UNIT STANDARDS - fhec.org.fj … · Providers which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to

Fiji Higher Education Commission

UNIT STANDARDS

NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN AGRICULTURE (POST-HARVEST MANAGEMENT)

QUALIFICATION | LEVEL 3

Title Demonstrate understanding of soil management to increase production in a

farm

Code AG00294 Level 4 Credits 12

Purpose People credited with this unit standard are able to:

• demonstrate understanding of the management of the physical and biological properties of soil to increase production; and

• demonstrate understanding of the management of soil fertility and pH to increase production in a farm.

This unit standard has been developed primarily for assessment within programmes leading to the National Certificate in Agriculture (Post-Harvest Management) (Level 4) [Ref: NCAG4].

Classification Agriculture and Natural Resources> Agriculture> Post-Harvest Management

Critical health and safety prerequisites

All activities comply with legislation and enterprise requirements.

Recommended skills and knowledge

The following knowledge underpins this unit standard. It is anticipated an accredited provider will develop and deliver the required curriculum, communicate effectively with people from different social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and of varying physical and mental abilities.

Quality assurance requirements

This unit standard may only be assessed and recommended for award by assessors who meet the requirements set by the FQC details of which are available from the FQC on www.fhec.org.fj

http://www.fhec.org.fj/

Available grade Competent

Explanatory notes 1 Soil management practices must be sustainable and may include, but are not limited to:

drainage, irrigation, aeration, erosion control, the addition of soil organisms, and organic matter.

2 Soil properties are defined as the soil forming factors, and physical, biological and chemical factors. Examples of soil properties include: soil type and classification, water holding capacity; soil structure and texture; micro and macro organisms, organic matter.

3 Demonstration of understanding may be assessed in a number of ways, which could

include ability to complete practical tasks, if it is clear that the understanding is essential underpinning understanding to the task/s, and that the task/s could not be completed without the candidate having that understanding.

4 In the context of this unit standard, understanding means that there should be evidence of

a learners’ thorough comprehension of a topic. A learner with a good understanding of a topic should have applied, or should be able to apply what they have learnt to a workplace situation and will be able to alter their practices to the different contexts they are applying their learning to. Assessors should be confident that the learners’ understanding is embedded in their practices and behaviour.

5 Candidates must act professionally, ethically, and with cultural sensitivity during

assessment against this standard. This will include compliance with relevant legislation and organisational requirements. Legislation may include the:

• Health and Safety at Work (General Workplace Conditions) Regulations 2003

Outcomes and evidence requirements Outcome 1

Demonstrate understanding of the management of the physical and biological properties of

soil to increase production.

Evidence requirements

1.1 Describes the factors that contribute to formation of a soil.

1.2 Explains how soil properties affect production in a farm.

Range minimum of five properties.

1.3 Identifies and explains soil management practices which affect production in a farm.

Range minimum of 2 practices.

Outcome 2

Demonstrate understanding of the management of soil fertility and pH to increase production

in a farm.


2.1 Identifies deficiencies and describes remedial action for deficiencies of nitrogen,

phosphorus, sulphur and potassium in plants

2.2 Describes the effect of a one micronutrient deficiency on production

2.3 Explains nutrient losses from a primary industry production system and describes

ways to minimise these losses.

Range minimum of 2 nutrients.

2.4 Identifies target fertility levels for a soil in a primary industry workplace.

2.5 Describes how fertilisers are used to correct nutrient deficiencies and increase

production.

2.6 Describes how pH affects plant growth and nutrient availability.

2.7 Describes methods of optimising pH.

2.8 Describes soil testing procedures, and how the results are used.

Planned review date 31 July 2021

Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions

Process Version Date Last Date for Assessment

Registration 1 25 July 2018

Review 1 31 July 2021

Please note Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by FHEC, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment. Providers which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Title Plan cultivation for a crop, and monitor the results of cultivation



• plan cultivation for a crop; and

• monitor the results of cultivation, analyse the causes of

inconsistencies, and amend the cultivation plan.










Explanatory notes


1. On-farm procedures refer to verbal and written instructions to staff on procedures for

farm machinery use, maintenance, and safety. 2 Candidates must act professionally, ethically, and with cultural sensitivity during

assessment against this standard. This will include compliance with relevant legislation and organisational requirements. Legislation may include the:



Plan cultivation for a crop.


