TESDA offers Agricultural Crops Production as one of its programs under the Agriculture, Horticulture, and Fisheries Sector. This program aims to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable and profitable crop production. The training includes both theoretical and practical aspects to ensure that graduates are prepared for real-world applications.
Also read: How to Apply for a Scholarship in TESDA
They consist of Agricultural Crops Production I, II, and III, including the Online Course for Agricultural Crops Production NC II. The curriculum follows the competency standards set by TESDA to ensure that graduates are competent and job-ready.
Benefits
Here are some benefits of taking the TESDA Agricultural Crops Production course:
- Certification: Completing the course and passing the assessment earns a valued TESDA certification, enhancing job prospects in agriculture.
- Practical Learning: The course offers hands-on training to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, covering crop handling and issue-solving.
- Employability: With rising demand for skilled agricultural workers, the course boosts skills and job market competitiveness.
- Career Growth: Completing the course opens opportunities for roles like farm manager or crop specialist, and potential for starting a business.
- Food Security: The course empowers individuals to contribute to sustainable agriculture and combat global hunger and malnutrition.
Agricultural Crops Production NC I
The Agricultural Crops Production NC I includes essential skills for producing crops like rice, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. It targets beginners in the industry, focusing on basic crop husbandry under supervision or alongside experienced workers.
Units of Competency
The units of competency in this qualification include:
BASIC COMPETENCIES
- Receive and respond to workplace communication
- Work with others
- Demonstrate work values
- Practice basic housekeeping procedures
COMMON COMPETENCIES
- Apply safety measures in farm operations
- Use farm tools and equipment
- Perform estimation and calculations
- Apply basic first aid
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Support horticultural crop work
- Support nursery work
- Support agronomic crop work
- Support irrigation work
Career Opportunities
A person with this Qualification is competent to be:
- Farm Laborer
Training Duration
A total of 302 Hours including all the competencies.
Qualifications
Students or trainees looking to enroll in this course should have the following qualifications.
- Can read and write
- Good moral character
- Effective communication skills
- Physically and mentally healthy, certified by a Public Health Officer
Agricultural Crops Production NC II
The Agricultural Crops Production NC II course includes skills needed to grow agricultural crops, covering nursery operations, planting, crop care, maintenance, and harvest and postharvest operations.
Units of Competency
The unit of competency comprising this qualification includes the following:
BASIC COMPETENCIES
- Participate in workplace communication
- Work in a team environment
- Practice career professionalism
- Practice occupational health and safety procedures
COMMON COMPETENCIES
- Apply safety measures in farm operations
- Use farm tools and equipment
- Perform estimation and calculations
- Process farm wastes
- Perform record keeping
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Perform nursery operations
- Plant crops
- Care and maintain crops
- Carry-out harvest and postharvest operations
Career Opportunities
A person with this Qualification is competent to be:
- Farmer/Grower
- Farm worker
- Nursery operator
- Farm aide
- Farm caretaker
Training Duration
- 18 hrs – Basic Competencies
- 58 hrs – Common Competencies
- 260 hrs – Core Competencies
Total: 336 hrs
Qualifications
Students or trainees wishing to enroll in this course should have the following qualifications:
- Can read and write
- Good moral character
- Effective oral and written communication
- Physically and mentally healthy, certified by a Public Health Officer
Agricultural Crops Production NC III
Agricultural Crops Production NC III includes skills needed to manage a small farm, focusing on decision-making and tasks related to growing and harvesting crops like grains, legumes, coffee, and sugar cane. Workers are often independent, owning small businesses or working in cooperatives.
Units of Competencies
BASIC COMPETENCIES
- Lead workplace communication
- Lead small teams
- Develop and practice negotiation skills
- Solve problems related to work activities
- Use mathematical concepts and techniques
- Use relevant technologies
COMMON COMPETENCIES
- Apply safety measures in farm operations
- Use farm tools and equipment
- Perform estimation and calculations
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Prepare land for agricultural crop production
- Implement post-harvest program
- Implement plant nutrition program
- Control weeds
- Prepare and apply chemicals
- Establish agronomic crops
- Undertake agronomic crop maintenance activities
- Undertake agronomic crop harvesting activities
- Save, prepare and store agricultural seed
- Implement vertebrate pest control program
ELECTIVE COMPETENCIES
- Follow site quarantine procedures
- Collect samples for a rural production or horticultural monitoring program
- Handle bulk materials in storage area
- Prepare grain storage
- Comply with industry quality assurance requirements
- Maintain and monitor environmental work practices
- Keep records for farm business
- Perform specialized machinery maintenance
- Install irrigation systems
Career Opportunities
An individual who has attained this qualification is equipped to be:
- Independent Farmer (Owner/Operator in a smaller operation)
- Leading hand
Training Duration
A total of 445 Hours including all the competencies.
