Advanced Diploma in Agriculture and Livestock Production
Agriculture and Nature Conservation - Primary Agriculture
Purpose and Rationale
Qualification Title: Advanced Diploma in Agriculture and Livestock Production
Purpose:
The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Agriculture and Livestock Production is to provide the agricultural livestock industry and its associated value chain with agricultural practitioners that are suitably competent. They will be able to develop and apply knowledge, competencies, and appropriate agricultural technical/scientific and suitable associated social and communication management skills in operating and supporting agricultural and livestock production systems as part of a production and advisory team in the agricultural value chain.
Learners will be able to define and conceptualize problems in broader agricultural and specifically livestock production systems and develop solutions for agricultural problems demanding moderately complex solutions. The qualification addresses the following needs:
- Improving the competence of agricultural practitioners in the field of livestock production.
- Increasing the scientific and professional agricultural leadership and managerial competencies among practitioners.
- Improving the ability of agricultural practitioners to efficiently function in a multidisciplinary agricultural and specifically livestock production environment.
The purpose of the qualification is to equip qualifying learners with the necessary knowledge, skills, motivation, and competence to:
- Confidently and constructively engage in and deal with the identification and conceptualization of problems and challenges facing livestock production systems.
- Engage in livestock production and research strategies in moderately complex settings to overcome challenges associated with agricultural growth and development.
- Participate in problem-solving and policy development activities in demanding solutions with limited to moderate levels of complexity.
Moreover, this qualification will significantly contribute to preparing successful learners to:
- Further their lifelong learning, practice, and career activities within the agricultural and livestock industry.
- Create essential core knowledge and competencies to promote the uptake of innovation in the agricultural and livestock production industry.
- Improve their employability and career development opportunities.
Rationale:
The South African livestock industry has been undergoing significant changes and planning for the future due to various factors such as climate change, emission gases, agricultural landscape modifications, and policy emphasis. The demand for knowledgeable practitioners in the livestock and broader agricultural environment is increasing. Consequently, the Advanced Diploma in Agriculture and Livestock Production provides a specialized knowledge and competence area for graduates to fill this demand.
The qualification aims to provide the agricultural and livestock industries in South and Southern Africa with suitably qualified Livestock Production specialists to implement strategic solutions for challenges facing the livestock industry, including support for emerging farmers. It is targeted at learners with a qualification in agriculture and livestock production at NQF Level 6 who wish to further their career in agriculture, specifically in livestock production.
The structured and concept of the aligned Advanced Diploma in Agriculture and Livestock Production focus on the applied discipline of agricultural practice and the development of livestock production systems. It incorporates a multidisciplinary approach to address the various aspects of the agricultural industry environment and value chain. Through equipping learners with knowledge, skills, and competence, the qualification aims to expand career development opportunities and meet the requirements for professional registration in agricultural advisory servicing and livestock production fields.
The qualification offers a comprehensive approach to preparing learners for advanced roles in the agricultural and livestock production industry, emphasizing competence, innovation, and professional development.
Outcomes
- Communicate with farmers, peers and research organisations in a variety of modes, in the discourse of agricultural and livestock production problems, solutions and related aspects of the livestock industry and its associated value chain.
- Demonstrate responsible and effective time-management and organisation of agricultural and livestock production projects and research, meeting personal objectives and negotiated deadlines.
- Interact with increasing self-confidence, as a member of a team or group in a variety of discussion and problem-solving situations in an agricultural and livestock production environment.
- Exhibit a detailed knowledge and understanding of a range of agricultural and livestock production theories, and scientific communicating them in the farming environment in engaging with the multidisciplinary nature of problems of agricultural and livestock production systems.
- Work independently in developing a deeper understanding of specified areas of agricultural and livestock production.
- Manage data and information on agricultural and livestock production systems effectively, through their collection, storage, analysis, synthesis, presentation and critical evaluation, using a variety of analytical methods and techniques.
- Exhibit the necessary skills to successfully carry out an agricultural research project focusing on relatively unidimensional aspects or problems associated with livestock production.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Engage in group discussions and contribute to peer seminars, scientific communication opportunities, popular discourse themes, and related publications and communications on a variety of livestock production matters reasonably expected from this level of academic study.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Responsibly and effectively organize and complete livestock production research projects within set time frames while meeting personal objectives and negotiated deadlines.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Participate as a member of a team or group in a variety of discussion and problem-solving situations in an agricultural and livestock production environment.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Apply and scientifically communicate a range of agricultural and livestock production theories in engaging with the multidisciplinary nature of the problems of managing moderately complex agricultural and livestock production systems demanding multidisciplinary.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Develop practices and qualification to exhibit a deeper understanding of specified areas of agricultural and livestock production.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Manage and interpret data and information on agricultural and livestock production in engaging with the multidisciplinary nature of the problems of moderately complex agricultural and crop production systems demanding multi-disciplinary solutions using a variety of analytical methods and techniques.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Carry out an agricultural research project of a moderate level of complexity in livestock production.
Integrated Assessment:
The assessment policy and procedures followed by the department align with the Assessment Policy of the institution and the Faculty of Applied Science's Rules and Regulations for Assessment. Continuous assessment throughout the semester in the Advanced Diploma in Agriculture and Livestock Production contributes to the final mark by the learner. Both formative and summative assessment methods carry a heavier weighting than 50% of the final mark. Assessment tasks within the qualification are varied and may include short class quizzes, individual/group assignments or projects, the design of posters, oral presentations, and written assessments. All information about summative assessments (e.g. date, venue, weighting, assessment criteria, marking rubrics) is made available to the learner at the beginning of the semester. The submission of a Portfolio of Evidence (POE) in the Integrated Research Project is an important assessment opportunity that also serves as an integrated assessment opportunity since different disciplines will participate in the assessment for several different criteria. The weighting is as follows:
- 15% (assignments, short questionnaire, and peer assessment assessing basic understanding and comprehension).
- 15% (practical tasks, oral assessments, and written exercise assessments to continuously assess student development in the subject).
- 30% (more advanced assessment techniques like problem-solving tasks showing integration and conceptual advancement).
- 40% (one or more final portfolio of evidence or assessment assignments demonstrating attainment of all or critical components of the associated learning outcomes).
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Diploma
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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