What Is Farming
Farming is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to live in cities. The history of agriculture began thousands of years ago
Entry Requirements To Study Farming In South Africa
ADMISSION PROCESS
Applications for admission to the College must be made on the prescribed application forms. The application form must be completed in detail and signed by the learner or parent or guardian and submitted to the College by the prescribed date.
Each application for admission must be accompanied by documentation as stipulated in the Regulations for Admission of the College.
Admission to the College of students with special learning needs (disabilities) is investigated in each specific case and tested against this policy and ability to meet the requirements and outcomes of the practical training program.
Entrance to the Diploma in Agriculture
The qualifications offered by the college are currently accredited under the auspices of the Council on Higher Education (CHE), with quality assurance being undertaken by the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC), a permanent sub-committee of the CHE. The qualifications are recognized on a national scale.
- Entrance Requirement
The College uses five systems for determining eligibility:
Applicants who completed matric prior to 2009,
Applicants who completed matric from 2009,
Applicants who have completed NQF4 NCV Agricultural Production,
Applicants who are eligible in terms of the College RPL policy,
Applicants who have completed their schooling outside the Republic of South Africa.
1)Applicants who completed matric prior
The applicant must have at least 22 points calculated using the table below and are subjected to the following limitation;
- The minimum acceptable symbol for any subject at Higher grade (HG) is E; applicants with any subject with a symbol lower than E will not be considered. The minimum acceptable symbol for any subject at Standard grade (SG) is D; applicants with any subject with a symbol lower than D will not be considered.
Calculating matric points prior
| SUBJECT | GRADE | SYMBOL | |||||
| A | B | C | D | E | F | ||
| English, Maths, Physical Science | HG | 18 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 4 |
| Biology, Geography, Accountancy, Agricultural Science, Home Economics | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | |
| All other subjects | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| English, Maths, Physical Science | SG | 14 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Biology, Geography, Accountancy, Agric. Science, Home Economics | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | |
| All other subjects | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
5.2)Applicants who completed matric
The applicant must have a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualification with an average achievement rating of level 3 (40% or better), with least 24 points on the Admission Points Score system plus the following specific requirements at using the table below, subject to the following limitations:
At least 2 subjects at level 5 (60% – 69%), preferably Physical Science.
English at least a level 4 (50% – 59%)
Mathematics (Core Maths) at least a level 3 (40% – 49%) OR Maths Literacy at at least a level 5 (60% to69%)
Life Orientation at least a level 4 [1]
Not more than one subject at level 1.
[1] For applicants with a post-2009 NSC, a minimum achievement rating of level 3 (40%) in Life Orientation (LO) is required for the National Senior Certificate. In order to signal the importance of this subject, this standard specifies, for admission to all qualifications, a minimum performance of level 4 (50%).[Does not apply to students with a NSC prior to 2009; such applications will be handled at the discretion of the Principal; lack of an LO farm.
Calculation matric points
| NSCRating | NSCPercentage | Points Rating for APS | Adjusted Percentages for APS |
| 8 | 90% to 100% | ||
| 7 | 80% to100% | 7 | 80% to 89% |
| 6 | 70% to 79% | 6 | 70% to 79% |
| 5 | 60% to 69% | 5 | 60% to 69% |
| 4 | 50% to 59% | 4 | 50% to 59% |
| 3 | 40% to 49% | 3 | 40% to 49% |
| 2 | 30% to 39% | 2 | 30% to 39% |
| 1 | 0% to 29% | 1 | 0% to 29% |
5.3)Applicants who have completed NQF4 NVC Agricultural Production
The applicant must have a passed the qualification with at least a 50% aggregate,at least a 50% pass in the highest NQF level foundation English in the program, and no module/unit standard with a mark of less than40%.
- 4)Applicant who apply using RPL
Applicant applying with RPL will be eligible if they have attained the to the status of either the post-2009 NSC or the NQF4 NCV as set out in 3.1.1.2 and 3.1.1.3 by way of the prevailing RPL policy of the College.
- 5)Applicants who completed their schooling outside the Republic of South Africa
The applicants must have attained the to the status of either theNSC or the NQF4NCV asset out in 3.1.1.2 and 3.1.1.3 by way of an official assessment by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)[2] and which assessment must accompany the application form.
[2] Postnet Suite 248, Private Bag X06, Waterkloof, Pretoria, 0145; Website: saqa.co.za
Schools Offering Farming In South Africa
Cedara Agricultural College
Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute/ Cape Institute of Agricultural Training: Elsenburg
Fort Cox College of Agriculture and Forestry
Glen College of Agriculture
Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute
Madzivhandila College of Agriculture
Owen Sithole College of Agriculture
Potschefstroom College of Agriculture
Taung Agricultural College
Tompi Seleka Agricultural College
What requirements are needed to study agriculture in South Africa?
Admission Requirements
Admission Points Score (APS): 30 with mathematics or 30 with Mathematic Literacy.
English (home language or first additional language): Level 4.
Mathematics: Level 4 or Mathematical Literacy: Level 6.
Life Sciences/Biology/Agriculture: Level 4.
Physical Sciences: Level 4.
What subjects are needed for farming in South Africa ?
First Semester – N6
Management: Farming.
Data Management: Farming.
Dairy Production.
Fruit Production.
Vine Production.
Plant Nutrition.
Applied Farming Techniques.
What grades do you need for farming in South Africa ?
You’ll usually need: 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course. 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level.
Do I need maths to study agriculture in South Africa ?
No, Mathematics is not a compulsory subject for BSC in Agriculture. To get a seat in BSC Agriculture , you should be science student, with PCB or PCM.
How many years does it take to become a farmer in South Africa ?
Applicants must successfully complete a four-part certification examination as well as a code of ethics test. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in the agricultural field and four years of farming experience are also required to obtain this credential.
How do I start a farm with no money in South Africa?
Use spare or unused land. Everyone agrees Mzansi needs new farmers.
Don’t be scared to start small.
Never stop learning.
Utilise your networks and collaborate!
Find funding.
Start a communal farm.
Don’t be scared of failure.
Hustle, hustle, hustle.
Can I study agriculture without matric in South Africa ?
Students without Grade 10, but with practical experience on farms, are also encouraged to apply and may be granted entry through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) This assessment has been put in place to ensure the success of our students.
How much does it cost to start a farm in South Africa?
On average, it could cost you between R20,000 to 50,000 to start your own chicken farm, depending on how big or small you’re starting. It costs between R38 to R40 to grow a day-old chick to a point of sale, and one box of 100 day-old chicks costs between R850 to R950.
How much money do farmers make in South Africa?
The average pay for a Crop Farmer is ZAR 294,446 a year and ZAR 142 an hour in South Africa. The average salary range for a Crop Farmer is between ZAR 217,529 and ZAR 363,456. On average, a Less Than HS Degree is the highest level of education for a Crop Farmer.
Is farming a good business?
You can start agriculture related business and earn handsome income out of that. Moreover, agriculture is a very vast field which includes forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery too. The businesses related to agriculture are quite profitable and demanding but requires passion and dedication.