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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Agricultural Management in Agricultural Extension 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111497  Master of Agricultural Management in Agricultural Extension 
ORIGINATOR
University of Limpopo 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Generic Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 
Purpose:
Agricultural extension falls in the domain of Applied Behavioural Science. The practice of Extension science, and decision making in Extension work should, therefore, be based on scientific approach and scientific evidence. The qualification therefore, is intended to provide the country with learners who have specialised theoretical knowledge in Agricultural Extension, which is applied using advanced level research skills to serve the community in a variety of important ways, in both the public and private sectors. The qualification serves to equip learners with the requisite research knowledge to further their careers and learning in agricultural extension and be able to articulate into a relevant Doctoral qualification. The qualifying learner will thus have the foundation to do independent scientific research, analysis and interpretation of scientific information, as well as to communicate, promote and advance agriculture in both the private and public sectors. These competencies are crucial for Agricultural Development. The qualification will, address some key areas in research knowledge and skills amongst extension practitioners and higher education.

Rationale:
The agricultural sector is crucial to rural development and contributes significantly to enhance food security and alleviate poverty. For this reason, there is a great need for extension and advisory services led by qualified extension professionals who understand the complex and interrelated nature of farming systems and the global environment and how to succeed in it.
The delivery of advisory services is dependent upon human resource capacity. There is an urgent need to improve the human resource in terms of competencies and skills and qualifications to render a high quality service to our clients and to the agriculture sector as a whole. This capacity in Agricultural Extension is lacking in the public extension service and even in our universities that offer agricultural qualifications. Studies in Limpopo province show the lack of qualified personnel with Postgraduate qualifications in Agricultural Extension in the Department of Agriculture. This dearth of scholarship in the public extension service is the more urgent reason for this qualification at this institution. The qualification will help to strengthen the research capacity of the Agricultural Extension Department of this institution in the near future. The learners of this qualification will also be needed by the provincial and national Departments of Agriculture to lead, consult and advise in managing extension and advisory services and to advance research to address rural development and rural poverty issues seeing the rural nature of some of the provinces in this country.
Research and development are the pillars of modern agriculture. There should be a framework and individuals with the capacity to promote improvements in the knowledge base of production agriculture, marketing, agricultural inputs and communication of agricultural innovations. Additionally, there should be a continuous examination of sustainability in agricultural production and use of the natural resources. The Masters qualification in Agricultural Extension intends to prepare learners to engage in research and solve problems of Agricultural Extension. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be used to access the qualification where the Undergraduate qualification obtained does not relate directly to the disciplinary area, but where a multi-disciplinary approach can be applied. Appropriate assessment tasks and tools are designed to assess individual learners against the admission requirements on a case by case basis, with detailed records maintained. The institution has trained RPL in various disciplinary fields to facilitate this process.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Agricultural Management Honours, Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at Level 10,176 Credits:
  • Agricultural Extension, 16 Credits.
  • Rural Sociology, 16 Credits.
  • Comparative Extension, 16 Credits.
  • Farming Systems Research and Extension, 16 Credits.
  • Research Methods.
  • Mini dissertation, 96 Credits.

