MODULE 5: GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES ID 48971 LEVEL 1

– CREDITS 12.

FACILITATOR GUIDE

Unit Standards
116166 Apply basic food safety practices
116172 Apply elementary farm layout and infrastructure
116168 Maintain basic water quality
116169 Understand how sustainable farming systems conserve natural resources
Demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts of sustainable farming
116157
systems

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SAQA;116166-APPLY BASIC FOOD SAFETY PRACTICES

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Facilitation Methodology
The programme is very practical and aims to provide practical tools and skills for adult learners. The
methodology should ensure that:
 The learning environment is physically and psychologically comfortable.
 Contact training periods are short and varied to avoid boredom.
 Learner expectations are articulated and clarified and managed by the learner and facilitator.
 The experience of participants is acknowledged and drawn on in the learning programme.
 Facilitation, rather than teaching, is used to allow participants to participate fully.
 The facilitator balances the presentation of new material, debate and discussion in such a way
that the outcomes of the module are met, while ensuring that all participants are valued and is
able to contribute to the learning process.
 The learning will be problem-oriented, personalized and accepting of participants’ needs for self-
direction and personal responsibility.
 The module presented in a way that allows a participant to participate fully in the language of their
choice.
 The facilitation process accommodates participants who may not be literate, or who are not
literate in English.

The contact session uses a participatory methodology. This is appropriate for adult audiences who come
with a wide range of experiences and skills. It also accommodates a broader range of learning styles.
Some techniques that can be used include:

Method Description
Structured Participants engage with a complex game or activities that represent real-life
learning situations that they may encounter in the course of their work as a Ward Committee
experience member.
Case study This is a realistic story or real-life situation that has taken place, in which participants
need to apply their knowledge and skills to practice how they can deal with the
issues presented.
Group work Participants work on tasks in their groups and report their findings back to plenary.
Lecture The facilitator presents a short talk (maximum of 10 minutes) to introduce a new
subject, to provide details, or to wrap up a session.
Discussion This is a free exchange of ideas or experiences on a particular topic. It may be
between the facilitator and the participants or between the participants.
Brainstorming Participants generate a number of ideas on a particular subject or question. It may be
used to gather different opinions or to find out what participants know about a
particular topic.
Role-play Participants are asked to act out a scenario where each participant plays a particular
role. A role-play may be used to illustrate how people respond in different situations.
Panel This is a planned presentation by one or more experts. It may be followed by a
discussion discussion session or a round of questions.

Resources may include, but not limited to:

 White board and/or Flipcharts
 Laptop & Data Projector (not compulsory)
 Facilitator & Learner Guide
 Learner Workbook

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 Appendices (attached to learner guide)

Time Contact/ Facilitation Time 42 Hours/5 Days

Theory 42 Hours
Practical 98 Hours
Assessments 24,5 Hours
Workplace Application Time 98 Hours/12 Days

Facilitator’s Checklist & Training Aids

Learner support strategies:
Learners are supplied with all resources and aids as required by the program – including:
 Objects & devices such as equipment, protective clothing, and safety gear, etc.
 Learner Guides and Learner Workbook
 Visual aids, etc.
Use this checklist below during your preparation to ensure that you have all the equipment, documents
and training aids for a successful session.
Tick/
Preparation: Cross
Yes No
Qualification Knowledge – I have familiarised myself with the content of the applicable
qualification
Unit Standard Knowledge – I have familiarised myself with the content of all aspects of the
applicable unit standard
Content Knowledge – I have sufficient knowledge of the content to enable me to facilitate
with ease
Application knowledge – I understand the programme matrix & have prepared for
programme delivery accordingly
Contextualisation – I have included information which is specific to the commodity and
practices related to the commodity
Ability to respond to learners background & experience – I have studied the
learner demographics, age group, experience & circumstances & prepared for programme
delivery accordingly
Enthusiasm & Commitment – I am passionate about my subject & have prepared my
programme delivery to create a motivating environment with real commitment to success
Enterprise knowledge – I know & understand the values, ethics, vision & mission of the
workplace & have prepared my programme delivery, reporting & administrative tasks
accordingly.
Equipment check:
Learner guides x 1 per learner
Assessment guides x 1 per learner
Writing materials & stationary (facilitator & learner)
White board & pens
Flip chart paper
Proximal projector & screen
Laptop & programme disk

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Sample Hand-outs and examples of laws and other relevant documents
Safety gear as prescribed by unit standard and applicable legislation
Documentation checklist:
Attendance Register
Course Evaluation
Learner Course Evaluation
Portfolios of evidence
Briefing Session: Day 1
Start with an “ice-breaker”, and eventually discuss the global outcome of the learning units with learners
and emphasize the assessment process.
Topics:
 Ice Breaker
 Course expectations
 Assessment Criteria
 Learner’s Responsibilities

Training Ground Rules

Discuss the training session ground rules with learners to avoid disturbance during the session, and
topics may include:
 Learning Units estimated time
 Ethical behavior
 Cellular phones – (off/silent)
 Breaks – (tea, lunch….)

Write down the training session ground rules and keep them posted in the classroom for the duration of
the session.

Discuss the Learning Outcomes introduction with the learners and ensure the following:
 All learners participate in the discussion by asking them relevant questions.
 Learners complete the activity in their learner workbooks.

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 SESSION 1:
Apply good personal hygiene practices.
Learning Outcomes
 Effective personal hygiene practices are demonstrated.
 Current health status is judged and a decision whether to report is made.

Activity Questions Description Mark

1 What is hygiene and sanitation practices? 5
Hygiene and sanitation practices: are the things we do to keep ourselves, the plant and the
food product we process, clean. This includes:
 Hand washing.
 Clean uniforms.
 Following work instructions.
 Cleaning the plant during and after production.
Hygiene and sanitation is all about producing safe food. All food processors including farm
workers have a responsibility to produce food that is safe to eat. Consumers expect to be able
to eat food products without becoming ill or getting a disease.

Activity Questions Description Mark

2 List at least 6 steps of professional appearance 5
Step 1: Uniforms should be worn as per company regulations, but should be clean and tidy.
Step 2: Wear only closed toed safety shoes / water boots.
Step 3: Hair must be neat and trim, or pulled back to avoid falling onto face. Facial hair is not
recommended, although it should be kept neat and tidy if it is allowed within your place of work.
It should be covered at all times in the food prep areas.
Step 4: Identification, in the form of name badges or tags, should be neatly and prominently
displayed on your person.
Step 5: Nail polish is not allowed. Nails should be short and clean.
Step 6: If you have body-piercing you are not allowed to wear the studs that are associated with
it in your place of work.

Activity Questions Description Mark

3 What type of personal protective clothing should be worn? 5
A net to cover the hair on your head
BEARD NET: Should be used if you where a beard
OVERALL/COAT: Should be of the correct size. Must be “z up” at all times and the sleeves
should not be folded up.
OVERALL/PANTS: Should not be short or torn.
SAFETY BOOTS: Must be worn at all times in a factory. It must be laced-up and pair of socks
must be worn.

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 Activity Questions Description Mark
4 Describe the importance personal hygiene. 5
Personal hygiene is an important aspect of how you take care of and demonstrate your respect
for yourself. Good personal hygiene is an important aspect of taking care of your health, and
also influences how people respond to you in a working and social situation.
Maintain personal cleanliness and hygiene according to company policy to prevent illness,
contamination and infection. In the table below find guidelines for the various categories of
personal hygiene and reasons why this is important.

Activity Questions Description Mark

5 What Action to take when you or other staffs are sick? 5
If a staff member has any illness or infection, report this to the Foreman or Manager, who will
decide if he/ she may continue to work.
If the condition is sensitive, staff may discuss it with the Human Resources Manager, who will
take it up with the Production manager.
Obtain a doctor’s certificate if staff has an illness which prevents them from working or which is
infectious.
Do not work if you have an infectious stomach illness.

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 SESSION 2:
Demonstrate an understanding of risk factors in food contamination.
Learning Outcomes
 Risk factors pertaining to food contamination are identified.
 The importance of food safety practices with regards to export and marketing is explained.

Activity Questions Description Mark

6 What are the Risk factors in food contamination? 5
There are 3 types of factors that could influence food security and cause contamination, namely:
 Physical Factors,
 Chemical Factors, and
 Microbiological Factors.

Activity Questions Description Mark

7 Explain how storing materials must be done? 5
 Off the floor and away from the wall to avoid possible dampening of the goods and for
inspection purposes.
 On shelves.
 In a safe manner.
 According to set specification and in the correct areas or bins.
Activity Questions Description Mark
8 Why are rodents, insects and birds a threat to product safety? 5
Pests represent a real risk to the food safety of a food product. Insects such as cockroaches
and flies spread bacteria. Blowflies lay maggots in the food product.
Rodents like rats and mice attack the packaging, eat the food product, leave droppings, spread
contamination and destroy insulation and electrical wiring.
Birds on the food packing or production floor or in the storage room are a relatively rare
problem, but birds nesting and living in covered stockyards are a real problem at some sheds.
Their droppings contaminate the stock and the general environment around the plant. Birds can
be kept out of nesting and roosting sites by netting. However, getting rid of birds once they are
established is a difficult process.

Activity Questions Description Mark

There are different micro-organisms that threaten food safety.
9 The most important micro-organisms in the food handling and 5
production industry are:
 Bacteria
 Yeast
 Moulds
 Viruses

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 SESSION 3&4:
Apply preventative measures against food contamination.
Learning Outcomes
 Preventative measures are identified and explained.
 The implications of non-application of preventative measures are explained.
 Warning signs are interpreted correctly and respected.

Activity Questions Description Mark

Describe procedures to keep in mind that will contribute to food
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safety practices and prevent contamination.

