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: 

Perform routine operations and identify basic problems in hydroponic systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116072  Perform routine operations and identify basic problems in hydroponic systems 
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 2  NQF Level 02 
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 person achieving this unit standard will be able to perform routine operations under supervision and identify basic problems within a defined hydroponic production context. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that a learner attempting this unit standard will demonstrate competence against the unit standards or equivalent:
  • NQF 1: Perform basic routine operations in a defined hydroponic context.
  • NQF 2: Utilise and perform minor repairs and maintenance tasks on implements, equipment and infrastructure. 

  • UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Whilst range statements have been defined generically to include as wide a set of alternatives as possible, all range statements should be interpreted within the specific context of application.

    Range statements are neither comprehensive nor necessarily appropriate to all contexts. Alternatives must however be comparable in scope and complexity. These are only as a general guide to scope and complexity of what is required. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify various growing media. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The range of growing media to be identified include but are not limited to wood shavings, pine bank, peat, perlite, gravel, vermiculite, unica, rock wool, coconut peat, etc.

    The identification should be limited to specific production contexts. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The ability to identify different types of growing media is demonstrated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Plants are manupilated as per instruction in the hydroponic production system. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Manipulation includes but is not limited to pruning; trellising, spraying chemical manipulates/plant growth regulators as per instruction.
  • The range of crops includes but is not limited to vegetables and flowers. 

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The ability to prune the crop appropriately is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The ability to trellis the crop appropriately is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The ability to spray the crop appropriately is demonstrated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify and report basic problems in the production system. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The range of basic problems includes but is not limited to blockages, leaks in the irrigations system, and visible problems in the crop e.g. wilting, pest and disease damage and problems in the structure. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The ability to identify problems in the production system is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The ability to report problems is demonstrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The ability to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy looking plants is demonstrated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Basic understanding of hydroponics. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Basic concept of hydroponics is explained and bag versus bed culture identified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Hydroponic production is defined. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Open and closed systems are identified. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The assessment of qualifying learners against this standard should meet the requirements of established assessment principles.

    It will be necessary to develop assessment activities and tools, which are appropriate to the contexts in which the qualifying learners are working. These activities and tools may include an appropriate combination of self-assessment and peer assessment, formative and summative assessment, portfolios and observations etc.

    The assessment should ensure that all the specific outcomes; critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge are assessed.

    The specific outcomes must be assessed through observation of performance. Supporting evidence should be used to prove competence of specific outcomes only when they are not clearly seen in the actual performance.

    Essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in its own right, through oral or written evidence and cannot be assessed only by being observed.

    The specific outcomes and essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in relation to each other. If a qualifying learner is able to explain the essential embedded knowledge but is unable to perform the specific outcomes, they should not be assessed as competent. Similarly, if a qualifying learner is able to perform the specific outcomes but is unable to explain or justify their performance in terms of the essential embedded knowledge, then they should not be assessed as competent.

    Evidence of the specified critical cross-field outcomes should be found both in performance and in the essential embedded knowledge.

    Performance of specific outcomes must actively affirm target groups of qualifying learners, not unfairly discriminate against them. Qualifying learners should be able to justify their performance in terms of these values.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

  • UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The person is able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of:
  • Basic literacy and numeracy at NQF2.
  • Recognising healthy crops in the specific production environment. 

  • UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem Solving: relates to specific outcomes:
  • Identify various growing media.
  • Manipulate plants as per instruction in the hydroponic production system. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Teamwork: relates to specific outcomes:
  • Identify various growing media.
  • Manipulate plants as per instruction in the hydroponic production system. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-management: relates to specific outcome:
  • Manipulate plants as per instruction in the hydroponic production system. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Interpreting Information: relates to specific outcomes:
  • Identify various growing media.
  • Manipulate plants as per instruction in the hydroponic production system. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication: relates to specific outcome
  • Manipulate plants as per instruction in the hydroponic production system. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Science and Technology: relates to specific outcomes:
  • Identify various growing media.
  • Manipulate plants as per instruction in the hydroponic production system. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The world as a set of related systems: relates to specific outcomes:
  • Identify various growing media.
  • Manipulate plants as per instruction in the hydroponic production system.

    Inter-relatedness of Systems: relates to specific outcomes:
  • Identify various growing media.
  • Manipulate plants as per instruction in the hydroponic production system. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Self-development: relates to specific outcomes:
  • Identify various growing media.
  • Manipulate plants as per instruction in the hydroponic production system. 

  • UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  48977   National Certificate: Mixed Farming Systems  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Elective  48975   National Certificate: Plant Production  Level 2  NQF Level 02  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. Agricultural Research Council 
    2. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    3. Bumunhu Services Providers Cc 
    4. Cedara College of Agriculture 
    5. ELSENBURG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 
    6. Escay Catering and other Services 
    7. Heedmorine Training 
    8. Hefer Construction 
    9. HYGRO TRAINING COLLEGE (Pty) LTD 
    10. Impact Plus Training Consultants 
    11. KayDee Project Management Cc 
    12. Kgopane Trading Enterprise 
    13. Kimbali Holdings 
    14. KMK Training Services (PTY) Ltd 
    15. Knowledge For Ever 
    16. Leruo ke Matla Training and Enterprise Development Services 
    17. Madzivhandila Agricultural College 
    18. Maishamalema Development Training 
    19. Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre 
    20. Mathapuso Construction and Projects 
    21. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    22. Mbimbini Training and Community Development 
    23. Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training NPC 
    24. Mogaladi Business Enterprise 
    25. Montshepetsa Bosui Farming & Training Cnt 
    26. Morwa Agri-development cc 
    27. Mpontshe Training 
    28. Mvelo Consultant 
    29. National Institute For The Deaf - NID 
    30. Ngwato Wa Mphela Agriculture Training Services 
    31. Nophelo Training Centre 
    32. Novi General Services 
    33. Phill Skills and Development Institute 
    34. Rustic Living Trading 155 (Pty) Ltd 
    35. Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office 
    36. Selipha Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    37. Setlakala Business Development 
    38. Siyafundisa I Africa 
    39. Siyasanga Training Centre 
    40. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    41. SUNCybernetics Pty Ltd 
    42. Taletso FET College - Central Office 
    43. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    44. Thuto Boshwa Skills Development Services 
    45. TM Mashwara and Projects 
    46. Tompi Seleka Agricultural College 
    47. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    48. Tripple R Training Provider 
    49. Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd 
    50. Westco Agri 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.