SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Demonstrate an understanding of the physical and biological environment and its relationship to sustainable crop production

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
13355	Demonstrate an understanding of the physical and biological environment and its relationship to sustainable crop production
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
ABET Level 4	Regular	Level 1	NQF Level 01	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 candidate credited with this unit standard will be capable of: identifying and describing the nature of soil; soil as a factor in agricultural production; climatic factors influencing crop production and their practical implications; the importance of water as a factor in agricultural production; the influence of topography on agricultural production; biological organisms as a factor influencing crop production and assessing the effects of crop production practices on the sustainability of the environment.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Open

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Identify and describe the nature of soil.

OUTCOME RANGE

Physical properties of soil

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. The principle that soil is a product of its environment is described.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Soil components are identified.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

sand; loam; clay

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Soil texture is identified.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. Soil texture is described.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

5. Soil structure is identified.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

structured and structureless soil

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Analyse soil as a factor in crop production.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. Reasons why soil is a factor in crop production are provided.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Factors affecting the role of soil in crop production are described.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. The concept of soil productivity is explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. Factors that improve soil productivity and crop production are investigated.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

5. Soil limitations in crop production are identified.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

6. Ways to overcome soil limitations in crop production are explained and justified.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Identify and describe climatic factors influencing crop production and their practical implications

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. Climatic factors influencing crop production are identified.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Climatic factors influencing crop production are described.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. The influence of climatic factors on crop production is explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. Crop production practices that can be adapted to climatic factors are investigated and reported.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4

Identify and describe the importance of water as a factor in crop production.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. Sources of water are identified.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Source, quality and quantity

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. The role of water in crop production is explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. The principle of water as a finite resource in crop production is explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. The optimal use of water resources in crop production is explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

5. Conclusions regarding the significance of water in crop production are drawn.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5

Identify and describe the influence of topography on crop production.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. Topography is defined and explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Topography as a factor influencing crop production is explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Topography as a factor influencing crop production practices is evaluated.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. Practices for overcoming topographical limitations to crop production are investigated and reported.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6

Identify, describe and explain the biological organisms as a factor influencing crop production.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. The beneficial effects of micro-organisms on crop production are identified and described.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. The harmful effects of micro-organisms in crop production are identified and described.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Control options of harmful micro-organisms in crop production are identified and described.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. The beneficial effects of invertebrates in crop production are identified and described.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

5. The harmful effects of invertebrates on crop production are identified and described.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

6. Control options for invertebrates in crop production are identified and described.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7

7. Weeds as a limiting factor in crop production is explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8

8. Control options for weeds in crop production are discussed.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7

Assess the effects of crop production practices on the sustainability of the environment.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. The concept of sustainability is explained and defined.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Existing crop production practices are identified.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Crop production practices that enhance agricultural sustainability are identified and explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. Crop production practices that have a negative impact on the sustainability of the environment are identified and explained.

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE

Examples of crop production practices which enhance environmental sustainabililty include mulching, crop rotation, stubble mulching, green manure, composting, etc. This list is not all inclusive.

Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO):

UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING

Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made;

UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING

Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group organisation and community;

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING

Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively;

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING

Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information;

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING

Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation;

UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING

Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

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

UNIT STANDARD NOTES

Learners should be encouraged to work in groups when identifying and observing the factors influencing crop production.

Developmental Outcomes:

This unit standard supports the following developmental outcomes:
1. Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively;
2. Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities;
3. Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts;
4. Exploring education and career opportunities; and
5. Developing entrepreneurial opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD:

	ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	STATUS	END DATE	PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
Core	20287	National Certificate: Farming	Level 1	NQF Level 01	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	AgriSETA
Core	50227	National Certificate: Rooibos Production	Level 2	NQF Level 02	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	AgriSETA
Fundamental	48970	National Certificate: Animal Production	Level 1	NQF Level 01	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	AgriSETA
Fundamental	48976	National Certificate: Animal Production	Level 2	NQF Level 02	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	AgriSETA
Elective	71751	General Education and Training Certificate: Adult Basic Education and Training	Level 1	NQF Level 01	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual
Elective	73249	General Education and Training Certificate: Adult Basic Education and Training: Academic Curriculum	Level 1	NQF Level 01	Reregistered	2028-06-30	UMALUSI

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.	Africa Land - Use Training
2.	Afrivet Training Services (Pty) Ltd
3.	Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd
4.	Boikgantsho Consulting & Events
5.	Bumunhu Services Providers Cc
6.	Cedara College of Agriculture
7.	College of Cape Town - Athlone Campus
8.	Dihwai Food Cultural and Agricultural Services
9.	ELSENBURG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE
10.	Escay Catering and other Services
11.	Ghoenas Kraal Opleiding Sentrum
12.	Heedmorine Training
13.	Hot To Go Training College and Services
14.	Impact Plus Training Consultants
15.	KayDee Project Management Cc
16.	Kgopane Trading Enterprise
17.	Khulisa Training Providers
18.	Kimbali Holdings
19.	KMK Training Services (PTY) Ltd
20.	Knowledge For Ever
21.	Madzivhandila Agricultural College
22.	Maishamalema Development Training
23.	Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre
24.	Marang Women in Agric and Development
25.	Mathapuso Construction and Projects
26.	Matotomana Training & General Trading
27.	Mbimbini Training and Community Development
28.	Medu Skills Consultants
29.	Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training NPC
30.	Mogaladi Business Enterprise
31.	Morwa Agri-development cc
32.	Mpontshe Training
33.	Mulivhuwa Holdings
34.	Mvelo Consultant
35.	New Heights 1082 Pty Ltd
36.	NFS Services (Pty) Ltd
37.	Ngwato Wa Mphela Agriculture Training Services
38.	Nophelo Training Centre
39.	Novi General Services
40.	Phill Skills and Development Institute
41.	Rebatoti
42.	Retsogile Education and Training
43.	SBJ Shadikamang Agriculture
44.	Scientific Roots (Pty) Ltd
45.	Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office
46.	Selipha Trading (Pty) Ltd
47.	Setlakala Business Development
48.	Seza Bantu Rural Agricultural Projects
49.	Siyafundisa I Africa
50.	Siyasanga Training Centre
51.	Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk
52.	Taletso FET College - Central Office
53.	Tembe Service Providers
54.	The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd
55.	Thuto Boshwa Skills Development Services
56.	Tlatlana Events Solution and Communication
57.	TPN Training and Recruitment cc
58.	Tripple R Training Provider
59.	Tshenkeng's Consulting
60.	Umbuso Training Services
61.	University of Limpopo
62.	Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd
63.	Voyano Project Management
64.	Westco Agri Training