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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Diploma in Agriculture in Animal Production 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96848  Diploma in Agriculture in Animal Production 
ORIGINATOR
Mangosuthu University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Primary Agriculture 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  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   2033-06-30  

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 supply the agricultural industry with competent agricultural technicians that can manage agricultural production units effectively, under supervision of an agricultural scientist, as part of a production team.
  • The competency stems from the fact that the qualifying learner would have majored in the production of beef, milk, pigs, poultry, agricultural economics and agricultural extension. He is thus equipped not only in the technical aspects but in also ensuring that the production will lead to a profitable income and can also train others to be successful producers.

    Rationale:
  • Agriculture is the creator of virtually all food and as such is a key to food security. In recognition of this, this qualification is intended to provide personnel technically qualified in the production of crops. Such expertise is expected to contribute productively in an industry where population growth and dwindling (agricultural) land due to property development are serious challenges.
  • The qualifying student will have exposure and orientation to different agricultural production units and will be competent to manage a production enterprise under supervision of an agricultural scientist and apply their knowledge skills and attitudes towards agricultural production. The qualification was approved by an Advisory Committee whose members include academics and personnel from the agriculture industry.
  • Students registering in the qualification come mostly from KwaZulu-Natal, and minimally from the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga. Job opportunities are in government departments, parastatals, non-governmental organizations and private organizations.
  • The qualification resides in the Diploma stream, and as such is expected to lead to Advanced Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma, etc., route. Currently the qualification can also lead to a Bachelor of Technology. All these higher qualifications are offered in a University of Technology. However, a switch to a traditional university to pursue a Bachelor qualification with recognition of the Diploma qualification is possible.
  • Although the learner will have technical expertise in animal production the two other majors, namely, agricultural extension and agricultural economics will be of benefit to society and the economy as well. Technical expertise in animal production will ensure profitable and sustainable production, agricultural extension will ensure that productive technologies are accessible to all and agricultural economics will ensure that all activities end up a successful business. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
  • NQF Level 4 in primary agriculture in conjunction with Section H.
    Or
  • Appropriate National Higher Certificate in Agriculture.
    Or
  • Recognition of advanced standing with respect to the Recognition of Prior Learning policy of the institution.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Total points: 25 in both the Senior Certificate and National Senior Certificate.
  • Subject requirements are provided in the table below.
  • Placement test.

    Subject requirements for entry into the Department of Agriculture:

    Subject: Senior Certificate: National Senior Certificate:
    Agricultural Science or Life Science HG D or SG C (both) 4
    English HG D or SG C 4
    Mathematics or HG E or SG D 3 or4
    Mathematical literacy
    Physical Science HG E or SG D 3 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Year 1:
    Semester 1:
    Agricultural Anatomy and Physiology I, 13 Credits
    Agricultural Statistics I, 12 Credits.
    Animal Production I, 13 Credits.
    Computer Skills IA, 8 Credits.
    English Communication Skills I, 8 Credits.

    Year 1:
    Semester 2:
    Agricultural Economics I, 12 Credits.
    Agricultural Extension I, 12 Credits.
    Computer Skills IB, 8 Credits.
    English Communication Skills II , 8 Credits.
    Pasture Science I, 13 Credits.
    Small Stock Production II, 13 Credits.

    Year 2:
    Semester 1:
    Agricultural Extension II, 12 Credits.
    Agricultural Marketing II, 12 Credits.
    Animal Health Management II, 13 Credits.
    Animal Nutrition II, 13 Credits.
    Pasture Science II, 13 Credits.

    Year 2:
    Semester 2:
    Agricultural Extension III, 12 Credits.
    Beef Production II, 13 Credits.
    Milk Production II, 13 Credtis.
    Pig Production II, 13 Credits.
    Poultry Production II , 13 Credits.


    Year 3:
    Semester 1:
    Agricultural Production Management III, 12 Credits.
    Beef Production III, 13 Credits.
    Mik Production III, 13 Credits.
    Pig Production III, 13 Credits.
    Poultry Production III, 13 Credits.

