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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Incorporate basic concepts of sustainable farming systems into practical farm activities 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116222  Incorporate basic concepts of sustainable farming systems into practical farm activities 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Primary Agriculture 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Primary Agriculture 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  7 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
A learner achieving this unit standard will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of sustainability of farming activities. Furthermore, the learner will be able to incorporate this understanding into existing farming activities. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that a learner attempting this unit standard will show competence against the following unit standards or equivalent:
  • NQF 2: Recognise and identify the basic functions of the ecological environment or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Range statements are neither comprehensive nor necessarily appropriate to all contexts. Alternatives must however be comparable in scope and complexity. These are only as a general guide to scope and complexity of what is required. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify the basic components of sustainable farming systems. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Basic components may be living or non-living, renewable and non-renewable resources. Sustainable farming systems include markets, people, animals, plants, soil micro- flora/ fauna and minerals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The components of the environment (bio-physical, political, social and economic) are identified and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The concept of sustainability within the agricultural context is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Interactions between the various components of the environment and the agricultural context are defined and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Hard (biophysical) and soft (human) systems and the way they interact are defined and explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of a system and the nature of a system. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    The nature of a system includes but is not limited to:
  • Elements (components).
  • Definitions of inter-relationships.
  • Dynamics (Overview).
  • Hard and soft systems (biophysical & human systems). 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The component elements of a system and its inter-relationships is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Hard and soft systems are identified and the differences between the two types are distinguished. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The dynamic nature of a system is explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the balance of sustainability, productivity and conservation of resources. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Social sustainability (Participation and ownership).
  • Economic sustainability (profit, productivity, marketability).
  • Environmental sustainability (biodiversity, conservation, long-term productivity, animal welfare).
  • Political sustainability.
  • Contexts of legal environment. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Resource limitations in the real world are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The advantages and costs of long-term holistic planning and practice is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The four perspectives in sustainable development (social, economic, political and biophysical) is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    An overview of legal implications, of structures and agricultural activities is provided. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Define and describe a sustainable farming system. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    In plant production, animal production, mixed farming systems, sustainable harvesting of natural resources, game etc.
  • Describe a local farming system.
  • Identify indicators.
  • Measure indicators.
  • Awareness of appropriate strategies. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A sustainable farming system is identified and described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Indicators of sustainable farming systems are identified, explained and measured. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Interactions between system components are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The need for indicators and strategies to ensure sustainable use of natural resources is explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Monitor and re-evaluate sustainability of a whole farming system. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Link activities, budgets and strategic objectives, through a simple overview of the importance of planning. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Elementary monitoring systems for crop and animal production and natural resources are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    System is failure is described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Component/s under stress are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Corrective measures are identified and explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The progression of seasonal processes and the importance of timely interventions to support productivity are explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Basic managerial information are recorded. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The assessment of qualifying learners against this standard should meet the requirements of established assessment principles.

    It will be necessary to develop assessment activities and tools, which are appropriate to the contexts in which the qualifying learners are working. These activities and tools may include an appropriate combination of self-assessment and peer assessment, formative and summative assessment, portfolios and observations etc.

    The assessment should ensure that all the specific outcomes; critical cross-field outcomes and essential embedded knowledge are assessed.

    The specific outcomes must be assessed through observation of performance. Supporting evidence should be used to prove competence of specific outcomes only when they are not clearly seen in the actual performance.

    Essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in its own right, through oral or written evidence and cannot be assessed only by being observed.

    The specific outcomes and essential embedded knowledge must be assessed in relation to each other. If a qualifying learner is able to explain the essential embedded knowledge but is unable to perform the specific outcomes, they should not be assessed as competent. Similarly, if a qualifying learner is able to perform the specific outcomes but is unable to explain or justify their performance in terms of the essential embedded knowledge, then they should not be assessed as competent.

    Evidence of the specified critical cross-field outcomes should be found both in performance and in the essential embedded knowledge.

    Performance of specific outcomes must actively affirm target groups of qualifying learners, not unfairly discriminate against them. Qualifying learners should be able to justify their performance in terms of these values.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The person is able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of:
  • Communicate with farmers, service providers, researchers, NGO's, clients and market agents.
  • Compile simple reports and write basic business letters.
  • Identify and recognise the ecological, social and economic environment - locally and regionally.
  • Economically the income sources and cost factors should be recognised - local market sources should receive specific attention. The above should be applied to the regional and international environment with specific attention to business and organisations operating and impacting locally.
  • Systems approach to life - definitions of systems like ecosystems, the importance of agriculture as an "open system", the dynamics of role players within these systems.
  • Understand the concept of sustainability and its applicability to agriculture and conservation.
  • Recognise the importance of the relatedness between social, ecological and economic environment as well as the identification of risk factors at all levels.

  • Knowledge should be demonstrated on the holistic qualification and quantification of the whole farming system. A range of income sources, cost-factors, human influences and actors should be recognised.
  • The legal environment as well as the economic and biological environment should be recognised in order to be aware of present and potential risks.
  • A systems approach should be used to plan and monitor productivity at farm level through the acknowledgement of the interrelatedness of ecosystems and its biological actors with the economic and social environments. This knowledge should be recognised within business plans enabling the learner to understand the rationale of a business plan.
  • An awareness and understanding of how to measure the productivity of farming systems should be demonstrated. This includes the identification of indicators (social, economic, ecological) that should be monitored in order to produce timely managerial information in order to plan better. A simple managerial information system should be available in order to make rational decisions at local level. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-organisation and management relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Information evaluation relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Inter-relatedness of systems relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Self-development relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Fundamental  49048   National Certificate: Animal Production  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 
    Fundamental  49052   National Certificate: Plant Production  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  AgriSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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. Agrioperations Hub Pty Ltd 
    2. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    3. Boikgantsho Consulting & Events 
    4. Bumunhu Services Providers Cc 
    5. Cedara College of Agriculture 
    6. ELSENBURG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 
    7. Fantique Trade 664 Cc 
    8. Heedmorine Training 
    9. Impact Plus Training Consultants 
    10. KayDee Project Management Cc 
    11. KMK Training Services (PTY) Ltd 
    12. Leruo ke Matla Training and Enterprise Development Services 
    13. Maishamalema Development Training 
    14. Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre 
    15. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    16. Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training NPC 
    17. Mogaladi Business Enterprise 
    18. Morwa Agri-development cc 
    19. Mvelo Consultant 
    20. National Institute For The Deaf - NID 
    21. Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office 
    22. Selipha Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    23. Setlakala Business Development 
    24. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    25. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    26. Tompi Seleka Agricultural College 
    27. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    28. Tripple R Training Provider 
    29. Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd 
    30. Westco Agri Training 


    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.