TRAINING INSTITUTE

National Certificate: Mixed Farming NQF Level 1

SAQA Qualifications ID:  48971

 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The purpose of this qualification is to allow new entrants access to the Primary Agricultural Sector with specific reference to Mixed Farming Systems. The contexualised purpose and usage of the qualification is as follows:
  • A learner assessed against this qualification will have the necessary competence to participate as part of a working team, performing the agricultural processes as applicable to Plant and Animal Production as required for a mixed farming system in a closely defined context and under close supervision.
  • Competency will be gained in a combination of the sub-fields of Plant and Animal Production as specified under Areas Of Specialization (i.e. Small Stock, Large Stock as well as Vegetables, Fruit Production, Hydroponics, etc.)
  • The learner will be able to take responsible decisions within a limited range based on a sound understanding of the basic principles of agri-business and good agricultural practices, in meeting the set objectives and targets within the broader farm plan which includes the economical application of general resources, agricultural production and technical knowledge and skills, all in a Mixed Farming context.
  • The Learner will be able to carry out repetitive procedures in a predictable environment and will be able to adhere to the relevant safety, quality, hygiene and technical standards as applicable within the industry.
  • In addition to the above, the learner will be well positioned to extend learning and practice into other sub-fields such as Plant Production and Animal Production, since such efforts will only require additional learning within the elective scope of other qualifications at this level.
  • The learner will be well positioned to progress towards higher levels of Management and Technical production practices as defined by qualifications at the next level.
  • Learners will be enabled to actively participate in the Primary Agricultural Sector through the production of quality agricultural products, enhancing the overall agricultural process and gain opportunities to access local, national and international agricultural markets.
  • Finally, this qualification will allow qualifying learners to become economically active in farming practices that will have a direct impact on Local Economic Development through the production of food, the improvement of household food security and access to mainstream agriculture.


    Rationale:

    This qualification provides learners the opportunity to gain a qualification in Mixed Farming Systems (Plant- and Animal Production). The range of typical learners that will enter this qualification will vary and includes:
  • New entrants in farming who wish to progress to the level of Junior Labourer within farming operations in Mixed Farming Systems;
  • New entrants that wishes to enter the sector as farmers;
  • Learners in possession of different levels of practical experience in farming operations, which will be assessed and RPL'ed;
  • Possible candidates for promotion identified by the community as leaders.
  • Learners may come from both genders.

    The learner will engage in supervision and operational activities relevant to Plant Production.

    Requests and expressions of need for this qualification, coming from the broad, but also specific farming communities forms the basis for the development of this qualification.

    This qualification will form the basis for learners to extend their learning into more specialised areas of plant- and animal production and provides the basis of the establishment of sustainable farming operations through the inclusion of a wide spectrum of competencies required by farmers in South Africa. Whilst technical production orientated competencies are ensured, other aspects such as agri-business and good agricultural practices are included in the range of competencies required by farmers in order to enable them to strive towards agricultural management standards and practices at higher levels.

    Competent qualifying learners in this qualification will oversee quality agricultural products in mixed farming systems whereby enhancing the overall agricultural process and gain opportunities to access local, national and international agricultural markets. 

 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 

It is assumed that a learner entering a programme leading to this qualification has achieved numeracy, literacy and communication equivalent to ABET 3.

 
UNIT STANDARDS: 
  ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Core  116158  Apply basic agricultural enterprise selection principles  Level 1  NQF Level 01  2 
Core  116166  Apply basic food safety practices  Level 1  NQF Level 01  1 
Core  116160  Apply basic human resource management principles and practices applicable in an agricultural environment  Level 1  NQF Level 01  2 
Core  116172  Apply elementary farm layout and infrastructure  Level 1  NQF Level 01  2 
Core  116191  Apply standard animal feeding procedures  Level 1  NQF Level 01  6 
Core  116165  Define production and understand the basic activities of production / conversion in the agri-business environment  Level 1  NQF Level 01  2 
Core  116164  Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of marketing  Level 1  NQF Level 01  2 
Core  116206  Fertilise soil and attend to basic plant nutrition  Level 1  NQF Level 01  5 
Core  116163  Handle inputs and stock in agri-business  Level 1  NQF Level 01  2 
Core  116201  Harvest agricultural crops  Level 1  NQF Level 01  5 
Core  116198  Harvest animal products  Level 1  NQF Level 01  5 
Core  116159  Identify the need for capital and understand the need for the recording of the income and different costs in an agri-business  Level 1  NQF Level 01  2 
Core  116168  Maintain basic water quality  Level 1  NQF Level 01  1 
Core  116203  Manipulate plants  Level 1  NQF Level 01  5 
Core  116197  Observe and handle animals  Level 1  NQF Level 01  5 
Core  116200  Plant the crop under supervision  Level 1  NQF Level 01  4 
Core  116204  Recognise pests, diseases and weeds on crops  Level 1  NQF Level 01  5 
Core  116167  Select, use and care for hand tools and basic equipment and infrastructure  Level 1  NQF Level 01  4 
Core  116169  Understand how sustainable farming systems conserve natural resources  Level 1  NQF Level 01  4 
Fundamental  7464  Analyse cultural products and processes as representations of shape, space and time  Level 1  NQF Level 01  2 
Fundamental  116156  Collect agricultural data  Level 1  NQF Level 01  2 
Fundamental  7451  Collect, analyse, use and communicate numerical data  Level 1  NQF Level 01  2 
Fundamental  7449  Critically analyse how mathematics is used in social, political and economic relations  Level 1  NQF Level 01  2 
Fundamental  14084  Demonstrate an understanding of and use the numbering system  Level 1  NQF Level 01  1 
Fundamental  116157  Demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of sustainable farming systems  Level 1  NQF Level 01  4 
Fundamental  7463  Describe and represent objects and the environment in terms of shape, space, time and motion  Level 1  NQF Level 01  2 
Fundamental  12462  Engage in a range of speaking and listening interactions for a variety of purposes  Level 1  NQF Level 01  6 
Fundamental  12471  Explore and use a variety of strategies to learn (revised)  Level 1  NQF Level 01  5 
Fundamental  12469  Read and respond to a range of text types  Level 1  NQF Level 01  6 
Fundamental  7461  Use maps to access and communicate information concerning routes, location and direction  Level 1  NQF Level 01  1 
Fundamental  7447  Working with numbers in various contexts  Level 1  NQF Level 01  6 
Fundamental  12470  Write for a variety of different purposes  Level 1  NQF Level 01  6 
Elective  116207  Apply basic dairy production practices  Level 1  NQF Level 01  6 
Elective  116153  Apply basic pig husbandry practices  Level 1  NQF Level 01  5 
Elective  116209  Demonstrate an understanding of agri/ecotourism as a system at micro level  Level 1  NQF Level 01  5 
Elective  116150  Identify and explain permaculture principles  Level 1  NQF Level 01  8 
Elective  116148  Perform basic routine operations in a defined hydroponic context  Level 1  NQF Level 01  5 
Elective  116161  Sort and handle animal fibre  Level 1  NQF Level 01  5 
Elective  116149  Understand organic market requirements  Level 1  NQF Level 01  3 
Elective  116208  Understand the basic practices of beekeeping and the benefit thereof for agriculture  Level 1  NQF Level 01  1 
Elective  116643  Administer livestock processing treatments  Level 2  NQF Level 02  8 
Elective  116638  Mix and deliver feedlot feed to bunker  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 

 

 

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Joostenbergvlakte, 7569
South Africa 

Email: ohna@asctraininginstitute.com / ilze@asctraininginstitute.com