    Elective Modules at Level 10, 16 Credits (Choose one):
  • Agricultural Administrations and Management, 16 Credits.
  • Adult and Non-formal Education, 16 Credits.
  • Women and Agricultural Extension, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Engage with specialist knowledge in the field of Agriculture Extension.
    2. Apply Agricultural Extension principals and processes appropriately, in a variety of contexts to advance agricultural practices leading to sustainable and economical solutions for various stakeholders in the sector.
    3. Show accountability for the environmental and social responsibilities associated with planning, conducting and communicating scientific research.
    4. Compose a structured, well-articulated scientific dissertation, with a well-articulated research problem that is addressed through appropriate scientific research methodologies showing analytical thinking and creative problem solving techniques leading to appropriate discussion and conclusions. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Disciplinary expertise is reflected in the correct use of the terminology, concepts, principles and theories in written and/or oral communication within the agriculture extension discipline.
  • A comprehensive understanding of the discipline is used to contextualise and argue knowledge within the discipline based on factual information.
  • Critique the philosophical principles of extension programming.
  • Theoretical knowledge is integrated into applied practical knowledge.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Integrate the principles of Agricultural Extension qualification development and project management to design, manage and evaluate extension programs and projects.
  • Apply communication skills to extension practice and research to promote learning.
  • Use theories of group dynamics, leadership and rural sociology in the development and implementation of Extension qualifications in light of participatory development theory.
  • Evaluate Extension theories and practices of behaviour change and diffusion to promote learning and adoption among farmers.
  • Evaluate systems thinking for interventions in farming enterprises.
  • Relate the global evolutionary trends in the organisation of extension to the 21st Century and the principles for management in agricultural extension organisations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Use effective and appropriate discourse to communicate (orally and using specialised skills) to the various stakeholders within the field of practice.
  • Evaluate how practices within the field of study impact on the communities and the surrounding environments, and ensure minimum damage but maximum benefit.
  • Engage with the ethics of the discipline and work within the ethical boundaries of the discipline as well as those set by society.
  • Decisions taken and acted upon show maturity, sensitivity and take into consideration various consequences of the action.
  • Participate in scholarly debates and communicate research findings through publications and/or conference presentations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • The research mini dissertation is written in acceptable scientific format, using appropriate discourse, technique and layout, which shows understanding of the research question, development of the argument, the research process and appropriate argument for discussion and conclusion.
  • The research question or hypothesis has been formulated in the context of prevailing literature, is clearly formed and relevant to Agricultural Extension Sciences.
  • The literature study uses recent, sufficient and appropriately cited and referenced literature sources, synthesised logically and critiqued to provide a logical understanding of the research context, and the reason for the study.
  • The study design and research methods selected are relevant to the research study; their selection has been well substantiated, and used appropriately in adherence to all related research principles, to obtain meaningful results.
  • The analysis and interpretation of the research results are the result of appropriate and accurate methodologies, are presented unambiguously in a manner representative of the type of study, and are indicative of appropriate problem solving techniques.
  • The discussion uses convincing reasoning and argument leading to relevant conclusions and recommendations relating to the research question/hypothesis.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learning and assessment are integrated throughout this qualification. Continuous formative feedback is provided to learners on their progress towards the achievement of specific learning outcomes, particularly in their project proposal and through interactions such as seminar presentations, discussions and supervision. Summative assessment is concerned with the judgement of the learning in relation to the exit level outcomes of the qualification. Such judgement includes integrated assessment which assesses the learners' ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, competencies and attitudes that are represented by the exit-level outcomes of the qualification. Evaluation of learner performance to demonstrate applied competence; and criterion-referenced assessment, which is clearly explained to and understood by the learners and that, can be applied in the Recognition of Prior Learning. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification compares well with the Masters in Agricultural Extension and Innovation qualification offered by the University College in Dublin Ireland. The qualification is a one-year full time qualification that prepares learners with the skills and knowledge to be effective in building the capacity of farmers to adopt new practices and technologies. Learners enter the qualification with a second-class United Kingdom (UK) Honours qualification equivalent. The qualification outcomes intend to achieve similar aspects in equipping learners to support adult learning through advisory strategies to develop, implement, and support new competencies in agricultural practices and worthwhile innovations. The qualification includes research and analytical skills required to advance the field of Extension Science. Career opportunities for learners of this qualification are in agricultural advisory, consulting and education services. The qualification content compares in that it includes core content such as Research Methods, Mini-Thesis, Agricultural Extension and Innovation. In contrast to the institution's qualification, learners are also able to select modules from a range to focus on their specific interests. Some of these modules include Theories and practice of rural enterprises; Policies and strategies for sustainable agriculture and rural development; and Sustainable Agriculture.

    The University of Reading in the United Kingdom offers a one-year full time Master of Science Agriculture and Development, which includes Extension Science, and Agricultural Development. The qualification follows an Honours qualification. It is designed to critically examine the role of agriculture and agriculture research in addressing challenges. The role of agriculture in development, and is designed for those pursuing careers in research, extension or development, with national and international institutions. The outcomes of the qualification include transferable skills comparable to those expected in the institution's qualification, such as independent research, responsibility for actions, showing initiative in developing knowledge and understanding of the field of study. In addition, learners develop cross-field skills relating to teamwork, communication (both oral and written), presentations, information handling, experimental design for agriculture, data collection, data analysis and interpretation, problem solving, scientific writing, and the use of information technology. Learners select modules that customise their fields of interest, and those that compare with the institution's qualification include Research Methods and Data Analysis; Gender and Development; Appraisal of Agricultural and Rural Development Projects; Agriculture in Practice; Introduction to Agricultural and Food Systems; Introduction to Management and a research Dissertation.

    The University of Arkansas Fayetteville, United States (USA) offers a one-year full time Master of Agricultural and Extension Education, which compares to the institution's qualification. This is a learner qualification that prepares Agricultural Science Teachers, Extension Agents, and other professionals involved in formal or informal education organisations, as well as agricultural professionals who work with applied agricultural technologies or agricultural communications. Although this qualification favours social science research methodologies, it overlaps in specialty and research approach. The qualification comprises core modules that include Research Methodology in the Social Sciences, Interpreting Social Data in Agriculture and Philosophy of Agricultural and Extension Education. Learners can then select modules based on their field of interest. In the Arkansas qualification, learners may opt to take the research tract, or a non-research tract. The outcomes of those taking the research tract compare well to the institution's qualification. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Development in Planning and Management, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Management, Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.