Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Certificate in Organic Primary Production (Level 3)
Version
1
Qualification type
Certificate
Level
3
Credits
50
NZSCED
059999
Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies > Other
Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies > Agriculture,
Environmental and Related Studies not elsewhere classified
Qualification developer
Primary ITO
Next review
December 2019
Approval date
April 2015
Strategic purpose statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the primary industry
with individuals who have the skills and knowledge to assist with
a range of core tasks relevant to an organic primary industry
sector.
Learners will benefit by having an organic production qualification
within a training pathway that recognises progression through the
primary industry, as well as increased skills and knowledge
acquisition to enable improved job performance.
The primary industry will benefit by having staff that are able to
carry out organic production tasks in a safe, appropriate, and
effective manner.
This qualification is targeted at people who have some general
experience in the primary industry who want to further develop
their skills and knowledge in organic primary production.
Graduates will be capable of working under limited supervision
with responsibility for work outcomes in an organic context.
Graduate profile
Graduates of the qualification will be able to:

apply basic knowledge of organic principles and organic
compliance requirements when carrying out routine day
to day operational tasks.
Outcome Statement
(50 credits)
Education pathway
This qualification may build on the New Zealand Certificate in
Primary Industry Skills (Level 2) [Ref: 2218]; and may lead on to
the New Zealand Certificate in Organic Primary Production
(Level 4) (Crop Production, Livestock Production) [Ref: 2681].
Employment pathway
Graduates of this qualification are likely to be employed as an:
organic orchard worker, organic vineyard worker, organic
Qualification Reference 2680
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Page 1 of 3
greenhouse worker, organic crop worker, organic nursery worker,
organic farm assistant.
Qualification specifications
Qualification award
This qualification may be awarded by the Primary ITO as the
qualification developer and the industry training organisation
arranging training leading to the qualification under section 5 of
the Industry Training Act 1992.
This qualification may also be awarded by an education
organisation accredited under section 250 of the Education Act
1989 to deliver an approved programme leading to this
qualification.
The formal document certifying the award of this qualification will
display the NZQF logo and may also include the name and/or
logo of the awarding education organisation.
Evidence requirements for
assuring consistency
All education organisations offering programmes leading to the
qualification must engage with arrangements for managing
consistency, including covering actual and reasonable related
costs.
Each education organisation is responsible for deciding what
specific evidence it will provide to demonstrate how well its
graduates meet the graduate profile outcomes of the
qualification.
Evidence of the following must be provided:

Student feedback on course delivery and qualification
achievement, their perception of the value of the training,
and suggestions for improvements

Feedback from employers on the level of skills,
knowledge and behaviour demonstrated by graduates of
the qualification

Evidence of effective internal quality assurance systems

Portfolios of work and/or assessment samples
demonstrating the range of student performance within a
programme
TEOs can also provide any other relevant evidence that supports
the consistency review.
Minimum standard of
achievement and standards for
grade endorsements
The minimum standard of achievement required for award of
the qualification will be the achievement of all graduate
outcomes in the graduate profile through successful completion
of an NZQA approved programme.
Other requirements for the
qualification (including regulatory
body or legislative requirements)
It is strongly recommended that this qualification is completed in
conjunction with, or following completion of, agriculture or
horticulture production qualifications at an appropriate level.
Qualification Reference 2680
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Page 2 of 3
General conditions for the programme leading to the qualification
General conditions for
programme
This qualification may be achieved in any primary industry
context and must cover a full growing or production season.
TEOs offering programmes leading to this qualification must
maintain currency with amendments to, and replacements of,
relevant legislation, regulations, and Codes of Practice.
Production standards relevant to organic production include:
BioGro NZ, AsureQuality, Demeter.
Health and safety applies across all outcomes.
The behaviours that contribute to compliance with workplace
procedures, and commercial standards and timeframes are
inherent in the performance of the qualification’s outcomes and
must be considered as part of the assessment process.
Conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
Conditions
1
Programmes may include the following organic principles:
Apply basic knowledge of
organic principles and organic
compliance requirements
when carrying out routine day
to day operational tasks.
 Inter-relationships in the holistic philosophy
 Biotic inter-reactions of organic ecosystems
 Characteristics of successful organic primary production
 Holistic integration
Contexts for applying organic principles may include:
Qualification Reference 2680
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015

Soil and ground preparation - cultivation, soil amendments

Crop or pasture - establishment, care, protection

Propagation

Post-harvest care

Weed, pest, disease control

Irrigation

Livestock care and health

Historical development of current global organic standards
and objectives
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