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: 

Develop a production and strategic plan for the agricultural business 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116426  Develop a production and strategic plan for the agricultural business 
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 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  11 
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 
The learner achieving this unit standard will be able to understand the influence that markets and technology have on the production process and will be able to develop a strategic plan for the agricultural processing activities in the agricultural business environment. In addition they will be well positioned to extend their learning and practice into other areas of management in business and agricultural marketing to the advantage of the industry.

Learners will understand the importance of the application of business principles in agricultural production with specific reference to production/conversion.

They will be able to operate farming practices as businesses and will gain the knowledge and skills to move from a subsistence orientation to an economic orientation in agriculture. Farmers will gain the knowledge and skills to access mainstream agriculture through a business-orientated approach to agriculture. 

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 4: Execute sustainable resource use and quality control.
  • NQF 3: Explain the application of marketing principles within an alternative and dynamic agricultural marketing environment.
  • NQF 4: Prepare a whole farm budget and establish a proper integrated information system for an agri-business. 
    		•

    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 
    Gather intelligence, information and data related to production processes, technology and markets in agriculture. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Agricultural intelligence includes but is not limited to market trends, weather (historical and predicted) foreign exchange fluctuations, business intelligence (including trading, health, legal, nutritional, personnel and cost related information) from a variety of sources

    Information sources include but are not limited to electronic media (radio, Television, internet, email), printed media (books, newspapers, magazines) personal communication within and without the sector, the industry or the enterprise. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The ability is demonstrated to access a variety of relevant media to gather information related to technology, processes and markets in agriculture and related sectors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The ability is demonstrated to analyse data, information and intelligence for relevancy and appropriateness. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Information is prepared from the data and intelligence collected to relate to the requirements of the enterprise. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The ability is demonstrated to use the prepared information in the making of appropriate decisions within the enterprise. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Evaluate the influence that market trends have on the production process in the agricultural business environment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Market trends refer to but are not limited to special dates on the calendar, seasonality of products and demands, prices etc. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Understanding about the environment in which agricultural production and processing takes place, by identifying the market in which it will operate and identifying market trends that will have and effect on production, is demonstrated. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The environment refers to but is not limited to the markets, sources of input, finance sources, government.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Markets for market trends, and marketing plans to determine the desired level of production, are evaluated. Corrective actions are taken and improvements are made to ensure that production is as desired. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Desired levels of production refer to but are not limited to the quality and quantity demanded.
  • Corrective actions refer to possible changes in the production plan or process to improve the product.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Evaluate the influence that technology has on the production process in the agricultural business environment. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Technology refers to but is not limited to machinery, equipment, information technology, advances in financial technology, communications, etc. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Existing technology used in the production process is evaluated and continuously compared with new technological developments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Technological advances' influences on the current production process are analysed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Influence refers to but is not limited to alternative application of inputs, increase in outputs, restrictions in budgets, or other resources, etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The expected lifetime of machinery and equipment is determined, a plan that can extend the lifespan of machinery is developed and implemented and replacement time of machinery and equipment is determined. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Expected lifetime refers to but is not limited to the number of years or hours that the machinery will be efficiently operational.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A machinery maintenance plan for the use of machinery in the agricultural process is designed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Maintenance plan refers to but is not limited to regular inspections, lubrication, repair, and replacement.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The purchasing, lease or hiring, replacement or repair costs of machinery and equipment are compared to determine the most cost effective manner in obtaining the required machinery and equipment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Comparisons should use but are not limited to net present value budgets, bank and interest rate negotiations, etc.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Develop a production plan. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The production plan should incorporate all the aspects of inputs, resources, processes, procedures, markets and technology. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A plan that will lead to the legal production of products that will meet the market requirements within the agricultural business environment is developed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Legal refers to but is not limited to the limitations of all relevant health, product standards, food dinks and cosmetics, toxic substance use, business and production related Acts and the additional regulations, local bylaws and other legal requirements.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The implementation and management of the production plan are planned for. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The implementation should include the availability of the required inputs (raw inputs, labour, capital, other resources), the appropriateness of the production place, time when the various activities should take place.

    Management of the production plan incorporates all the managerial and additional management tasks.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Develop and implement a strategic plan. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Strategic plan refer to but is not limited to the long term planning of the production process, the identification of opportunities and threats with in the agricultural processing environment and future changes that may be required in agricultural business. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The total environment, in which the agricultural business operates, is evaluated. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Environment refers to but is not limited to local, national and international activities, developments in the markets, political, social-economic development at a micro, meso and macro level.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An understanding is demonstrated of the concept of the SWOT analyses by conducting the SWOT analyses with in the agricultural business environment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    SWOT analyses refer to identifying the Strengths and Weaknesses with in the business itself and Opportunities and Threats within the environment it operates in. This methodology aims to convert Threats into opportunities and Weaknesses into Strengths.

    Environment refers to but is not limited to local, national and international activities, developments in the markets, and political, social-economic development at a micro, meso and macro level.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    All the steps that should be followed with the development of a strategic plan are identified. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The steps should include but are not limited to identifying problems, opportunities, assessing the significance, considering actions, obtaining information, making decisions, implementation and allocating responsibilities.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A strategic plan is developed to legally lead to the production of products that will meet market requirements in the agricultural business environment. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Strategic plan should include but is not limited to setting objectives, identify opportunities, stating methods how problems will be dealt with etc.

    Legal refer to but is not limited to the limitations of all relevant health, product standards, food dinks and cosmetics, toxic substance use, business and production related Acts and the additional regulations, local bylaws and other legal restrictions.
     


    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:
  • Market trends.
  • The effect of technological improvements.
  • Steps and purpose for compiling strategic plans.
  • Intelligence gathering.
  • Management skills at all levels.
  • The purpose of understanding the production and conversion process.
  • Planning tools and methodologies.
  • Implementation strategies. 
    		•

    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  63249   National Diploma: Agricultural Extension  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Core  49011   National Diploma: Animal Production  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Core  49010   National Diploma: Plant Production  Level 5  NQF Level 05  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. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    2. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 


    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.