1. Waste disposal Throw everything that is not necessary for the process away
immediately.
2. Chemical Store them correctly and separately or dispose of them Immediately
containers – Full & and correctly.
Empty
3. Working areas Clean working areas.
4. Open wounds Cover them immediately and wear an additional pair of disposable
gloves. If there is any danger of exposure to the food product, the
person should rather be placed on light duty.
5. Hand washing Wash hands as per the previously discussed procedure as
prescribed.

Activity Questions Description Mark

What would happen if we did not apply preventative food safety
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practices?
 Food would become contaminated.
 Consumers will become ill or sick from consuming it.
 We may lose our trading licenses.
 We may face fines or court cases.
 We may lose our market.
 Our business might go bankrupt.

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SAQA;116172-APPLY ELEMENTARY FARM LAYOUT AND
INFRASTRUCTURE

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 SESSION 1:
Recognise veld, planted pasture and arable land, and understand
the need to fence vegetation types separately.
Learning Outcomes
 The main natural resources in the local area are identified, and alien plants or weeds that
occur and need to be controlled are recognised.
 Point out structures that should be erected and respected to conserve the natural
resources, and not to contribute to degradation over time.

Activity Questions Description Mark

1 Identify the natural resources on the farm 5
Natural Resources: materials that occur in nature and are essential or useful to humans,
such as water, air, soil, forests, fish, wildlife, veld and minerals..
The natural resources required for the selection of the relevant enterprise include climate, soil,
water and, depending on the enterprise, could include specific plants (such as grasslands for
pastures).

Activity Questions Description Mark

Identify structures that can be built to conserve natural
2 5
resources
There are many effective building strategies that conserve natural resources, as well as provide
benefits such as cost savings. These include using durable products such as roofing materials
with 40- or 50-year warranties, and specifying recycled-content products that divert waste from
landfills. Recycled-content decking, reclaimed lumber and other products put waste to good use,
while providing quality and durability that often exceed conventional materials. For example,
decking materials made of recycled plastic mixed with wood waste fibers can last up to five
times longer than wood decking, and never needs to be treated or painted.

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 SESSION 2:
The animal life, the impact of farm animals and humans are
recognised and the need for the conservation of related natural
resources in the layout of the farm is understood.
Learning Outcomes
 The main animal species and/or livestock in the local area are identified, and those that
occur and need to be cared for or controlled are recognised.
 Structures that should be erected and respected to conserve the natural resources are
pointed out.
 An understanding of the reciprocal effect of the natural environment, animals and humans
in the use of structures not to contribute, over time, to degradation is demonstrated.

Activity Questions Description Mark

Explain how we can conserve soil to ensure sustainable
3 5
farming?
Soil is the foundation of everything that we do, and need, in order to live. Soil is the growth
medium for plants, a home for some insects, birds and animals, as well as a medium from which
we get minerals, such as gold. Soil is used to grow our food, some of our fuels, fibres for
clothing, timber for building and construction, and even the paper you are now holding in your
hand. We use products grown in soil every day of our lives. It is important therefore to treat soil,
especially topsoil, as a living entity and to conserve it for future generations.

Activity Questions Description Mark

4 Describe the texture of soil. 5
Below are descriptions of the texture of soil:

Loam When rubbed between the thumb and fingers, approximately equal influence of sand,
silt, and clay is felt. Makes a weak ribbon (less than 2.5 cm long).
Sandy loam Varies from very fine loam to very coarse. Feels quite sandy or gritty, but
contains some silt and a small amount of clay. The amount of silt and clay is sufficient to hold
the soil together when moist. Makes a weak ribbon (less than 2.5 cm long).

Silt loam Silt is the dominant particle in silt loam, which feels quite smooth or floury when
rubbed between the thumb and fingers. Makes a weak ribbon (less than
2.5 cm long).

Activity Questions Description Mark

What need to be considered
5 5
before laying out a new farm?
To ensure that we farm sustainably and with consideration for the environment, we
should do the following before laying out a new farm:

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 Identify what natural resources are available
 Identify indigenous plants found in the area
 Identify invasive plants found in the area
 Protect and conserve indigenous plants as much as possible when designing a farm
 Have a plan to remove any invasive plants from the farm
 Identify what animals are either naturally occurring or farmed in the area
 Consider what the farming activities will do to these animals
 Consider how animals in the area will affect the farming activities
 Plan to prevent animal damage to the farming activities and prevent harm to the animals
through our actions

Activity Questions Description Mark

Describe the three categories of plants that may occur on the
6 5
farm.
There are three categories of plants that may occur on the farm; the indigenous vegetation,
cultivated plants and alien and/or invasive plants.
Indigenous vegetation
These are plants that occur naturally in a given area, and may include grasses, shrubs and
trees. Any of these may be used in farming activities. For example, grasses could be harvesting
for thatching, or to provide grazing. Trees could be harvested for fuel wood, fruits or provide
materials for domestic livestock to browse. Shrubs could provide browsing for livestock, fruits or
could be harvested for teas (e.g. rooibos or honeybush), flowers (e.g. proteas) or medicines
(e.g. cancer bush). In addition to this, the indigenous plants are an integral part of the local
ecology.
Cultivated plants
These will vary from enterprise to enterprise and could range from annual cereal and
/or seed crops to vegetables or perennial plants such as Lucerne. As soon as crops are being
grown there is an integral link between the plants and the soil in which they are grown, as well
as rainfall.
Alien and/or invasive plants
Many plants that originate from other parts of the world have been declared as alien and / or
invasive by the Dept. of Water Affairs and Forestry because of the threat these plants pose to
the ecology of South Africa. They are three categories of alien and invasive plants.

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 SESSION 3:
The need to plan the farm and infrastructure to limit the impact on
natural resources and ensure sustainable resources use is
recognised.
Learning Outcomes
 An understanding of the reciprocal effect of the natural environment, animals and humans
is demonstrated.
 An understanding of the placement of structures and its use not to contribute to
degradation of the environment over time is demonstrated.

Activity Questions Description Mark

7 What is the Infrastructure 5
Infrastructure – The services and facilities that support day-to-day economic activities. It
includes resources such as roads, electricity, telephone and other communication services,
public and private transportation, and access to running water.
Without the necessary infrastructure, commercial farming will struggle or fail and making a
profit will be almost impossible.

Activity Questions Description Mark

8 What are the Structures on a farm? 5
Structures: Structures on a farm refer to all the physical buildings, roads, plant manipulation
systems (such as trellising), irrigation, holding dams, housing structures and holding pens,
conservation structures, such as contours, water ways, gabions. It is important that the
structure of a farm refers to how well the above-mentioned structures are put together.
The services and facilities required to support day-to-day economic activities are generally
similar but may differ from one enterprise to another. For example, the infrastructure to
grow fruit is different from the infrastructure required to grow maize.

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 SESSION 4:
Construct prevention structures and elementary infrastructure as
planned for farm layout.
Learning Outcomes
 An elementary structure is measured and constructed.
 Structures are placed in position and basic principles and reasoning for conservation are
explained.
 An understanding for stabilizing structures under extreme circumstances is
demonstrated.

Activity Questions Description Mark

9 Describe farm layout. 5
Farm Layout: A Farm layout refers to the compiling of physical structures such as
homesteads, outbuildings, waterways, contours, camps, water supply roads and the layout of
orchards, vineyards or lands. However, the area where the farm is situated, the topography,
the availability of natural resources, the farming practices, the different enterprises, the
availability of capital and the preference of the farmer/owner will also affect the farm layout.

Activity Questions Description Mark

10 Describe the environmental benefits of stabilization structures. 5
Why install stabilization structures on your land?
Environmental benefits
 Reduces soil erosion by preventing gullies from forming or advancing at field/ravine edges
and other overfalls where concentrated water flow causes head-cutting
 Reduces peak stormwater flows
 Protects water quality by reducing sediment loading in rivers, streams, ditches, lakes and
wetlands
 Reduced sediment loading protects fish and other aquatic habitat
 Structures with water storage provide a source of water for wildlife

Activity Questions Description Mark

11 What is a gully or grade stabilization? 5
A gully or grade stabilization structure is an embankment or spillway built across a drainage
way to prevent soil erosion. Grade stabilization structures are especially important in areas of
drainage where sediment loading from gully erosion is a major water quality concern.
Gullies tend to advance upslope at over falls (small, concentrated waterfalls) below which
turbulent water undercuts the head of the gully— a process called head-cutting. Grade
stabilization structures control the way water falls to lower elevations, preventing gullies from
forming or advancing.

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 SESSION 5:
Maintain prevention structures and report major problems to a
supervisor.
Learning Outcomes
 The ability to identify and deal with minor degradation or erosion problems is
demonstrated.
 An understanding of required reporting procedures to the supervisor is demonstrated.
 Elementary maintenance tasks to structures are demonstrated.

Activity Questions Description Mark

What type of a problem are cracks in buildings and to whom it
12 7
may be reported?
Problem
Cracks in buildings
Type of Problem
Structural
What to do about it
If the cracks are minor, report it to the building contractor and have it fixed. If the cracks are
extensive, the building contractor will have to look at the building foundations

Activity Questions Description Mark

13 Explain how to solve a problem if employees are unhappy? 2
Report it to the supervisor/farm manger Call in assistance from the CCMA or the Department of
Labour.

Activity Questions Description Mark

Something is killing off livestock or crops what step would
14 2
you take?
Report the symptoms to the supervisor/farm manager/expert Call in an expert

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SAQA : 116168 -MAINTAIN BASIC WATER QUALITY

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 SESSION 1.
DEMONSTRATE A BASIC ABILITY TO SAMPLE AND OBSERVE
WATER QUALITY.
Learning Outcomes
 The use of the recalling of tasks associated with the control of water quality is
demonstrated.
 Water quality sampling techniques is demonstrated.
 The maintenance of water sampling equipment is demonstrated.
 Information on the sampling of water quality is recorded and provided.
 The ability to record all necessary data regarding water quality management is
demonstrated.
 The ability to report on the recording of water quality observations and data is
demonstrated.
 An understanding for the need to record and report data on water quality is demonstrated.

