REPUBLIC OF KENYA

NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS

FOR

FARM MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT OPERATOR

KNQF LEVEL 4
(CYCLE 3)

OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS CODE: 0716 354A

TVET CDACC
P.O. BOX 15745-00100
NAIROBI
© 2025, TVETCDACC
All rights reserved. No part of this Curriculum may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any
form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical
methods without the prior written permission of TVETCDACC, except in the case of brief
quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by
copyright law. For permission requests, write to the Council Secretary/CEO, at the address below:

Council Secretary/CEO
TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council
P.O. Box 15745–00100
Nairobi, Kenya
Email: [email protected]

©TVET CDACC 2025 ii

 FOREWORD

Provision of quality education and training is fundamental to the Government’s overall

strategy for socio-economic development. Quality education and training contribute to
achievement focused on Kenya’s development blueprint and sustainable development goals.

Reforms in the education and training sector are necessary for achievement of Kenya Vision
2030 and meeting the provisions the Constitution of Kenya. The education sector had to be
aligned to the Constitution and this resulted in formulation of the Policy Framework for
Reforming Education and Training (Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2019). A key feature of this
policy is the change in the design and delivery of TVET training. This policy document
requires that training in TVET be competency based, curriculum development be industry
led, certification be based on demonstration of competence and mode of delivery that allows
for multiple entry and exit in TVET programs.

These reforms demand that Industry takes a leading role in curriculum development to ensure
the curriculum addresses its competence needs. It is against this background that this
Curriculum has been developed.

It is my conviction that this curriculum will play a great role towards development of
competent human resource for the Agricultural Engineering sector’s growth and sustainable
development.

PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
STATE DEPARTMENT FOR TVET
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

1
 PREFACE

Kenya Vision 2030 aims to transform the country into a newly industrializing, middle-
income country providing high quality life to all its citizens by the year 2030. Kenya intends
to create a globally competitive and adaptive human resource base to meet requirements of a
rapidly industrializing economy through life-long education and training. TVET has a
responsibility of facilitating the process of inculcating knowledge, skills and worker behavior
necessary for catapulting the nation to a globally competitive country, hence the paradigm
shift to embrace Competency Based Education and Training (CBET).

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training Act No. 29 of 2013 and the Sessional
Paper No. 1 of 2019 on Reforming Education and Training in Kenya, emphasized the need
toreform curriculum development, assessment and certification. This called for a shift to
CBET to address the mismatch between skills acquired through training and skills needed by
industry as well as increase the global competitiveness of Kenyan labour force.

This curriculum has been developed in adherence to the Kenya National Qualification
Framework and CBETA standards and guidelines. The curriculum is designed and organized
into Units of Learning with Learning Outcomes; suggested delivery methods,
training/learning resources and methods of assessing the trainee’s achievement. The
curriculum is competency-based and allows multiple entry and exit to the course.

I am grateful to the Council Members, Council Secretariat, Agricultural Engineering NSSC,

expert workers and all those who participated in the development of this curriculum.

CHAIRPERSON
TVET CDACC

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This curriculum has been designed for competency-based training and has independent units
of learning that allow the trainee flexibility in entry and exit. In developing the curriculum,
significant involvement and support was received from industry and various organizations.

I appreciate National Agricultural Engineering Sector Skills Committee (NSSC) who enabled
the development of this curriculum. I recognize with appreciation the role of the SSC in
ensuring that competencies required by the industry are addressed in this curriculum.

I also thank all stakeholders in the Agricultural Engineering sector for their valuable input
and all those who participated in the process of developing this curriculum.

