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 QUALIFICATION:

National Certificate: Farming

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
20288	National Certificate: Farming
ORIGINATOR
SGB Primary Agriculture
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
AgriSETA - Agriculture SETA			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
National Certificate	Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation		Primary Agriculture
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Level 2	NQF Level 02	Regular-Unit Stds Based
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		SAQA 06120/18	2018-07-01	2023-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30		2027-06-30

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 qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

A learner assessed as competent against this qualification will be able to perform the necessary technical skills within the context of either agronomy, horticulture or animal husbandry as applicable to the agricultural commodity. The learner will be able to operate as part of the operational team.

In the case of the farm owner, the learner will be able to execute basic business skills and develop as a Small, Micro and Medium Enterprise.

In addition they will be well positioned to extend their learning and practice into other areas of agricultural commodities, or to strive towards agricultural standards and practice at higher levels.

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

Rationale:

The range of typical learners that will enter this qualification will vary and includes:

School leavers wishing to enter the primary agricultural sector;

Complete novices wishing to enter the primary agricultural sector, i.e. individuals who are beneficiaries of the land reform processes;

Learners in possession of different levels of practical experience in farming operations, which will be assessed through Recognition of Prior Learning; and

Learners may come from both genders.

The learner will engage in all farming activities relevant to farming operations within a specific context, namely horticulture, agronomy and animal husbandry. The farming activities will be determined by the agricultural commodity, which is produced.

National processes such as the land reform processes and the acquisition of land by individuals who were previously excluded from such land ownership created a huge need in terms of relevant training. Individuals will benefit from such learning as they will receive entrance into a career path where they will be enabled to generate their own income either by establishing their own farming operation or be employed as farm operators.

In many cases, communities will benefit from such endeavours as agricultural commodities will be available within a specific community. Furthermore, the opportunity to trade commodities in joining SADC countries, could be explored.

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 technical skills pertaining to agricultural activities equivalent to NQF 1.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

This qualification may be achieved in part or in whole through the recognition of prior learning. Credit will be given to learning, which has already been acquired, through the appropriate process of assessment.

For example:

Learners who have acquired skills and competencies in this qualification through for instance experience in the industry will be assessed against the unit standards the qualification comprises of prior to entering learning. Credits will be allocated to those unit standards and exit level outcomes in which the learner is found competent. The outstanding unit standards will then be sequenced according to an appropriate learning programme.

Should a new entrant into the industry wish to enter this learning programme, recognition will be given to all appropriate learning acquired through the schooling system.

In terms of fundamental unit standards, competencies could be acquired through life experience.

Any learner wishing to be directly assessed may arrange to do so, without attending further training or education. The assessor and learner will decide together on the most appropriate assessment route to take.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

N/A

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

On achieving this qualification the learner will be able to:

1. Compile and implement a basic business plan with a short-term focus, which includes a basic sales plan and basic budgeting plan. This plan will be specific to his/her own context of operation and agricultural commodities, whether horticulture, agronomy or animal husbandry.

2. Utilise unsophisticated and/or manual technology and solve problems within a specific context (either horticulture, or agronomy, or animal husbandry) and appropriate to a commodity(ies) of own choice.

3. Understand and apply operational safety and hygiene standards applicable to the industry and market, taking into account the level of operational requirements.

4. Be aware of and apply applicable legislation.

5. Distinguish between different production systems appropriate to a specific commodity.

6. Monitor and support disaster management and conservation management.

7. Collect data and information.

8. Demonstrate a basic understanding of and apply basic principles of communication within the farm operations.

9. Work effectively with others and operate as part of a team by applying basic teamwork principles.

10. Understand and apply basic ethical principles, values, and norms applicable to the workplace with specific reference to relationships with co-workers, clients, him- or herself as well as the environment.

11. Identify and access basic resources.

12. Apply basic principles of entrepreneurship (should the learner choose to include this elective in the learning programme).

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. A short-term business plan, which is specific to the context of operation and the agricultural commodity(ies), is compiled and implemented. The business plan includes a basic marketing plan and basic budgeting plan.

2. Problems specific to the utilisation, care and maintenance of technology are identified and solved appropriately.

3. Safety and hygiene standards applicable to the industry and market are explained and applied.

4. Applicable legislation is named and applied.

5. Different production systems appropriate to a specific commodity are distinguished.

6. Disaster management and conservation management are supported and monitored.

7. Correct information and data is collected in an appropriate format.

8. Communication with fellow workers, supervisors and other colleagues are clear and effective.

9. Basic team-work principles are applied.

10. Basic ethical principles, values and norms and how they influence the agricultural process, interaction with co-workers and clients, as well as work related conflict situations are explained. Furthermore, the effect of his or her work activities on family and social life are described and appropriate steps to improve relationships are taken. Failure and/or success are dealt with constructively.