Activity Questions Description Mark

1 Define water quality

What is water quality?

Water Quality: - Is a term used to describe the chemical, physical, and biological
characteristics of water, usually in espect to its suitability for an intended purpose.

Water quality is a term used to describe the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of
water, usually in respect to its suitability for an intended purpose. These characteristics are
controlled and influenced by substances, which are either dissolved or suspended in water.

Activity Questions Description Mark

List a variety of human activities that can potentially
2
significantly alter the quality of natural waters

A variety of human activities can potentially significantly alter the quality of natural
waters, e.g.:
• Agricultural activities,
• Urban and industrial development,
• Mining and
• Recreation,

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 Activity Questions Description Mark
Explain in your own words how water resources can be
3
sustained

The key to sustainable water resources is, therefore to ensure that the quality of water
resources are suitable for their intended uses, while at the same allowing them to be used and
developed to a certain extent.

Activity Questions Description Mark

Explain why do we need to manage water quality?
4

Why do we need to manage water quality?

The effects of polluted water on human health, on the aquatic ecosystem and on various
sectors of the economy, including agriculture, industry and recreation, can be disastrous.
Deteriorating water quality leads to :
 Increased treatment costs of potable and industrial process water,
 Decreased agricultural yields due to increased salinity of irrigation water.

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 SESSION 2.
AN ABILITY TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE TASKS ON
CERTAIN OPERATIONAL TECHNICAL SYSTEMS IS
DEMONSTRATED.
Learning Outcomes
 An ability to perform basic maintenance tasks on certain operational technical systems
that control and maintain specific water quality is demonstrated.
 The ability to identify the need for the maintenance work to be done is demonstrated.
 Information regarding the maintenance task being performed on water quality systems is
recorded and provided.

Activity Questions Description Mark

5 How does one tell when and how much to irrigate?

How do I know when and how much to irrigate?

The easiest way to determine this is to dig a hole in the land and determine the wetness of the
soil. Determine if the depth of moist earth includes the effective root zone of the crop. Sensors
that measure soil moisture (sensitometers) are also available.

Activity Questions Description Mark

6 Explain what is meant by Maturity Indexing and Sampling

Maturity Indexing and Sampling

 Maturity Indexing Maturity indexing is, the process of monitoring the physiological
development of fruit as it ripens.

Sampling Taking of a few individual fruits from some trees in the orchard of the same
cultivar. These fruits then represent all the fruits in that orchard and specific cultivar.

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 SESSION 3.
THE ABILITY TO HANDLE SYSTEMS TO MAINTAIN WATER QUALITY
IS DEMONSTRATED.
Learning Outcomes
 Tasks associated with the maintenance of systems that control water quality are
demonstrated.
 Water systems maintenance is demonstrated.
 Information on the maintenance of water quality control systems is recorded and provided.

Activity Questions Description Mark

7 Explain what could happen when you don’t irrigate

Lack of irrigation will lead to:

 Under irrigating at vital times during the growth cycle of the plant could lead to plants
wilting and dying or specific physiological stages of the plant suffering and then later
leading to a reduced crop or lower crop quality.
 Some of the nutrients will become out of balance and the plant could experience an
oversupply of some nutrients and a shortage of other nutrients. This will affect the
growth of the plant and its ability to produce a crop.

Activity Questions Description Mark

Explain the consequences for crops if the pipeline spacing is
8 incorrect.

The consequences for crops if the pipeline spacing is incorrect

Incorrect pipeline spacing will lead to over irrigation or under irrigation. It usually leads to a
combination of the two, where some plants receive excessive water and others receive none at
all or too little water. The result will be that some plants might die and become diseased, while
the crop will not be of uniform quality or size throughout a block or orchard.

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SAQA;116169-UNDERSTAND HOW SUSTAINABLE FARMING
SYSTEMS CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES

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 LEARNING UNIT 1:
Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of farming
operations and practices on the environment.
UNIT STANDARD ID: 116169

Activity Questions Description Mark

explain the farmer's responsibilities of soil-, water- and animal-
1 5
care

The two most significant natural resources cover the entire earth’s surface is soil
and water. All life on earth depends upon these resources as a direct or indirect
source of food and/or habitat. Plants are rooted in the soil and obtain nutrients (nourishing
substances) from it. Animals get nutrients from either eating the plants or from other animals
that ate plants for food. Soil and water provide habitats for organisms such as seeds, spores,
insects, and worms. The contents of soil and water change constantly and there are many
different kinds of soil and levels of water quality. Soil formation is a very slow process and is
destroyed easily, so it must be conserved in order to continue to support life.
Soil is made up of four parts: air, water, minerals, and organic material. Air and water provide
nutrients to plants so they can make food for themselves. Organic matter, also known as
humus, is made of plant and animal remains in various stages of decay. Minerals are the clay,
sand, and silt particles. The mineral content determines the soil type. Farmers have very
important jobs growing food and fibre for the world. If we did not have farmers, we would have
to grow our own food and fibre. However, a farmer's job consists of many more responsibilities
than growing food or fibre. They must also take good care of our soil and water resources so we
can continue to grow enough food to feed every n.one. If the correct nutrients are not present in
the soil, the levels of these nutrients need to be adjusted so the farmer can grow a healthy crop.
By adding soil nutrients (e.g. fertilisers) and practicing crop rotation, farmers replace nutrients
that have been removed through the process of leaching and growing plants.
Farmers also make sure there is a high level of organic matter in cultivated soils.
This can only be maintained if the farmer ensures that biodiversity is maintained and that eco-
systems do not become damaged. This means that farmers have a responsibility to take care of
the natural fauna (animals) and indigenous flora (plants) of the area where they are conducting
their farming operatio

Activity Questions Description Mark

Identify and describe the elements of farming operations
2 4
affecting the environment

SOIL EROSION

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 Erosion is a serious problem for productive agricultural land and for water quality.
Controlling the sediment must be an integral part of any soil management system to improve
water and soil quality. Eroded topsoil can be transported by wind or water into streams and
other waterways. Sediment is a product of land erosion and derives largely from sheet and
rill erosion from upland areas, and to a lesser degree, from cyclic erosion activity in gullies
and drainage ways.
Many studies indicate that soil erosion has largely resulted in decreases in soil productivity
Water pollution and wastage
The rapid pace of urbanisation, industrialisation as well as agricultural activities has made
environmental pollution a growing concern globally. Off all the systems exposed to
contaminants, ground water has received little attention in the past because of the common
belief that ground water was pristine.
Ground Water Pollution is usually traced back to four main origins industrial, domestic,
agricultural and over exploitation. Excessive application of fertilizers for agricultural
development coupled with over-irrigation is also responsible for ground water pollution.
Increased mineral salts in rivers may arise from several sources:
 pollution by mining waste waters
 pollution by certain industrial waste waters
 increased evaporation in the river basin (mainly in arid and semiarid regions)
 Cultivation with Agrochemicals
Agricultural land use and cultivation practices have been shown to exert major influences on
groundwater quality. Under certain circumstances, serious groundwater pollution can be
caused by agricultural activities the influence of that may be very important because of the
large areas of aquifer affected. For example, if surface run-off is polluted by agricultural
chemicals and percolates into the ground, where it becomes part of an underground aquifer,
the polluted water will contaminate all the water in the aquifer.
Poor water quality will directly affect the agricultural production capacity for both crops and
for animal production.
Invasive plants
Invasive alien species are causing billions of Rands of damage to South Africa’s economy
every year, and are the single biggest threat to the country’s biological biodiversity. Invasive
alien species are plants, animals and microbes that are introduced into countries, and then
out-compete the indigenous species.
Invasive alien plants (IAPs) pose a direct threat not only to South Africa’s biological diversity,
but also to water resources, the ecological functioning of natural systems and the productive
use of land. They increase the impact of fires and floods and soil erosion. Invasive alien
plants can consume enormous amounts of water intended for more productive uses.
Invasive aquatic plants, such as the water hyacinth, affect agriculture, fisheries, transport,
recreation and water supply.
Invasive alien species are causing billions of Rands of damage to South Africa’s economy
FIRE
Every year, and are the single biggest threat to the country’s biological biodiversity.
Invasive alien species are plants, animals and microbes that are introduced into countries,
and then out-compete the indigenous species.

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 Invasive alien plants (IAPs) pose a direct threat not only to South Africa’s biological diversity,
but also to water resources, the ecological functioning of natural systems and the productive
use of land. They increase the impact of fires and floods and soil erosion. Invasive alien
plants can consume enormous amounts of water intended for more productive uses.
Invasive aquatic plants, such as the water hyacinth, affect agriculture, fisheries, transport,
recreation and water supply.
Flood
Like fire, flood causes direct losses as follows:
The direct losses results in:
 loss of life, and disability, due to drowning;
 loss of housing and possessions when houses and dwellings are destroyed or washed
 away,
Damage to infrastructure and structures which are not only expensive to repair but can
inhibit the functioning of an enterprise until repairs are completed (such as a bridge that is
washed away), and
 Loss of grazing, crops, livestock and natural resources.
Of equal – if not greater – importance is the “knock-on” effect of floods on agricultural
production and its contribution to the national economy due to reduced crop size and / or
capacity to recover from these floods.
Population encroachment
Living space” and more and more people stream to cities in order to try and find viable
economic livelihoods. We call this “urbanisation”.
But as cities grow through urbanisation, the land that might have been utilised for either
agricultural purposes, forestry or naturally occurring vegetation and eco-systems, shrinks.
Simultaneously the demand for water increases, whilst the output of potential emissions and
pollution increases. Water is already a limited resource in South Africa.
Then there is also a higher demand for food, which leads to an increase in Agriculture –
especially for crop production. But whilst this might sound like a good thing for farmers, we
have to remember, that for every hectare of additional Agricultural land that we have to use,
we also need viable soil and enough water in order to farm sustainably. If we exhaust our
soil and water resources and damage all the natural ecosystems, then we will cause a
scenario whereby both our soil and water resources will become depleted resources making
agricultural production a unsuccessful venture.
More agriculture also leads to higher demand for water, whilst immediately increasing the
risks to water quality through pollution, run-off and salination due to irrigation and use of
agro-chemicals.
Endangered plants (flora) and (animals)fauna
Biodiversity describes the variety of life in an area, including the number of different species,
the genetic wealth within each species, the interrelationships between them, and the natural
areas where they occur. An immensely rich species diversity is found in South Africa
unfortunately this natural wealth is under extreme pressure resulting from human demands
placed on the environment through economic development, agriculture and urbanisation.
Invasive alien vegetation and the trade in wildlife also contribute to the problem.
The conservation status of a plant or animal species is described by the following terms:

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 EXTINCT: a species for which there is a historical record, but which no longer exists.
ENDANGERED a species in danger of extinction, and whose survival is unlikely if the
factors causing its decline continue.
VULNERABLE a species which it is believed will move into the endangered category if the
factors causing its decline continue.
RARE a species with small populations, which are not yet vulnerable or endangered, but
which are at risk.
The term THREATENED is commonly used as a collective description for species which are
endangered vulnerable or rare.
Some species are ENDEMIC, i.e. they are restricted to one region and occur nowhere else.
A threatened endemic is a conservation priority.
Living things do not exist independently of each other, or the non-living environment. They
depend on one another in a variety of ways: think, for example, of a food chain. Together
with the non-living parts of our environment (e.g. soil, water, air), living things form essential
life-support systems such as the water cycle, the carbon cycle and several other nutrient
cycles. The pool of life is therefore much more than the sum of its parts.

Activity Questions Description Mark

list and identify Invasive and endangered fauna and flora
3 5
species
There are more than 22 000 different species of seed plants indigenous to Southern
Africa. These are arranged into about 2 180 genera, which in turn form part of 227 families.
We have described some of the more popular plants on this site.
For thousands of years the plants of Southern Africa provided the inhabitants of the region
with many of the essentials of life: food, shelter, utensils, medicine etc.
Some plants have become threatened through over-use or habitat destruction and these
plants must be protected. In fact, some species are protected by law and require permits to
be grown (such as cycads). When such plants grow on a farm it s the farmer’s responsibility
to ensure that farming activities do not undermine the plants’ chances of survival. Similarly,
some animals have become threatened or endangered either through excessive hunting or
loss of habitat and these species must also be protected.

Activity Questions Description Mark

4 Explain. Examples of environmentally friendly agricultural 5
practices

Soil and water conservation.

Farming activities have a direct impact on the environment; however, this may be a
positive or negative depending on how proactive and conservation oriented the farmer
is. The following are examples of “poor farming practices” that has a negative affect on
the environment:
 Over grazing.
 Poor irrigation.

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 Inappropriate farming techniques (i.e. deep ploughing 2/ 3 times per year to produce annual
crops).
 Intensive farming practices – the lack of crop rotation.
 Planting crops down the contour instead of along it.
 Destruction of trees and plant cover.
The genes, species and ecosystems that make up the earth’s biological diversity are
important because their loss and degradation diminishes nature. Species other than our
own have a right to exist and to retain their place in the world. We do not know how to
estimate which species are essential to ecosystem functioning, which are redundant,
and which will be the next to flourish as the world changes. When we introduce a new
species into an eco-system, the full impact is often not immediately apparent. Invasive
species can change entire habitats, making them unsuitable for the original native
community.
Safeguarding the earth’s diversity is the best way to maintain our life support system.
There is evidence to suggest that the biosphere acts as a self-regulating whole and that
diverse systems may be more resilient. Island ecosystems, which have evolved in
isolation often have relatively fewer plants, herbivores, carnivores and decomposers to
maintain essential processes and are more vulnerable to invasion. On islands around
the world species extinction is increasing at an unprecedented rate.
Useful initiatives, which contribute to better management practices and a reduced
incidence of biological invasion, are being taken by communities all over the world.
Invasive alien species are now a major focus of international conservation concern and
the subject of cooperative international efforts, such as the Global Invasive Species
Programme (GISP). As awareness grows, people and their communities are able to
make informed choices that will have lasting effects on their descendants.
We hope that, by raising general awareness, the risks of further harmful invasions will be
reduced in future.
There are various definitions and concepts that you might encounter in terms of
South African agricultural production and conversion that are important to understand:
Aeroponics is a hydroponics’ technique involving the use of sprayers, nebulizers,
foggers, or other devices to create a fine mist of solution to deliver nutrients to plant
roots. Aeroponic techniques are used in the cultivation of high value crops and plant
specimens that can offset the high set-up and maintenance costs associated with this
method of horticulture.
Aerial topdressing is the spreading of fertilisers such as super phosphate over
farmland. For spraying of insecticides and fungicides, by air, also called crop dusting.
Agricultural machinery is one of the most revolutionary and impactful applications of
modern technology. Given the truly elemental human need for food, agriculture has been
an essential human activity almost from the beginning, and it has often driven the
development of technology and machines. Over the last 250 years, advances in farm
equipment have dramatically changed the way people are employed and produce their
food worldwide.
Animal husbandry is the agricultural practice of breeding and raising livestock.

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As such, it is a vital skill for farmers and, in some countries in many ways, as much art
as it is science. Other countries have strict laws on the qualifications needed to treat
animals and ensure that scientific methods are used to care for them.
Aquaculture is the cultivation of the natural produce of water (such as fish or shellfish,
algae and other aquatic plants). Mari culture is specifically marine aquaculture, and thus
is a subset of aquaculture. Some examples of aquaculture include raising catfish and
tilapia in freshwater ponds, growing cultured pearls, and farming salmon in net-pens set
out in a bay. Fish farming is a common type.
Beekeeping (or apiculture, from Latin apis, a bee) is the practice of intentional
maintenance of honeybee hives by humans. A beekeeper may keep bees in order to
collect honey and beeswax, or for the purpose of pollinating crops, or to produce bees
for sale to other beekeepers. A location where bees are kept is called an apiary.
Crop rotation is the practice of growing a series of different type of crops in the same
space in sequential seasons to avoid the build-up of pathogens and pests that often
occurs when one species is continuously cropped. Crop rotation also seeks to balance
the fertility demands of various crops to avoid excessive depletion of soil nutrients. A
traditional component of crop rotation is the replenishment of nitrogen through the use of
legumes in sequence with cereals and other crops. It is one component of polyculture.
Crop rotation can also improve soil structure and fertility by alternating deep-rooted and
shallow rooted plants.
In agriculture, a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) is a farm that raises
livestock and seeks to maximize production by making highly efficient use of space and
other resources. Operating a CAFO is sometimes negatively referred to as factory
farming.
CAFOs hold large numbers (up to hundreds of thousands) of animals, often indoors.
These animals are typically cows, hogs, or chickens.
Compost is the decomposed remnants of organic materials (those with plant and animal
origins). Compost is used in gardening and agriculture, mixed in with the soil. It improves
soil structure, increases the amount of organic matter, and provides nutrients.
Biodegradation is the means by which organic matter is recycled in its environment
Dairy farming is a class of agricultural, or more properly, an animal husbandry
enterprise, raising female cattle for long-term production of milk, which may be either
processed on-site or transported to a dairy for processing and eventual retail sale. Most
dairy farms sell the male calves borne by their cows, usually for veal production, rather
than raising non-milk-producing stock. Many dairy farms also grow their own feed,
typically including corn, alfalfa, and hay. This is fed directly to the cows, or stored as
silage for use during the winter season. Additional dietary supplements are added to the
feed to increase quality milk production.
Detasseling
Detasseling is the act of removing the pollen-producing (or "male") tassel from a corn
(maize) plant. Detasseling is done to breed, or hybridise, two different varieties of corn;
the varieties are carefully selected so that the variety bred will exhibit hybrid vigour. By
removing the tassels from all plants of one variety, all the grain growing on those plants
will be fertilized by the other variety's tassels.

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Domestication
Domestication is a phenomenon whereby a wild biological organism is trained to
survive in the company of human beings. Domesticated animals, plants, and other
organisms are those whose collective behaviour, life cycle, or physiology has been
altered as a result of their breeding and living conditions being under human control for
multiple generations. Humans have brought these populations under their care for a
wide range of reasons: for help with various types of work, to produce food or valuable
commodities (such as wool, cotton, or silk), and to enjoy as pets or ornamental plants.
Fencing In agriculture, fences are used to keep animals in or out of an area.
Fertilizers
Fertilizers or fertilisers are compounds given to plants with the intention of promoting
growth; they are usually applied either via the soil, for uptake by plant roots, or by foliar
spraying, for uptake through leaves. Fertilizers can be organic (composed of organic
matter, i.e. carbon based), or inorganic (containing simple, inorganic chemicals). They
can be naturally occurring compounds such as peat or mineral deposits, or
manufactured through natural processes (such as composting) or chemical processes.
Fertilizers typically provide, in varying proportions, the three major plant nutrients
(nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), the secondary plant nutrients and sometimes
trace elements with a role in plant nutrition.
A greenhouse (also called a glasshouse or hothouse) is a building where plants are
cultivated. A greenhouse is built of glass or plastic; it heats up because the sun's
incoming electromagnetic radiation warms plants, soil, and other things inside the
building. Air warmed by the heat from hot interior surfaces is retained in the building by
the roof and wall.
Harvest
In agriculture, harvesting is the process of gathering mature crops from the fields.
Reaping is the harvesting of grain crops. The harvest marks the end of the growing
season, or the growing cycle for a particular crop. Harvesting in general usage includes
the immediate post-harvest handling, all of the actions taken immediately after physically
removing the crop—cooling, sorting, cleaning, packing—up to the point of further on-
farm processing, or shipping to the wholesale or consumer market.
Harvest timing is a critical decision that balances the likely weather conditions with the
degree of crop maturity. Weather events like frost, and unseasonably warm or cold
periods, affect yield and quality. An earlier harvest date may avoid damaging conditions,
but result in poorer yield and quality. Delaying harvest may result in a better harvest, but
increases the risk of weather problems. Timing of the harvest often involves a significant
degree of gambling.
On smaller farms with minimal mechanization, harvesting is the most labourintensive
activity of the growing season. On large, mechanized farms, harvesting utilizes the most
expensive and sophisticated farm machinery, like the combine harvester.
Hybrid seed
In agriculture and gardening, hybrid seed is seed produced by artificially cross-
pollinated plants. Hybrids are bred to improve the characteristics of the resulting plants,
such as better yield, greater uniformity, improved colour, disease resistance, and so

