TARDI launches the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program to benefit farmers

Eastern Cape farmers are set to benefit from the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme, which was launched at the Tsolo Agricultural and Rural Development Institute (TARDI) in partnership with AgriSETA. TARDI representing the department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) was one of the five agricultural colleges across the country to pilot the RPL programme which is aimed recognising prior knowledge through a SAQA accredited course. The launch at TARDI was also meant to showcase the strides the department undertakes towards skilling and reskilling personnel as part of agricultural skills development initiatives. Speaking on behalf of the farmers, Wilfred Joka said: “As farmers we are happy about this programme. It will help us to enhance our skills and our confidence in farming because we will have a certificate that recognise our knowledge.” He added that the opening of AgriSETA offices at TARDI will improve the skilling of the farmers, which was critical because of the new technologies that are part of farming. TARDI principal Dr Nandipha Ndudane said the RPL graduation was an outcome of the partnership between Association of Principals of Agricultural Colleges (APAC) and AgriSETA. “We are here to celebrate and say congratulations on being the first beneficiaries of the RPL program. We would also like to thank you (AgriSETA) for affording us the opportunity to pilot this programme here in Mhlontlo area.” “We are here to develop communities and empower our people,” added Ndudane. AgriSETA donated R1m towards the establishment of the RPL office and the launch of the programme and AgriSETA’s Quality Assurance Manager Fani Phetla urged farmers to continue to develop their farming skills through the programme. “People in South Africa have the knowledge and skills in farming. We, therefore, need to recognise people and issue them with certificates to acknowledge these skills. “There are people out there who are dying as a result of food shortages, however, agriculture can be the answer to many of the country’s food security challenges,” said Phetla. He said the RPL is a process through which formal, non-formal and informal learning are measured, mediated for recognition across the different contexts and certified against the requirements for credit, access, inclusion or advancement in the formal education and training system or workplace. At least 11 of TARDI staff who work in both animal and crop production sections received RPL certificates. “This RPL programme was not easy but we are happy that the skills we had are being recognised. I started working in 1989 and no one could tell about how to plant but I had no certificate to show that knowledge hence today is one of the joyous days in my life,” said a jubilant Ntombesipho Vumani. TARDI will continue to recognise knowledge and skills through RPL. Sod turning caption – Dr Nandipha Ndudane, AgriSeta Quality Assurance Manager Fani Phetla and local chief