Basic Vegetable Production

PURPOSE OF THE QUALIFICATION

The purpose of this qualification is to allow new entrants access to the Primary Agricultural Sector with specific reference to Plant Production. This qualification will form the basis for learners to extend their learning into more specialised areas of plant 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.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This skills programme provides learners the opportunity to gain a qualification in Plant Production. The range of typical learners that will enter this qualification will includes:

• New entrants in farming who wish to progress to the level of Junior Labourer within farming operations in Plant Production;
• New entrants that wish 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.

DURATION OF PROGRAMME

• 12 days of actual training, plus additional related prescribed reading, support, and coaching.
• Practical exercises will be demonstrated and then practiced under direct observation of facilitator.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

At the completion of this qualification delegates will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the different types of vegetable crops 
• Demonstrate an understanding of soil preparation
• Operate and maintain irrigation systems
• Apply fertiliser manually
• Apply effective and responsible   integrated pest, disease and weed control.
• Demonstrate an understanding of Plant propagation.
• Demonstrate an understanding of growth manipulation in indeterminate vegetable crops.
• Harvest agricultural crops.