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forth. Today, hybrid seed is predominant in agriculture and home gardening, and is one
of the main contributing factors to the dramatic rise in agricultural output during the last
half of the 20th century. Hybrid seed cannot be saved, as the seed from the first
generation of hybrid plants does not reliably produce true copies, therefore, new seed
must be purchased for each planting.
Hydroponics
Hydroponics is the growing of plants without soil. A variety of techniques exist.
In agriculture, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a pest control strategy that uses
an array of complementary methods: natural predators and parasites, pest-resistant
varieties, cultural practices, biological controls, various physical techniques, and
pesticides as a last resort. It is an ecological approach that can significantly reduce or
eliminate the use of pesticides. See Fig 1.1.
Irrigation
Irrigation (in agriculture) is the replacement or supplementation of rainfall with water
from another source in order to grow crops. In contrast, agriculture that relies only on
direct rainfall is sometimes referred to as dry land farming.
Livestock
Livestock are domesticated animals intentionally reared in an agricultural setting to
make produce such as food or fibre, or for their labour. Livestock include pigs, cattle,
goats, deer, sheep, yaks and poultry. The type of livestock reared varies worldwide and
depends on factors such as climate, consumer demand, native animals, local traditions,
and land type.
Market gardening
Market gardening as a business is based on providing a wide range and steady supply
of fresh produce through the local growing season. Many different crops and varieties
are grown, in contrast with large, industrialized farms, which tend to specialize in high
volume production of single crops, a practice known as monoculture. Market gardening
also employs more manual labour and gardening techniques, compared to large-scale
mechanized farming.
Because production is relatively low-volume, sales are often through local fresh produce
outlets, such as on-farm stands, farmers' markets, community supported agriculture
subscriptions, restaurants and independent produce stores.
Mechanised
Agriculture
Mechanised agriculture is the process of using agricultural machinery in order to
massively increase output. In modern times, machinery has replaced many jobs formerly
carried out by men or beasts such as horses, donkeys or oxen.
Monoculture
In agriculture, "monoculture" describes the practice of cultivating the same
species of crop year after year on the same piece of land; a common practice in
commercial agricultural. Modern agriculture relies on standardisation on a single cultivar
so that the technology for tilling, planting, pest control, and harvesting, can be used over
large geographical areas to obtain an economy of scale.

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In no-till farming the soil is left intact and crop residues are left in the fields.
Variations of the conservation tillage method involve some working of the soil with
attention paid to keeping soil compaction and carbon loss at a minimum. These
variations include reduced tillage, in which small strips may be ploughed to allow space
for planting seeds. Other terms, such as incomplete tillage and minimal tillage may be
used.
Organic Farming
Organic farming is a form of agriculture that relies on ecosystem management and
attempts to reduce or eliminate external agricultural inputs, especially synthetic ones. It
is a holistic production management system that promotes and enhances agro-
ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity.
Plant breeding
Plant breeding has been practiced for thousands of years, since near the beginning of
human civilization. It is now practiced worldwide by government institutions and
commercial enterprises. International development agencies believe that breeding new
crops is important for ensuring food security and developing practices of sustainable
agriculture through the development of crops suitable for their environment
Permaculture
Permaculture is a design system which aims to create sustainable habitats by following
nature's patterns. Permaculture can best be described as an ethical design system
applicable to food production and land use, as well as community building. It seeks the
creation of productive and sustainable ways of living by integrating ecology, landscape,
organic gardening, architecture and agro forestry.
Pollination management
Pollination Management is the label for horticultural practices that accomplish or
enhance pollination of a crop, to improve yield or quality, By understanding of the
particular crop's pollination needs, and by knowledgeable management of colonisers,
pollinators, and pollination conditions.
Precision farming or precision agriculture is an agricultural concept relying on the
existence of in-field variability. It requires the use of new technologies, such as global
positioning (GPS), sensors, satellites or aerial images, and information management
tools (GIS) to assess and understand variations.
Collected information may be used to more precisely evaluate optimum sowing density,
estimate fertilizers and other inputs needs, and to more accurately predict crop yields.
Application of precision farming concepts is usually considered related to sustainable
agriculture. It seeks to avoid applying same practices to a crop, regardless of local
soil/climate conditions and may help to better assess local situations of disease or
lodging.
Precision farming may be used to improve a field or a farm management from several
perspectives :agronomical perspective: adjustment of cultural practices to take into
account the real needs of the crop rather (e.g., better fertilisation management)technical
perspective: better time management at the farm level (hydroponics farming)
environmental perspective: reduction of agricultural impacts (better estimation of crop
nitrogen needs implying limitation of nitrogen run-off) economical perspective: increase

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of the output and/or reduction of the input, increase of efficiency (e.g. lower cost of
nitrogen fertilization practice)
Season extension
In agriculture, season extension refers to anything that allows a crop to be cultivated
beyond its normal outdoor growing season.
Seed saving
Open pollination is the key to seed saving. Plants that reproduce through natural means
tend to adapt to local conditions, and evolve as reliable performers, particularly in their
localities. The modern trend to hybridised plants interrupts this process. Hybrid plants
are artificially cross-pollinated, and bred to favour desirable characteristics, like higher
yield and more uniform size.
However, the seed produced by the first generation of the hybrid does not reliably
produce a true copy of that hybrid (it begins to revert to its parents), or is sterile, and is
therefore fairly useless for seed saving.
Seed testing is performed in dedicated laboratories by trained and usually certified
analysts. The tests are designed to evaluate the quality of the seed lot being sold.
Several tests are done:
Germination test: Reports the percentage of seed that germinated. Tests are usually
made in 200 or 400 seed samples.
Purity test: The percentage of seed described on the label that is actually found in the
quantity of seed. TZ test: A test for viability that involves soaking the seed in a
tetrazolium solution, cutting the seed open, and looking for a colour change in the seed
embryo.
Weed test: Examines a sample of seed and identifies every seed that is different from
the seed that is different from the labelled seed kind.
Subsistence farming
Subsistence farming is a mode of agriculture in which a plot of land produces only
enough food to feed the family working it. Depending on climate, soil conditions,
agricultural practices and the crop grown, it generally requires between 1,000 and
40,000 m² (0.25 and 10 acres) per person.
Succession planting
In agriculture, succession planting refers to several planting methods that increase
crop availability during a growing season by making efficient use of space and timing.
There are four basic approaches that can also be combined:
Two or more crops in succession: After one crop is harvested, another is planted in
the same space. The length of the growing season, climate, and crop election are key
factors. For example, a cool season spring crop could be followed by a heat-loving
summer crop.
Same crop, successive plantings: Several smaller plantings are made at timed
intervals, rather than all at once. The plants mature at staggered dates, establishing a
continuous harvest over an extended period. Lettuce and other salad greens are
common crops for this approach.

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 Two or more crops simultaneously: Non-competing crops, often with different maturity
dates, are planted together in various patterns. Intercropping is one pattern approach;
companion planting is a related, complementary practice.
Same crop, different maturity dates: Several varieties are selected, with different
maturity dates: early, main season, late. Planted at the same time, the varieties mature
one after the other over the season.
Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals: environmental stewardship, farm
profitability, and prosperous farming communities. These goals have been defined by a
variety of disciplines and may be looked at from the vantage point of the farmer or the
consumer. To some it is a means of continuing agriculture as usual with increased care
for these three factors, while for others it is a deeper commitment to practicing
agriculture in a manner that accords with natural flows. The latter is considered the only
real form of sustainability while the former is a practical approach for gradual
improvements, which in themselves introduce other negative factors that require further
modifications.
Vegetable farming
Vegetable farming is the cultivation of crops for consumption purposes, eg cabbages,
tomatoes, onions, butternuts, etc. They are traditionally grown in contour rows, taking
into account conservation measures and allows for machinery to cultivate the fields,
resulting in increased efficiency and output.
Tillage
Tillage or cultivation is the agricultural preparation of the soil. Primary tillage loosens
the soil and mixes in fertiliser and/or plant material, resulting in soil with a rough texture.
Secondary tillage produces finer soil and sometimes shapes the rows. It can be done by
a using various combinations of equipment: plough, disk plough, harrow, dibble, hoe,
rotary tillers, sub-soiler, ridge or bed forming tillers, roller.
Tillage can also mean the land that is tilled.
Weed control
Weed control, a method used to stop weeds from reaching a mature stage of growth
when they could be harmful to domesticated plants, sometimes livestock, by using
manual techniques including soil cultivation, mulching, and/or herbicides. Prevention of
weeds from growing is desirable, but often difficult to achieve, due to the resilient
fertilisation and growth patterns of weeds.

