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: 

National Certificate: Macadamia Production and De-husking 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
48892  National Certificate: Macadamia Production and De-husking 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Secondary Agriculture: Processing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
AgriSETA - Agriculture SETA  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Secondary Agriculture 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  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 
This qualification provides learners with the opportunity to obtain competence in broad macadamia production and de-husking processes and practices, namely harvesting of macadamias, fertilization and irrigation of orchards, scouting of macadamia orchards and de-husking of macadamia nuts. This will provide the learner with opportunities to grow within any of these fields.

Learners who embark on obtaining this qualification will find that the acquisition of competence in the respective unit standards, which make up the qualification, will add value not only to their respective positions, but to the industry as well.

It will provide the broad knowledge, skills and values needed in the macadamia industry and will facilitate access to, and mobility and progression within, education and training to progress along a learning path for learners who:
  • Were previously disadvantaged or were unable to complete their schooling.
  • Have worked in the macadamia industry for a number of years, but have no formal qualification or recognition of skills in this area.
  • Wish to extent their range of skills and knowledge of the industry so that they can become competent workers in the macadamia industry and the economy as a whole

    Rationale for the Qualification

    This qualification is aimed at people who are working in the Macadamia industry or who would like to start a career in the industry. It is aimed at formalising the skills required in the macadamia production and de-husking processes to facilitate career-pathing and to provide access to new entrants. The qualification provides learners with access to learning in specialised areas within the macadamia industry. It also provides learners with the necessary background knowledge and skills to be portable within other Agricultural Industries.

    As the qualification addresses the issue of job creation, the following key labour issues were taken into consideration:
  • The unequal access to education and training as well as employment opportunities
  • The skills shortage in the labour force
  • The effects of race, gender and geographical location on advancement
  • The decline in levels of employment in South Africa
  • Unequal distribution of income 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The learner will have appropriate levels of competence in Communication, Languages and Numeracy equivalent to NQF1.

    Recognition of prior learning

    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. Where RPL is required the learner will need to prove competence in that specific area in order to obtain recognition of that skill and knowledge.

    Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records. The assessment methods and tools to be used to assess Prior Learning shall be decided upon jointly by the assessor and the learner. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    To complete this qualification the learner must obtain 36 Fundamental, 61 Core and a minimum of 23 Elective credits to total 120 credits. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Peg plant stations to establish macadamia orchards
    2. Prepare plant stations and plant macadamia trees
    3. Harvest of macadamia nut in husk.
    4. Conduct macadamia orchard husbandry practices.
    5. Scout macadamia orchards.
    6. Manage in take process of nuts and operate de-husking machinery.
    7. Dispatch nut and kernel according to client requirements. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1.
  • Consequences of not placing pegs along contour lines correctly are explained.
  • Basic principles of pegging out plant stations across contour lines are explained and applied

    2.
  • Reasons and consequences of not adhering to mark and hole principles and operations related to planting of macadamia trees are identified and explained.
  • Consequences of not applying predetermined quantity of fertiliser to soil before planting are explained.
  • Macadamia trees are planted correctly according to principles and standard work procedures.
  • Plastic mulch is placed around planted tree according to standard operating procedure.
  • The importance of communicating the planting process is explained.

    3.
  • Harvest preparation is conducted according to standard working procedures.
  • Harvesting processes including the pick up of nuts and stripping of nut in husk from predetermined orchards are applied.
  • Macadamia nuts harvested are weighed, recorded and quantities communicated according to standard working procedures.

    4.
  • Pest and weed control practices are implemented according to standard operating procedures.
  • Pest and weed control chemicals are mixed according to manufacturers specifications and applied according to standard working procedures.
  • Consequences of not fertilizing macadamia orchards according to standard operating procedures are explained.
  • Procedures for handling irrigation equipment correctly and according to standard working procedures are explained and applied.