11. Agricultural basic resources are identified and accessed timeously and effectively.

12. An own farming unit is operated as an own business by applying basic entreprenuerial skills with the necessary support.

NOTE: Assessment should be specific to the area of operation (either horticulture or agronomy or animal husbandry) and the agricultural commodities of the learners own choice.

Integrated Assessment:

Integrated assessment at the level of the qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show that they are able to integrate concepts, ideas and actions across unit standards to achieve competence that is relevant and coherent in relation to the purpose of the qualification.

Integrated assessment must judge the quality of the observable performance, but also the quality of the thinking that lies behind it. Assessment tools must encourage learners to give an account of the thinking and decision-making that underpin their demonstrated performance. Some assessment practices will be of a more practical nature while others will be of a more theoretical nature. The ratio between action and interpretation is not fixed, but varies according to the type and level of qualification.

A broad range of task-orientated and theoretical assessment tools may be used, with the distinction between practical knowledge and disciplinary knowledge maintained so that each takes its rightful place.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

In the case of the primary agricultural context, especially at NQF 2, it is difficult to compare the qualification and unit standards because of the vast differences in the level of mechanisation, the level of literacy of the farm operators, climate and other conditions as well as the variety in commodities.

However, New Zealand and Australian qualifications and unit standards were sourced and evaluated for applicability. Also, during two separate study visits, agricultural practices were compared in the Netherlands and France. But it was clear that at this level, there is no real comparability because of the reasons above.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

A learner will be able to progress vertically from one category to another, namely horticulture, agronomy or animal husbandry. He/she will be able to do this without re-doing the whole qualification, but by only completing the necessary elective unit standards.

Furthermore, the learner can move from being employed as a farm worker to being an entrepreneur, running his/her own farming operation.

The learner will also be able to articulate with other occupations within the agricultural pharmaceutical operations such as laboratory assistant.

MODERATION OPTIONS

Anyone assessing a learner against this qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this qualification, or assessment against this qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to agreed ETQA procedures.

Therefore anyone wishing to be assessed against this qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution which is accredited by the relevant ETQA.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Assessors need:

A minimum of 2 (two) years` practical experience;

Competence in the generic assessor unit standards; and

Technical competence at, at least one NQF level above the assessee.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

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

NOTES

The Minimum Credits for this qualification have been corrected from 152 to 120.

This qualification is being reviewed, and will soon be replaced by a new, up to date version.

UNIT STANDARDS:

	ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	CREDITS
Core	12621	Collect, use and communicate data that relate to farming	Level 2	NQF Level 02	2
Core	12618	Demonstrate a basic understanding of agricultural production systems	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Core	12615	Demonstrate a basic understanding of the primary agricultural industry	Level 2	NQF Level 02	2
Core	8494	Demonstrate an understanding of HIV/AIDS and its implications	Level 2	NQF Level 02	4
Core	12619	Identify pest and diseases relevant to an agricultural commodity learner is associated with	Level 2	NQF Level 02	4
Core	12617	Maintain hygiene measures	Level 2	NQF Level 02	3
Core	8493	Maintain occupational health and safety	Level 2	NQF Level 02	2
Core	8420	Operate in a team	Level 2	NQF Level 02	4
Core	12646	Perform quality checks	Level 2	NQF Level 02	3
Core	12616	Operate and perform routine maintenance on equipment and tools	Level 3	NQF Level 03	5
Fundamental	12537	Identify personal values and ethics in the workplace	Level 1	NQF Level 01	4
Fundamental	8963	Access and use information from texts	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Fundamental	9009	Apply basic knowledge of statistics and probability to influence the use of data and procedures in order to investigate life related problems	Level 2	NQF Level 02	3
Fundamental	7480	Demonstrate understanding of rational and irrational numbers and number systems	Level 2	NQF Level 02	3
Fundamental	9008	Identify, describe, compare, classify, explore shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional shapes in different contexts	Level 2	NQF Level 02	3
Fundamental	8962	Maintain and adapt oral communication	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Fundamental	7469	Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal and community life	Level 2	NQF Level 02	2
Fundamental	9007	Work with a range of patterns and functions and solve problems	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Fundamental	8964	Write for a defined context	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Fundamental	8973	Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes	Level 3	NQF Level 03	5
Elective	13999	Demonstrate an understanding of basic accounting practices	Level 1	NQF Level 01	4
Elective	13995	Demonstrate an understanding of contracts and their sources	Level 1	NQF Level 01	2
Elective	14001	Demonstrate an understanding of managerial expertise and administrative capabilities	Level 1	NQF Level 01	4
Elective	13998	Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of supply and demand, and the concept: production	Level 1	NQF Level 01	2
Elective	13994	Identify and discuss different types of business and their legal implications	Level 1	NQF Level 01	4
Elective	13996	Identify, discuss, describe and compare major economic systems, with emphasis on the South African economy	Level 1	NQF Level 01	2
Elective	12623	Control weeds	Level 2	NQF Level 02	7
Elective	7547	Operate a personal computer system	Level 2	NQF Level 02	6
Elective	12622	Perform routine maintenance on farm installations	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Elective	12630	Support disaster and conservation management	Level 2	NQF Level 02	5
Elective	12631	Apply basic entrepreneurial principles to farming	Level 3	NQF Level 03	7

