Advanced Diploma in Agriculture in Agricultural Extension
Agriculture and Nature Conservation - Primary Agriculture
Purpose and Rationale
Qualification:
Advanced Diploma in Agriculture in Agricultural Extension
Purpose:
The qualification aims to train and equip agricultural extension practitioners with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to contribute to building the capacity of farmers to innovate and to engage in market-orientated sustainable agricultural production, diversification of products, and value-adding. The curriculum is structured across five learning spaces in the context of agricultural extension:
- Policy: understanding the policy and legal issues and 'boundaries' for action.
- Practice: understanding and applying the most relevant practice.
- Analysis: Understanding the methods and principles of analysis.
- Tools: Understanding and applying the relevant tools.
- Work Integrated Learning: Internship in a relevant workplace with a formal learning programme.
The qualification is further structured along the following learning themes:
- Extension Theory and Policy Context
- Planning Extension Programmes and Projects
- Strategic Management
- Principles and Practices of Management for Development
Rationale:
The Advanced Diploma in Agriculture in Agricultural Extension was developed to meet the demands of the changing agricultural landscape in South Africa. The changes redirect agriculture to the majority of the population who have been marginalized and generally denied meaningful access to the agricultural sector of the South African economy. This vision for agriculture calls for agricultural extension practitioners who can conduct and engage farmers in research, learning, and capacity building that will contribute to facilitating the establishment of self-reliant farmers who will, in turn, contribute to widespread prosperity. Agricultural science is a critical skill identified in the National Development Plan. Advanced Diploma graduates will contribute to strengthening the capacity of the nation to meet its agricultural objectives. They will help meet the demand for professional practitioners who can participate in leading the South African agricultural sector through the complex the agricultural and rural transformation while at the same time supporting and helping to expand commercial agricultural activity and productivity.
The qualification will seek to attract learners who are interested in working with farmers and agrarian communities. The training program will be closely tied to the labor market for agricultural extension with the specific aim of providing them with a skill set that will enable them to obtain good-paying jobs or establish agricultural consultancies. To be able to do this, learners will need to develop more than just knowledge and skills relevant to extension - they will need to develop these skills in the dual context of agricultural production and human development. Commodity groups like the South African Sugar Research Institute, the Citrus Growers Association, Cotton SA, Grain SA, and other commodity groups all need agricultural extension practitioners who understand and can work within South Africa's changing agricultural landscape.
Learners will be able to complete this Advanced Diploma in one year on a full-time basis, but the courses will be designed so that people in employment can complete the qualification over two years on a block release basis.
Outcomes
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria
The following assessment criteria will be applied in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes:
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Critique of Current Theories of Agricultural Extension:
- Critique current theories of agricultural extension in a Southern African context.
- Discuss theories in relation to rural development and sustainable livelihoods.
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Review of Policies and Laws:
- Review key policies and laws affecting agricultural extension practice.
- Identify constraints or boundaries set by these policies.
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Language of Agricultural Extension:
- Review the "language" of agricultural extension discipline.
- Demonstrate the ability to develop logical arguments in this context.
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Research and Report Preparation:
- Review, collect, synthesize desktop research project information.
- Prepare a properly referenced report on relevant theories and policies.
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Critique of Trends and Practices:
- Present a critique of current trends and practices in agricultural extension in rural development.
- Support arguments with relevant and current literature.
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Engagement of Stakeholders:
- Engage stakeholders in finding ways to improve their situation.
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Participatory Learning and Action Methods:
- Understand strengths and weaknesses of Participatory Learning and Action methods.
- Apply these methods effectively.
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Design of Extension Project:
- Design a project for a virtual community using extension and development theory principles.
- Develop a plan grounded in appropriate theories and policy boundaries.
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Strategic Management:
- Critique strengths and weaknesses of strategic management.
- Apply principles in developing an agricultural extension project plan.
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Learning Agenda:
- Present a learning agenda consistent with capacity building on all levels.
- Reflect appropriate application of learning and extension theory.
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Capacity Building:
- Broadly address capacity building of key stakeholders.
- Apply innovation and participatory theory effectively.
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Evaluation and Exit Strategy:
- Include appropriate evaluation tools and an exit strategy in project design.
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Learning Styles and Processes:
- Reflect on own learning styles and processes using the Kolb model.
- Demonstrate awareness of further learning needs for effective project planning.
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Cycle of Learning:
- Clearly articulate the cycle of learning - observe, consider, conceptualize, experiment.
- Reflect on processes and outcomes of methods used.
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Integrated Assessment:
- Assessment will be embedded and integrated into modules.
- Forms of assessment include technical/professional reports, reflection/learning reports, project reports, and research projects.
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Formative and Summative Assessment:
- Assessment will be primarily formative through iterative development of required documents.
- At least 50% of assessment will be externally moderated.
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Assessment of Experiential Learning:
- Experiential learning will be assessed through learning reports covering content, capacity to learn, and reflection on theory vs. real-world experience.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Diploma
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.