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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: |
| Diploma in Agriculture: Irrigation |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 88484 | Diploma in Agriculture: Irrigation | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Taung Agricultural College | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| CHE - Council on Higher Education | HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
| QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
| Diploma (Min 360) | Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation | Primary Agriculture | ||
| ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
| Undefined | 360 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 06 | Regular-Provider-ELOAC |
| REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
| Registered | EXCO 0733/25 | 2024-06-30 | 2027-06-30 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2028-06-30 | 2033-06-30 | |||
| 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:
The purpose of the Diploma in Agriculture in Irrigation is to equip learners with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle the challenges of the modern, dynamic agricultural sector. This qualification will: A qualified learner will be able to design, maintain, and evaluate various irrigation systems for effective and efficient production, and be competent to work in government, agribusinesses, private consultancies, extension projects, or their own agribusinesses. On completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to: Rationale: Water is a scarce resource that requires careful use and management. Water covers about 71% of the Earth's surface, and only 3% of the Earth's water is fresh. Only about 32% of the freshwater is accessible for usage. About 70% of the fresh water is used for agricultural production. Irrigated agriculture plays a crucial role in South Africa's agricultural sector, contributing significantly to food security, employment, and economic development. The qualification will benefit the nation and economy by equipping the workforce with practical skills that are essential for economic development. One critical area that warrants attention is the training of irrigation technologists. Most of the areas in South Africa receive below-average rainfall to establish and maintain agricultural production; therefore, irrigation is pivotal to the agricultural industry. There is high potential arable land, which comprises of 22% of the total arable land, and 1.3 million hectares are under irrigation. Irrigation comprises of 62% of South Africa's surface and groundwater resources. Irrigated agriculture is facing fierce competition for this substantial share of water as the water demand for mining, industrial, domestic, municipal, and other activities is increasing rapidly. Given South Africa's agricultural potential and the challenges posed by climate change and water resource management, Training irrigation technologists is a strategic move that offers numerous benefits for South Africa's agricultural sector, economy, and environment. By developing a skilled workforce capable of implementing and managing advanced irrigation systems, South Africa can enhance agricultural productivity, ensure sustainable water use, create jobs, and foster economic growth. The government's investment in this area will not only address current challenges but also position the country as a leader in agricultural innovation and climate resilience. Realizing this potential requires addressing challenges related to water resource management, such as groundwater potential exploration, infrastructure, training of Irrigation Technologists, and environmental sustainability. With strategic investments, policy support, and the adoption of innovative technologies, irrigated farming can play a pivotal role in South Africa's agricultural future. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Recognition of Prior Learning:
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) has been recognised as one of the most powerful ways of opening up access to further and higher education for previously disadvantaged people in South Africa. It furthers the democratic and human rights and transformative goals of the College and it is also a requirement in terms of national legislation and policy. It refers to the practice of awarding credits or granting educational access to learners on the basis of prior learning acquired through a variety of formal, non-formal and informal means, including life and work experience. Learners may apply for RPL if applicable. RPL for access: RPL for exemption of modules: RPL for credit: Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, granting access to Diploma studies Or Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, without endorsement. Or Or |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5, 6, and 7, totalling 369 Credits.
Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 5, 122 Credits: Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 6, 147 Credits: Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 7, 100 Credits: |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Identify different types of resources used in agricultural production and understand the crop management practices and their impact on the agricultural sector.
