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: 

Control Weeds manually 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
12554  Control Weeds manually 
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  3 
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 will be able to control the growth of weeds in fields where crops are grown using manual techniques.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of manual weed control.
  • Prepare equipment to be used for weeding.
  • Weed an agricultural crop manually.

    Range: Crops may include but are not limited to sorghum, maize, groundnuts, sunflower, beans, soya beans, sugarcane, wheat, rye, barley, cotton and potatoes. 
    		•

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

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of manual weed control. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The effect of weed growth on a crop is identified according to basic plant growth factors. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Plant growth factors may refer to carbon dioxide, water, sunlight, nutrients or food and warmth.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Factors affecting successful weed control are identified to ensure best use of effort, cost and time. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Weed control factors may refer to season, dampness of soil, size of weeds and re-establishment of weeds.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The reason for hand or manual control of weeds is explained in relation to other available weed control methods. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Reasons should include cost, size or types of weeds and season.
    Different kinds of weeds are identified according to weed types and weed growth periods.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Different kinds of weeds are identified according to weed types and weed growth periods. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Weed types may refer to broadleaf weeds, grasses and sedges.
    Weed growth periods refer to annual weeds, biennial weeds and perennial weeds
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare equipment to be used for weeding. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Equipment used for weeding are selected and checked according to workplace procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Equipment may include but is not limited to Hoe's, Slasher's and pangas.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Equipment used for weeding are prepared according to workplace procedures and any defaults are reported 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Preparation may include sharpening and minor repairs.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Faulty or broken equipment is reported according to workplace procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Weed an agricultural crop manually. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The manual weeding technique is performed according to workplace procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Weeding technique refers to hand pull, hoe and slash to required height.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The equipment is left in a safe and ready to use condition. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Waste from the weeding process is handled and dispatched according to workplace procedures. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Internal moderation.
  • External moderation.
  • An assessor, accredited by the relevant ETQA, will assess the learner`s competency.
  • Assessment procedures will be supplied by the ETQA in alignment with NSB requirements.
  • All assessment activities must be fair, so that all candidates have equal opportunities. Activities must be free of gender, ethnic or other bias.
  • Assessment and moderation procedures, activities and tools must be transparent, affordable and support development within the field, sub-field and NQF.
  • Questions and answers to determine theoretical knowledge are expected.
  • Examination of an assessment portfolio.
  • Reporting skills are demonstrated by effective communication, using verbal (language) and/or writing skills.
  • Direct observation in simulated or actual work conditions.
  • Training providers must be accredited by the appropriate ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Embedded knowledge is reflected within the assessment criteria of each specific outcome. 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    The learner will be able to identify and solve problems during the process of controlling weeds manually. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner will be able to organize and manage himself and his activities responsibly during weed control procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner will be able to collect information during the evaluation of weed growth in crop. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The learner will communicate effectively when reporting on work matters 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    The learner will use science and technology effectively to understand the factors influencing weed and plant growth. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The learner will demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems, by explaining the interrelation between weed growth and control 

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Terminology
    Workplace procedures refer to place of work procedures, prescribed procedures from the manufacturer of equipment, personal, equipment and environmental safety procedures, best practices and applicable legislation.

    Legal requirements:
    The following acts and/or codes, current and future regulations and amendments will be applicable.
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act, No. 85 of 1993.
  • Basic Conditions of Employment Act, No 57 of 1997. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  20287   National Certificate: Farming  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. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    2. DEW CRISP PTY LTD 
    3. Dzunde Farming Co-operative Limited 
    4. Hot To Go Training College and Services 
    5. Interactive Trading 747 ( PTY) LTD 
    6. KayDee Project Management Cc 
    7. Knowledge For Ever 
    8. Marang Women in Agric and Development 
    9. Millenium Skills (Pty )Ltd 
    10. New Heights 1082 Pty Ltd 
    11. Phezukomkhono Training Services 
    12. Rekopane Training Centre CC 
    13. Safropa Pty Ltd 
    14. Setlakala Business Development 
    15. Shukela Training Centre 
    16. Sioma Training and Enterprise Developement 
    17. Taletso FET College - Central Office 
    18. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    19. TSZ Training Centre 
    20. Valambya Training and Business College (Pty) Ltd 
    21. Vukani Community 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.