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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Agronomy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
98810  Postgraduate Diploma in Agronomy 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Secondary Agriculture 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to allow learners who do not have a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Agronomy as a first Degree to systematically review the current thinking, practices and research methods related to the Agronomy Industry and to obtain a post graduate qualification. This will enable them to perform better in a work situation where they are confronted with production problems related to agronomical crops.

After completion of the qualification, learners will:
  • Be able to identify, select and cultivate appropriate crops for various extensive and intensive conditions.
  • Know how to manage crops and natural veld for sustainable, high quality products.
  • Know how to harvest these products in the most appropriate way.
  • Be able to define a research problem, select appropriate research methodology, design and conduct research, analyse and interpret data, formulate scientific recommendations and draw conclusions about the research problem.

    Rationale:
    Learners graduating from Agricultural Training Institutes who want to continue with further studies in the discipline of Agronomy, but who want a more practical and general learning experience than that offered by an Honours degree, will find this qualification satisfies their needs.

    This qualification will align the current qualification with those of other providers and will make it possible for prospective learners to apply to gain entrance into related postgraduate qualifications. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL allows for the admission to the qualification of students who do not meet their minimum entry requirements and for the awarding of Credits towards the qualification for students who have gained relevant knowledge through formal and informal means.

    The RPL process is as follows:
  • A learner applies for admission as if under "normal" application procedures.
  • At the same time the learner also applies for Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL) in writing to the chairperson of the relevant centre.
  • The chairperson of the centre discusses the merits of the application with lecturers where applicable, or with the programme co-ordinator, depending on the nature of the application. If no Faculty decision is required, the centre chair communicates with the learner in this respect.
  • If there seems to be potential for success and a Faculty decision is required, the application is referred by the relevant department to the ARPL Faculty Committee. The process to be followed is communicated to the learner. If the potential success of the application appears to be low, this is also communicated in writing to the learner via the faculty secretary.
  • The ARPL Committee might request additional information from and/or a personal interview with the learner where applicable.
  • The ARPL Committee provides the learner with guidelines to compile an ARPL portfolio if applicable.
  • The ARPL Committee considers and assesses the evidence, consults with staff or other stakeholders if needed and makes a recommendation in writing to the Faculty Committee. The relevant centre chair and programme chair are informed about the recommendation.
  • The Faculty Committee considers the recommendation of the ARPL Committee and either refers it back for further consideration or recommends it to the Faculty Board for approval.
  • The learner is informed of the decision of the Faculty Board via the Faculty Secretary.
  • Both the learner and the centre/programme committee are entitled to lodge an appeal to the chair of the ARPL committee should they consider the decision of the Faculty Board or the process unreasonable.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entrance requirement is:
  • Bachelor of Agriculture, at NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Technology in Agriculture, at NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of six compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Modules:
  • Crops for extensive production systems, 18 Credits.
  • Physiological and ecological principles of natural pasture management, 18 Credits.
  • Weed management systems, 18 Credits.
  • Production physiology and technology for annual agronomical crops, 18 Credits.
  • Intensive crop production systems, 18 Credits.
  • Agronomy science project, 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify, select and cultivate appropriate crops for various extensive and intensive conditions.
    2. Manage crops and natural veld for sustainable, high quality products and harvest these products in the most appropriate way.
    3. Carry out independent research work. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The most important annual agronomic crops for a particular climatic region as well as potential food, fibre, medicinal and industrial crops are identified.
  • The soil and climatic requirements for the production of such crops are described.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Ecological processes involved in development of different biomes and veld types are manipulated.
  • Veld sustainably is managed through the application of the knowledge about physiology of grazing plants.
  • Common grasses are identified by means of an identification key.
  • Aspects such as veld burning, bush encroachment, soil erosion etc. are managed and explained.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • A research problem is defined.
  • An appropriate research methodology is selected.
  • A research is designed and conducted.
  • Data is analysed and interpreted.
  • Conclusions are drawn about the research problem.
  • Research findings are reported on orally and in writing.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Evaluation will be based on continuous assessment in some modules, where learners are assessed on progress before continuing with new work. At least four assessment opportunities are allowed per module and marks are allocated based on an average of these evaluation opportunities. Depending on the different modules, assessment opportunities will consist of theory tests (at least 2), writing and presentation of seminars, carrying out, writing up and presentation of research assignments, practical assignments, summarizing and presenting prescribed course work and practical tests. In other modules the evaluation is based on class marks and examination marks. The class marks contribute 40% to the final mark while the exam mark contributes 60%. The class marks are based on at least four assessment opportunities which include two theory tests and depending on the module, practical tests, seminars and practical assignments. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Qualifications in Agronomy are closely related to the climatic conditions in the areas and countries where they are offered, so a direct comparison with the content of qualifications offered in other countries is not easily done. However, the competencies required of graduates are similar.

    This qualification has been compared with the Graduate Certificate in Agronomy offered by the Iowa State University (ISU), USA and the Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) in Agronomy offered at the University of Manitoba in Canada.

    The Graduate Certificate in Agronomy provides a mechanism for granting formal recognition of focused graduate study in a specialised area that is less comprehensive than required for a Masters' Degree. This means that a Graduate Certificate requires fewer credits than a Masters' Degree, and there is no creative component or thesis requirement. The qualification develops similar competencies in its graduates as does the South African one.

    The Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) in Agronomy teaches learners how to manage land for crop production. Learners explore soil and landscape fundamentals, soil and water management, cropping systems, crop physiology and the biology of seed plants.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification is comparable to the two qualifications cited above in that they all have a common purpose of equipping learners not only with practical agricultural skills but also with the management and economic side of it as well. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers possible horizontal and vertical articulation opportunities with other qualifications offered by the University of Stellenbosch.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Agriculture, Level 8, (ID 7325).
  • Bachelor of Agricultural Management Honours, Level 8, (ID 7390).

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Agriculture in Agri-business Management, Level 9,( ID 96485).
  • Master of Philosophy: Agriculture: Business: Human: Social Studies, Level 9, (ID 7167).
  • Master of Science in Agriculture, Level 9, (ID 7341).
  • Master of Science in Sustainable Agriculture, Level 9, (ID 93593).

    This qualification also offers systemic horizontal and vertical articulation opportunities with qualifications offered by other Higher Education institutions, provided the student meets the minimum admission criteria.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Agriculture in Agronomy, at NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Science in Agriculture in Agronomy, at NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    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.
     
    1. Stellenbosch University 


    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.