I am convinced that this curriculum will go a long way in ensuring that workers in
Agricultural Engineering sector will acquire competencies that will enable them perform
their work more efficiently

CHAIRMAN,
SECTOR SKILL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SSAC)

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 ACRONYMS

ISCED International Standard Classification of Education

OBD On Board Display

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Act

4
 KEY TO ISCED UNIT CODE

KEY TO TVET CDACC UNIT CODE

ENG /OS /AME /CR /01 /4/ MA

Industry or sector
Curriculum
Occupational area
Type of Unit
Unit number
Competency level
Version control

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ....................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................. 4

KEY TO UNIT CODE .............................................................................................................. 5

Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................... 6

OVERVIEW .............................................................................................................................. 7

SUMMARY OF UNITS OF COMPETENCY ........................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

OPERATE FARM TRACTOR ................................................................................................. 8

OPERATE FARM MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT ........................................................ 14
UTILIZE COMPUTERIZED AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT .......................................... 19

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 OVERVIEW

Farm Machinery and Equipment operation Level 4 qualification consists of competencies

required by an individual to operate farm tractor, operate farm machinery and equipment and
operate computerized agricultural equipment

Units of competency comprising Farm Machinery and Equipment Operation Level 4

qualification include the following.

Core Units of Competency

UNIT CODE TVETCDACC UNIT UNIT TITLE

CODE

0716 351 01A ENG/OS/AME/CR/01/4/MA Operate Farm Tractor

0716 351 02A ENG/OS/AME/CR/02/4/MA Operate Farm Machinery and Equipment

0716 351 03A ENG/OS/AME/CR/03/4/MA Operate Computerized Agricultural

Equipment

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 OPERATE FARM TRACTOR

ISCED UNIT CODE: 0716 351 01A

TVETCDACC UNIT CODE: ENG/OS/AME/CR/01/4/MA

UNIT DESCRIPTION
This unit specifies the competencies required by a Farm Machinery and Equipment Operator
Level 4 to operate farm tractor. It involves inspecting farm tractor systems, driving farm
tractor, servicing farm tractor systems, maintaining and repairing farm tractor systems.
ELEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
ELEMENT PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
These describe the key These are assessable statements which specify the required level
outcomes which make up of performance for each of the elements.
workplace function. Bold and italicized terms are elaborated in the Range.
1. Determine force, 1.1.Personal protective equipment is worn based on OSHA
work, energy and 1.2.Define force, work, energy and power is determined as
power per work place procedures.
1.3.Forms of energy is identified as per work place
procedure.
1.4.Simple calculations on force, work, energy and power is
identified as per work place procedure.
2. Perform bench 2.1.Personal protective equipment is worn based on OSHA
work 2.2. Bench work tools and equipment are identified as per
work place procedure.
2.3.benchwork tools and equipment are maintained as per
work place procedure.

3. Analyse physical 3.1.Personal protective equipment is worn based on OSHA

properties of 3.2.Engineering materials are identified as per physical
engineering properties.
materials 3.3.Engineering materials are tested as per work
requirements.
4. Carry out 4.1.Personal protective equipment is worn based on OSHA
mechanical 4.2. Mechanical machines were identified as per the work
machining carried out
operations 4.3.Mechanical machine operations were Performed as per
work requirements.
4.4.Recycling and reusing waste materials in machine

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 operations is identified as per work place requirement.
4.5.Mechanical machines are maintained as per
manufacturers specifications and manuals

5. Apply geometry 5.1.Obtain perimeter and areas of regular figures as per

and measurements geometric rules.
5.2.Volumes and surface area of Solids are Obtained using
geometric rules
5.3.Engineering problems are solved using Pythagoras
theorem as per work requirements

6. Inspect farm 6.1. Personal protective equipment is worn based on OSHA

6.2.Farm Tractor system is identified according to
tractor systems
manufacturer’s manual
6.3. Farm tractor inspection tools and equipment are
assembled as per work requirements
6.4.Farm tractor system inspection procedure is carried out
as per operator’s manual
6.5.Farm tractor system inspection report is prepared as per
work requirements.

