Unit ID: 1320 Domain Title:
PLANT HUSBANDRY Coordinate tasks for compost production and use
Level: 3
Credits: 4
Purpose This unit standard specifies the competencies required to coordinate the production of compost. It is intended for those who work in agriculture as well as those working in other agricultural occupations. It includes: • • • •
Demonstrate knowledge of compost composition and methods of production and use Coordinate tasks for compost production and care Coordinate compost use Conclude compost production and use.
Special Notes 1.
Entry information: Prerequisites: • • • • • •
Unit 1308 - Demonstrate introductory knowledge of soil, water, nutrient and plant interactions Unit 1307 - Apply soil sampling techniques and soil fertility and conditioning amendments and practices Unit 1312 - Produce Compost Unit 1379 - Operate simple farm machinery Unit 1381 - Use and maintain hand and power farm tools Unit 1382 - Operate and maintain complex farm machinery and equipment
2.
This unit standard is to be delivered and assessed in the context of agricultural operations and can be assessed in conjunction with other relevant technical unit standards.
3.
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations.
4.
This Level 3 unit standard builds on skills acquired in relevant Level 2 unit standards and adds additional competencies. It is intended that the trainees are equipped to carry out the work by themselves or to act as team leader to provide workplace instructions and coordinate the work output.
5.
Assessment evidence may be collected from a real workplace or an appropriate simulated environment in which agricultural operations are carried out.
6.
All inspection, operation and maintenance procedures associated with the use of tools and equipment shall comply with manufacturers’ guidelines and instructions.
7.
Demonstration of competence, at a minimum, requires evidence in the application of the elements in this unit standard to the production and use of two cubic metres of compost using hand and mechanised tools and equipment.
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8.
Glossary of terms • • • • •
•
•
9.
‘Materials’ may include, but are not limited to, manure, liquid manure, leaves, grass, grass clippings, lime, soil, municipal organic waste and household waste. ‘Hazards’ may include, but are not limited to, uneven surfaces, manual handling, hazardous substances, solar radiation, tools and equipment, dusts, hazardous noise, moving machinery and vehicles. ‘Environmental impact’ may include, but is not limited to, leaching and contamination of the water table, soil contamination, contaminated produce, and surface run off. 'Personal Protective Equipment' (PPE) may include, but is not limited to, boots, rubber boots, hat, overalls, gloves, eye and hearing protection, respirator, face mask and sun protection. 'Safety requirements' may include, but are not limited to, safe systems and procedures for handling, transporting and storing materials, safe operation of machinery, tools and equipment, safe procedures for applying compost, hazard and risk control, manual handling, maintaining personal hygiene, safety procedures for protecting others, outdoor work and the use of personal protective equipment. ' Workplace procedures' may include, but are not limited to; work notes, plans, product labels, manufacturer’s specifications, operator’s manuals, safety plans, fire control, waste disposal, recycling, re-use guidelines and supervisor’s oral or written instructions. ‘Tools and Equipment’ may include, but are not limited to, shovels, rakes, hoes, tractor drawn or mounted spreaders, tractor drawn or mounted cultivation equipment, mechanised shredders, mulchers and chippers and compost turning equipment.
Regulations and legislation relevant to this unit standard include the following: • • • • • • • • • • • •
Labour Act, No. 11, 2007 Regulations relating to the Health and Safety of employees at work, 1997 and all subsequent amendments to any of the above Fertilisers, farm feeds and agriculture and stock remedies Act, No. 46, 1998 Water Resources Management Act, No. 24, 2004 Environmental Management Act, No. 7, 2007 Pollution Control and Waste Management Bill, 2003 3rd draft National Policy on Climate Change for Namibia, 2011 National Drought Policy, 1997 United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, 1994 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 1992 Organic certification regulations Standards Act, 2005, Standards Regulations: Standards Act, 2005 and relevant Namibian Standards as established
and all subsequent amendments to any of the above •
All current sets of Good Agricultural Practices to which Namibia subscribes and that regulate agricultural products entering a country to which Namibian producers may export.
