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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 | |||
48977 | 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 2 | NQF Level 02 | 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 Junior Personnel and elected candidates to progress towards a position of farm laboures (operators) 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 NQF 1 and technical skills pertaining to agricultural activities equivalent to NQF 1.
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. Collect and collate agricultural data and recognize and report on deviations 4. Explain basic functions of the environment by recognising patterns and processes, knowing local resources and basic sustainable agricultural processes using environmental indicators. Agri-business: 5. Apply basic skills in record keeping, storage, contaminant management and associated legislation when controlling input and stock 6. Set goals and objectives related to production / conversion systems within an agricultural business. 7. Apply knowledge of the marketing principles within agriculture for a specific product or service. 8. Define and illustrate the gross margin statement, income statement, balance sheet and cash flow budget as well as the different cost aspects that one can find in a business. 9. Describe and understand the principles of Human Resources Management as applied 10. Explain the principles and factors influencing agricultural enterprise selection and production. Agricultural Practices: 11. Monitor and support the implementation of food safety and quality, production, environmental and social practices and awareness within the agricultural supply chain. 12. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of water quality to agriculture and to monitor and maintain water quality using established procedures. 13. Apply basic practices to conserve the environment, including natural resources. 14. Select basic equipment and implements that are appropriate to a combination of activities within a single agricultural process. 15. Carry out basic physical farm layout tasks including construction of rainwater harvesting and soil conservation structures in a small farm or garden environment Animal Production: 16. Explain the basic concepts used in animal nutrition, maintaining, preserving, modifying and enhancing the nutrient value of animal feeds and follow correct on-farm feeding practices. 17. Identify, record and report on abnormal animal behaviour and physical abnormalities, supervise the movement and restraint of animals and apply treatment and perform basic procedures. Plant Production: 18. Soil is prepared according to the requirements of the crop. 19. Recognize common insects, disease symptoms and weeds and apply basic control measures 20. Apply agrochemical products in a safe, effective and responsible manner with consideration to the environment. 21. Plant a range of crops and monitor the correct establish of crops as well as ensuring that planting is placed and spaced as required. 22. Manipulate plants by applying a narrow range of techniques |
ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
Fundamental Competencies:
1. 2. 3. 4. Agri-business: 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Agricultural Practices: 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Animal Production: 16. 17. NOTE: Assessment should be specific to the area of operation (i.e. Either large livestock, small livestock, pigs, poultry, etc.) Plant Production: 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 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 II (General cross-sector qualifications) 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 2) 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 3, 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 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 | 116125 | Apply crop protection and animal health products effectively and responsibly | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 4 |
Core | 116127 | Apply layout principles for conservation and infrastructure | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 5 |
Core | 116126 | Apply marketing principles in agriculture | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 2 |
Core | 116128 | Apply plant manipulation methods | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 4 |
Core | 116121 | Apply sustainable farming practices to conserve the ecological environment | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 5 |
Core | 116122 | Control inputs and stock in agribusiness | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 2 |
Core | 116124 | Control pests, diseases and weeds on all crops effectively and responsibly | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 2 |
Core | 116115 | Define and understand production systems and production management | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 2 |
Core | 116113 | Explain principles of human resources management and practices in agriculture | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 2 |
Core | 116081 | Identify and recognise factors influencing agricultural enterprise selection | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 2 |
Core | 116083 | Illustrate and understand the basic layout of financial statements | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 2 |