    Year 3:
    Semester 2:
    Production Practice III, 60 Credits. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Communicate efficiently both verbally and in writing.
    2. Demonstrate computer application skills.
    3. Acquire knowledge of beef production and marketing under extensive and intensive conditions.
    4. Manage a dairy production unit.
    5. Manage a pig production unit.
    6. Manage different poultry enterprises.
    7. Manage a small stock production unit.
    8. Manage natural pastures appropriately and efficiently in the course of production activities.
    9. Establish and manage cultivated pastures to create sustainable fodder banks.
    10. Coordinate and monitor agricultural extension programs.
    11. Apply basic entrepreneurial principles as they relate to crop production.
    12. Write interpretive reports based on descriptive statistics. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Listening and speaking skills are appropriately applied.
  • Reading skills are efficiently applied.
  • Writing skills are ethically applied in the agriculture context.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Software programmes are used to write documents.
  • Software programmes are used for organizing data, calculations and plotting of graphs.
  • Software programmes are used to statistically analyse data.
  • Software packages for the day to day management of different units are employed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • An organogram of the beef industry is compiled.
  • Origin, development and utilization of the most important breeds are understood.
  • Selection methods and criteria for production are applied according to adaptability and functional efficiency.
  • Knowledge of production systems is demonstrated.
  • A herd fertility programme is implemented.
  • Concept of supplementary feeding is applied.
  • Feedlot production systems are understood.
  • Appropriate equipment is selected.
  • Knowledge of the market is demonstrated and applied.
  • Knowledge of diseases and illnesses is demonstrated and implemented.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • An organogram of the dairy industry is compiled.
  • Origin and development of different breeds are understood.
  • Appropriate genetics is applied.
  • Knowledge of the different body systems is applied.
  • Basic knowledge of diseases and illnesses is demonstrated.
  • Knowledge of the different sources of food is applied.
  • Knowledge of all phases of the milking process is demonstrated.
  • Knowledge of market issues is applied.
  • Design of facilities is appropriate.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Knowledge of the organization and structure of the pig industry is demonstrated.
  • Origin, development and utilization of pig breeds are understood.
  • Selection and breeding criteria for production are understood.
  • Feeding is done appropriately.
  • Managing of piglets from birth to weaning phase is done correctly.
  • Knowledge of the different production systems is demonstrated.
  • Issues concerned with fertility are understood and addressed.
  • Basic knowledge of diseases and illnesses is demonstrated.
  • Design of facilities is appropriate.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • The poultry industry is put in perspective.
  • Origin, development and utilization of poultry breeds are understood.
  • Selection and breeding criteria for production are applied.
  • Identification of different housing structure with respective production purpose is demonstrated.
  • Environmental requirements for different production systems are understood.
  • Harvesting of poultry products and by-products are demonstrated.
  • Feeding regimens for different breeds are demonstrated.
  • Health and biosecurity measures for poultry breeds are demonstrated and applied.
  • Quality of chicks is determined.
  • Production records are kept.
  • Methods of rearing chicks are demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • An organogram of the small stock industry is compiled.
  • Origin, development and inoculation of breeds is understood.
  • Selection and breeding criteria are applied.
  • Knowledge of production systems is demonstrated.
  • Factors influencing fertility are understood and addressed.
  • Knowledge of diseases and illnesses is demonstrated.
  • Knowledge of the different sources of food is demonstrated.
  • Knowledge of land use planning is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Dynamics of natural vegetation communities is understood.
  • The growth and production of a grass plant is illustrated.
  • Natural pasture condition is assessed and managed accordingly.
  • Identification and classification of vegetation species is performed.
  • The animal factor is understood and applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
  • Role and choice of cultivated pastures is explained.
  • A fodder bank (feed flow programme) is created and the role played by hay, silage and foggage understood.
  • Select and manage cultivated pasture system.
  • Anti-quality factors which have a detrimental effect on animal production are identified.
    . Cultural practices are performed on the pastures.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
  • Knowledge of extension terminology is demonstrated and applied.
  • The importance of extension in agriculture is understood.
  • The relationship between extension and technology transfer is understood.
  • Knowledge of extension methods is demonstrated and informal agricultural industry is demonstrated.
  • Knowledge of communication channels in the organized.
  • Knowledge of communication is demonstrated and applied to extension programmes.
  • Knowledge of programme building is demonstrated and applied.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11:
  • Knowledge of appropriate economic terminology is demonstrated and applied to agricultural economics.
  • Knowledge of budget planning is demonstrated and applied.
  • The economic implications of interest rates and inflation are applied in the management of a production unit.
  • Knowledge of the principles of demand and supply is demonstrated.
  • Knowledge of workplace organization is demonstrated.
  • Decision making and problem solving skills are demonstrated.
  • Knowledge of agricultural economics is integrated and applied to marketing of agricultural products.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12:
  • The role of statistics in agricultural research is explained.
  • Organization and interpretation of data is done.
  • Common measures of dispersion are calculated and explained.
  • Rationale for designed experiments are explained.
  • Data comparison is statistically done.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative Assessment:
  • Minimum 2 x tests, assignment and/or practical per module.

    Summative Assessment:
  • 1 x 3-hour written examination per module. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification is comparable to Bachelor Degrees of the College of Agriculture in Botswana and Lincoln University in New Zealand. Although these qualifications are mixed with respect to animal and crop production, and thus probably not as deep or extensive in any particular enterprise, their overall purpose is what this one is about. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
  • Advanced Diploma in Agriculture in Crop Production.
  • Bachelor of Technology.
  • Bachelor qualification in Agriculture.
  • Relevant 3-year qualification. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. Mangosuthu University of Technology 


    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.