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 QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

National Certificate: Seed Research and Development Operations 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
48650  National Certificate: Seed Research and Development Operations 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Secondary Agriculture: Processing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
AgriSETA - Agriculture SETA  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Secondary Agriculture 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2023-06-30 
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 qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
This Qualification is registered at level 3 on the National Qualification Framework. It provides learners with the opportunity to obtain competence in seed research and development operations, including the receipt and storage of seed; the planting, cultivating and harvesting of seed trials and the conducting of controlled pollination. The Qualification will provide learners with the technical competence to perform to industry standards.

This Qualification is an entry-level qualification into seed research and development enabling learners to progress in other fields of learning in the agricultural industry and providing articulation to higher education and learning.

The Qualification focuses on the skills, knowledge, and values to ensure competence at this level of learning. The intention is to enhance the potential of people, in order for them to grow and develop. This Qualification will furthermore add value to the individuals, their workplace and the economy as a whole.


Rationale:

This Qualification is aimed at people who are working in the seed industry and who would like to pursue a career in the seed industry. It is aimed at formalising the skills required in seed research and development operations to facilitate career-pathing and to provide access to new entrants. The qualification provides learners with access to advanced learning in specialised areas within the seed industry. It also provides learners with the necessary background knowledge and skills to enhance the NQF principles of portability within other agricultural industries.

Through the above, the Qualification will address one of the key priorities of the Department of Labour in the reduction of unemployment and under employment. It will assist in creating job opportunities. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that learners wishing to enter a programme leading to this qualification have demonstrated competence in mathematics, languages and communication at NQF 2.

Recognition of prior learning

This Qualification may be achieved in part or completely through the recognition of prior learning, which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. Where RPL is required the learner will need to prove competence in that specific area in order to obtain recognition of that skill and knowledge.

Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practise and performance records. The assessment methods and tools to be used to assess Prior Learning shall be decided upon jointly by the assessor and the learner. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
To obtain this Qualification, all fundamental and core unit standards are compulsory. This Qualification consists of 120 credits taken from 48 Fundamental, 58 Core and 14 Elective. 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
Exit Level Outcomes:

1. Grow and harvest seed trials.
2. Receive, store seed and conduct controlled pollination.
3. Communicate in a variety of ways.
4. Use mathematics in real life and education, training and development situations. 

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
1.1 Trial- and planting plan is acquired and followed according to work site procedures.
1.2 Germplasm is acquired according to work-site procedures .
1.3 Appropriate PPE is selected and used, adhering to safety regulations according to work-site procedures and statutory requirements.
1.4 Deviations from the trial-, planting plan and -instructions are identified and explained.
1.5 Consequences of not acquiring the harvesting plan, instructions and documentation according to work site procedures are explained.
1.6 Importance of advising accurately on corrective action to be taken according to work site procedures is explained.
1.7 Importance of advising accurately on the use of appropriate equipment according to work site procedures is explained.
1.8 Implications of not identifying and reporting on variations and informing relevant parties according to work site procedures and statutory requirements are explained.

2.1 Consequences of not obtaining or adhering to the pollination plan and instructions according to work site procedures are explained.
2.2 Consequences of not selecting and using appropriate equipment according to work site procedures are explained.
2.3 Implications of not identifying and informing relevant parties of deviations from the pollination plan according to work site procedures are explained.
2.4 Delivery documentation and labels are verified.
2.5 Seed is evaluated and deviations identified.
2.6 Consignments are correctly labelled according to work-site procedures and statutory requirements.
2.7 Seed is correctly transferred according to work-site procedures.
2.8 Consequences of not compiling and updating the storage plan are explained.
2.9 Consequences of not obtaining and sending required samples for quality evaluation are explained.

3.1 Oral communication is maintained and adapted as required to promote effective interaction in a work context.
3.2 Information is accessed from standing instructions, visual information and a range of other workplace texts and responses where required are appropriate to the context.
3.3 Written communication is clear and unambiguous and at an appropriate level for designated target audiences.

4.1 Mathematical functions are used correctly to solve routine workplace problems and tasks.


Integrated Assessment Criteria

Unit Standards associated with this Qualification must be used to assess specific and critical cross-field Specific Outcomes. Assessment should focus in an integrated way on determining the competence of the learner in terms of the overall purpose and title of this Qualification.

The term integrated assessment also implies that the theoretical and practical components should be assessed together and assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflexive competencies.

Assessment activities should be done in real workplace situations and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show that the learner is able to display the competencies to the real work situation.