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

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.	42020 Vision Training and Consulting
2.	Abanguni College of South Africa
3.	AGB Finance (Pty) Ltd
4.	Agri RDA Holdings Pty Ltd
5.	Aptenia Training and Projects (Pty) Ltd
6.	Better Best Agri Development
7.	Career Builders Academy Pty Ltd
8.	Dinako tsa Marang Consultancy
9.	Dynamic Training Centre
10.	Ekhozi Rural Development Services
11.	Elgin Community College
12.	Farmgro TP
13.	GA Community Care Consultants
14.	Go Eden Farm Produce Pty Ltd
15.	Good Harvest Academy Pty Ltd
16.	Green Identity (Pty) Ltd
17.	Hoedspruit Hub(Pty) Ltd
18.	Hot To Go Training College and Services
19.	Hupco Communications
20.	HWM Consultancy (Pty) Ltd
21.	Hymike Trading Enterprise CC
22.	Ikageng Training
23.	Ikhwezi Drakensburg Rural & Urban Development Chamber
24.	In House Media Instruction
25.	Innopad Holdings (Pty) Ltd
26.	Intsukaze Training Center
27.	Ithembalihle Training and Development
28.	Jaji Lithabile Skill Training and Consulting (Pty) Ltd
29.	Kawome and Co (Pty) Ltd
30.	Kgomo-Lesiba Investments
31.	Khongoloti Trading and Enterprise Pty Ltd
32.	Khululekani Training Centre
33.	KK Nzori (Pty) Ltd
34.	Knowledge For Ever
35.	Lanqa Enterprise (Pty) Ltd
36.	Lavinda Trade and Invest Pty Ltd
37.	Leruo ke Matla Training and Enterprise Development Services
38.	Linhle Enterprise Services (Pty) Ltd
39.	Lizalise Training and Consultation ( Pty) Ltd
40.	Lovedale Public TVET College
41.	Malwande Business School
42.	Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre
43.	Masikila Training Solution (Pty) LTd
44.	Megro Learning
45.	Millenium Skills (Pty )Ltd
46.	Modirisiwa Projects (Pty) Ltd
47.	Mogotoane Business Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd
48.	Mortarboard Training Solutions
49.	Mponeng Projects Pty Ltd
50.	Mthashana FET College - Vryheid Campus
51.	Mthonyama Development Enterprise & Agriculture
52.	Mzanzi Training Institute
53.	New Hope Revival Organisation
54.	No Limits Trading Enterprise
55.	NOMAKU TRADERS CC
56.	Orange Language Institute (Pty) Ltd
57.	Panaroger Pty Ltd
58.	PPP4 Rural Development (Pty) Ltd
59.	Prempie Business Solutions Pty Ltd
60.	Rekopane Training Centre CC
61.	Riverwalk Training CC
62.	Safrisafe
63.	Scientific Roets (Pty) Ltd
64.	Sego Hludi Trading Enterprise
65.	Setlakala Business Development
66.	Shukela Training Centre
67.	Sinovuyolethu Trading Pty Ltd
68.	Siyasanga Training Centre
69.	Skills for All
70.	Striving Mind Trading 289
71.	Tatelo Group (Pty) Ltd
72.	TCEP (Pty) Ltd
73.	The Mushroom Hut (Pty) Ltd
74.	Thuto Ya Setshaba Training Services (Pty) Ltd
75.	Tirisano Ya Bakwena Consultants Cc
76.	Tloumogale Business Development & Consulting
77.	TPLR and Training Services (PTY) LTD
78.	Try Easy Electrical Solutions Pty Ltd
79.	Twoline Training Skills For Africa Pty Ltd
80.	Uluntu Skills Development Centre
81.	Umfolozi FET College
82.	Umthombolwazi Consultants Cc
83.	Visionary Skills Academy
84.	Vuyani Agri (Pty) Ltd
85.	Water Group Holdings (Pty) Ltd
86.	Womiwu Rural Development
87.	YEBO SKILLS ACADEMY
88.	Zisphogo Academy International