Farming Type : National Certificate • NQF : 4 • Credits : 131

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

• Farm operators who wish to progress to the level of junior farm manager;
• Learners in possession of different levels of practical experience in farming operations, which will be assessed through Recognition of Prior Learning;
• School leavers (Grade12) from agricultural schools; and
• Learners may come from both genders.

The learner will engage in all farming management and production 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.

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 and practice into other areas of agricultural commodities within a context of either agronomy, or horticulture or animal husbandry as applicable to the agricultural commodity, or to strive towards agricultural management standards and practices at higher levels.

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

It is assumed that a learner entering a programme leading to this qualification has achieved numeracy, literacy and communication equivalent to NQF 2 and technical skills pertaining to agricultural activities equivalent to NQF 3.

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 al 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.