2. Apply the principles of design and maintenance of irrigation systems and evaluate the efficiency of various irrigation systems. 3. Perform irrigation management tasks and implement new irrigation projects. 4. Apply the principles of economics, marketing, and trade to farm management and understand the role of agricultural policy on irrigation and agribusiness performance.. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Integrated Assessment: Formative assessment: Assessment procedures used to evaluate student performance throughout a course focus on teaching and learning to improve learner success. These include formal tests, assignment/class tests, and practicals. These procedures help students to improve their understanding and learning and help instructors to improve their teaching. Summative assessment: Summative assessment is conducted at the end of the learning period or learning programmes, to evaluate learning related to a particular qualification. The summative assessment conducted is an examination at the end of each learning programme. Assessment structure: Theory Term Mark: Class tests/assignments (20%) + Semester Test 1 (40%) + Semester Test 2 (40%) Semester Mark: {Theory mark (60%)} + Average Practical mark (40%) Final Mark: Semester mark (50%) + Exam mark (50%) The Work Integrated Learning programme accounts for a total of 60 Credits of the whole qualification. Work Integrated Learning Assessment structure: Assignments + presentation = final mark. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| This qualification compares well with the three (3) year Diploma in Irrigation Engineering offered by the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) of Zambia. The qualification is registered under the Zambia Qualifications Framework (ZQF) at ZQF Level 6 to equip trainees with the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes to design, install, operate, maintain, repair, and manage irrigation systems.
Country: Zambia Institution: Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) Qualification Title: Diploma In Irrigation Engineering NQF Level: Zambia Qualifications Framework (ZQF) Level 6 Duration: Three (3) years or 3,600 hours (360 notional learning hours), inclusive of 480 hours industrial attachment Purpose/Rationale: Irrigated agriculture plays a crucial role in Zambia's agricultural sector, contributing significantly to food security, employment, and economic development. With its vast water resources, 40% of SADC water resources in Zambia, and a favourable climate, Zambia has the potential to expand its irrigated agricultural practices to enhance productivity and sustain the livelihoods of its population. Zambia is endowed with substantial water resources, including the Zambezi, Kafue, and Luangwa rivers, as well as numerous lakes and underground aquifers. Despite this abundance, only a small fraction of the water resources is utilized for irrigation purposes. The country has approximately 170,534 hectares under irrigation, with a potential to expand to over 2.7 million hectares. Representing 6.2% of the irrigated hectare, however, realizing this potential requires addressing challenges related to water resource management, like groundwater potential exploration, infrastructure, training of Irrigation Technologists, and environmental sustainability. With strategic investments, policy support, and the adoption of innovative technologies, irrigated farming can play a pivotal role in Zambia's agricultural future The Technical Education, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) institutions in Zambia play a crucial role in equipping the workforce with practical skills that are essential for economic development. One critical area that warrants attention is the training of irrigation technologists. Given Zambia's agricultural potential and the challenges posed by climate change and water resource management, Training irrigation technologists in TEVET institutions is a strategic move that offers numerous benefits for Zambia's agricultural sector, economy, and environment. By developing a skilled workforce capable of implementing and managing advanced irrigation systems, Zambia can enhance agricultural productivity, ensure sustainable water use, create jobs, and foster economic growth. The government's investment in this area will not only address current challenges but also position the country as a leader in agricultural innovation and climate resilience. Learning Outcomes: On completion of the qualification, the trainee will be able to: Qualification structure The following modules from the qualification are selected for comparison: Country: Tanzania Institution: Horti Tengeru Qualification: Diploma in Irrigation Duration: Two (2) years Similarities: The qualification is also comparable to a two (2) year Diploma in Irrigation offered by the Ministry of Agriculture Training Institute - Horti Tengeru (Arusha). This is an ordinary Diploma program registered in the National Technical Assessment (NTA), which is used to categorize educational qualifications in Tanzania, at NTA level 6. The qualification on the technical aspects of irrigation systems has the following similar modules: Difference: The major difference in the above-listed qualifications is the inclusion of Physics (Physical Science) and Mathematics in the curriculum, which the Taung Agricultural College does not have. This indicates the importance of the inclusion of the two (2) subjects in the curriculum. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| This qualification allows possibilities for diagonal, vertical, and horizontal articulation.
Horizontal Articulation: Vertical Articulation: Diagonal Articulation |
| MODERATION OPTIONS |
| N/As. |
| 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 2015. |
| 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. |
| 1. | Taung Agricultural College |
| 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. |