Organic Horticulture MQF 1

Entry requirements

No specific entry requirements are needed for this level

Duration

14 week course with 3 contact hours per week

Learning outcomes

“Expected learning outcomes for this course include:

Knowledge
• Distinction between indigenous, endemic, and introduced plants
• Basics of photosynthesis and role of plants as carbon sinks
• Differences between conventional and organic agriculture
• Plant reproduction: pollination and fertilisation
• Fundamental genetics concepts and techniques
• Plant nutrition (major/minor nutrients, fertigation, foliar feeding)
• Abiotic vs biotic factors affecting plant growth
• Pest and disease management methods (including trapping techniques)
• Life cycle of key pests (e.g. Mediterranean fruit fly)
• Prevention of common crop issues (e.g. scorching in citrus)
• Organic certification process and role of MCCAA
• Safe use of agricultural equipment (e.g. sprayers, protective clothing)
• Marketing, labelling, and sales of organic products

Skills
• Identify crops, soil types, and common pests
• Perform propagation techniques (cuttings, grafting, budding, rootstocks)
• Prepare seedbeds and cultivate crops (including small-scale plots)
• Use agricultural tools and machinery (secateurs, sprayers, rotovators)
• Apply pest and disease control methods (biological, natural, organic)
• Prepare and apply treatments (e.g. Bordeaux mixture, natural insecticides)
• Implement pest monitoring methods (e.g. traps for fruit flies and olive flies)
• Use meteorological data to prevent plant diseases
• Produce hybrids and manage greenhouse pest control
• Apply organic farming practices and comply with legislation
• Safely handle and mix pesticides
• Sell products and communicate organic certification to customers

Competences
• Plan crop production and cultivation systems
• Design irrigation and fertilisation programmes
• Implement agrobiodiversity and companion planting strategies
• Manage conversion to organic farming
• Maintain tools and ensure workplace hygiene
• Develop production plans and demonstrate organic practices
• Build customer trust through certification and product knowledge
“

Delivery method

Face to face lessons and hands on practice

Certification/Award

An award certificate accredited by thr Malta Further and Higher Education Authority will be awarded to learners who attenda minimum of 80% of the course and achieve an overall mark of 45% or higher in their tasks

Language of instruction

Bilingual