7.1.Personal protective equipment is worn based on OSHA

7.2.Farm tractor starting procedure is carried out as per
7. Drive farm tractor
operator’s manual
7.3.Farm tractor is driven as per operator’s manual
8.1.Personal protective equipment is worn based on OSHA
8.2.Tractor system parts and components are identified as
per operator’s manual.
8. Operate Farm 8.3.Farm tractor system and equipment inspection procedure
tractor system is carried out as per operator’s manual.
8.4 Farm tractor equipment attachment/mounting procedure
is carried out as per operator’s manual
8.5.Farm tractor is operated as per operator’s manual

9.1.Personal protective equipment is worn based on OSHA

9.2.Service schedule is prepared as per maintenance and service
9. Service farm tractor
manual
systems
9.3.Pre-start checks are carried out as per operator’s manual
9.4.Routine scheduled service is carried out as per farm tractor

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 service manual.
9.5.A farm tractor system service report is prepared as per work
requirements

10.1. Personal protective equipment is worn based on OSHA

10.2. Farm Tractor system maintenance and repair tools and
10. Maintain and repair
equipment are assembled as per work requirements
farm tractor systems
10.3. Farm tractor system faults are diagnosed as per
manufacturer’s manual
10.4. Farm tractor systems are maintained and repaired as per
manufacturer’s manual

RANGE

This section provides work environment and conditions to which the performance criteria
apply. It allows for different work environment and situations that will affect performance.

Variable Range

1. Personal protective equipment • Gloves

includes but not limited to: • Helmet
• Face shields
• Safety goggles
• Safety boots
• Overalls
• Dust coat
• Ear muffs
• Face masks
2. Tractor system includes but not • Cooling
limited to: • Fuel
• Lubrication
• Ignition
• Transmission
• Electrical
• Hydraulic

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3. Farm tractor inspection tools and • Toolbox
equipment includes but not limited • Pressure gauge
to: • Multimeter
• Greasing gun
• Onboard display tester
• Torque wrench
4. Tractor system maintenance and • Jack
repair tools and equipment • Toolbox
includes but not limited to: • Torque wrench
• Pullers
• Filler gauge
• Ring squeezer

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

This section describes the knowledge and skills required for this unit of competency.

Required knowledge

The individual needs to demonstrate knowledge of:

• Different land surface condition

• Machinery shutting down procedure
• Different farm tools and materials
• Waste management and disposal methods
• Occupational safety and health procedures

The Required Skills

The individual needs to demonstrate the following skills:

• Logical thinking
• Problem solving
• Communication
• Analytical
• Record keeping

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EVIDENCE GUIDE

This provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance
criteria, required knowledge and skills range.

1. Critical aspects of Assessment requires evidence that the candidate:

competency
1.1 Worn personal protective equipment based on OSHA
1.2 Inspected farm tractor systems according to manufacturer’s
manual
1.3 Prepared farm tractor system inspection report as per work
requirements
1.4 Serviced farm tractor systems according to service and
maintenance manual.
1.5 Diagnosed farm tractor system faults as per manufacturer’s
manual
1.6 Repaired farm tractor systems as per manufacturer’s manual

2. Resource The following resources should be provided:

implications
2.1 Appropriately simulated environment where assessment can
take place
2.2 Access to relevant work environment
2.3 Resources relevant to the proposed activity or tasks
3. Methods of Competency in this unit may be assessed through:
assessment
3.1 Practical
3.2 Project
3.3 Portfolio of evidence
3.4 Third party report
3.5 Written tests
3.6 Oral assessments
4. Context of Competency in this unit may be assessed in;
assessment
4.1 Workplace or simulated workplace.

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5. Guidance information Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry
for assessment sector and workplace job role is recommended.

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 OPERATE FARM MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT

ISCED UNIT CODE: 0716 351 02A

TVETCDACC UNIT CODE: ENG/OS/AME/CR/02/4/MA

UNIT DESCRIPTION
This unit specifies the competencies required by a Farm Machinery and Equipment Operator
Level 4 to operate farm machinery and equipment. It involves operating tillage, planting, crop
protection and harvesting equipment and machinery.

ELEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

ELEMENT PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

These describe the key These are assessable statements which specify the required level
outcomes which make up of performance for each of the elements.
workplace function. Bold and italicized terms are elaborated in the Range.
1. Operate tillage 1.1 Personal protective equipment is worn based on OSHA
equipment and 1.2 Farm tillage equipment and machinery are assembled as
machinery per work requirement.
1.3 Farm tillage equipment and machinery are adjusted as per
work requirement
1.4 Farm tillage equipment and machinery are operated as per
work requirement
1.5 Farm tillage equipment and machinery are maintained as
per operator’s manuals.