1.1 Objectives are determined in accordance with the requirements of the crop to be

grown.

Range: includes but is not limited to – soil moisture status, soil structure,

seedbed characteristics, weed or weed seed banks, evenness, time

frame.

1.2 Soil to be cultivated re assessed to determine their current status.

Range: soil status – condition, type, structure, seed bank.

1.3 Implements and their sequence of use for cultivation are selected in accordance

with desired results, time frame, current soil status, and topography.

1.4 Unplanned events are identified in relation to contingences to manage those

events.

Range: includes but is not limited to – adverse weather, ill health of

operators, mechanical breakdown.

Outcome 2

Monitor the results of cultivation, analyse the causes of inconsistencies, and amend the

cultivation plan.


2.1 The results of cultivation are monitored to identify inconsistencies with objectives.

2.2 Inconsistencies are analysed to determine their causes, and cultivation plan is

amended to ensure consistency with objectives.







Title Harvest cash crops



• evaluate when to harvest a crop; and

• harvest a crop.










Explanatory notes


1. Arable crop alternatives relevant to this unit are cereals, herbage and seed, brassica,

potatoes, and pulses.

2 Assessment

Evidence is required for cereal plus one other crop.

3 On-farm procedures refer to the verbal and written instructions to staff on procedures for

communicating with, and monitoring, people involved with crop harvesting.

4 Candidates must act professionally, ethically, and with cultural sensitivity during assessment against this standard. This will include compliance with relevant legislation and organisational requirements. Legislation may include the:



Evaluate when to harvest a crop.


1.1 Crop condition is evaluated for maturity, withholding factors, and moisture content.

1.2 Field conditions are evaluated in terms of their ability to withstand harvesting.

1.3 Weather conditions and labour availability are evaluated for their suitability and

timing.

Outcome 2

Harvest a crop.

Range: pick-up, thresh or direct head.


2.1 The crop is harvested at a time suitable for its intended use and environmental

conditions.

2.2 Machinery is checked, maintained, adjusted, and used in accordance with

manufacturer’s guidelines and end use of crop.

2.3 The crop is harvested with minimal wastage or loss of quality.

2.4 Any people assisting are informed clearly of their roles, and their performance is

monitored in accordance with on-farm procedures.







Title Select and apply post-harvest treatments to vegetable crops



• describe postharvest treatments needed for a specified

vegetable crop;

• describe and select postharvest treatments;

• apply postharvest treatments; and

• maintain workplace records.











Explanatory notes 1. Workplace procedures refer to oral or written instructions to staff on procedures for the

worksite and equipment. 2 Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the Occupational

Safety and Health Approved Codes of Practice.

3 Treatments may include but are not limited to – temperature treatments, atmospheres,

physical applications, coatings, produce protectants.






Describe postharvest treatments needed for a specified vegetable crop.


1.1 Materials and equipment needed for the postharvest treatments are described in

terms of their functions.

1.2 Precautions or techniques needed to safely and effectively handle each material are

described so that the work is done with no harm to health or product and to maximise

the effectiveness of the treatments.

1.3 Timing constraints are described for each specified treatment in accordance with

workplace procedures.

1.4 Specialist postharvest treatment processes are described relative to a vegetable crop

in accordance with workplace procedures.

Outcome 2

Describe and select postharvest treatments.


2.1 Processes within the harvested crop parts are described in terms of shelf life and

storage characteristics.

2.2 Modes of action are described for the chosen treatment in terms of their effects in

reducing deterioration.

2.3 Harvested plant parts’ response to the chosen postharvest treatments are described

in terms of shelf life and storage characteristics.

2.4 Postharvest treatments are selected for a vegetable crop so that the treatments

minimise deterioration of the crop parts.

Outcome 3

Apply postharvest treatments.


3.1 The equipment and materials to apply the postharvest treatment are prepared in

accordance with workplace procedures.

3.2 The crop is prepared for postharvest treatment in accordance with workplace

procedures.

3.3 Postharvest treatments are applied in accordance with workplace procedures and

crop requirements.

3.4 The crop is left ready for the next process in accordance with workplace procedures.

3.5 The equipment is left in a hygienic condition for when it is next required in accordance

with workplace procedures.