Qualifications
Applicants for this course should meet the following criteria:
- Ability to communicate both orally and in writing
- Physical and mental fitness
- Good moral character
- Basic math skills
Note: Specific requirements like educational background or relevant work experience may be set by the institution offering the TVET program.
Agricultural Crops Production NC II Online Course
The course is now available online to cater learners who want to learn the skills without leaving their homes. Agricultural Crops Production NC II is a short course offered aims to equip learners with the knowledge and skills in producing high-quality agricultural crops.
Modules
There are 5 modules covered in the Agricultural Crops Production NC II. These modules are designed to provide comprehensive knowledge and skills in the field of agriculture, specifically on crop production. Each module is carefully curated to cover different topics and techniques necessary for a successful career in this industry.
Module 1: Introduction to Agricultural Crops Production
This module teaches you important things you need to know, like knowledge, skills, and attitude, before you can work in the agricultural crop production sector. It’s like getting ready to become a pro in growing crops!
UNIT 1: Working in the Agricrops Production Sector
Lesson 1: What is Agricultural Crops Production?
Lesson 2: Agriculture in the Philippines
Lesson 3: Phases of Agricultural Crops Production
Upon completion of this unit, the learner will possess the ability to:
- Explain the relevance of agricultural crop production in the agriculture sector
- Determine the qualities of a farm worker
- Explain the various agricultural phases
UNIT 2: Fundamentals of Agri Crops Production
Lesson 1: Common Agricultural Crops
Lesson 2: Farm Tools, Implement, and Equipment
Lesson 3: Occupational Health and Safety Measures in Farm Operations
Lesson 4: Estimation and Basic Calculations in the Farm
Lesson 5: Recordkeeping
Upon completion of this unit, the learner will possess the ability to:
- Determine the different types of common crops in the Philippines
- Identify essential farm tools, implements, and equipment
- Practice the need for occupational health and safety measures
- Perform basic calculations and record-keeping
Module 2: Performing Nursery Operations Online Course
This module teaches you everything you need to know about taking care of nurseries and plants. You’ll learn the important knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to perform nursery operations and procedures. It’s like becoming a plant expert!
UNIT 1: Selecting Planting Materials
Lesson 1: Kinds and Varieties of Planting Materials
Lesson 2: Conducting Seed Testing
Upon completion of this unit, the learner will possess the ability to:
- Determine the kinds and varieties of planting materials;
- Perform procedures for conducting seed testing; and
- Demonstrate procedures for breaking seed dormancy.
UNIT 2: Preparing Growing Media
Lesson 1: Types of Growing Media
Lesson 2: Preparing the Seedbed
Upon completion of this unit, the learner will possess the ability to:
- Determine the characteristics of Growing Media;
- Prepare the growing media according to plant requirements
- Prepare the seedbed for seed germination.
UNIT 3: Performing Plant Propagation Techniques
Lesson 1: Setting up and Maintaining the Nursery Facilities
Lesson 2: Performing Sexual Plant Propagation
Lesson 3: Performing Asexual Plant Propagation
Upon completion of this unit, the learner will possess the ability to:
- Identify the different set-up of the Nursery Shed
- Select quality seedlings
- Identify the different asexual propagation techniques
- Maintain germinated seedlings until fully established
- Perform pricking and thinning of seedlings
Module 3: Planting Crops
This module teaches you everything you need to know about planting different crops on a farm. You’ll learn the knowledge, skills, and attitude required to grow various agricultural plants successfully.