All assessments should be conducted in line with the following documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work of learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent.

Learners wishing to be assessed will need to provide evidence of the following:
  • Verbal and written explanations of reasons for adhering to operational and work site procedures as well as statutory requirements, adhering to specific sequence of operations, identifying deviations, taking corrective actions and recording relevant data, and reporting deviations outside the jobholder's responsibility.
  • Demonstrations of a range of operational actions relating to applying quality control in the receipt and storage of seed; planting, cultivating and harvesting trials and conducting controlled pollination, whilst applying general safety in the work place. Learners will also demonstrate an understanding of the Seed Industry and the relevant workplace.
  • Oral or written questioning regarding the reflective competencies within the qualification:
    If the identifying and solving of problems, team work, organising one-self, the using of applied science, the implication of actions and reactions in the world as a set of related systems are not clear from the observation, a method of oral questioning or a case study should be applied to determine the whole person development and integration of applied knowledge and skills.
  • A portfolio of evidence is required to prove the practical, applied and foundational competencies of the learner that may include production and quality statistics, trial plan, -results, pollination programmes.
  • Assessors and moderators should develop and conduct their own integrated assessment by making use of a range of formative and summative assessment methods. Assessors should assess and give credit for the evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience.
  • Unit standards in the qualification must be used to assess specific and critical cross-field Specific Outcomes. During integrated assessments the assessor should make use of formative and summative assessment methods and should assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Comparisons were done against Qualifications in the United States.

    These were:
  • HCS 684 Seed Production Course (Ohio State University)
  • AGN 4253/6253 Seed and Grain Conditioning and Storage (Mississippi State University)

    A comparison of the above Qualifications was undertaken and relevant literary works consulted. The best practice points were incorporated and used in the generation of this Qualification's Unit Standards.

    Because of the difference in levels across the different countries, difficulty was found in making actual direct comparisons, level to level. It was found that the South African qualifications are more adapted for the needs of the local seed industry in terms of practical skills. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This Qualification lends itself to both vertical and horizontal articulation possibilities. These possibilities ensure both mobility and progression for the learner in other fields of learning such as seed production, seed research and development and seed processing and packaging.

    Examples of vertical articulation possibilities:
  • National Certificate in Seed Production NQF 4
  • National Certificate in Seed Research and Development NQF 4

    Examples of horizontal articulation possibilities:
  • National Certificate in Seed Processing and packaging at NQF 3
  • National Certificate in Seed Analysis at NQF 3 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Anyone assessing a learner against this Qualification and the associated Unit Standards must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

    Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Qualification and the Unit Standards or will assess the same 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 this Qualification and the agreed upon ETQA procedures.

    Therefore anyone wishing to be assessed against this Qualification and the associated Unit Standards may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution, which is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

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

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  114661  Demonstrate an understanding of the work-place in the seed industry  Level 2  NQF Level 02  2 
    Core  114658  Demonstrate basic knowledge of the seed industry  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Core  114666  Harvest seed trials  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
    Core  114710  Plant seed trials  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
    Core  114673  Receive seed  Level 3  NQF Level 03  13 
    Core  114743  Conduct controlled pollination  Level 4  NQF Level 04  6 
    Core  114676  Cultivate seed trials  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
    Core  114654  Store seed  Level 4  NQF Level 04  12 
    Fundamental  7572  Demonstrate knowledge of and produce computer spreadsheets using basic functions  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Fundamental  7568  Demonstrate knowledge of and produce word processing documents using basic functions  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Fundamental  7547  Operate a personal computer system  Level 2  NQF Level 02  6 
    Fundamental  8968  Accommodate audience and context needs in oral communication  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  9010  Demonstrate an understanding of the use of different number bases and measurement units and an awareness of error in the context of relevant calculations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Fundamental  9013  Describe, apply, analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Fundamental  8969  Interpret and use information from texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  9012  Investigate life and work related problems using data and probabilities  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8973  Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  7456  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business and national issues  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8970  Write texts for a range of communicative contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  8493  Maintain occupational health and safety  Level 2  NQF Level 02  2 
    Elective  8420  Operate in a team  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4 
    Elective  8000  Apply basic business principles  Level 3  NQF Level 03  9 
    Elective  12609  Contribute to effective working relationships  Level 4  NQF Level 04  4 


    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    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. Masithuthuke Holdings PTY LTD 
    2. Mpontshe Training 
    3. Orange Language Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    4. Urban Pulse Group (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.