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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 Agriculture |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 118651 | Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Cape Peninsula University of Technology | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| - | 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 0333/25 | 2025-07-10 | 2028-07-10 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2029-07-10 | 2032-07-10 | |||
| 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 purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture is to provide the agricultural and its associated value chain with such agricultural and extension practitioners who can develop and apply knowledge, competencies and appropriate extension and scientific communication skills in operating and supporting crop production units of varying complexity effectively as part of a production and/or advisory team. Qualifying learners will be able to define, conceptualise and develop basic solutions for problems of moderate complexity relating to crop production systems and production activity and outcomes. The structuring focus and contents of this qualification are well suited to address a very important shortcoming expressed often about the ability of young scientists entering the sector. Regarding the ability of new incumbents to successfully enter the sector, observations at various levels have suggested that the main essential groupings of competencies that learners need to master are the following: The qualification is designed to equip learners with the necessary knowledge and skills to: Upon successful completion of the qualification, the learner can reasonably be expected to have acquired the skills and competence enabling the learner to: The qualification offers the learner a measure of specialisation in a specific agricultural technical discipline whilst further developing the learner's knowledge and competence in applying research principles and methodology in solving relatively complex agricultural problems. This will further empower the learner to: The qualification offers the learner a measure of specialization in agricultural production and applied agricultural value chain management and introduces him/her to advanced research principles and methodology. Learners completing their studies in the programme find employment in government, agribusiness, private consultancies, extension projects, education and in their own businesses. Rationale: The agricultural sector plays a major role in the South African economy in terms of meeting the increasing food demands, employment, adding value and forming integrated linkages with the other sectors of the economy locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. Latest analyses during 2019 suggest that the contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from agriculture in South Africa increased to R73 759,84 million in the fourth quarter of 2018 from R72 378,48 million in the third quarter of 2018. The GDP from agriculture in South Africa averaged R59 581,58 million from 1993 until 2018, reaching an all-time high of R89 120,92 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 and a record low of R33 530,55 million in the first quarter of 1993 (https://tradingeconomics.com/south-africa). This contribution translates to between 2,1% and 2,7% of the total GDP of South Africa. There has been a marked increase in the pressure on institutions of higher learning to become socially relevant and economically accountable for the knowledge generation and educational processes they engage with. This growing pressure made it essential to structure the agricultural education focus to empower learners to engage the agricultural value chain at any point and not limit their future career opportunities to the production process. This phenomenon has direct implications for the agricultural innovation process which is essentially the focus of agricultural study and its enhancement of the understanding of increasing the efficiency in the process. This qualification is therefore intended to equip learners to act and perform in leadership positions and policy development roles in such a system. The increasing complexity and dynamic changes in the agricultural landscape of South Africa, growing policy and economic emphasis on the issues of agricultural restructuring and land reform, job creation, poverty alleviation and food security is largely influenced by the sub-optimal rate of uptake of agricultural scientific innovations and the increasing demands for improved production and efficiency to support the food security process in the country place a high premium on the knowledge and competencies of graduates entering the sector. The advanced focuses as stipulated in the qualification therefore also supports the national initiatives of the National Department of Agriculture as explained in the strategic documents such as the Strategic Plan for South African Agriculture: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 2020, Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy, and the National Development Plan, 2030. Furthermore, this qualification addresses the following declared needs and demands in the agricultural sector: This dramatically increases the demand for skilled and competent agricultural scientists who can not only function as agriculturalists but also as practitioners who are adequately competent and qualified to practice, communicate and extrapolate their science effectively to an increasingly demanding farmer community with its socio-institutional complexities and larger agricultural value chain at diverse levels of functional complexity and economic activity. There is a growing pressure to increase the efficiency of agricultural production and general interaction within the agricultural value chain due to: There is an increasing pressure on institutions of higher learning to become socially relevant and economically accountable for the knowledge generation and educational processes they engage with. The demand for job creation has also supported this demand for a relook of advanced agricultural education to improve access into the agricultural value chain. It has become increasingly important that practitioners need advanced skills and knowledge to effectively engage the agricultural value chain at any point and not limit their future career opportunities to the production process. The qualification is specifically structured to address the career needs and learners are expected from various areas in the agricultural value chain in government, agribusiness, private consultancies, extension projects, education and in their own businesses. Stakeholder engagements including discussion with academics at other Universities of Technology in South Africa, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, industry partners in the wine sector (WineTech and VinPro), commodity groups dealing with quality control of agricultural products (PPECB), as well as Agricultural Training Institutions were part of a broader individual communication process initially to assess the availability and attractiveness of an Advanced Diploma in Agriculture and Crop Production in Southern Africa. Given the positioning of the institution the main stakeholders considered were the wine sector, the livestock sector and public extension services tasked with the provision of advisory services to the developing agricultural sector. Currently, these are the most important suppliers of career opportunities as well as research and engagement possibilities. This process of stakeholder engagements will be ongoing but initial indications are that this qualification is addressing an important perceived shortcoming in the agricultural sector at both operational and managerial levels. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
This qualification may be achieved in part or completely through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes formal, informal, and non-formal learning and work experience. The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal and non-formal learning. RPL is applied in terms of the policy and criteria of the institution. The necessary documentary evidence will have to be provided and a formal RPL process will be followed. The institution will apply in this qualification the RPL for both access and credits in line with the National Policy and Criteria for the Implementation of RPL (Amended in March 2019). RPL for Access: Learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements of the required qualification may be considered for RPL. There are two options: OR RPL for credits: Learners who do meet the necessary entry requirements for admission to a qualification may be awarded some or all the credits towards the qualification. There are two possibilities: OR Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: Or Or Or Or |
| 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, Level 8, 80 Credits: Elective Modules, Level 8. 40 Credits (Select one specialisation from the following): Specialisation one: Postharvest and Agro-processing Management OR Specialisation two: Field Crop Production OR Specialisation three: Viticulture OR Specialisation four: Livestock Production OR Specialisation five: Beverage Technology |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Conceptualize a research proposal, collect data, critically analyse and conclude on research findings and comprehensively report on a selected agricultural scientific or value chain problem or topic related to the learner's selected field of specialization using a variety of analytical methods and techniques.