2.1 Personal protective equipment is worn based on OSHA

2.2 Planting equipment and machinery are assembled as per
work requirement.
2. Operate planting 2.3 Planting equipment and machinery are calibrated as per
equipment and operator’s manual.
machinery 2.4 Planting equipment and machinery are operated as per work
requirement.
2.5 Planting equipment and machinery are maintained as per
operator’s manuals

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 3.1 Personal protective equipment is worn based on OSHA
3.2 Crop protection equipment and machinery are assembled
as per work requirement.
3. Operate crop 3.3 Crop protection equipment and machinery are calibrated as
protection equipment per operator’s manual.
and machinery 3.4 Crop protection equipment and machinery are operated as
per work requirement.
3.5 Crop protection equipment and machinery are maintained as
per operator’s manuals
4.1 Personal protective equipment is worn based on OSHA
4.2 Crop harvesting equipment and machinery are assembled
as per work requirement.
4. Operate crop
4.3 Crop harvesting equipment and machinery are calibrated as
harvesting equipment
per operator’s manual.
and machinery
4.4 Crop harvesting equipment and machinery are operated as
per work requirement.
4.5 Crop harvesting equipment and machinery are maintained as
per operator’s manuals

RANGE
This section provides work environment and conditions to which the performance criteria
apply. It allows for different work environment and situations that will affect performance.

Variable Range

1. Farm tillage equipment and • Disc plough

machinery include but not limited • Mouldboard plough
to: • Subsoiler
• Chisel plough
• Cultivators
• Rotavator
• Power plough
• Disc harrow

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2. Planting Equipment and • Broadcaster
Machinery include but not limited • Seed Drills
to: • Row crop planter
• Pneumatic planter
• Potato planter
• Drones
3. Crop protection machinery and • Knapsack sprayer
equipment include but not limited • Boom sprayer
to: • Dusters
• Aerial sprayers
• Motorised sprayers
4. Harvesting machinery and • Mowers
equipment include but not limited • Balers
to: • Conditioners
• Forage harvesters
• Combine harvesters

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

This section describes the knowledge and skills required for this unit of competency.

Required knowledge

The individual needs to demonstrate knowledge of:

• Field assessment procedures

• Different land condition
• Procedure of checking and adjusting agricultural machinery, tools and equipment
• Different agricultural machinery, tools and equipment
• Calibration of agricultural machines
• Service and maintenance of agricultural machinery, tools and equipment
• Occupational safety and health procedures
Required Skills
The individual needs to demonstrate the following skills:

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 • Logical thinking
• Problem solving
• Communication
• Analytical

EVIDENCE GUIDE

This provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance
criteria, required knowledge and skills range.

1. Critical aspects of Assessment requires evidence that the candidate:

competency
1.1 Worn personal protective equipment based on OSHA
1.2 Operated farm tillage equipment and machinery as per work
requirement
1.3 Maintained tillage equipment and machinery as per
manufacturer’s manual
1.4 Calibrated planting equipment and machinery as per
manufacturer’s manual.
1.5 Operated and utilized planting equipment and machinery as
per work requirement.
1.6 Maintained planting equipment and machinery as per
manufacturer’s manual
1.7 Calibrated crop protection equipment and machinery as per
manufacturer’s manual.
1.8 Operated and utilized crop protection equipment and
machinery as per work requirement.
1.9 Maintained crop protection equipment and machinery are as
per manufacturer’s manual
1.10 Calibrated harvesting equipment and machinery are as
per manufacturer’s manual.
1.11 Operated and utilized harvesting equipment and
machinery as per work requirement.
1.12 Maintained harvesting equipment and machinery as per
manufacturer’s manual

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2. Resource The following resources should be provided:
implications
2.1 Appropriately simulated environment where assessment can
take place
2.2 Access to relevant work environment
2.3 Resources relevant to the proposed activity or tasks
3. Methods of Competency in this unit may be assessed through:
assessment
3.1 Practical
3.2 Project
3.3 Portfolio of evidence
3.4 Third party report
3.5 Written tests
3.6 Oral assessments
4. Context of Competency in this unit may be assessed in;
assessment
4.1 Workplace or simulated workplace.