LEARNING UNIT 2:
Identify farm and domestically generated waste and
pollutants and apply environmentally friendly methods of
disposal and/or re-use.
UNIT STANDARD ID: 116202
Day 1 - 4: Session 1 -6

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 Complete the following questions as per instructions provided

Activity Questions Description Mark

Farm generated waste and pollutants are identified and their
5 5
effects are explained.
Wastes and pollutants, as shown in the list below, are mainly from two possible
sources:

Domestic waste
This is any waste that is generated within a domestic household on the farm and as a
result of activities in the home environment. They are as follows:
Body fluids: Urine, blood etc. that is discharged via the sanitary system.
Domestic solids: Faecal matter usually discharged through the sanitary system.
Both of these can contaminate ground water if allowed to percolate into the soil. It is
also possible that pathogens can be passed on to other people.
Wash water (also known as grey water): Water that has been used for washing clothing,
bodies and dishes. It can be used again quite safely, to water trees, for example,
provided that it does not contain harmful chemicals such as chlorine- and ammonia-
based products (bleach and Handy Andy).
Household waste: This is the organic and inorganic refuse generated in a home.

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The organic material can easily be recycled via compost heaps, worm farms or given to
domestic livestock. Cardboard and paper can be used in trench beds and compost.
Glass and tins can be recycled. Plastic is the most hazardous of the materials generally
coming from a domestic environment. Many people burn their plastic waste and this
releases dioxin into the air (if plastic is burnt at too low a temperature) and this
compromises people’s immune and respiratory systems.
There is no easy, simple solution to farm waste that cannot be recycled and the most
sensible course of action is to have a small landfill site rather than to burn waste.
Sewerage
How is waste managed? Sewage is a major source of waste. Most of the sewage is
nutrients and organic matter. All of our waste has to go somewhere, so we need to find
the least harmful way of disposing of it.
Pollution prevention measures are identified and their effects on the environment
are explained.
The Waste Hierarchy ranks waste disposal options according to their environmental
impact:
Reduce - Minimising what we throw away is the best solution to waste management.
Re-use - Needlessly making new products wastes energy and resources.
Recycle - Recycling old products into new ones saves raw materials.
Incinerate - Generating electricity through burning rubbish cuts down the fossil fuels we
use.
Landfill - Burying rubbish is the cheapest option, but impacts on the environment the
most.
Our waste will always impact in some way on the environment no matter how we
dispose of it. Recycling uses energy. Incinerating produces ash and carbon dioxide.
Putting waste in landfill means we lose valuable resources. Landfill also produces
methane gas as biodegradable rubbish rots down, which can contribute to air pollution
and global warming.
In most cases, rural sewage is dealt with in either pit toilets or septic tanks. There are
other options available but the most serious consideration is to ensure that sewage does
not enter the local water system.
Farm generated waste
The waste generated on a farm varies from enterprise to enterprise. However, generally
speaking, there are common trends between various farming activities.
Fertilisers
Fertilisers help farmers to increase their crop yields and provide three main nutrients:
nitrates, phosphates and potassium (NPK). Fertiliser use has been decreasing steadily
since the 1980s. At the same time, crop production has increased, suggesting that
farmers are using fertilisers more efficiently. Farmers must be careful when using
fertilisers to avoid polluting the environment. It is best to apply fertilisers at the time of
year when crops need the extra nutrients the most so that there is less chance of the
nutrients being washed away before they are absorbed by the crop.
Fertilisers can be a source diffuse pollution. Diffuse pollution is caused by lots of smaller
pollution sources spread over a wide area. The combined effect of many of these small

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sources of pollution can impact greatly on the environment. Diffuse pollution is different
from point source pollution, which comes from distinct points such as piped discharges
from factories and sewage treatment works. Any surplus nutrients washed off farmland
can create abnormal nutrient levels in rivers, lakes and the sea, causing a condition
known as Eutrophication.
What is Eutrophication? Treated, leaving sewage sludge. Recycling sewage sludge to
soil provides valuable
When levels of nutrients in a river, dams or sea are higher than normal this can
encourage plants, especially algae, to grow. As the algae grows it uses up the available
oxygen in the water, until there is no longer enough to sustain living organisms and the
algae, and other organisms, die. The dead and decaying material sinks to the bottom of
the body of water, where it undergoes anaerobic decomposition. We call this
eutrophication.
What is being done to prevent eutrophication?
We can monitor nutrient levels in dams, boreholes and rivers and discharges to the sea.
These measures build on existing good farming practice recommendations, like applying
the right levels of fertilisers and manure at the times that best suit the needs of the crop.
Using fertilisers efficiently helps reduce environmental pollution and also minimises how
much farmers need to spend on chemical fertilisers.
Chemicals
Pesticides are substances used for controlling or destroying pests. They can be artificial
chemical substances, though some natural substances are used to control pests in
organic farming. Pesticide use has increased as farming methods have intensified over
the last 50 years. Agriculture and horticulture use over 80 per cent of all pesticides.
Over recent years the quantity of pesticides used in agriculture has remained largely
unchanged. Many of the more toxic and environmentally damaging products have been
banned. Less harmful alternative products have also been introduced.
Pesticides can cause serious environmental problems. Many pesticides are toxic to
aquatic life. They can devastate rivers, dams and groundwater if they are used
carelessly or not disposed of properly. Scientists have linked declining numbers of
farmland birds to the use of pesticides in intensive farming over the last 50 years. More
and more people are becoming conscious of the potential damage of pesticides to their
health; it is believed that these chemicals can impair the central nervous system, are
suspected to be carcinogenic, can impair the nervous system and accumulate in food
and in fatty tissue. Runoff from farm land can lead to pesticides contaminating drinking
water supplies - it costs municipalities many millions every year to remove pesticide
residues from drinking water, and these costs are passed onto tax payers.
Unlike a river, once an underground water resource is polluted it remains contaminated
for many decades and is costly or impossible to clean up.
We can monitor the levels of pesticides in water at a large number of sites each year.
We find a range of pesticides in the aquatic environment, including substances such as
herbicides, insecticides, animal dips, and wood preservatives. There are lists of
approved herbicides, pesticides intended to protect plants. They vary widely in their use,
properties and potential impact on the environment. However, the only responsible

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 action we can take is the limited and responsible use of herbicides and pesticides where
necessary, but to use alternative methods of either preventing and/or controlling pests
and diseases.
Fuels
When used responsibly fuels do not pose a serious threat to farming operations or the
farming environment. There is air pollution generated by every motorised vehicle but this
can be kept to minimum levels through regular servicing and maintenance. The storage
of fuel on site must be done according to prescribed requirements in order to prevent fire
hazards.
Lubricants
When used, stored and disposed of responsibly lubricants do not pose a serious threat
to farming operations or the farming environment. The storage of lubricants on site must
be done according to prescribed requirements. It is vital that old containers are disposed
of following prescribed methods and procedures.
Packaging
Paper and cardboard packaging can be recycled into the farming system. However, plastic and
other non-degradable packaging waste should be disposed of so that it does not pollute.
Burning is not a viable option as this causes air pollution that is damaging to human health.
Activity Questions Description Mark
Explain pollution prevention measures and identify their effects
6 8
on the environment
Product waste
In some cases the waste from production becomes part of the next seasons inputs, such as in
the form of an organic layer on the soil. However, various enterprises do generate other wastes.
In grape production, where the fruits are being used to make wines, the piles of must, if not
integrated back into the ecosystem appropriately, can pollute the environment. Similarly, in the
production of animals excessive amounts of manure that is not dealt with appropriately can
pollute.

Activity Questions Description Mark

Apply the correct methods of disposing waste product and
7 5
pollutant.
Product waste
In some cases the waste from production becomes part of the next seasons inputs, such as in
the form of an organic layer on the soil. However, various enterprises do generate other wastes.
In grape production, where the fruits are being used to make wines, the piles of must, if not
integrated back into the ecosystem appropriately, can pollute the environment. Similarly, in the
production of animals excessive amounts of manure that is not dealt with appropriately can
pollute.

Activity Questions Description Mark

8 explain the importance of maintaining and increasing natural 5

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 resources
Air
Air quality on a farm is maintained though ensuring that the indigenous vegetation of an area is
protected – trees fulfil this function by absorbing carbon dioxide.
Water
Water sources must be protected. It is important to understand the rainfall patterns of the area
so that water harvesting can be maximised. The way ploughing is done has an impact on the
conservation of soil and water; if ploughing is done down slopes rather than on contour it can
lead to soil erosion, which has an impact on water quality, and it increases runoff, which means
less rainwater is absorbed into the soil.
It is also vital to identify the temporary, seasonal and permanent wetlands of the farm so that
these can be protected. Protecting wetlands involves the prevention of grazing in wetlands
whilst the ground is wet as the movement of animals on waterlogged soils can cause erosion. If
the ‘plug’ of the wetland is disturbed then the entire wetland can become drained.
A wetland can also be damaged if roads and bridges are constructed in the wrong place.
Soil
Soil is the foundation of most farming activities, whether the farm focuses on plants or animals.
A healthy soil produces healthy plants and these are either harvested and products or utilised
by domestic livestock. One of the most important aspects to consider is to prevent soil erosion
and this can be done by:
Maintaining appropriate stock levels to prevent overgrazing,
Applying farming techniques such as ploughing along contour lines, and
Maintaining protective plant cover to prevent sheet and wind erosion
Indigenous plants
It is important to keep stands of indigenous plants on a farm to allow the natural ecology to
develop undisturbed. The naturally occurring plants vary from area to area and it is important to
know which plants are part of the local ecosystem.
When the farming activity involves the raising of livestock and using natural grasses for grazing,
it is critical to understand the lifecycle and characteristics of local grasses so that the correct
grazing methods (rotational grazing in fenced camps) and stocking levels can be applied. In
order to ensure that biodiversity is maintained and improved over time, there should be a
balance between pioneer, intermediate and climax grass species. For most commercial farmers,
the aim is to improve climax grass species, as these are usually the most palatable for grazing
animals.
However, for a farmer concerned with biodiversity, the ideal is to strive towards a balance in
species

Activity Questions Description Mark

9 Explain the consequences of not maintaining natural resources 4
When we farm without taking the conservation of natural resources into account we undermine
the land’s ability to sustain farming activities for future generations. If the ecosystem becomes
weakened through, for example, overgrazing, soil erosion can take place and this, in turn, leads
to a lower productivity. Lower productivity on a farm leads to lower profits.