Quality Assurance Requirements This unit standard and others within this subfield may be awarded by institutions which meet the accreditation requirements set by the Namibia Qualifications Authority and the Namibia Training Authority and which comply with the national assessment and moderation requirements. Details of specific accreditation requirements and the national assessment arrangements are available from the Namibia Qualifications Authority on www.namqa.org and the Namibia Training Authority on www.nta.com.na. ©Namibia Qualifications Authority
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Elements and Performance Criteria Element 1.
Demonstrate knowledge of compost composition and methods of production and use
Performance Criteria 1.1
The principles and methods of compost making and values of compost use are explained.
1.2
The attributes and contributions of possible component materials are explained.
1.3
The methods of use of compost are explained.
Element 2.
Coordinate tasks for compost production and care
Range This unit standard envisages use of hand tools and simple equipment as appropriate. Production Unit may include, but is not limited to, farms, market gardens, nurseries, garden centres, greenhouses and small-holdings, or separately managed portions thereof. Soil management plan is the plan established by the supervisor for soil management on the production unit. Compost making instructions include: • • • • •
Site choice, site preparation, method of production and tool and equipment selection and use. Safety requirements to be followed in accordance with safety plans and policies. Assessment and minimising of potential risks due to hazards and to the environment prior to and during production. Personal protective equipment to be selected and used in accordance with safety requirements. Production and support equipment to be used as appropriate and according to workplace procedures.
Care for compost’ and ‘Instructions for compost care may include, but not be limited to, operations such as watering, checking and recording of temperature, aeration, turning, (re-)capping, examination of compost for quality and provision of protection, in addition to safety issues, hazards and environmental impact. Performance Criteria 2.1
Annual and individual crop needs for making compost are established in consultation with supervisor and in accordance with soil management plan.
2.2
Method of production, site selection, number and types of tools and equipment and list and quantities of materials and personnel required are established.
2.3
Compost making personnel are instructed in accordance with workplace procedures, environmental impact and soil management plan.
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2.4
Compost production preparations are supervised in accordance with workplace procedures and soil management plan.
2.5
Personnel for care of compost are instructed.
2.6
Compost care is supervised in accordance with workplace procedures, environmental impact and soil management plan.
2.7
Compost is evaluated for quality.
2.8
Measures are taken to correct any quality deficiencies as possible.
Element 3.
Coordinate compost use
Range Compost use instructions include: •
Specific method and quantity of compost to be used per crop.
•
Safety requirements to be followed in accordance with safety plans and policies.
•
Assessment and minimising of potential risks due to hazards and to the environment due to compost use.
•
Personal protective equipment to be selected and used in accordance with safety requirements.
•
Method and quantity of application, number and types of tools and equipment, and use of compost per crop.
•
Application and support equipment to be loaded or filled as appropriate and according to workplace procedures.
Performance Criteria 3.1
Method and quantity of application, number and types of tools and equipment, and use of compost per crop and personnel required are established.
3.2
Personnel for use of compost are instructed in accordance with workplace procedures.
3.3
Application and support equipment are loaded or filled as appropriate and according to workplace procedures.
3.4
Compost use or application is supervised in accordance with workplace procedures and soil management plan.
Element 4.
Complete compost production and use
Range Personnel are instructed regarding: •
Cleanup or rehabilitation of site, disposal and recycling of waste and safety requirements.
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•
Assessment and minimising of potential risks due to hazards and to the environment.
•
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and equipment and tools to be cleaned and stored in accordance with manufacturer's specifications and workplace procedures.
•
Application records to be completed.
Performance Criteria 4.1 Records are completed according to workplace procedures. 4.2 Site cleanup/rehabilitation, cleaning and storage of tools and equipment are supervised in accordance with workplace procedures.
Registration Data Subfield:
Agronomy and Horticulture
Date first registered: Date this version registered: Anticipated review:
25 November 2015 25 November 2015 2020
Body responsible for review:
Namibia Training Authority
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