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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: |
National Certificate: Mixed Farming Systems |
SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
48971 | National Certificate: Mixed Farming Systems | |||
ORIGINATOR | ||||
SGB Primary Agriculture | ||||
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 | Primary Agriculture | ||
ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
Undefined | 120 | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | Regular-Unit Stds Based |
REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
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 |
The purpose of this qualification is to allow new entrants access to the Primary Agricultural Sector with specific reference to Mixed Farming Systems. The contexualised purpose and usage of the qualification is as follows:
Rationale: This qualification provides learners the opportunity to gain a qualification in Mixed Farming Systems (Plant- and Animal Production). The range of typical learners that will enter this qualification will vary and includes: The learner will engage in supervision and operational activities relevant to Plant Production. Requests and expressions of need for this qualification, coming from the broad, but also specific farming communities forms the basis for the development of this qualification. This qualification will form the basis for learners to extend their learning into more specialised areas of plant- and animal production and provides the basis of the establishment of sustainable farming operations through the inclusion of a wide spectrum of competencies required by farmers in South Africa. Whilst technical production orientated competencies are ensured, other aspects such as agri-business and good agricultural practices are included in the range of competencies required by farmers in order to enable them to strive towards agricultural management standards and practices at higher levels. Competent qualifying learners in this qualification will oversee quality agricultural products in mixed farming systems whereby enhancing the overall agricultural process and gain opportunities to access local, national and international agricultural markets. |
LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
It is assumed that a learner entering a programme leading to this qualification has achieved numeracy, literacy and communication equivalent to ABET 3.
Recognition Of Prior Learning: This qualification may be achieved in part or in whole through the recognition of prior learning. Credit will be given to learning, which has already been acquired, through the appropriate process of assessment. For example: Any learner wishing to be directly assessed may arrange to do so, without attending further training or education. The assessor and learner will decide together on the most appropriate assessment route to take. |
RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
Y |
QUALIFICATION RULES |
Fundamental
Core Elective |
EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
Exit Level Outcomes are divided into five categories of competencies, namely:
Fundamental Competencies: 1. Apply various communication skills within the agricultural environment. 2. Apply mathematical calculations within the agricultural environment. 3. Safely and accurately collect routine agricultural data by applying prescribed methods of data collection for agricultural purposes. 4. Recognise the basic concepts of sustainable farming practices and be able to perform basic tasks in applying sustainable farming practices Agri-business: 5. Keep record and report appropriately on inputs and resources in an agricultural environment. 6. Describe the production process in an agricultural environment. 7. Describe the importance of marketing within the agricultural production process. 8. Keep an accurate and current simple financial record keeping system in an agri-business environment. 9. Apply the basic principles of human resources management in an agricultural environment. 10. Understand the basic principles of enterprise selection and production. Good Agricultural Practices: 11. Apply sound food safety principles by identifying risk factors in food contamination and applying preventative measures to ensure product safety. 12. Observe and maintain basic water quality by working with the technical systems that control quality factors in water. 13. Incorporate an understanding of the role of natural resource management in sustainable agricultural practices into existing farming activities by applying basic practices to conserve the environment, including natural resources, 14. Carry out basic physical farm layout tasks including construction of rainwater harvesting and soil conservation structures in a small farm or garden environment 15. Operate, care for and store basic tools and equipment in a safe and responsible manner. Plant Production: 16. Apply soil nutrient preparations in a safe, effective and responsible manner. 17. Harvest agricultural crops by using basic harvesting tools. 18. Plant a range of crops according to correct placing, spacing and depth of the plant material. 19. Identify insects and explain the damage it can cause to crops. 20. Manipulate plants using pre-determined methods and techniques. Animal Production: 21. Supply feeding by following the correct on-farm animal feeding practices. 22. Demonstrate an understanding of and identify the readiness of animal products for harvesting. 23. Observe the health status of the animals and will handle animals correctly. |
ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
Fundamental Competencies:
1. 2. 3. 4. Agri-business: 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Good Agricultural Practices: 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Plant Production: 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. NOTE: Assessment should be specific to the area of operation (i.e. Either horticulture or agronomy including but not limited to arable and/or dry land production). Animal Production: 21. 22. 23. NOTE: Assessment should be specific to the area of operation (i.e. Either large livestock, small livestock, pigs, poultry, etc.) Integrated Assessment: Integrated assessment at the level of the qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show that they are able to integrate concepts, ideas and actions across unit standards to achieve competence that is relevant and coherent in relation to the purpose of the qualification. Integrated assessment must judge the quality of the observable performance, but also the quality of the thinking that lies behind it. Assessment tools must encourage learners to give an account of the thinking and decision-making that underpin their demonstrated performance. Some assessment practices will be of a more practical nature while others will be of a more theoretical nature. The ratio between action and interpretation is not fixed, but varies according to the type and level of qualification. A broad range of task-orientated and theoretical assessment tools may be used, with the distinction between practical knowledge and disciplinary knowledge maintained so that each takes its rightful place. Generic Nature Of The Unit Standards And The Context Of Assessment: Because of the diverse nature of the primary agricultural sector, a generic approach to developing the unit standards has been adopted. This resulted in generic unit standards which should be contextualised within a specific area of operation, a specific agricultural commodity or specific agricultural system. Assessment therefore, should not be divorced from the context of application. All assessment tools, such as guides as well as the interpretation of unit standards and specifically range statements, should be contextualised within a specific agricultural commodity and/or system. |
INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
In the case of the primary agriculture context it is difficult to compare the qualification and unit standards against similar international qualifications due to the vast differences in levels of mechanization and literacy of farm operators. It should also be noted that climatic and market conditions differ considerably between South Africa and other countries and the variety in commodities is therefore significant.
It should also be noted that this qualification is unique in the sense that it provides for the development of learners in both Plant- and Animal Production. This qualification and associated unit standards have been evaluated against comparable qualifications and unit standards of the following Qualifications Authorities: During this comparison the following was found: Australian AQF: Although no specific qualification of this nature exists within the AQF, this qualification is partly comparable to the AQF Certificates I in Agriculture in both a plant- and animal production context. New Zealand NQF: Although no specific qualification of this nature exists within the NZQF, this qualification is partly comparable to the NZNQF National Certificates in Agriculture (Level 1) in both a plant- and animal production context. British NVQ: The level of this qualification is too low to be compared with any Agricultural Qualification of the NVQ since levels of literacy and learning assumed to be in place is considerably higher than in South Africa. Furthermore, input to the development of this qualification has been compared against international standards and qualifications and is evidenced in the following: |
ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
A learner will be able to progress horizontally from one category to another, namely small stock, large stock or pig production, organic systems, perma culture systems, vegetable production, etc. (Please refer to the list mentioned under "Areas of Specialisation") He/she will be able to do this without re-doing the whole qualification, but by only completing the necessary elective unit standards.
