National Certificate: Plant Production NQF 1

The National Certificate in Plant Production (NQF Level 1) helps people start a career in farming. First, it teaches basic skills like planting, watering, and harvesting. Then, learners get to work with soil, tools, and simple farm methods. This course is great for beginners who want to grow healthy plants the right way.

Also, learners gain hands-on practice to build their confidence. After that, they can find farm jobs or study more about farming. As a result, they are ready to help on farms or even grow their own food. In short, this course is the first step into the world of plant production.

About The Course

This course teaches the basic skills needed to grow healthy plants. Learners will work with soil, seeds, water, and tools. They will also learn how to care for crops and keep them safe from pests. The course is simple, hands-on, and made for beginners.

It helps people get ready for farm work or starting their own garden. Step by step, they learn how plants grow and what they need. The course also teaches safety and how to care for the land. Anyone who wants to learn about farming can take this course.

Why Plant Production Matters

First of all, plant production gives us the food we eat every day. As a result, it helps feed families, communities, and even whole countries. When plants grow well, people can stay healthy and strong. In addition, it helps farmers earn money and build better lives.

Furthermore, good plant production takes care of the land. It uses water, soil, and sunlight in smart ways. This means the earth stays clean and safe for the future. All in all, growing plants the right way helps both people and the planet.

Also, plant production creates many job opportunities. For example, people can work on farms, in markets, or in food factories. This helps reduce poverty and support local economies. In the end, plant production helps grow both food and futures.

What You Will Gain From This Course

PURPOSE

The purpose of this qualification is to allow junior personnel and elected candidates to progress towards a position of farm labourers (operators) with specific reference to plant production.

COURSE CONTENT

Module 1: Communication▼

Access and use information from text
Maintain and adapt oral communication
Write for a defined text
Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes

Module 2: Mathematical Literacy▼

Apply basic knowledge of statistics and probability to influence the use of data and procedures in order to investigate life related problems
Work with a range of patterns and functions and solve problems
Demonstrate an understanding of rational and irrational numbers and the numbers systems
Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal and community life
Measure, estimate and calculate physical quantities and explore, describe and represent geometrical relationships in two dimensions in different life or workplace contexts

Module 3: General Agricultural Practices▼

Recognise and identify the basic functions of the ecological environment
Monitor, collect and collate agricultural data
Assess the influence of the environment on sustainable livestock production
Utilise and perform minor repair and maintenance tasks on implements, equipment and infrastructure
Store and control agrochemical products effectively and responsibly

Module 4: Agricultural Business▼

Apply marketing principles in agriculture
Apply layout principles for conservation and infrastructure
Control inputs and stock in agribusiness
Define and understand production systems and production management
Explain principles of human resource management and practices in the agricultural environment
Illustrate and understand the basic layout of financial statements
Operate and support food safety and quality management systems in the agricultural supply chain

Module 5: Plant Production▼

Apply crop protection and animal health products effectively and responsibly
Apply plant manipulation methods
Demonstrate an understanding of plant propagation
Harvest agricultural crops
Monitor the establishment of a crop
Monitor water quality
Operate and maintain specific irrigation systems
Understand basic soil fertility and plant nutrition
Understand the structure and functions of a plant
Control pests, diseases and weeds on all crops effectively and responsibly

Module 6: Natural Resource Management▼

Apply sustainable farming practices to conserve the ecological environment
Identify and recognise factors influencing agricultural enterprise selection
Participate in agri/ecotourism practices at both micro and meso levels for tourists