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Every living organism in ecology has a specific function; it interacts with a number of other
organisms and it is part of a complex food web. If one or more of the species is removed from
that web the delicate balance can be upset and the consequences of which cannot always be
accurately predicted. If predator species are removed, the organisms upon which they preyed
would increase in number and the incidence of a higher number of these organisms could have
a damaging impact on farming activities. If the numbers of a particular species declines then the
genetic diversity within that species could be undermined and that could lead to weakness
becoming more prevalent in the population.
We do now know what the impact is going to be of the organisms that have become extinct in
both the plant and animal kingdoms. We do know that it is likely that many more plants will be
identified as sources of useful properties, such as medicines. If we undermine the genetic and
species diversity of our natural areas we increase the chances that we may never be able to
utilise these resources if they become lost to us.

Activity Questions Description Mark

10 correctly identify Alien plant species 8

In Session One you identified alien and invasive plants that grow in your area. Now we consider
ways to control these plants.

Activity

11
Methods to
control invasive alien plants include:
Mechanical methods - felling, removing or burning invading alien plants.
Chemical methods - using environmentally safe herbicides.
Biological control - using species-specific insects and diseases from the alien plant’s country of
origin. To date 76 bio control agents have been released in
South Africa against 40 weeds species.
Integrated control - combinations of the above three approaches. Often an integrated approach
is required in order to prevent enormous impacts.

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Plant name Diagnostics Plant photo
(Author)
Acacia mearnsii Unarmed, evergreen tree
(De Wild.) 5?10(?15) m high; branchlets
shallowly ridged; all parts
finely hairy; growth tips
golden-hairy. Leaves: dark
olive-green, finely
hairy, bipinnate; leaflets short
(1.5 to 4.0 mm) and crowded;
raised glands occur at and
between the junctions of
pinnae pairs. Flowers: pale
yellow or cream, globular
flower heads in large, fragrant
sprays, August- September.
Fruits: dark brown
pods, finely hairy, usually
markedly constricted.
Invasive status
Category 2: Invasive Alien Species Regulated by Area
Ecological impact / threat
The genus Acacia comprises some 1500 species, and close to 1000 of these is indigenous to
Australia, where they are commonly known as wattles.
Many other Acacia species naturally occur in Africa, spreading to other parts of the continent
where they are considered serious invaders. Because of the vast number of acacia species,
only a few are highlighted below, with a focus on some of the more serious Australian invasive
species introduced to South Africa, highlighting a variety of negative consequences deriving
from these introductions.
Loss of water and land
Alien acacias generally have higher water requirements than the indigenous vegetation they
replace, so infestations in catchment areas and along watercourses reduce runoff and hence
river flow. This not only has detrimental impacts on riverine and wetland ecosystems, but
ultimately translates to less water in dams for agricultural, industrial and domestic use.
Impenetrable thickets along watercourses block access of people and livestock to water, and
obstruct the flow of rivers – particularly during floods, when fallen trees create logjams and
blockages that cause further flood damage. Dense stands of acacias also reduce the productive
potential of land by taking over agriculturally valuable areas, and heighten the risk and intensity
of fire by increasing the fuel load. Very hot fires destroy the seeds of indigenous species,
compromising post-fire regeneration.
Habitat invaded
Alien acacias also cause a loss of biodiversity by out competing indigenous species and
disrupting natural ecosystem functioning. The Cape Floristic

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Region – world renowned for its rich biodiversity – is particularly vulnerable in this regard. The
indigenous fynbos plants are adapted to nutrient-poor sandy soils, but acacias are nitrogen-
fixing plants that increase nitrate levels in the soil. Many indigenous species cannot survive in
the enriched soils surrounding acacias, allowing the alien invaders to form bland monocultures.
These spoil the Cape Floristic Region’s natural beauty and detract from the tourism experience.
Furthermore, the absence of groundcover in acacia thickets may result in increased soil erosion.
Australian acacias that have become invasive in the Cape Floral Kingdom include rooikrans (A .
cyclops), Port Jackson (A. saligna), long-leaved wattle
(A. longifolia), black wattle (A. mearnsii) and blackwood (A. melanoxylon), as well as golden
wattle (A. pycnantha), which is Australia’s national floral emblem. Ironically, an African acacia,
A. nilotica, is one of Australia’s worst invasive weeds!
Human uses
Shelter, tanbark, woodchips, shade; provides firewood and construction poles.
Animal uses None
Biological control
The seed-feeding weevil Melanterius maculatus is available for the biological control of black
wattle, while two gall-forming midges are being considered as supplementary biocontrol agents.
In addition, an indigenous fungus has been registered as a mycoherbicide. Applied as a
cut-stump treatment, it kills the stumps and any regrowth within a year.
Chemical and
Physical control
Black wattle is a vigorous resprouter, so felled trees will lead to regrowth unless the stump is
treated or the entire plant is removed. Large trees are usually felled as close to the ground as
possible, and the stump treated with a registered herbicide. Seedlings and saplings can be
pulled out by hand when the soil is damp, but chemical control is often preferable if growth is
very dense as large-scale uprooting results in soil disturbance, which promotes the germination
of wattle seeds. However, it is important that selective herbicides are used where grasses are
present, and that diesel-based herbicides are not used along watercourses, so as to avoid
contaminating the water.

Activity Questions Description Mark

12 Appropriately clear plant material and sort and disposed or
re-used as mulch, compost, etc.

The cleared plant material can be used in different ways; as mulch and/or compost:
Mulch is a layer of organic material covering the soil roughly 5 – 10 cm thick. Mulch
moderates soil temperature and reduce the evaporation of soil water. The organic
material also breaks down in the soil, contributing to the humus content, and therefore
the water-retention ability of soil. A thick mulch layer also suppresses weed growth and
prevents soil erosion.
Composting is the piling up of organic materials in a certain sequence and ratio so that
the heap becomes hot within a few hours and over a period of weeks the organic
material decomposes

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 The ingredients for a compost heap are as follows:
Ingredient Examples Purpose
A layer of sticks – Old, cut hedges or A mattress-like layer
one layer only, about pruned trees. on the
10 – 12 cm thick. ground that allows air
to penetrate the
heap.
“Wet” stuff – about 5 Any green, leafy This provides the
wheelbarrow loads material, raw nitrogen for
for one heap. plant-based food the compost ‘fire’.
Each layer is about scraps. The higher
15 cm deep. the water content, the
better.
Old, well-rotted Starts the heating up
manure or old process of
compost. A 5 cm the compost heap.
layer between each
‘wet’ and ‘dry’ layer.
“Dry” stuff – about Any old leaves, dry or This provides the
five partially ‘kindling’ for
wheelbarrow loads rotted plant material. the compost ‘fire’.
for one heap.
Each layer is about
15 cm deep.
Water. Provides a moist
environment –
so that the heap has
the
consistency of a
squeezed
sponge.

Activity Questions Description Mark

Available material or plants are used as and where
13 4
appropriate.
Most regions in South Africa are situated in naturally fire-prone ecosystems. The inherent fire
hazard is exacerbated by the following:
The direct losses are in terms of:
Loss of life, and disability, due to vegetation fires;
Loss of housing and possessions when thatched or wooden dwellings ignite, and
Loss of grazing, crops, livestock and subsistence natural resources.

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Of equal – if not greater – importance is the “knock-on” effect of wild fires on rural economies.
A firebreak forms a boundary that is able to hinder a runaway fire. However, a firebreak cannot
stop every veldt fire and it is inevitable that at some time when conditions are so severe that a
fire may jump a break. A firebreak is a useful tool to stop many fires, provide a line from which
to combat (by back burning) a fire and protect a property
All landowners are required to prepare firebreaks on their side of the boundary.
There are a numerous ways to build a firebreak, for example:
 Grading
 Ploughing
 Disking
 Hoeing
 Burning
It is advisable for farmers to remove protected plants from the path of a firebreak.
These plants must be transplanted where possible.

Activity Questions Description Mark

14 Vegetation that might spread fire is cleared 7
Purpose of firebreaks
Anyone with experience of veld fires knows that a firebreak cannot stop every
veld fire.
There will inevitably be a time when conditions are so severe that a fire will cross a break,
by spotting or otherwise.
However, experience has shown consistently and repeatedly that firebreaks are useful:
• In stopping many fires
• In providing a line from which to combat veld fires by counter firing or other measures
• for protection of property generally.

Figure 5.1 A firebreak being burnt in controlled conditions

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Activity Questions Description Mark
15 Stones are packed to form a proper barrier. 7
The requirement to prepare firebreaks
Landowners are required to prepare firebreaks on their side of the boundary where there is
a reasonable risk of veldt fire.
How do we know what a reasonable risk is?
The courts use the “reasonable person test”:
• if a reasonable person in the position of the landowner would foresee that by not preparing
a firebreak, a veldt fire could start or spread across his or her land, causing harm to
someone else, and therefore would prepare one, then the landowner should also prepare
one.
Preparing firebreaks
Firebreaks can be prepared in a number of ways, for example, by grading, ploughing,
disking, hoeing or burning. It is only in the development of a firebreak that a landowner may
damage, destroy or remove any protected plants, despite what the National Forest Act or
any other law says. But the owner must transplant protected plants if possible or position the
firebreak to avoid protected plants.
The National Environment Management Act requires biodiversity to be protected.
The Act sets out a procedure for burning firebreaks.
Neighbours can agree to reposition a firebreak on a common boundary.
Burning cannot go ahead if:
Fire Department objects.
High fire danger rating.
Conditions not conducive
Requirements for firebreaks
The Act doesn’t specify requirements for firebreaks because requirements will vary from one
situation to the next. For example, on the Cape Peninsula, firebreak requirements would be
different from what is needed in the eastern
Free State.
Local practice and local issues must determine what the requirements are.
The Act states that the owner must pay attention to weather, climate, terrain and vegetation
in deciding on how to prepare the break.
The break must:
• be wide enough and long enough to have a reasonable chance of stopping the veld fire
• Not cause soil erosion
• be reasonably free of inflammable material (s13).
When to Burn Firebreak Strips
By burning your firebreak strips under optimal burning and weather conditions, you will
achieve the best results with maximum efficiency. Under optimal conditions, you can expect
to burn 4 to 5 km of strip a day.
For best results, ensure that:
• The grass is dead and burns readily.
• The grass is dry.

