Bachelor of Science Honours in Agricultural Management
Agriculture and Nature Conservation - Secondary Agriculture
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The purpose of the Agricultural Management qualification is to deepen learners' expertise and theoretical knowledge in the agricultural management discipline. It aims to enhance learners' ability to manage future planning, encourage strategic thinking, and manage production sustainably and productively in the Agricultural industry. The qualification equips farm managers with management tools to maintain successful enterprises, contributing to the land redistribution debate and its long-term effects. Learners will be exposed to research techniques, philosophies, and strategic thinking, fostering analytical skills required for managing complex natural resource systems. These skills are essential for research-oriented or middle/higher level management careers in the Agricultural industry.
Rationale:
Appropriate agricultural management is crucial for sustainable development in both biophysical and socio-economic environments. Agriculture and food security are key components of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and in South Africa, agriculture plays a significant role in the economy. The qualification provides various career options for graduates, supporting increased interest in agriculture. The complexity of agriculture necessitates highly skilled employees trained in sustainable management, leading to job profile differentiation at middle and higher management levels. This qualification addresses the need for a skilled workforce with research skills and knowledge to ensure a competitive and sustainable agricultural industry. It equips learners with analytical, reasoning, and communication skills essential for a career in agricultural management, empowering them to make critical assessments of real-life problems. Graduates can pursue opportunities in government, agribusiness, private consultancies, education, or start their own businesses. Additionally, the qualification provides a pathway to further studies in environmental sciences, enabling learners to progress to a Master's Degree.
Outcomes
- Investigate and manage current challenges in the agricultural industry through engaging with concepts and methods which will react meaningfully to the complexity of the industry while taking into account the unique challenges of the agricultural industry.
- Analyse and explain the inter-relatedness of social, economic and biophysical environments and their influences in the broad discipline of Agriculture.
- Analyse, interpret and review contemporary issues and challenges related to the agricultural industry.
- Formulate sustainable Agricultural Management strategies.
- Apply a creative and global entrepreneurial mindset and innovative thinking within the agricultural environment.
- Conduct a research project in the agricultural management discipline.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Define and analyse the problem, and identify criteria for an acceptable solution.
- Analyse and apply relevant information and engineering knowledge and skills used for solving the problem.
- Examine and formulate various approaches that would lead to workable solutions.
- Analyse and model solutions.
- Evaluate solutions and select the best solution.
- Formulate and present a solution in an appropriate form.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Evaluate and apply an appropriate mix of knowledge of natural science at a fundamental level to solve well-defined agricultural problems.
- Examine and apply production and scientific principles.
- Present concepts and ideas logically and methodically.
- Identify and apply agricultural systems or processes.
- Outline and justify procedures for dealing with uncertain/ undefined/ill-defined variables.
- Use the agricultural field as the source of data and view the industry needs as an interrelated system.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Analyse the scope of the investigation to review contemporary issues and challenges.
- Plan and conduct Investigations within an appropriate discipline.
- Conduct literature review and evaluate the suitability for the investigation.
- Select relevant equipment used for the investigation.
- Analyse and interpret data.
- Draw conclusions from an analysis of all available evidence and make recommendations.
- Record the purpose, process and outcomes of the investigation in a technical report.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Identify priorities considering a broad range of factors in solving problems and making decisions on operational strategies.
- Explain the need for and the benefits of change and make recommendations to achieve the intended results.
- Undertake the initiatives linked to organisational goals and objectives.
- Initiate and develop operational strategies, projects and action plans.
- Implement and evaluate operational strategies, projects and action plans.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Explore the meaning of entrepreneurship and the world of the entrepreneur.
- Discuss the outline and the main rewards of entrepreneurship.
- Develop a market feasibility study.
- Analyse the market share of an agricultural enterprise.
- Determine and calculate revenue, costs, profit and break-even point.
- Explain the process of buying an existing business.
- Examine the life cycle of a business.
- Illustrate the need for innovation and creativity in business.
- Explain risk management for sustainability.
- Illustrate how entrepreneurship inspires innovation in agriculture.
- Experience entrepreneurship in action: realizations in the field.
- Critically reflect on the power of entrepreneurship and the future of farming.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Explore the structure, style and language of written and oral communication for the communication and the target audience.
- Use graphics appropriately and effectively in enhancing the meaning of the text.
- Apply visual materials to enhance oral communications.
- Present information in a format that can be used by others involved in the activity.
- Present information orally with the intended meaning being apparent.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Honours Degree
- NQF Level
- 08
- 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.