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: 

Monitor pests, diseases and weeds on crops 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116265  Monitor pests, diseases and weeds on crops 
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 3  NQF Level 03  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 standard will be able to recognize, monitor and apply basic control of insects, plant diseases and common weeds, in a specific agricultural enterprise. In addition they will be able to report their findings to management or advisors.

Learners will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural practices as applied in the animal-, plant and mixed farming sub fields. This unit standard focuses on the application of pest control practices in primary agriculture.

They will be able to participate in, undertake and plan farming practices with knowledge of their environment. This unit standard will instil a culture of maintenance and care for both the environment as well as towards farming infrastructure and operations. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that a learner attempting this unit standard will show competence against the following unit standards or equivalent:
  • NQF 3: Demonstrate a basic understanding of the physiological functioning of the anatomical structures of the plant.
  • NQF 2: Control pests and diseases ad weeds on crops effectively and responsibly. 
    		•

    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 
    Monitor the common pests prevalent in the specific agricultural enterprise. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Monitoring includes but is not limited to visual scouting of plant material and monitoring of traps etc. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The pest monitoring process for the specific agricultural enterprise is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The significance for the monitoring of pests is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The differences between pests and predators are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The relationship between pests and predators with relation to control measures is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The ability to observe, categorize and report any new plant damage is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The importance of the recording of data is explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate a basic knowledge of trapping, monitoring and recording the incidence of pests, diseases and weeds. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Trapping includes but is not limited to pheromone traps, sticky traps, pit-fall traps etc, monitoring includes but is not limited to checking of traps, assessing leaves, branches, stems, fruit etc. and recording includes but is not limited to verbal, written or mechanical. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The different types of traps that can be used in pest monitoring is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The significance of these traps and how they are assessed is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The techniques of monitoring pests when traps are not used are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The monitoring of diseases and weeds is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Different methods of recording the data are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The use of data to control pests is explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Collect insects not familiar and that had been identified. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Collecting of pests includes but is not limited to placing unknown pests in containers and preparing it to be sent for identification or sending insect trap bottoms with unknown insects to a laboratory for identification. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The need to trap, collect and send unknown pests for identification especially when occurring in large numbers is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The way in which these pests will be collected and where they could be sent for identification is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The reasons for identifying pests are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Monitor the symptoms of disease associated with the agricultural enterprise. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Diseases include but are not limited to diseases on crops, those of animals, or any other agricultural enterprise. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The basic symptoms are which would be looked for when one suspects a disease are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Damage, disease symptoms and weeds are interpreted and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The monitoring of disease symptoms is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The possible measures that can be implemented to control diseases before it reaches problem status is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The strategy to treat an unknown disease is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The identification of diseases from plant material is described. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Monitor and report the incidence of weeds in the agricultural enterprise. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Weeds include but are not limited to unwanted plant growth in an agricultural enterprise. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The characteristics of the most common weeds associated with the agricultural enterprise are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Monitoring and control of weeds is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The collection of unknown seed is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The strategy to identify unknown seed is 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:
  • Insect anatomy.
  • Common plant diseases.
  • Common pests.
  • Common predators.
  • Common beneficial insects.
  • Common diseases.
  • Life cycle of an insect.
  • Natural enemies.
  • Ways of spreading.
  • Contamination.
  • Implication of contamination on the quality and marketability of the product.
  • Importance of hygiene.
  • Scouting procedures.
  • Record keeping.
  • Hygiene.
  • Spreading of pests and diseases. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving relates to specific outcomes:
  • Monitor the common pests prevalent in the specific agricultural enterprise.
  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of trapping, monitoring and recording the incidence of pests, diseases and weeds.
  • Collect insects not familiar and that had been identified.
  • Monitor the symptoms of disease associated with the agricultural enterprise. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-organisation and management relates to specific outcomes:
  • Monitor the common pests prevalent in the specific agricultural enterprise.
  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of trapping, monitoring and recording the incidence of pests, diseases and weeds.
  • Collect insects not familiar and that had been identified.
  • Monitor the symptoms of disease associated with the agricultural enterprise. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Information evaluation relates to specific outcomes:
  • Monitor the common pests prevalent in the specific agricultural enterprise.
  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of trapping, monitoring and recording the incidence of pests, diseases and weeds.
  • Collect insects not familiar and that had been identified.
  • Monitor the symptoms of disease associated with the agricultural enterprise. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication relates to specific outcomes:
  • Monitor the common pests prevalent in the specific agricultural enterprise.
  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of trapping, monitoring and recording the incidence of pests, diseases and weeds.
  • Collect insects not familiar and that had been identified.
  • Monitor the symptoms of disease associated with the agricultural enterprise. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Science and technology relates to specific outcomes:
  • Monitor the common pests prevalent in the specific agricultural enterprise.
  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of trapping, monitoring and recording the incidence of pests, diseases and weeds.
  • Collect insects not familiar and that had been identified.
  • Monitor the symptoms of disease associated with the agricultural enterprise. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The world as a set of related systems: relates to specific outcomes:
  • Monitor the common pests prevalent in the specific agricultural enterprise.
  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of trapping, monitoring and recording the incidence of pests, diseases and weeds.
  • Collect insects not familiar and that had been identified.
  • Monitor the symptoms of disease associated with the agricultural enterprise. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Self-development relates to specific outcomes:
  • Monitor the common pests prevalent in the specific agricultural enterprise.
  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of trapping, monitoring and recording the incidence of pests, diseases and weeds.
  • Collect insects not familiar and that had been identified.
  • Monitor the symptoms of disease associated with the agricultural enterprise. 
    		•

    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  49052   National Certificate: Plant Production  Level 3  NQF Level 03  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. Ankholani Agricultural Primary Cooperative Limited 
    2. AVCASA 
    3. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    4. Bumunhu Services Providers Cc 
    5. Cedara College of Agriculture 
    6. ELSENBURG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 
    7. Flick Environmental Services (Pty) Ltd 
    8. Heedmorine Training 
    9. Impact Plus Training Consultants 
    10. KayDee Project Management Cc 
    11. KMK Training Services (PTY) Ltd 
    12. Leruo ke Matla Training and Enterprise Development Services 
    13. Liliso Training Centre 
    14. Maishamalema Development Training 
    15. Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre 
    16. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    17. Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training NPC 
    18. Mogaladi Business Enterprise 
    19. Morwa Agri-development cc 
    20. Mvas-4 Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    21. Mvelo Consultant 
    22. National Institute For The Deaf - NID 
    23. Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office 
    24. Selipha Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    25. Setlakala Business Development 
    26. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    27. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    28. Tompi Seleka Agricultural College 
    29. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    30. Tripple R Training Provider 
    31. Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd 
    32. Westco Agri Training 


    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.