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: 

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
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 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  Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2023-06-30  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. Cheeba Cannabis Academy 
8. College of Cape Town - Athlone Campus 
9. Dihwai Food Cultural and Agricultural Services 
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 
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. University of Limpopo 
61. Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd 
62. Voyano Project Management 
63. 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.