Furthermore, the learner will be able to progress horizontally to the following qualifications: This qualification allows access to the agricultural sector (refer to the SGB's brief and matrix) and gives access to the relevant agricultural qualification at NQF 2, namenly: In terms of competencies, the learner will progress from farming operation skills to basic managerial skills to managerial skills. The scope of practice will also increase. The learner will be able to articulate with other occupations within the agricultural pharmaceutical operations such as laboratory assistant, assistance in the marketing and selling of agricultural pharmaceutical products and fertilisers. The learner will also be able to move to the secondary agricultural field. |
MODERATION OPTIONS |
Therefore anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification 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:
|
REREGISTRATION HISTORY |
As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. |
NOTES |
Areas Of Specialisation:
Areas of specialisation in Animal Husbandry include but are not limited to: Areas of specialisation in Plant Production include but are not limited to: |
UNIT STANDARDS: |
ID | UNIT STANDARD TITLE | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | CREDITS | |
Core | 116158 | Apply basic agricultural enterprise selection principles | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 2 |
Core | 116166 | Apply basic food safety practices | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 1 |
Core | 116160 | Apply basic human resource management principles and practices applicable in an agricultural environment | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 2 |
Core | 116172 | Apply elementary farm layout and infrastructure | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 2 |
Core | 116191 | Apply standard animal feeding procedures | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 6 |
Core | 116165 | Define production and understand the basic activities of production / conversion in the agri-business environment | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 2 |
Core | 116164 | Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of marketing | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 2 |
Core | 116206 | Fertilise soil and attend to basic plant nutrition | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 5 |
Core | 116163 | Handle inputs and stock in agri-business | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 2 |
Core | 116201 | Harvest agricultural crops | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 5 |
Core | 116198 | Harvest animal products | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 5 |
Core | 116159 | Identify the need for capital and understand the need for the recording of the income and different costs in an agri-business | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 2 |
Core | 116168 | Maintain basic water quality | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 1 |
Core | 116203 | Manipulate plants | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 5 |
Core | 116197 | Observe and handle animals | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 5 |
Core | 116200 | Plant the crop under supervision | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 4 |
Core | 116204 | Recognise pests, diseases and weeds on crops | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 5 |
Core | 116167 | Select, use and care for hand tools and basic equipment and infrastructure | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 4 |
Core | 116169 | Understand how sustainable farming systems conserve natural resources | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 4 |
Fundamental | 7464 | Analyse cultural products and processes as representations of shape, space and time | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 2 |
Fundamental | 116156 | Collect agricultural data | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 2 |
Fundamental | 7451 | Collect, analyse, use and communicate numerical data | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 2 |
Fundamental | 7449 | Critically analyse how mathematics is used in social, political and economic relations | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 2 |
Fundamental | 14084 | Demonstrate an understanding of and use the numbering system | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 1 |
Fundamental | 116157 | Demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of sustainable farming systems | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 4 |
Fundamental | 7463 | Describe and represent objects and the environment in terms of shape, space, time and motion | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 2 |
Fundamental | 12462 | Engage in a range of speaking and listening interactions for a variety of purposes | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 6 |
Fundamental | 12471 | Explore and use a variety of strategies to learn (revised) | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 5 |
Fundamental | 12469 | Read and respond to a range of text types | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 6 |
Fundamental | 7461 | Use maps to access and communicate information concerning routes, location and direction | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 1 |
Fundamental | 7447 | Working with numbers in various contexts | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 6 |
Fundamental | 12470 | Write for a variety of different purposes | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 6 |
Elective | 116207 | Apply basic dairy production practices | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 6 |
Elective | 116153 | Apply basic pig husbandry practices | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 5 |
Elective | 116209 | Demonstrate an understanding of agri/ecotourism as a system at micro level | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 5 |
Elective | 116150 | Identify and explain permaculture principles | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 8 |
Elective | 116148 | Perform basic routine operations in a defined hydroponic context | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 5 |
Elective | 116161 | Sort and handle animal fibre | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 5 |
Elective | 116149 | Understand organic market requirements | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 3 |
Elective | 116208 | Understand the basic practices of beekeeping and the benefit thereof for agriculture | Level 1 | NQF Level 01 | 1 |
Elective | 116643 | Administer livestock processing treatments | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 8 |
Elective | 116638 | Mix and deliver feedlot feed to bunker | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 4 |
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. | Agrimega Commodities and Consultancy Pty Ltd |
2. | Akanyang Trading and Services |
3. | Bakgalaka Bakopane (Pty) Ltd |
4. | College of Transport Logistics (Pty) Ltd |
5. | Enon Agri Build Pty Ltd |
6. | JJ AND MIMS LOGISTICS |
7. | Kwem Management Solutions |
8. | Madzahisi College |
9. | Masheshafike (Pty) Ltd |
10. | Mo Pro Solution |
11. | Nyankwavi Investment CC. |
12. | Phaphamang Environmental Organisation |
13. | ROBYN MAY ENTEPRISES (PTY) LTD |
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. |