    5.
  • Principles of collecting pest samples in orchards to be explained and applied.
  • Reasons and consequences of not identifying the type of pest infestation to be explained.
  • Appropriate spraying Programme to be applied according to infestation levels.

    6.
  • Principles and procedures of intake process to be recalled and explained.
  • Machinery is prepared, maintained and used according to work site procedures.
  • Consequences of not adhering to work site procedures and manufacturers specifications are understood and explained.
  • Reasons and consequences of not removing partially damaged nuts are to be explained.
  • Moisture content of nuts reduced by monitoring airflow into storage bins.

    7.
  • Nut in shell is dispatched according to standard work site procedures.
  • Records and reports are completed according to work site procedures and explained accordingly.
  • Kernel is pallitised and dispatched too client requirements according to standard work procedures.
  • Reasons and consequences of not dispatching kernel to client requirements to be understood and explained.
  • Dispatch process is documented and communicated according to standard working procedures.

    Integrated assessment criteria

    Learners will produce evidence of the following:
  • Verbal and written explanations of reasons for adhering to operational and work site procedures as well as statutory requirements, adhering to specific sequence of operations, identifying deviations, taking corrective actions and recording relevant data, and reporting deviations outside the jobholder's responsibility.
  • Demonstrations of a range of operational actions relating to applying quality control in harvesting-, fertilising-, irrigating of macadamia trees, and scouting-, and de-husking of nuts, and applying general safety in the work place. Learners will also demonstrate an understanding of the Macadamia Industry.
  • Oral or written competence regarding the reflective competencies within the qualification.

    If the identifying and solving of problems, team work, organising oneself, the using of applied science, the implication of actions and reactions in the world as a set of related systems are not clear from the observation, a method of oral questioning or a case study should be applied to determine the whole person development and integration of applied knowledge and skills.
  • A portfolio of evidence is required to prove the practical applied and foundational competencies of the learner which may include harvesting, irrigation, fertilization, and scouting of orchards, and the de-husking and dispatching of nut in shell.
  • Assessors and moderators should develop and conduct their own integrated assessment by making use of a range of formative and summative assessment methods. Assessors should assess and give credit for the evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience.
  • Unit standards in the qualification must be used to assess the specific and critical cross-field outcomes. During the integrated assessments the assessor should make use of formative and summative assessment methods and should assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    A thorough search was done to find international qualifications and unit standards in macadamia producing countries but no formal unit standards and qualifications could be found. It is however a fact that similar processes for production and de-husking of macadamias are used internationally by other producing macadamia countries.

    However, specific areas such as irrigation and fertilization were compared to qualifications as found with the:
    New Zeeland Qualifications Authority and these were:
  • National Certificate in Agriculture (Level 2) 0985
  • National Certificate on Horticulture (Level 2) 0082

    Australian National Training authority and these were:
  • Certificate in Agriculture (RUA 10198)
  • Certificate in Agriculture-Production Horticulture (RUA 11698)

    Only very few elements may act as reference points for this qualification and the best practice points were highlighted and used in the generation of this qualification's unit standards.
    The differences with the international counterparts are also in the formatting, titles and scope of coverage or focus. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The generic nature of this qualification and the focus on multi-skilling will provide for portability across various sectors in the processing domain. It is envisaged that learners completing this qualification will be employable in fast moving consumer goods industries, amongst others such as the sugar industry, tea processing industry and others.

    It prepares the learner and forms the basis for progression towards other qualifications such as National Certificate in Spice Powder Extraction and Blending at NQF Level 3 and National Certificate in Tea Production at NQF Level 2.

    While the qualification will diverge as they progress upwards, there is enough commonality to provide for a solid base of generic skills. The learner will have multiple choices of learning paths and career paths in various technical occupations namely, milling and blending. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Anyone assessing a learner against these unit standards must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

    Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of these unit standards or will assess these unit standards must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA. Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures.

    Therefore anyone wishing to be assessed against these unit standards may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution, which is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessors need experience in the following areas:

    Interpersonal skills, subject matter and assessment expertise.

