that apply for RPL assessment.

    All admission through RPL must be following the principles laid down in the institution's RPL Policy. A learner may apply to access this qualification through RPL. They need to demonstrate that they have the required knowledge and skills from a combination of life and work experience, short courses or workplace training, or community work in a relevant field.

    The RPL process takes on various forms. These forms include credit award, challenge examinations or further assessment such as portfolios, site visits or practical demonstrations. The College Management Committee verifies and ratifies the outcome of the process and informs the learner of the outcome.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Advanced Diploma in Agriculture/Agricultural Management/Crop Production/Animal Production/Animal Health/Agricultural Economics, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture or equivalent, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits:
  • Research Methodology (Design and Layout, 24 Credits.
  • Research Report, 12 Credits.
  • Livestock Production and Management Systems, 12 Credits.
  • Agri-Business Management, 24 Credits.
  • Agricultural Sociology, 12 Credits.
  • Advanced Epidemiology, 12 Credits.
  • Advanced Animal Welfare for Production Animals, 12 Credits.
  • Advanced Field Crop Production, 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply specialised knowledge in agricultural economics, animal science, animal health and crop science to solve well defined agricultural problems.
    2. Demonstrate and apply proficiency in specialised skills required for agricultural enterprises' planning and development.
    3. Apply ethical conduct essential to the practice of Agriculture. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Apply specialised knowledge by bringing knowledge of agricultural economics, animal science, animal health and crop science to bear on complex/abstract problems related to agriculture.
  • Use a range of specialised skills to develop responses to complex/abstract problems and issues in the field of agriculture.
  • Use concepts, ideas and theories of agricultural science to communicate and aid the understanding of advanced theories of agricultural economics, animal science, animal health and crop science.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Evaluate and address complex problems in agricultural production systems.
  • Use a range of specialised skills to address abstract and complex problems in the field of agricultural economics, animal science, animal health and crop science.
  • Analyse multiple sources of information through interviewing, field note taking, report writing and case presentation to address complex problems in an agricultural enterprise.
  • Apply principles, paradigms, concepts and theories of agricultural science and economics to an area of specialty in the agricultural field.
  • Present and communicate academic, professional and occupational ideas effectively to a range of audiences, offering creative insights, rigorous interpretations, and solutions to complex problems related to an agricultural enterprise.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Identify and address complex underlying ethical issues based on critical self-reflection on the suitability of different value systems in a research context.
  • Analyse and address complex moral and ethical issues involved in dealing with farmers and colleagues.
  • Given an abstract scenario involving respondents, recognise the respondent's' rights and demonstrate sensitivity to cultural diversity.
  • Given an abstract problem related to research, identify appropriate solutions, decisions and actions to mitigate risk to the respondents, researcher and institution/organisation.
  • Given a complex scenario, demonstrate an understanding of the roles and relationships between elements of a team.
  • Critically evaluate verbal and written communications from a variety of sources to inform decision making.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Graduates will demonstrate the integration of knowledge through the submission of the well-processed assignments, portfolios, technical papers, and project reports (see Attached Assessment Policy Attached).
    Graduates will apply the necessary skills and techniques in solving agricultural problems in their communities in the field of specialisation.

    For the award of the qualification, a candidate must complete seven compulsory modules, as shown in the curriculum above. Assessors should assess and give credit for the evidence of learning that has already been acquired through theoretical and practical experience. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture is comparable to other Postgraduate Diploma qualifications that are offered in other African countries and also in Europe and India.

    Indian Institute of plantation management offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Management - Agribusiness and Plantation management (PGDMAP). The GDPMAP is a professional management course targeted at people who want to gain entrance into the plantations sector. The Postgraduate Diploma in Management is a complete departure from the focus of the South African qualification. The later does not have a component that focuses on plantation management. However, both qualifications have an agri-business component, and hence both prepare learners to enter the agri-business sector. The other difference between the qualifications is that while the PGDMAP offers learners opportunities for interacting with industry leaders during training, this is not the case with the South African qualification.

    SOAS University of London offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Economics (Distance Learning).

    Both qualifications are a distance learning mode. Two modules are similar in the economics stream in the South African qualification. The is the similarity in the expected outcome of equipping learners with tools essential for theoretical and empiric analysis. Furthermore, both qualifications aim to equip learners with technical skills that are generic to the field of agricultural economics. However, unlike South African qualification, the UK qualification is limited in that its main focus is application rather than abstract analysis. Secondly, unlike the South African qualification, the UK qualification has only one stream and not four streams. While the South African qualification offers flexibility by allowing learners to choose a field of study of their interest. The UK Postgraduate Diploma limits them to the field of economics.

    The University of Nairobi offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Information and Communication Management. The University of Nairobi's qualification is a two-year qualification, while the South African qualification is over a one-year. The other difference is that while the PGD offered by the University of Nairobi is a fixed curriculum, and does not offer learners to specialise in their field of interest, the South African qualification offers four streams (crop science, animal science, Animal Health and Agric Economics). Thus learners have the opportunity to specialise in any of the four fields. An additional difference is that while the PGD from Nairobi University emphasises information technology, whilst the South African qualification does not offer Informational technology. However, the South African qualification provides a wide range of modules and is not focused on Information Technology. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Agriculture Honours, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Agriculture, 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. University of South Africa 


    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.