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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Irrigate crops to maintain a predetermined moisture content 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
12565  Irrigate crops to maintain a predetermined moisture content 
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  5 
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 irrigate crops using unsophisticated irrigation system under supervision.

A person credited with this unit standard is able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of crop irrigation.
  • Prepare for crop irrigation.
  • Irrigate a crop to maintain standard moisture content.
  • Perform basic managing procedures to ensure moisture control in the crops.

    Range Statement: An unsophisticated irrigation system may refer to flood irrigation and overhead irrigation. 
    		•

    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 crop irrigation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The growing needs of plant are 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. The moisture control in a plant is explained according to basic plant growing factors. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Moisture control refer to the balance between the moisture intake of the roots and the evaporation thereof from the leaves
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The factors influencing moisture-holding capacity are explained in relation to a plant. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Moisture-holding capacity refers to soil depth, texture of the soil, depletion of soil moisture and infiltration with reference to duration of irrigation, the slope of land and its relationship to infiltration rate of water.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. Water availability in plant is explained according to freely available water. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare for crop irrigation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The needs for irrigation are planned according to workplace procedures and instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. An irrigation schedule plan is prepared for the crop to ensure predetermined moisture content in the crop. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range: Schedule plan refer to maximisation of equipment, type of irrigation, type of soil, crop needs, climate and season
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Irrigation system and/or infrastructure are maintained according to workplace procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Maintenance of infrastructure may refer to repairs to channels, irrigation pipes and equipment.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Irrigate a crop to maintain standard moisture content. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The irrigation system is handled according to workplace procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Handling may refer to starting a pump, opening a hydrant, inserting siphon pipes and opening gates in channels
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The irrigation system is controlled by checked for irrigation effectiveness. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Effectiveness of irrigation may refer to areas being under-irrigated, over-irrigated and not irrigated.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Common problems associated with irrigation are solved within scope of work. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Perform basic managing procedures to ensure moisture control in the crops. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The growth of crops is inspected to according to schedule 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Problem indicators in a crop are reported according to workplace procedures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Problem indicators may refer to uneven growth, swamp colour of leaves and retarded growth
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Procedures to improve moisture control in a crop are communicated 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 operating an irrigation system. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    The learner will work effectively with others as a member of a team during irrigation of crops. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner will be able to organise and manage himself and his activities responsibly and effectively as a team member. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner will be able to collect and evaluate information by evaluating the growth of the 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 by understanding the importance of maintaining free available water in a plant. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The learner will demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by explaining factors that may influence the effectiveness of an irrigation system. 

    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.
  • "Over" and "under" irrigation refers to too little water applied or too much water applied.


    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. Bheliwe Contracting Services cc 
    3. DEW CRISP PTY LTD 
    4. Dzunde Farming Co-operative Limited 
    5. Hot To Go Training College and Services 
    6. KayDee Project Management Cc 
    7. Knowledge For Ever 
    8. Marang Women in Agric and Development 
    9. Mbimbini Training and Community Development 
    10. Millenium Skills (Pty )Ltd 
    11. New Heights 1082 Pty Ltd 
    12. Safropa Pty Ltd 
    13. Setlakala Business Development 
    14. Shukela Training Centre 
    15. Taletso FET College - Central Office 
    16. The Renaissance National Skills Development Centre 
    17. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    18. TSZ Training Centre 
    19. Uluntu Skills Development Centre 
    20. Valambya Training and Business College (Pty) Ltd 
    21. Zilungisele Business Enterprise 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.