Range: disease risk, health and safety risk.

3.6 Disposal of excess materials is carried out in accordance with workplace procedures.

Range: may include but is not limited to – legislation for disposal of

agrichemicals, container management and storage.

Outcome 4

Maintain workplace records.


4.1 Workplace information is recorded and/or stored according to workplace

procedures.

Range workplace information may include but is not limited to – standard

operating procedures; specifications; production

schedules/instructions; work notes; Material Safety Data Sheets;

manufacturers’ instructions; verbal direction from manager,

supervisor or senior operator.







Title Select and apply post-harvest treatments to field crops



• describe postharvest treatments needed for a specified field

crop;

• describe and select postharvest treatments;

• apply postharvest treatments; and

• Maintain workplace records.











Explanatory notes 1. Workplace procedures refer to oral or written instructions to staff on procedures for the

worksite and equipment. 2 Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the Occupational

Safety and Health Approved Codes of Practice.

3 Treatments may include but are not limited to – temperature treatments, atmospheres,

physical applications, coatings, produce protectants.

4 Field crops may include but are not limited to – root and vine crops.






Describe postharvest treatments needed for a specified field crop.


1.1 Materials and equipment needed for the postharvest treatments are described in

terms of their functions.

1.2 Precautions or techniques needed to safely and effectively handle each material are

described so that the work is done with no harm to health or product and to maximise

the effectiveness of the treatments.

1.3 Timing constraints are described for each specified treatment in accordance with

workplace procedures.

1.4 Specialist postharvest treatment processes are described relative to a field crop in


Outcome 2

Describe and select postharvest treatments.


2.1 Processes within the harvested crop parts are described in terms of shelf life and

storage characteristics.

2.2 Modes of action are described for the chosen treatment in terms of their effects in

reducing deterioration.

2.3 Harvested plant parts’ response to the chosen postharvest treatments are described

in terms of shelf life and storage characteristics.

2.4 Postharvest treatments are selected for a field crop so that the treatments minimise

deterioration of the crop parts.

Outcome 3

Apply postharvest treatments.


3.1 The equipment and materials to apply the postharvest treatment are prepared in


3.2 The crop is prepared for postharvest treatment in accordance with workplace

procedures.

3.3 Postharvest treatments are applied in accordance with workplace procedures and

crop requirements.

3.4 The crop is left ready for the next process in accordance with workplace procedures.

3.5 The equipment is left in a hygienic condition for when it is next required in accordance

with workplace procedures.

Range: disease risk, health and safety risk.

3.6 Disposal of excess materials is carried out in accordance with workplace procedures.

Range: may include but is not limited to – legislation for disposal of

agrichemicals, container management and storage.

Outcome 4

Maintain workplace records.


4.1 Workplace information is recorded and/or stored according to workplace

procedures.

Range : workplace information may include but is not limited to – standard

operating procedures; specifications; production

schedules/instructions; work notes; Material Safety Data Sheets;

manufacturers’ instructions; verbal direction from manager,

supervisor or senior operator.







Title Dry and store a cash crop



• dry a cash crop before storage; and

• store a cash crop.










Explanatory notes


1. Assessment against the evidence requirement in this unit standard must include at least two of – grain, seed, and field crop.

2 On-farm procedures refer to verbal and written instructions to staff on procedures for

crop processing.

Cash crop refers to short term crops. It may include but not limited to:

• Kumala

• Leafy, vine and root vegetables




Dry a cash crop before storage.


1.1 Crop is processed with minimum wastage.

1.2 Crop is processed in accordance with on-farm procedures.

1.3 Machinery for crop drying is used safely and in accordance with manufacturer’s

guidelines.

Outcome 2

Store a cash crop.

Range: bag or bulk, short and long term storage.


2.1 Pre-check of crop ensures it is suitable for storage for a given period of time.

Range: may include but is not limited to – moisture level, contamination,

quality, pre-treatment.

2.2 Pre-check of storage facility ensures it is suitable for crop storage.

Range: may include but is not limited to – presence of vermin, insects, or

fungi; moisture; contamination.

2.3 The crop is stored and checked so that deterioration of the crop does not occur over

the planned storage time.

Range: moisture, vermin, heat.







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UNIT STANDARDS - fhec.org.fj … · Providers which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to