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

Schedule the operation and maintenance of irrigation systems 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
116317  Schedule the operation and maintenance of irrigation systems 
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 4  NQF Level 04  3 
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
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 effectively supervise the installation, operation and maintenance of irrigation systems of agricultural crops.

Learners will gain specific knowledge and skills in irrigation and will be able to operate in a plant production environment implementing sustainable and economically viable production principles.

They will be capacitated to gain access to the mainstream agricultural sector, in plant production, impacting directly on the sustainability of the sub-sector. The improvement in production technology will also have a direct impact on the improvement of agricultural productivity of the sector. 

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 3: Monitor The Operation And Maintenance Of Irrigation Systems.
  • NQF 4: Establish a plan for the monitoring, safe use and maintenance of equipment, implements, technology and infrastructure. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Whilst range statements have been defined generically to include as wide a set of alternatives as possible, all range statements should be interpreted within the specific context of application.

    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 
    Install an irrigation system. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Includes but is not limited to plan interpretation, site preparation, survey, pipe/valve/filter requirements, etc. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Irrigation design plan is interpreted. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Irrigation system is pegged out according to specification. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Conveyance system trenches are dug according to specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Irrigation pipes, valves, filters, etc. are installed according to specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Irrigation system is tested and evaluated according to standard procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Trenches are back-filled according to specification. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Maintain and evaluate an irrigation system. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Includes but is not limited to regular maintenance and evaluation of the functioning of an irrigation system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Pre-season maintenance is carried out. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Flush system, repairing/replacing worn/broken pipes/valves/sprinklers, etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    In-season maintenance is carried out. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Daily, weekly, monthly according to standard procedures such as CU tests, pressure tests, etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Post-season maintenance is carried out. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Pumps, filters, flushing, etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Regular evaluation of the functioning of an irrigation system as per design specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Functioning of pumps, motors, pressure, delivery rate, water distribution efficiency, etc. evaluated against design specifications.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Efficiently operate an irrigation system. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Includes but is not limited to irrigating according to schedule, regular in-field operational checks, etc. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Schedule is given to and discussed with the field/orchard operator. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Irrigation is monitored according to irrigation schedule. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Tensiometers, soil samples, Neutron probe, scheduling programmes, stand time, flow rate, etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Irrigation effectiveness is determined. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    CU tests, water balance determination, depth of irrigation, etc.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Collate data pertaining to the long-term efficient management of an irrigation system. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Includes but is not limited to general record keeping of all irrigation practices in order to be able to, in time, allow for scientific appraisal of and improvement of all relevant practices. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Record all relevant water use/crop yield/climatic data for later evaluation and adaptation (of, for instance, scheduling practices, if required). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Recording of all relevant data in a recognised electronic format. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Linked spread sheets, tables, etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Regular updating of all records to comply with new generation electronic hardware/software. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    On-going, low-key, checking/evaluation of all data to ensure validity of, especially, electronically collated data. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Instrument drift, calibration drift, etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Preparation of reports for supervisor evaluation. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Regular overview reports, reports pertaining to deviations in data (i.e. water quality), recorder problems, etc.
     


    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 thy 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:
  • Appropriate Laws and Regulation pertaining to agricultural water use, environmental safety, etc.
  • Elementary hydraulics.
  • Principles of irrigation, crop water requirements, soil water holding capacity, etc.
  • Principles of irrigation system design.
  • Principles of irrigation scheduling.
  • Use of computer based irrigation scheduling programmes.
  • Principles of human and resource management. 
    		•

    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 WORKING 
    Teamwork 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
    Core  49009   National Certificate: Plant Production  Level 4  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4  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. Balemi Consulting Pty Ltd 
    2. Cedara College of Agriculture 
    3. Dineo Tsa Botshelo Trading Enterprise 
    4. ELSENBURG AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE 
    5. Heedmorine Training 
    6. KayDee Project Management Cc 
    7. Khulisa Training Providers 
    8. Kitso Information & Development Centre 
    9. Leruo ke Matla Training and Enterprise Development Services 
    10. Lynnette and Peter Zwane Foundation NPC 
    11. Maishamalema Development Training 
    12. Mananthatshema Skills Dev. Centre 
    13. Matotomana Training & General Trading 
    14. Mogaladi Business Enterprise 
    15. Morwa Agri-development cc 
    16. Mthashana FET College - Vryheid Campus 
    17. Mvelo Consultant 
    18. National Institute For The Deaf - NID 
    19. Polokego Shelter for abused Women and Children 
    20. Sekhukhune FET College - Central Office 
    21. Selipha Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    22. Setlakala Business Development 
    23. Suidwes Beleggings Eiendoms Beperk 
    24. The Skills Development Hub (Pty) Ltd 
    25. TPN Training and Recruitment cc 
    26. Vari Holdings (Pty)Ltd 
    27. 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.