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: 

Identify and apply permaculture principles 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116221  Identify and apply permaculture principles 
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 4  NQF Level 04  5 
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 learner achieving this unit standard will be able to identify and apply permaculture principles and use ecological processes and cycles in Permaculture applications.

Learners will gain specific knowledge and skills in permaculture and will be able to operate in a plant production environment implementing sustainable and economically viable production principles.

They will be capacitated to gain access to the mainstream agricultural sector, in plant production, impacting directly on the sustainability of the sub-sector. The improvement in production technology will also have a direct impact on the improvement of agricultural productivity of the sector. 

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 2: Interpret and illustrate permaculture principles. 
    		•

    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 Permaculture site elements and resources and integrate these with each other. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Site resources include, but are not limited to, soil, water, plants, animals, air (wind), and energy (including human energy).

    Site elements refer, but are not limited to, the components of a design, such as nurseries, water harvesting, orchards, aquaculture and other production areas. The site elements will differ from one context to another.

    Productivity refers to the balance between inputs and outputs, i.e. the total yield of the site is considered in a holistic sense, rather than individual elements in isolation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The utilisation of slopes in a water-harvesting system is demonstrated. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Water-harvesting may include any of the following, but is not restricted to: the correct placement and building of swales, bunds, water tanks or pits, dams, bunds and contours.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The ability to place site elements correctly in relation to other elements is demonstrated. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The placement of site elements refers to the tangible links made between different parts of the design, such as chickens are placed near the orchard to facilitate fowls foraging in it in a controlled way so that the chickens a) eat pests, and b) manure the soil. Thus the needs of the chicken (food and foraging) are met, and the needs of the orchard (pest control and soil nutrients) are met concurrently. The site elements will vary from one site to another, depending on the purpose and primary functions of that particular enterprise.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The reason for placing extensive production areas that are visited or frequented the least often is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The purpose and structure of firebreaks is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The structure and placement of windbreaks is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Techniques to secure the boundary of the enterprise site in terms of intruders are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The purpose of promoting biodiversity is explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Recognise and use local biotic and abiotic resources in a Permaculture context. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Biotic resources refer to all living organisms. Abiotic resources refer to all aspects of the non-living environment and include, but are not limited to air, wind, sun, water, soil, and climate. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Ways to source inputs are sourced on-site, or locally, are explained using existing examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Household, plant and animal wastes are recycled using living organisms, either through compost, mulch, worm farms or other appropriate means. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Local resources are used as building materials where appropriate. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Where appropriate, site energy needs are met through the harvesting of sunlight, wind, biogas and/or a woodlot. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Use ecological processes and cycles in Permaculture applications. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Ecological processes refer to energy flow and food webs, succession, and edge effects. Cycles refer to the mineral and water cycles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The recycling of plant and animal nutrients is applied in a 'closed system'. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    A 'closed system' refers to the sourcing and using of nutrients on the site. For example, comfrey is harvested, used to make compost, and placed in the soil to provide plant nutrients again, or chickens are used in a tractor system, or clippings from vegetables harvested in the food garden are fed to worms and the worm castings are placed in the soil.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A predator refuge is established. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Combinations of plants to promote pest control are planted. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Rain water is harvested and utilised. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Soil is enriched using plant and animal sources. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Soil enrichment can be done using sheet mulching, double digging, trench beds or similar means.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Trees are planted to accelerate succession. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The edges, or boundaries between parts of the design, contain a variety of plants. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    All soil in intensive production areas is mulched. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    All trees are spot-mulched. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
    A wilderness area has been demarcated. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Select appropriate sustainable living practices that reflect Permaculture ethics. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Sustainable living practices refer to the integration of social, economic, political and abstract components:

    Social Components can include but are not limited to: Innovative settlement patterns such as eco-villages; the use of appropriate technology (e.g. solar energy, biogas digesters, flow forms for water purification, ram pumps, and wind energy); the dissemination of knowledge, skills and information.

    Economic components include, but are not limited to: Local Employment Trading Systems; the establishment of cooperative community markets; community-supported agriculture systems.

    Political components include, but are not limited to: The development of cluster groups as forums for discussion, representation and innovation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A range of sustainable living practices are identified and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The benefits of alternative economic structures to the local economy are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Non-toxic and environmentally friendly inputs are identified (e.g. paints, chemicals, and cleaning agents). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A grey-water harvesting system is established. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Grey water refers to any water that has been used for washing or cleaning (and if harvested, it should contain no toxic chemicals). Grey water harvesting can be applied directly onto fruit-bearing plants, such as fruit trees, or onto other plants if it has gone through a series of flow forms or a similar purification process.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Methods of harvesting black water are identified and explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Black water refers to human effluent or sewage.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The financial requirements of establishing a permaculture site design are calculated and its financial viability assessed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The needs and outputs of the surrounding community are identified and incorporated into the design plan. 


    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:
  • The properties of fire-retardant and/or fireproof plant species, structures and techniques.
  • The properties of wind movement in relation to slope and structures.
  • The names and characteristics of wind resistant plant species appropriate for the South African context.
  • The relationship between wind movement and the placement of structures.
  • Permaculture ethics.
  • Data gathering.
  • Creating a budget. 
    		•

    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:
  • Use ecological processes and cycles in Permaculture applications.
  • Select appropriate sustainable living practices that reflect Permaculture ethics. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Teamwork: relates to specific outcomes:
  • Identify Permaculture site elements and resources and integrate these with each other.
  • Recognise and use local biotic and abiotic resources in a Permaculture context.
  • Select appropriate sustainable living practices that reflect Permaculture ethics. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-management: relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Interpreting Information: relates to specific outcomes:
  • Identify Permaculture site elements and resources and integrate these with each other.
  • Recognise and use local biotic and abiotic resources in a Permaculture context.
  • Select appropriate sustainable living practices that reflect Permaculture ethics. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication: relates to specific outcomes:
  • Recognise and use local biotic and abiotic resources in a Permaculture context.
  • Use ecological processes and cycles in Permaculture applications.
  • Select appropriate sustainable living practices that reflect Permaculture ethics. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use Science and Technology: relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The world as a set of related systems: relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Self-development: relates to all specific outcomes. 

    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 
    Supplementary Information

    Permaculture - A Designer's Manual, Tagari Publications, and Introduction to Permaculture, Tagari Publications, are used as the foundational texts for Permaculture Design. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  49052   National Certificate: Plant Production  Level 3  NQF Level 03  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. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    2. Bumunhu Services Providers Cc 
    3. Cedara College of Agriculture 
    4. ELSENBURG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 
    5. Heedmorine Training 
    6. Impact Plus Training Consultants 
    7. KayDee Project Management Cc 
    8. KMK Training Services (PTY) Ltd 
    9. Leruo ke Matla Training and Enterprise Development Services 
    10. Maishamalema Development Training 
    11. Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre 
    12. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    13. Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training NPC 
    14. Mogaladi Business Enterprise 
    15. Morwa Agri-development cc 
    16. Mvelo Consultant 
    17. National Institute For The Deaf - NID 
    18. Schools Environmental Education and Development 
    19. Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office 
    20. Selipha Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    21. Setlakala Business Development 
    22. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    23. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    24. Tompi Seleka Agricultural College 
    25. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    26. Tripple R Training Provider 
    27. Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd 
    28. 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.