UNIT 1: Preparing the Land for Planting
Lesson 1: Land Preparation Activities
Lesson 2: Conducting Field Lay Out (Types of Planting System)
Lesson 3: Digging Holes
Upon completion of this unit, the learner will possess the ability to:
- Perform basic methods of land preparation
- Conduct soil sampling using a Soil Testing Kit (STK)
- Interpret field layout plan according to the recommended planting system
- Perform digging of holes and application of basal fertilizer
UNIT 2: Performing Direct Seeding and Transplanting
Lesson 1: Sowing Seeds
Lesson 2: Transplanting Seedlings
Upon completion of this unit, the learner will possess the ability to:
- Plant seeds according to the recommended rate, distance, and depth
- Recognize ways of handling seedlings from the nursery
- Identify different transplanting methods for seedlings based on crop practices
Module 4: Caring and Maintaining Crops
This module teaches you everything you need to know about taking care of plants. You’ll learn important skills and the right attitude to keep plants healthy and thriving.
UNIT 1: Applying Pest Control Measures
Lesson 1: Types of Pests
Lesson 2: Monitoring Pest Incidence
Lesson 3: Applying Pest Control Measures
Upon completion of this unit, the learner will possess the ability to:
- Determine the types of pests on the farm
- Identify the damages done by different types of pests
- Perform necessary pest control measures
- Explain Integrated Pest Management
UNIT 2: Applying Fertilizer
Lesson 1: Determining Plant Nutrient Requirements
Lesson 2: Kinds and Composition of Fertilizers
Lesson 3: Methods of Fertilizer Application
Upon completion of this unit, the learner will possess the ability to:
- Identify essential plant nutrients
- Differentiate macro- and micro-nutrients
- Calculate fertilizer application rates
- List fertilizer application methods
UNIT 3: Watering Crops
Lesson 1: Determining Soil Moisture
Lesson 2: Irrigation Systems
Upon completion of this unit, the learner will possess the ability to:
- Describe the significance of soil moisture
- Measure soil moisture
- Perform irrigation
UNIT 4: Performing Physical Growth Enhancing Practices
Lesson 1: Performing Pruning
Lesson 2: Cultivation and Rejuvenating Activities
Lesson 3: Growth Training Techniques
Lesson 4: Mulching Techniques
Upon completion of this unit, the learner will possess the ability to:
- Demonstrate pruning techniques
- Demonstrate cultivation and rejuvenating activities
- Identify growth training techniques
- Differentiate two types of mulching
Module 5: Performing Harvest and Postharvest Operations
This module teaches you everything you need to know about harvest and postharvest operations. You’ll learn important skills, gain knowledge, and develop the right attitude to perform these tasks successfully.
UNIT 1: Determining Crop Maturity
Lesson 1: Determining Crop Maturity
Lesson 2: Pre-Harvest Activities
Upon completion of this unit, the learner will possess the ability to:
- Identify the different crop maturity indices
- Recognize the different records of crop agronomic history
- Remove obstructions from the field for efficient harvesting
- Familiarize harvesting and post-harvesting tools and materials
UNIT 2: Performing Harvest
Lesson 1: Harvesting Methods
Lesson 2: Quality of Crops
Upon completion of this unit, the learner will possess the ability to:
- Identify appropriate harvesting methods based on common cultural practices;
- Recognize the characteristics of a quality produce
- Harvest crops based on maturity indices and characteristics affecting harvest quality
- Apply Good Agricultural Practices during the harvest
UNIT 3: Performing Post-Harvest Operations
Lesson 1: Common Post-Harvest Treatments
Lesson 2: Conducting Post-Harvest Operations
Lesson 3: Monitoring and Assessing Damages in Crops
Requirements
To enroll in the TESDA Course, you will need to provide the following documents:
- PSA Birth Certificate
- High School or College Diploma
- Certified True Copy of Official Transcript of Records or Form 137
- Certificate of Good Moral Character or GMRC
- 1 x 1 and/or 2 x 2 pictures
To get more information, please reach out to the enrollment site that matches your specific needs. Remember that the specific requirements may differ.
Summary
The Agricultural Crops Production courses offered by TESDA equip learners with the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes to become successful farmers. Covering soil preparation to post-harvest operations, these courses provide practical, hands-on training for growing various crops. Learners also gain insights into sustainable practices like integrated pest management and proper fertilization. By the end, participants can confidently start a farm or work in agriculture while contributing to sustainable practices for food security. Enroll today for a fulfilling agricultural career, with opportunities to specialize further in areas like organic farming and agribusiness management.