    The assessor needs to be competent in the planning and conducting of learning outcomes and design and develop assessments as described in the relevant unit standards. The subject matter experience must be well developed within the field of macadamia production and de-husking. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    The unit standards within the qualification are structured to contain specific and critical cross-field outcomes with assessment criteria. Within each unit standard, the assessment criteria, accreditation and moderation options guide the assessors to develop assessment tools and methods. The specific, critical cross-field outcomes and assessment criteria guide the providers in developing the learning material.

    The unit standards within the qualification serve as exit points from the qualification and these unit standards represent meaningful recognizable outcomes within secondary agriculture, and specifically will allow the learner to at these exit points successfully qualify as operators within sub departments of Macadamia production and de-husking. 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  115847  Control pest and weed in tea fields  Level 1  NQF Level 01  3 
    Core  115829  Fertilise macadamia orchard  Level 1  NQF Level 01  1 
    Core  115801  Harvest macadamia nuts in husk  Level 1  NQF Level 01  1 
    Core  115796  Hole plant stations for planting macadamia trees  Level 1  NQF Level 01  1 
    Core  115825  Irrigate macadamia orchards  Level 1  NQF Level 01  3 
    Core  115797  Plant macadamia trees  Level 1  NQF Level 01  1 
    Core  115809  Prune macadamia trees  Level 1  NQF Level 01  2 
    Core  115794  Dehusk macadamia nut in husk  Level 2  NQF Level 02  12 
    Core  115793  Peg plant stations for macadamia orchards  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Core  115832  Scout macadamia orchard  Level 2  NQF Level 02  8 
    Core  115834  Take in nuts in husk  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Core  115805  Train/selectively prune macadamia trees  Level 2  NQF Level 02  12 
    Core  115982  Dispatch kernel  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
    Fundamental  9009  Apply basic knowledge of statistics and probability to influence the use of data and procedures in order to investigate life related problems  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Fundamental  7480  Demonstrate understanding of rational and irrational numbers and number systems  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Fundamental  9008  Identify, describe, compare, classify, explore shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional shapes in different contexts  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Fundamental  7469  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal and community life  Level 2  NQF Level 02  2 
    Fundamental  9007  Work with a range of patterns and functions and solve problems  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Fundamental  8968  Accommodate audience and context needs in oral communication  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8969  Interpret and use information from texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8973  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8970  Write texts for a range of communicative contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  9823  Perform basic life support and/or first aid procedures in emergencies  Level 1  NQF Level 01  5 
    Elective  12513  Plan and manage time in the workplace  Level 1  NQF Level 01  4 
    Elective  8420  Operate in a team  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Elective  8000  Apply basic business principles  Level 3  NQF Level 03  9 
    Elective  9527  Lead a team, plan, allocate and assess their work  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Elective  8016  Maintaining occupational health, safety and general housekeeping  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 


    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. Ajuri Farms 
    2. Ayadorable Trading 
    3. Badishi Training and Consultants 
    4. Blue Elevator (Pty) Ltd 
    5. Buhlebetfu Investments Pty Ltd 
    6. Earth Child Consulting (Pty) Ltd 
    7. Farmgro TP 
    8. Great New Ventures Pty Ltd 
    9. Ifa Langa Agri Training and Consulting Pty Ltd 
    10. Ilanga Skills and Management Development CC 
    11. Impumelelo Agribusiness Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    12. Informax Skills Development and Training Pty Ltd 
    13. Megro Learning 
    14. Molefe Daughters and Sons Holdings Pty Ltd 
    15. Ndi Zwone General Trading Pty Ltd 
    16. Olwinga College NPC 
    17. Phil Chemics Enterprise (Pty) Ltd 
    18. SC TRAINING AND CONSULTING (PTY) LTD 
    19. Sinovuyolethu Trading Pty Ltd 
    20. Unite Lehlo Consult Services 
    21. Wayaka Investment Holdings 


    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.