Core | 116079 | Monitor the establishment of a crop | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 4 |
Core | 116077 | Monitor water quality | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 3 |
Core | 116070 | Operate and support a food safety and quality management system in the agricultural supply chain | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 2 |
Core | 116063 | Respond correctly to control defensive behaviour in animals | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 4 |
Core | 116055 | Understand animal nutrition | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 7 |
Core | 116053 | Understand basic soil fertility and plant nutrition | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 5 |
Core | 116060 | Utilise and perform minor repair and maintenance tasks on implements, equipment and infrastructure | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 5 |
Fundamental | 8963 | Access and use information from texts | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 5 |
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 | 8962 | Maintain and adapt oral communication | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 5 |
Fundamental | 12444 | Measure, estimate and calculate physical quantities and explore, describe and represent geometrical relationships in 2-dimensions in different life or workplace contexts | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 3 |
Fundamental | 116080 | Monitor, collect and collate agricultural data | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 2 |
Fundamental | 116064 | Recognise and identify the basic functions of the ecological environment | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 4 |
Fundamental | 8967 | Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 5 |
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 | 8964 | Write for a defined context | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 5 |
Elective | 116643 | Administer livestock processing treatments | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 8 |
Elective | 116123 | Consider plant botany during the placement of bee hives | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 2 |
Elective | 8347 | Control problem Animals | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 4 |
Elective | 116120 | Explain basic pig husbandry practices | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 4 |
Elective | 116110 | Explain dairy production cleanliness | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 5 |
Elective | 116114 | Harvest natural flora | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 4 |
Elective | 116109 | Interpret and illustrate permaculture principles | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 5 |
Elective | 116076 | Introduce organic certification and internal control systems | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 2 |
Elective | 116638 | Mix and deliver feedlot feed to bunker | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 4 |
Elective | 116069 | Participate in agri/ecotourism practices at both micro and meso levels to tourists | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 4 |
Elective | 116072 | Perform routine operations and identify basic problems in hydroponic systems | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 3 |
Elective | 116062 | Prepare a shearing shed for shearing | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 3 |
Elective | 116065 | Store and control agrochemical products effectively and responsibly | Level 2 | NQF Level 02 | 4 |
Elective | 116645 | Control feedbunker and water trough quality | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 6 |
Elective | 116653 | Demonstrate an understanding of feedlot feed ingredient and blends | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 6 |
Elective | 116647 | Demonstrate an understanding of the feedlot environment | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 10 |
Elective | 116637 | Determine livestock mass | Level 3 | NQF Level 03 | 2 |
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. | Advisor Progressive College |
2. | Agrimega Commodities and Consultancy Pty Ltd |
3. | Avheani Trading and Projects |
4. | BESTGUARD SECURITY SERVICES PTY LTD |
5. | BHEKA PHAMBILI TRADING 132 |
6. | Changing Lives Agricultural Projects Pty Ltd |
7. | Chloe Nkanyezi Solutions Pty Ltd |
8. | Dzindou Consulting Services |
9. | Funzani Training Consultants |
10. | GCINA HUMAN POTENTIAL PTY LTD |
11. | Get Equipped Training Academy Pty Ltd |
12. | Godisang Development |
13. | Greenworld Environmental and Consulting Services |
14. | JJ AND MIMS LOGISTICS |
15. | Kaleb and Joshua Pty Ltd |
16. | KC3 Trading Pty Ltd |
17. | Kwem Management Solutions |
18. | Lesedi Skills Labour Forum |
19. | Linon Manufacturing Pty Ltd |
20. | Loksion Holdings Pty Ltd |
21. | M K Agricultural Enterprises |
22. | Madzahisi College |
23. | Mareleng Business Enterprises |
24. | Masheshafike (Pty) Ltd |
25. | MGSM Solutions Pty Ltd |
26. | Mo Pro Solution |
27. | Nashclo Pty Ltd |
28. | Ndumndai Pty Ltd |
29. | Ngunikazi Concepts Pty Ltd |
30. | Ntsako Mawila Holding Pty Ltd |
31. | Nyankwavi Investment CC. |
32. | Phusha Phanda Poi Consulting |
33. | Potential African Future Farmers |
34. | Ramfuza Projects and Services |
35. | Sange SA |
36. | THE WELLNESS SPECIALIST |
37. | Top Star Distributors and Consultancy |
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. |