2. Analyse, critically reflect on, interrogate and evaluate the development and implementation of production and management strategies in specialized agricultural streams. 3. Understand and interrogate the nature, composition, and development of agricultural systems in selected specialized aspects of the agricultural value chain in specialised agricultural streams. 4. Understand and interrogate the development of agricultural practices, enterprises, and value chains to respond to ecological change through adaptation, innovation, modernization and mechanization. 5. Ability to critically analyse, synthesize scientific information and information sources, and develop problem-solving communication strategies in specialized aspects of agricultural production and the agricultural value chain. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| The theoretical and practical content of the proposed qualification compares favourably with similar level qualifications offered by numerous institutions internationally. It covers the essential areas of agricultural study that are used internationally.
A distinguishing unique feature of this qualification (120 credits) is its multidisciplinary focus on the agricultural technical specialist components, socio-institutional and economic components of the agricultural value and the strong focus on practical research reflecting on agriculture as an ecologically responsive activity. It offers advanced theoretical, practical and research education on engagement with these components in relatively complex and advanced settings with the focus on improving the skills and competence of the learner to significantly contribute to the advancement of efficiency and effectiveness in the functioning of the agricultural value chain. This exposure combination at this level of academic enquiry is not common and from a professional qualification, point-of-view offers the learner an important competitive edge in the labour market. Comprehensive comparison in national and international agricultural education institutions has indicated this to be the case. Country: New Zealand Institution: Massey University Qualification Title: Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Animal Science) Purpose: The qualification is suitable for those who would prefer a predominantly taught postgraduate qualification seeking the opportunity to join the pathway to in-depth research at a Masters' level in New Zealand. This qualification is purely agricultural technically orientated. Country: United Kingdom (UK) Institution: Royal Agricultural University Qualification Title: Graduate Diploma in Agriculture NQF Level: 6 Credits: 120 credits Entry requirements: Purpose/Rationale: The qualification aims to provide a coherent educational package of study, focusing on agriculture, for those learners who have already graduated/qualified/have experience in another discipline and who now require additional study in the subject as part of their future career development. The qualification is specifically focused on the professional development of practitioners in the field of agriculture. Candidates may undertake practical skills training courses to further enhance their employability but no advanced agricultural technical training. This is purely for managerial development in the field of agriculture. The qualification will enable learners to: Graduates with a degree and/or career experience are attractive candidates for commercial or administrative posts in industries ancillary to agriculture. Examples of employment include: Exit Level Outcomes: Specifically, on completion of the qualification, learners will have acquired the following key outcomes: Qualification structure: Compulsory Modules, 60 Credits. Elective Modules, 60 Credits (Select four Modules from the following): 3240 6 Contemporary Media Studies, 15 Credits. 3325 6 Rural Entrepreneurship, 15 Credits. 4278 7 Organic Systems, 15 Credits. Details of module content and assessment, 15 Credits. Assessment: Each module is assessed by up to two pieces of coursework and/or examinations. The core modules for the qualification are assessed mainly by coursework. Elective modules may be assessed by a combination of coursework and an end of module examination. Examinations will normally take place at the end of each Semester, either in mid-January or at the end of May. Comparison: Best practices have been identified from leading institutions locally and abroad, ensuring that the curriculum and content are relevant and addresses the needs of both industry and prospective learners. The South African qualification is comparable to the above international qualifications in terms of content, purpose, rationale and learning outcomes. The concept and structure of this qualification, therefore, are unique particularly as a professional qualification in the agricultural field and address very important aspects of agricultural scientific studies of particular importance in the Southern African context. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: |
| 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. |