Plant Production

Course outcomes cover five categories of competencies, namely:

• Fundamental Competencies
• Agri-business
• Good Agricultural Practices
• Plant Production; and
• Animal Production (This component has been included to ensure that Learners at this level is exposed to a small component of animal production)

Fundamental competencies

• Apply various communication skills within the agricultural environment.
• Apply mathematical calculations within the agricultural environment.
• Collect and collate agricultural data and recognize and report on deviations.
• Explain basic functions of the environment by recognising patterns and processes, knowing local resources and basic sustainable agricultural processes using environmental indicators.

Agri-bussiness

• Apply basic skills in record keeping, storage, contaminant management and associated legislation when controlling input and stock.
• Set goals and objectives related to production / conversion systems within an agricultural business.

Plant production

• Apply knowledge of the marketing principles within agriculture for a specific product or service.
• Define and illustrate the gross margin statement, income statement, balance sheet and cash flow budget as well as the different cost aspects that one can find in a business.
• Describe and understand the principles of Human Resources Management as applied
• Explain the principles and factors influencing agricultural enterprise selection and production.

Agricultural practices

• Monitor and support the implementation of food safety and quality, production, environmental and social practices and awareness within the agricultural supply chain.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of water quality to agriculture and to monitor and maintain water quality using established procedures.
• Apply basic practices to conserve the environment, including natural resources.
• Select basic equipment and implements that are appropriate to a combination of activities within a single agricultural process.
• Carry out basic physical farm layout tasks including construction of rainwater harvesting and soil conservation structures in a small farm or garden environment.

Plant production

• Identify the basic structures and functions of a plant.
• Soil is prepared according to the requirements of the crop.
• Propagate plants.
• Recognize common insects, disease symptoms and weeds and apply basic control measures
• Apply agrochemical products in a safe, effective and responsible manner with consideration to the environment.
• Plant a range of crops and monitor the correct establish of crops as well as ensuring that planting is placed and spaced as required
• Manipulate plants by applying a narrow range of techniques
• Harvest crops.

Animal production

• Produce livestock whilst demonstrating an understanding of the environment and its relationship to sustainable livestock production.