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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD: 

Apply integrated pest management principles 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116429  Apply integrated pest management 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 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
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 learner achieving this unit standard will be able to recognise common insects, disease symptoms and weeds or know where to have those that are not common identified. Additionally the learner will understand the basic principles of integrated pest management with basic control measures as per agricultural enterprise. The learner will also be able to assist in developing an integrated pest management (IPM) plan for the specific agricultural enterprise.

A learner achieving this standard will be able to identify, monitor and control pests, monitor beneficial arthropods, plant disease symptoms and weeds in a responsible manner by applying Integrated Pest Management Principles to conserve the environment.

Learners will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural practices as applied in the animal-, plant and mixed farming sub fields. This unit standard focuses on the application of integrated pest management in primary agriculture.

They will be able to participate in, undertake and plan farming practices with knowledge of their environment. This unit standard will instil a culture of maintenance and care for both the environment as well as towards farming infrastructure and operations. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that a learner attempting this unit standard will show competence against the following unit standards of equivalent:
  • NQF 4: Apply effective and responsible integrated pest, disease and weed control. 
    		•

    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 
    Supervise the monitoring, trapping and recording of pest, disease and/or weed information for the development of an integrated management plan. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Supervision includes but is not limited to making sure that the information is correctly collected or acquired via a reliable source. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of monitoring, trapping and recording of pest, disease or weed information is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The procedure of dealing with unknown pests, diseases or weeds is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The importance for repetitive and uniform collection of the data is discussed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The troubleshooting that is done to ensure that the correct information is recorded and that traps are serviced regularly is discussed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The pest, disease and weed control processes that are implemented to ensure that an integrated management approach is adhered to are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Collate the data for the use in an integrated management plan. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Collating of data includes but is not limited to the collecting of data in a specific way. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance and value of receiving data in a particular format are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Other data that is important for an integrated management plan is described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Other data can include but is not limited to weather data, tree row volume, and slope of orchard, wind direction etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The gathering of data from various sources is discussed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Pests, beneficials, plant diseases, and symptoms with or without making use of guides or resource material are noticed, identified and integrated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Recognize and identify Pests and beneficials on specific crops (all crops), are recognized and identified, pest population levels are counted and monitored over time, as well as the occurrence of beneficials over time, and it is determined when the threshold is reached. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The data processing and analysing are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The use of the analysed data to develop an integrated pest management plan is explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Implement an integrated pest, disease and weed management plan. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Integrated management plan includes but is not limited to a plan for the control of pests, diseases and weeds using a range of methods. It includes resistance management strategies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The different components of an integrated pest, disease and weed management plan (IMP) are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The different control measures that may be used in the management plan are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Control measures include but are not limited to chemical control, biological control, cultural control, mating disruption, attract and kill, sterile insect technique, baiting and biotechnology.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The implementation factors of the different control measures are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Resistance management strategies are discussed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The incorporation of a basic health and safety measure as required by law and company policy into the integrated management plan is discussed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The taking of control-measures when applying chemicals, causing very little excess chemicals left after spraying and the correct disposal thereof according to law is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Pest populations after spraying are monitored identified and assessed. Possible development of resistance is identified and rectified by selection of resistance management strategy and alternative control measures are recommended. The need for follow-up spraying is determined and the cause of defective control is assessed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    A decision for a suitable control method with reference to product information is formulated, application recommendations are made, alternative compounds within a resistance management strategy with notice of occurring weather patterns, water quality, soil composition, adjuvents and/or other chemical or product requirements are selected. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Assist with data management for the auditing towards certification for Good Agricultural Practices standards. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Data management includes but is not limited to proper and accurate record keeping in an ordered fashion as well as safe and proper storage of the data. Auditing includes but is not limited to checking and regulating the data according to set norms and values. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The filing system needed or required by GAP standards is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The information that GAP standards requests is collected and filed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    How the integrated pest, disease and weed management audit fits in with GAP standards is described. 


    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 thy 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:
  • Integrated pest management.
  • Chemical control.
  • Bio-control.
  • Cultural control.
  • Degree-day models.
  • Mating disruption.
  • Sterile insect technique.
  • Resistance management and biotechnology.
  • Economic thresholds- and economic injury levels- of pests, diseases and weeds.
  • Principles of pest, disease and weed control.
  • Understanding of pests, beneficial, and insects.
  • Life cycles of various beneficial and pest insects.
  • Life cycles of various weed plants.
  • Identification of a range of diseases, pests and insects.
  • Interpretation of pictograms, colour coding and symbols.
  • Legal implications of misuse / abuse i.e. off-label use.
  • Potential hazards associated with agrochemicals.
  • Cleaning and maintenance of equipment.
  • General symptoms of poisoning.
  • Impact of product on the environment, humans and other organisms.
  • Basic storage principles and requirements.
  • Principles and methods of mixing.
  • Empty container and waste disposal.
  • Emergency procedures.
  • Legislation and Codes of Practice.
  • First aid.
  • Hygiene.
  • Contamination.
  • Product spectrum.
  • Principles of product categorisation and segregations.
  • Resistance and management thereof.
  • Information resources.
  • Terminology.
  • Principles of:
    - Weed control.
    - Plant disease control.
    - Insect control.
    - Nematode control.
  • Agrochemical application.
  • Effective use of standard reference materials and other resources.
  • Reading and understanding labels.
  • Calibration.
  • Principles and procedures of responsible application.
  • Correct use of equipment.
  • Health and safety.
  • Principles of integrated pest management.
  • Environmental knowledge. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving relates to all specific outcomes. 

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

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Information evaluation relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    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 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  49010   National Diploma: Plant Production  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Elective  63249   National Diploma: Agricultural Extension  Level 5  NQF Level 05  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. Gobo Training Consultancy 
    2. Pest Control Skills Training Pty Ltd 
    3. Pest Management Academy 
    4. Sinovuyolethu Trading Pty Ltd 
    5. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 


    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.