ANIMAL PRODUCTION

Getting a qualification is not enough, on its own, to prepare you to traverse the rapidly changing world of work, where industry 4.0 and 5.0 are rendering many professions obsolete. We will work with you throughout your studies to help you develop six critical attributes to navigate the new world order, along with the skills and knowledge you need to excel in any environment.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this qualification is to allow new entrants access to the Primary Agricultural Sector with specific reference to Animal Production. The contextualised purpose and usage of the qualification is as follows:
A learner assessed against this qualification will have the necessary competence to participate as part of a working team, performing the agricultural processes as applicable to animal production in a closely defined context and under close supervision.

• Competency will be gained in any of the specialized sub-fields of Animal Production as specified under Areas Of Specialization (i.e. Small stock, Large Stock, Dairy Production, Aqua Culture, etc.)
• The learner will be able to take responsible decisions within a limited range based on a sound understanding of the basic principles of agri-business and good agricultural practices, in meeting the set objectives and targets within the broader farm plan which includes the economical application of general resources, agricultural production and technical knowledge and skills, all in an Animal Production context.
• The Learner will be able to carry out repetitive procedures in a predictable environment and will be able to adhere to the relevant safety, quality, hygiene and technical standards as applicable within the industry.
• In addition to the above, the learner will be well positioned to extend learning and practice into other sub-fields such as Plant Production and Mixed Farming, since such efforts will only require additional learning within the elective scope of other qualifications at this level.
• The learner will be well positioned to progress towards higher levels of Management and Technical production practices as defined by qualifications at the next level.
• Learners will be enabled to actively participate in the Primary Agricultural Sector through the production of quality agricultural products, enhancing the overall agricultural process and gain opportunities to access local, national and international agricultural markets.
• Finally, this qualification will allow qualifying learners to become economically active in farming practices that will have a direct impact on Local Economic Development through the production of food, the improvement of household food security and access to mainstream agriculture.

Rationale:

This qualification provides learners with the opportunity to gain a qualification in Animal Production. The range of typical learners that will enter this qualification will vary and includes:

• New entrants in farming who wish to progress to the level of Junior Labourer within farming operations in Animal Husbandry;
• New entrants that wishes to enter the sector as farmers;
• Learners in possession of different levels of practical experience in farming operations, which will be assessed and RPL’ed;
• Possible candidates for promotion identified by the community as leaders.
• Learners may come from both genders.
• The learner will engage in supervision and operational activities relevant to Animal Production.
• Requests and expressions of need for this qualification, coming from the broad, but also specific farming communities (Animal Husbandry) forms the basis for the development of this qualification.

This qualification will form the basis for learners to extend their learning into more specialised areas of animal production and provides the basis of the establishment of sustainable farming operations through the inclusion of a wide spectrum of competencies required by farmers in South Africa. Whilst technical production orientated competencies are ensured, other aspects such as agri-business and good agricultural practices are included in the range of competencies required by farmers in order to enable them to strive towards agricultural management standards and practices at higher levels.

Competent qualifying learners in this qualification will participate in the production quality agricultural products in Animal Husbandry whereby enhancing the overall agricultural process and gain opportunities to access local, national and international agricultural markets.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

It is assumed that a learner entering a programme leading to this qualification has achieved numeracy, literacy and communication equivalent to ABET 3.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

This qualification may be achieved in part or in whole through the recognition of prior learning. Credit will be given to learning, which has already been acquired, through the appropriate process of assessment.
For example:
Learners who have acquired skills and competencies in this qualification through for instance experience in the industry will be assessed against the unit standards the qualification comprises of prior to entering learning. Credits will be allocated to those unit standards and exit level outcomes in which the
learner is found competent. The outstanding unit standards will then be sequenced according to an appropriate learning programme.
Should a new entrant into the industry wish to enter this learning programme, recognition will be given to all appropriate learning acquired through the schooling system.
In terms of fundamental unit standards, competencies could be acquired through life experience.
Any learner wishing to be directly assessed may arrange to do so, without attending further training or education. The assessor and learner will decide together on the most appropriate assessment route to take.

QUALIFICATION RULES
Fundamental

• A minimum of 49 credits should be achieved in fundamental. All unit standards listed are compulsory.
• 55 credits should be achieved in core. All unit standards listed are compulsory.
• A minimum of 16 credits should be achieved in Elective, depending on the context of application of the unit standards.

Exit Level Outcomes are divided into five categories of competencies, namely:

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