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 UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Operate and maintain irrigation systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116202  Operate and maintain irrigation systems 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Primary Agriculture 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Primary Agriculture 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 1  NQF Level 01  2 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
A Learner achieving this Unit Standard will be able to, inter alia: Carry out basic irrigation system and equipment maintenance; operate an irrigation system according to set procedures; identify the basic factors affecting crop growth under irrigation.

Learners will gain specific knowledge and skills in plant production and will be able to operate in a plant production environment implementing sustainable and economically viable production principles.

They will be capacitated to gain access to the mainstream agricultural sector, in plant production, impacting directly on the sustainability of the sub-sector. The improvement in production technology will also have a direct impact on the improvement of agricultural productivity of the sector. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
No learning is assumed to be in place. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
Whilst range statements have been defined generically to include as wide a set of alternatives as possible, all range statements should be interpreted within the specific context of application.

Range statements are neither comprehensive nor necessarily appropriate to all contexts. Alternatives must however be comparable in scope and complexity. These are only as a general guide to scope and complexity of what is required. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Identify and obtain appropriate tools for basic maintenance of irrigation systems. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Includes but not limited to: Spade, pliers, binding wire, hose-clamps couplings, ties, joints, reducers, etc. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
Appropriate clothing is worn. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Overall, gumboots, hat, etc.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The ability to identify and select task appropriate equipment is demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The correct usage of equipment is demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
Problems encountered with the use of equipment are identified and corrected. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Spade needs sharpening, wrong gauge binding wire, couplings not suited to specific pipe type, etc.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
Tools are appropriately cleaned and stored after use. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Washing, greasing, oiling, etc.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
Faulty equipment is reported to Supervisor. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Operate an irrigation system according to set procedures. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Includes but is not limited to: flow and pressure regulation, cleaning filters, pipeline maintenance, cleaning of blocked sprinklers, shifting of pipes, etc. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The correct usage of measuring equipment is demonstrated. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Pressure and flow gauges, etc.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The ability to service and clean equipment is demonstrated. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Filters, pipes, sprinklers, etc.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The ability to carry out pipeline maintenance is demonstrated. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Repairs, replacement, flushing, etc.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The correct method of shifting pipes is demonstrated. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Pipes, draglines, spacing, avoidance of crop damage, etc.
 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Identify the basic factors affecting crop growth under irrigation. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Includes but is not limited to effect of lack of water and fertilizer, irrigation not started/stopped as per schedule, effect of lack of maintenance, effect of incorrect pressure/flow rate, etc. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The basic factors affecting crop growth are described. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Sunshine, water, fertilizer, good soil, etc.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The consequences of the pressure/flow rate too low/ high are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
The consequences if pipes are shifted too early/late are described. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
The consequences if the pipeline spacing is incorrect are described. 


UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
The assessment of qualifying learners against this standard should meet the requirements of established assessment principles.

It will be necessary to develop assessment activities and tools, which are appropriate to the contexts in which the qualifying learners are working. These activities and tools may include an appropriate combination of self-assessment and peer assessment, formative and summative assessment, portfolios and observations etc.

The assessment should ensure that all the specific outcomes, critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge are assessed.

The specific outcomes must be assessed through observation of performance. Supporting evidence should be used to prove competence of specific outcomes only when they are not clearly seen in the actual performance.

Essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in its own right, through oral or written evidence and cannot be assessed only by being observed.

The specific outcomes and essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in relation to each other. If a qualifying learner is able to explain the essential embedded knowledge but is unable to perform the specific outcomes, they should not be assessed as competent. Similarly, if a qualifying learner is able to perform the specific outcomes but is unable to explain or justify their performance in terms of the essential embedded knowledge, then thy should not be assessed as competent.

Evidence of the specified critical cross-field outcomes should be found both in performance and in the essential embedded knowledge.