5. Guidance information Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry
for assessment sector and workplace job role is recommended.

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 OPERATE COMPUTERIZED AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT

ISCED UNIT CODE: 0716 351 03A

TVETCDACC UNIT CODE: ENG/OS/AME/CR/03/4/MA

UNIT DESCRIPTION
This unit specifies the competencies required by a Farm Machinery and Equipment Operator
Level 4 to utilize computerized agricultural equipment. It involves activating, navigating and
operating computerized agricultural equipment.

ELEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

ELEMENT PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
These describe the key These are assessable statements which specify the required
outcomes which make up level of performance for each of the elements.
workplace function. Bold and italicized terms are elaborated in the Range.
1. Operate computer devices 1.1.Procedure for turning/off a computer is performed as
per user manual.
1.2.Computer devices types are identified as per work place
procedure.
1.3.Computer systems and components are identified as per
work place requirements.
2. Activate computerized 2.1.Personal protective equipment is worn based on OSHA
agricultural equipment 2.2.Computerized agricultural equipment components
are assembled as per operator’s manual.
2.3.Computerized agricultural equipment is activated as per
operator’s manual.

3. Navigate computerized 3.1.Personal protective equipment is worn based on OSHA

agricultural equipment 3.2.Computerized agricultural equipment menu is accessed
as per operator’s manual.
3.4.Computerized agricultural equipment is customized as
per work requirement.

4. Operate computerized 4.1.Personal protective equipment is worn based on OSHA

agricultural equipment 4.2.Computerized agricultural equipment functions are
selected as per work requirement.
4.3.Computerized agricultural equipment is operated as per

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 operator’s manual.

RANGE

This section provides work environment and conditions to which the performance criteria
apply. It allows for different work environment and situations that will affect performance.

Variable Range

1. Computerized agricultural • OBD

equipment components include • Display interfaces
but not limited to: • Control systems
• Joystick
• Sensors
• GPS receivers
• Actuators of robotic arms
• Communication modules
2. Computerized agricultural
equipment functions include but
• Mowers
not limited to:
• Balers
• Conditioners
• Forage harvesters
• Combine

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

This section describes the knowledge and skills required for this unit of competency.

Required knowledge

The individual needs to demonstrate knowledge of:

• Data analysis and presentation

• Computer application packages
• Field assessment procedures

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 • Different land condition
• Different farm tools and materials
• Soil and water conservation
• Occupational safety and health procedures

Required skills
The individual needs to demonstrate the following skills:

• Record keeping
• Planning
• Digital literacy
• Measuring
• Decision making
• Communication skills

EVIDENCE GUIDE

This provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance
criteria, required knowledge and skills range.

1. Critical aspects of Assessment requires evidence that the candidate:

competency
1.1 Determined work, energy and power as per work
requirement
1.2 Solved problems on simple machines as per work procedure
1.3 Solved problems on levers as per work procedures
1.4 Determined bending moments based on loading
1.5 Applied forces and bending moments in engineering systems
1.6 Calculated flow rate in pipes as per required discharge
1.7 Determined losses in pipes as per flow rate measurement

2. Resource The following resources should be provided:

implications
2.1 Appropriately simulated environment where assessment can
take place
2.2 Access to relevant workplace
2.3 Materials relevant to the proposed activity or tasks

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3. Methods of Competency in this unit may be assessed through:
assessment 3.1 Practical
3.2 Project
3.3 Portfolio of evidence
3.4 Third party report
3.5 Written tests
3.6 Oral assessments
4. Context of Competency in this unit may be assessed in;
assessment
4.1 A workplace or simulated workplace.

5. Guidance information Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry
for assessment sector and workplace job role is recommended.

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