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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture in Rural Development 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
88703  Advanced Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture in Rural Development 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Advanced 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 07  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to promote the development of life-long learning skills, to assist the learner to develop principles to guide their work activities and to provide them with methods they can use to apply knowledge needed for sustainable agriculture in rural development. The qualification also aims to qualify learners to make informed decisions, to address challenges and to take into account scientific and social dimensions in the field. In addition, it intends to produce learners who can act ethically and professionally, think analytically and evaluate relevant information in the workplace, take responsibility to solve problems and consequently supports sustainable agriculture and rural development in South Africa. It will enable learners to strengthen extension and advisory services and play a leading role in the field.

The qualifying learner will be competent to work in government, agribusiness, private consultancies, extension projects, education, and rural development agencies and in their own business.

Rationale:
The Advanced Diploma: Sustainable Agriculture in Rural Development was designed to address the need to intensify the provision of training in agriculture and to enhance sustainable agriculture and rural development. It also offers the opportunity for the upgrading of the skills required by extension officers, farmers, teachers, consultants, and community leaders involved in the field to enable them to work effectively and efficiently. The qualifying learner will be equipped to play a role in the scientific management of key issues in Africa, e.g. alleviation of poverty, sustainable conservation and utilisation of natural resources and the production of quality food for human consumption and to offer solutions for the alleviation of related problems. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
This qualification assumes that the learner:
  • Is competent in Communication at NQF Level 4.
  • Is competent in Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4.
  • Has general theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of agriculture and rural development.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:
    Formal, informal and non-formal learning is recognised for the purposes of Recognition of Prior Learning.

    Applicants who do not meet the admission criteria but who have relevant life and work experience may obtain admission through Recognition of Prior Learning.

    Learners may also obtain credits towards the qualification through Recognition of Prior Learning.

    Assessment of prior learning comprises the recognition of formal learning successfully attained at other institutions or in other UFS qualifications (learning that has already been assessed and accredited), as well as the Recognition of Prior Learning acquired in other contexts by means of work experience or other formal training within the sustainable agriculture and rural development environment.

    Access to the Qualification:
    Learners must be in possession of one of the following:
  • An Advanced Certificate in Agriculture, NQF Level 6.
    Or
  • A Diploma in Agriculture, NQF Level 6. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    All five Modules are compulsory, are at NQF Level 7 and worth 24 credits each:
  • Fundamentals of Rural Development.
  • Fundamentals of Agricultural Economics: Production, Marketing and Value Adding.
  • Foundational Theories and Practices in Plant Production.
  • Foundational Theories and Practices in Animal Production.
  • Basic Communication for Sustainable Agriculture.
    Total Credits: 120. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an understanding of management of rural structures and their challenges.
    2. Design strategies to establish sustainable businesses.
  • Range of strategies includes; production, marketing and value adding to the community.
    3. Identify different resources to sustain plant production practices.
    4. Identify different resources to sustain animal production practices.
    5. Demonstrate the skills of effective communication and transference of knowledge. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the skills and knowledge required to deal with the challenges of rural life and gender issues.
  • Describe the importance of agriculture in communities and the ways it is managed in rural communities.
  • Develop and manage programmes related to alleviation of hunger and building food security.
  • Create support structures for self sufficiency in all spheres of rural life.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the means whereby rural communities and individuals can finance sustainable businesses.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of what a small business developer needs to do in order to establish and maintain a sustainable business in a rural area.
  • Develop and explain a detailed marketing strategy to support the implementation of a small business.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the legal requirements to establish and run a small business.
  • Evaluate the ways in which the financial stability of the members of communities can be facilitated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Develop techniques of water harvesting and cultivation practices.
  • Establish an integrated pest management and weed control programme.
  • Describe the ways in which economical crop production can be facilitated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Describe practical rotational grazing systems and the effect of over-grazing on the land, sustainable animal production and stock farming.
  • Explain the effect of high mortality and low fertility rates in stock on the sustainability of farming enterprises.
  • Describe ways in which grazing land can be improved.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Facilitate communication to improve harmony in diverse communities.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the need to design training for communities based on a contextual needs analysis.
  • Design and conduct training and assessment sessions to capacitate members of a rural community.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The progress of the learner is monitored through continuous formative assessments drawing on a range of methods and contexts relevant to the outcomes, assessment criteria and mode of delivery of the qualification.

    Formative assessments include assignments, case studies and the assessment of practical sessions in the workplace. Assessment methods are aligned with learning activities, based on a work integrated learning cycle where the integration of theoretical and practical competencies eventually leads to applied competence on a professional level. Constructive feedback on the learning process and/or learning progress is provided to individual learners and/or groups of learners in oral and/or written format and clearly explained and justified.

    Learners are also required to take part in a summative assessment opportunity, comprising a written examination session for each module. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification compares well with the following qualifications:

    University College of Dublin - School of Agriculture and Food Services:
    Graduate Certificate - Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development:
    Modules:
  • Sustainable Agriculture.
  • Rural Enterprise and Marketing.
  • Strategic Communication for Development.

    University of London External Programme:
    Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development:
    Modules:
  • Agro Ecosystem sustainability.
  • Sustainable Farm Management.
  • Introduction to Sustainable Development.
  • Agriculture Policy and Reform of Countries belonging to the Convention on the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
  • Rural Development.
  • Applying Economics in Business and Development.
  • Water Resource Management.
  • Society, Gender and Development.
  • Land Resource Conservation.
  • Sustainable Resource Management.
  • Animal Production.

    Charles Sturt University Australia:
    Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture:
    The qualification offers studies in the three key domains of sustainability:
  • Agricultural and natural systems;
  • Agribusiness;
  • The humanities.

    Through the development of creative and critical perspectives on sustainability, the courses focus on innovative ways of enhancing agriculture for the medium to long term. Graduates are equipped to provide leadership in policy, research and strategic management that is relevant to a wide range of industry contexts.
    Learners can specialise in one of the following:
  • Environment, Biophysics and Ecology.
  • Business and Management.
  • Agricultural Production.

    While the context of the international qualifications chosen for the comparison differ from those in South Africa, the modules in the qualifications have similar content and are all post graduate programmes which build on the theory and principles mastered at undergraduate level. Water and renewable resource utilisation are also important components of the qualifications.

    The Advanced Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture, Level 7 compares well with those chosen for the comparison. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
    Successful learners may articulate horizontally into a Bachelor of Agriculture Degree at NQF Level 07.

    Vertical Articulation:
    Successful learners may articulate vertically into a Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture at NQF Level 08. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Internal moderation of modules and assessment is conducted by academic staff within the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. The UFS Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development appoints subject specialists from local and international universities to conduct the external moderation of modules, assessment and the whole qualification. The moderation process thus comprises of both internal and external moderation. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

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

    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 the Free State 


    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.