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: 

Produce crop in a hydroponic system 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116314  Produce crop in a hydroponic system 
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 4  NQF Level 04  4 
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 person achieving this unit standard will be able to supervise activities in a hydroponic farming operation, through an understanding of hydroponic systems. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that a learner attempting this unit standard will demonstrate competence against the unit standards or equivalent:
  • NQF 2: Perform routine operations and identify basic problems in a hydroponic system. 
    		•

    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 the properties of various growing media, for their use different hydroponic production contexts. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Growing media include but are not limited to gravel, sawdust, rock wool, expanded clay, coco peat, penlite, vermiculite, etc.
  • Growing media characteristics water holding capacity, lifespan, re-usability, level of compaction, etc. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Open and closed hydroponic systems are differentiated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The characteristics of the growing media are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The characteristics of different growing media to specific hydroponic crop production contexts are related. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare fertilizer / nutrient solution as per instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Fertilization/nutrient solution for different systems and its application as scheduled are prepared. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Nutrients for the fertilization solution include all chemicals, salts or combination thereof, usually used in hydroponic crop production irrigation systems include injection and bulk tank systems, are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The correct quantities of nutrients are applied. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The correct mixing procedures for nutrients are applied. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Monitor PH and EC of the fertilizer solution. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The appropriate PH and EC range for all crops. The ideal PH and EC of different group of crops (leafy, fruit bearing, flowers, etc.) must be determined. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The PH and EC range for specific crops are identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Ph and EC instruments calibrate according to the concepts of PH and EC. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Identify the characteristics of the hydroponic operation structure. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Hydroponic structure, equipment and crop. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different hydroponic structures are identified and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different erection covering materials and uses thereof are identified and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Different equipment/systems used for climate control are identified and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Problems in the hydroponic production systems are identified and solved. 


    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 they 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:
  • Recognising healthy crops in the specific production environment. 
    		•

    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-management: relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Interpreting Information: relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication: relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Science and Technology: relates to all specific outcomes. 

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

    The world as a set of related 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
    Elective  49052   National Certificate: Plant Production  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Elective  49009   National Certificate: Plant Production  Level 4  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4  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. Agricultural Research Council 
    2. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    3. Bumunhu Services Providers Cc 
    4. Cedara College of Agriculture 
    5. Dineo Tsa Botshelo Trading Enterprise 
    6. ELSENBURG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 
    7. Funda Lula Pty Ltd 
    8. Heedmorine Training 
    9. Hefer Construction 
    10. HYGRO TRAINING COLLEGE (Pty) LTD 
    11. Impact Plus Training Consultants 
    12. KayDee Project Management Cc 
    13. Kitso Information & Development Centre 
    14. KMK Training Services (PTY) Ltd 
    15. Leruo ke Matla Training and Enterprise Development Services 
    16. Lynnette and Peter Zwane Foundation NPC 
    17. Maishamalema Development Training 
    18. Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre 
    19. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    20. Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training NPC 
    21. Mogaladi Business Enterprise 
    22. Morwa Agri-development cc 
    23. Mvelo Consultant 
    24. National Institute For The Deaf - NID 
    25. Polokego Shelter for abused Women and Children 
    26. Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office 
    27. Selipha Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    28. Setlakala Business Development 
    29. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    30. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    31. Tompi Seleka Agricultural College 
    32. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    33. Tripple R Training Provider 
    34. Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd 
    35. 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.