Performance of specific outcomes must actively affirm target groups of qualifying learners, not unfairly discriminate against them. Qualifying learners should be able to justify their performance in terms of these values.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard 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. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The person is able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of:
  • Names and functions of tools and equipment used during irrigation.
  • Function of protective clothing.
  • Attributes of basic parts of the implemented irrigation system e.g. nozzles, quick-coupling pipes, etc.
  • Sensory cues such as visual perceptions of dry and wet spots, too high/low pressure, etc.
  • Purpose of irrigation Implications of defective irrigation systems.
  • Implications of not reporting non-conformance of irrigation systems. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Teamwork relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-organisation and management relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Information evaluation relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Inter-relatedness of systems relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Self-development relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  48972   National Certificate: Plant Production  Level 1  NQF Level 01  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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. Agri Learn 
    2. Agricultural Research Council 
    3. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    4. Barrier Free General Trading CC 
    5. Biofuels Business Incubators NPC 
    6. Bumunhu Services Providers Cc 
    7. Cedara College of Agriculture 
    8. Coaching Training & Development 
    9. Deloitte 
    10. DEW CRISP PTY LTD 
    11. Dihwai Food Cultural and Agricultural Services 
    12. ELSENBURG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 
    13. Escay Catering and other Services 
    14. Fort Cox Agricultural College 
    15. GA Community Care Consultants 
    16. Goldfields FET College 
    17. Green Zone 
    18. Heedmorine Training 
    19. HL Hall and Sons Pty Ltd 
    20. Hortiserve 
    21. Impact Plus Training Consultants 
    22. Kgopane Trading Enterprise 
    23. Kimbali Holdings 
    24. KMK Training Services (PTY) Ltd 
    25. Koue Bokkeveld Training Centre 
    26. Lehlasedi Community Organisation 
    27. Leruo ke Matla Training and Enterprise Development Services 
    28. Longmore Training and Developen 
    29. Lovedale TVET College 
    30. Madzivhandila Agricultural College 
    31. Maishamalema Development Training 
    32. Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre 
    33. Marang Women in Agric and Development 
    34. Mathapuso Construction and Projects 
    35. Matlharini Multi Centre Skills 
    36. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    37. Mbimbini Training and Community Development 
    38. Medu Skills Consultants 
    39. Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training NPC 
    40. Mocwiri Training & Consultant 
    41. Mogaladi Business Enterprise 
    42. Montshepetsa Bosui Farming & Training Cnt 
    43. Morwa Agri-development cc 
    44. Mpontshe Training 
    45. Mvelo Consultant 
    46. National Institute For The Deaf - NID 
    47. Nkalebetja Agricultural Projects and Management services 
    48. Nophelo Training Centre 
    49. Owen Sithole College of Agriculture 
    50. P N K Management Services 
    51. Phill Skills and Development Institute 
    52. Progressive Environmental Projects 
    53. Retsogile Education and Training 
    54. Rustic Living Trading 155 (Pty) Ltd 
    55. SBJ Shadikamang Agriculture 
    56. Scientific Roots (Pty) Ltd 
    57. Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office 
    58. Selipha Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    59. Setlakala Business Development 
    60. Seza Bantu Rural Agricultural Projects 
    61. Sioma Training and Enterprise Developement 
    62. Siyafundisa I Africa 
    63. Siyasanga Training Centre 
    64. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    65. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    66. Thuletu Training Centre 
    67. Thuto Boshwa Skills Development Services 
    68. Tinotsile Training and Development 
    69. Tlatlana Events Solution and Communication 
    70. TM Mashwara and Projects 
    71. Tompi Seleka Agricultural College 
    72. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    73. Tripple R Training Provider 
    74. Tshenkeng's Consulting 
    75. Umfolozi FET College 
    76. Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd 
    77. Voyano Project Management 
    78. Women and Agricultural Training 
    79. Working Decisions Cc 
    80. Zintle's Rural Development Cc 


    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.