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Note: Since dew on the grass inhibits burning, it is best not to begin burning before 09:30 or
10:00.
The grass is not too long.
If the grass is longer than 1 m, we recommend that you cut it beforeburning. This will
reduce the risks associated with wind and the height of the flames.
Note: Do not cut the grass shorter than about 25 cm—sufficient fuel is required to burn an
effective firebreak.
The wind is minimal.
Wind increases the risk of embers flaring up in the burned strip and sparks being carried
onto surrounding vegetation. Ember flare-up is most likely to occur up to 200
m. We do not recommend burning in wind with gusts of more than 3 to 5 km per hour.
Design of a Firebreak
There are no set requirements for the width or design of firebreaks but there are general
guidelines, these being:
Contact the local Fire Department or Fire Protection Association to establish what
measures should be taken in your area.
Must be wide and long enough to have a reasonable chance of stopping a veldt fire.
Must not cause soil erosion.
Be reasonably free of inflammable material
Grading, Ploughing, Disking and hoeing do not create smoke.

Activity Questions Description Mark

Use mulching to cover soil for water and soil conservation.
16 7

Prohibits abundant weed growth

Prevents soils from drying out too quickly
Surface evaporation is prevented when soil is covered with a 5cm layer of mulch.
At the same time the mulching material is rotting and being incorporated into the soil by
worms and other soil inhabitants to improve soil fertility.
A layer of mulch will prevent water losses through evaporation and surface runoff.
The shading of the mulch will prevent the soil from becoming too hot in summer and too
cold during winter months.
Please complete

Activity Questions Description Mark

Explain how to prevent and improve the soil's run-off for
17 7
capacity to hold water.

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Sausage gabions can be used for irrigation channels on fairly steep slopes where reduction
of water velocity is required and rapid sedimentation and vegetation growth is essential.

Activity Questions Description Mark

18 Explain how to correctly erect Gabions. 7
Soil erosion is an ever-present problem and gabions have proved to be a lasting civil
engineering solution around the world. The earliest use of gabion type structures was for
bank protection along the River Nile, approximately 7000 years ago. Since then gabion
baskets have evolved from woven reed baskets, which were often used for military
applications, to engineered containers made from wire mesh.
Gabions are rectangular cages made of hexagonal double-twist wire mesh filled with
appropriately sized rock or quarry stone. The wire used is a mild tensile steel wire, class A
galvanized to SABS 675 of 1993.
The gabions are sub-divided into cells by inserting diaphragms which are mesh panels with
the same characteristics as the external sides, spaced 1m from each other to give the
structure strength and facilitate it's speedy construction.
The galvanized wire, before being woven, can be coated with a special PVC (polyvinyl
chloride) coating 0.5mm thick. This additional coating gives full protection from corrosion in
marine or heavily polluted environments.

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Figure 6.1: A water channel that has been constructed in the form of gabion walls suited.

Activity Questions Description Mark

19 Explain how Vegetation re-established. 7
Re-establishing vegetation is an important part of soil conservation. Bare soil that has been
eroded is totally vulnerable to heavy rains and must be covered as soon as possible.
The first step is to identify suitable, appropriate and available plant materials.
If the soil is part of grassland, then the soil can be imprinted with small depressions in which
grass seeds and water will collect.
If the soil is part of a water course, or seasonal/temporary wetland, then it is best to
establish a good boundary of plants on contour that will hold the soil and prevent further run-
off. Tyres or other suitable objects can be placed on contour to assist in the establishment of
appropriate plants.
If the area is to be planted at a later stage it might be appropriate to plant a green manure,
such as Lucerne, which will later be incorporated into the soil.

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SAQA : 116157-DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE BASIC
CONCEPTS OF SUSTAINABLE FARMING SYSTEMS

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 SESSION 1.
Demonstrate knowledge of different elementary methods of data
collection.
Learning Outcomes
 Different methods of data collection are described correctly.
 The advantages and disadvantages of different methods are described.

Activity Questions Description Mark

1 List the different elementary methods of data collection in Agriculture

The different elementary methods of data collection in Agriculture:

 Interpreting a gauge.
 Measuring.
 Observing.
 Collecting samples.
 Counting.
 Scouting.

Activity Questions Description Mark

2 Discuss soil sampling

Soil Sampling
Sampling depth:

 Topsoil 0 - 300 mm.

 Subsoil 300 - 600 mm.

Number of samples: A sample comprises of a combination of at least 10 sub samples. A

composite sample should not represent more than 3 ha. Samples from different orchards or
lands should not be combined.
Distribution of sampling points: Take samples by walking diagonally from the corner through
the orchard or land. In an established orchard, topsoil and subsoil samples should be taken at
the same trees selected for leaf sampling. Soil samples must be taken under the canopy of
trees in the middle between the stem and the drip area perimeter.
Method of sampling: Clear the soil surface of debris, leaves and fertiliser. A soil sample must
not be taken too soon after fertilising because this will contaminate the soil sample and lead to
an incorrect analysis. The top and subsoil samples are taken by removing a core of soil from the
top 0 to 300 mm and then from 300 to 600 mm soil depth, respectively.
Packaging of samples: Sub samples from an orchard or land should be
combined in the respective bucket (not a fertiliser bag) and mixed thoroughly. A sample of about

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2 kg is taken from the composite

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 SESSION 2.
Collect and report on collected agricultural data by using prescribed
collection methods.
Learning Outcomes
 The prescribed data collection methods are applied used correctly.
 Data is collected accurately.
 The required reporting format is applied.
 Basic deviances in data are identified, noted and reported.

Activity Questions Description Mark

3 Explain biological data in terms of agricultural data collection

Biological Data

This normally includes reports on:

 water quality;
 environmental impacts;
 occurrences of natural fauna and flora; and
 a count of invasive species, pests and diseased plants in the crop.

This type of report is important in terms of ensuring that Ecological Environments are not
damaged and that the land, water and natural resources remain in optimum state for
sustainable agricultural usage.

Activity Questions Description Mark

4 Discuss Methods to Apply Data Collection

Methods to Apply Data Collection

Data Collection Methods Examples
Documents These methods identify
 Historical trends in leisure research
 Literature review and practice. Participants
 Meta-analysis keep diaries and journals
 Diaries researcher conducts content
 Content Analysis analysis of studies, reports
 Secondary Data (data mining) and diaries.
Observations How people behave and
 Interpretive interact in public open
 Ethnographic spaces. Observe

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  Participant observer systematically, become a
 Case study participant observer.
To learn what people think
about leisure motivation. To
Survey
identify relationships
 Questionnaire
between motivation and
 Interview
satisfaction. Use interviews,
 Standardized Scales/Instruments
surveys and standardized
scales.
Obtain information under
controlled conditions about
leisure attitudes and
experience with virtual
Experimental
reality. Subjects may be
 True designs
randomly assigned to
 Quasi designs
various tests and
experiences then assessed
via observation or
standardized scales.
To identify trends and issues
about leisure services,
management and delivery
Other Field Methods systems. Focus Group
 Nominal Group Technique systems. Various group,
 Delphi question and pencil paper
exercises are used by
facilitators.

Interviews, journals and

quantitative measures are
Multimethods Approach combined to provide a more
  Combination of methods shown accurate definition and
operationalization of the
concept.

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 SESSION 3.
Use and maintain data collection equipment correctly.
Learning Outcomes
 Correct use of data collection equipment is explained.
 Correct method of storage of the data collection equipment is explained.
 Minor repairs to the data collection equipment are performed correctly.
 Collection equipment is cleaned correctly.

Activity Questions Description Mark

5 Explain the electronic tools of data collection

Electronic These include equipment Each piece of electronic equipment has a very
tools such as: Tensiometers, specific and scientific function and should be
Oscilloscopes, Global stored, repaired and cleaned as prescribe by
Positioning systems, Bar- the manufacturer.
codes scanners, computers We will look at their uses in more detail at
and many more. higher level of this learning.

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 SESSION 4.
Apply health and safety measures applicable to the collection
method and equipment.
Learning Outcomes
 Health and safety measures required for the safe collection of data are explained.
 Appropriate protective garments and tools are used during data collection.
 Applicable hygiene standards are maintained throughout the process of data collection.

Activity Questions Description Mark

6 Discuss soil and water contamination in terms of health and safety

Soil and Water Contamination

Care should be taken when compiling data so that spray drift does not contaminate water
sources, such as dams, streams, springs, etc, as this might contaminate samples and distort the
data.
Filling points where chemicals are mixed and spray machine tanks filled should be situated
at least 50m from any water source, including boreholes, and have a suitable drainage
system, such as a French drain, that can safely drain away spilt chemicals and excess
water.

Activity Questions Description Mark

Outline the importance of putting up signage in a work place for the
7 safety of all workers

Designa
esignated Area
reas
Adequate signage (approved by the authorities) that is easily observable should be placed in
locations designated for a specific purpose. These signs must give a bold, concise message
such as:

 Danger.
 No Entry.
 No smoking.
 No drinking and eating.
 Fire-extinguisher location.
 First Aid Equipment location.
 Emergency Exit.

These signs are either informative in nature or give a clear instruction in a manner that is
understandable to all irrespective of their language. Chemicals should only be mixed in
areas designated for the purpose, such as at filling points. These areas should be clearly

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marked and unauthorised personnel should not be allowed into these areas while chemicals
are being handled.

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