Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

AHCPHT502A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Develop a horticultural production plan

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCPHT502A - Develop a horticultural production plan
Description This unit covers the process of developing a production plan for a horticultural enterprise, and defines the standard required to: establish product specifications; research site factors and land use issues; select and source plants or plant material for seeding or propagation; design and incorporate infrastructure into planning; specify a monitoring program to cover the operation from sowing to sale; and document and cost the production plan.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit requires consideration of market requirements and site factors, suitable plant species and cultivars, resources and equipment for establishing production sites, planting and maintenance, and preparation of plans, specifications, quotations and associated documents. Work is likely to be under limited supervision with checking related to overall progress by senior managers. Responsibility for the work of others and team coordination may be required. Planning is usually undertaken within policy guidelines and procedures where discretion and judgement are required in the selection of technology, organisation of work, and the achievement of outcomes within time and budgetary constraints.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Carry out preliminary planning activities
  • Client preferences and requirements for the horticultural product are understood and confirmed according to enterprise marketing and business plans.
  • The production site is assessed for growing environment factors, services and site modifications.
  • Research is conducted into the characteristics and growing requirements of plant species and cultivars, legal attributes of the production site, and local by-laws and restrictions that may affect the production plan.
  • Sustainable land use issues that may affect planned production are identified and, if necessary, reported to relevant personnel for further research.
  • Production targets are set that are consistent with the marketing strategy and business plan.
  • Production requirements in terms of quantity, quality and availability of the product are determined.
  • A preliminary plan that reflects client preferences and requirements, and takes into account site factors and any identified sustainable land use requirements, is developed and presented to appropriate personnel for discussion and approval.
       
Element: Determine the requirements of horticultural production
  • Plant species and cultivars that are appropriate to the site and consistent with the agreed preliminary plan are identified, and the required quantity calculated, costed and availability confirmed with the supplier.
  • Plant establishment procedures consistent with the agreed preliminary plan are selected according to the characteristics and growing requirements of available plant materials, site factors, resources and equipment available and the sustainable land use factors affecting the success of production.
  • Design of the production site includes irrigation and drainage systems, and takes into account the growing requirements of plants and sustainable land use practices.
  • Cultural management of the growing environment from planting to harvest is provided for according to client requirements, site capabilities and enterprise standards, and encourages optimal growth.
  • Harvesting dates to meet market deadlines are determined according to enterprise policies.
  • Resources, tools, equipment and machinery required for the establishment of the production site, propagation of plants, planting, cultural management of the growing environment, harvesting and post-harvest care are identified, costed and availability confirmed with suppliers, contractors and appropriate personnel.
  • Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards associated with production activities are identified, risks assessed and controls developed according to enterprise guidelines, costed and documented in the plan.
  • Policy concerning out-of-standard products is identified according to enterprise customer service, quality assurance policies and marketing strategy.
       
Element: Schedule production activities
  • Staged implementation and development of product are outlined, where appropriate, with access for future works provided for according to client, enterprise and site requirements.
  • Timelines for preparations, the establishment of the production site, propagation of plants, planting, cultural management of the growing environment, harvesting and post-harvest care are determined taking into account the needs of the plant species and cultivars, the softscape and hardscape components, site conditions and any other planning requirements.
  • Timing within the plan ensures that available enterprise production facilities and space are effectively and efficiently utilised.
  • Marketing is planned and scheduled according to the production schedule and marketing strategy.
       
Element: Plan monitoring of the production plan
  • Production activities to be monitored, the format for recording factors, frequency of monitoring and the thresholds for remedial action are determined according to enterprise and industry quality assurance policies.
  • Required remedial action is documented for implementation by staff according to enterprise and industry quality assurance policies.
  • Effectiveness of the monitoring system is reviewed on a regular basis according to enterprise and industry quality assurance policies.
  • The production program is compared with feedback and projections from clients according to sound business practice.
       
Element: Prepare and document the production plan and specification
  • Detailed plan, specifications and quotation are prepared based on horticultural conventions and the requirements of production, and presented to appropriate personnel for acceptance.
  • Scaled production site plan is produced which can be readily interpreted and understood by on-site personnel according to enterprise standards.
  • Detailed on-site procedures and schedules required for production are developed and documented.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

establish product specifications

research site factors and land use issues

select and source plants or plant material for seeding or propagation

design and incorporate infrastructure into planning

specify a monitoring program to cover the operation from sowing to sale

document and cost the production plan.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

research and evaluate information

comply with legislative requirements

calculate the cost and spatial and logistical requirements of components of the horticultural production plan

use literacy skills to fulfil job roles as required by the organisation. The level of skill may range from reading and understanding documentation to completion of written reports

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record complex workplace measures

use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

establishment and maintenance of a range of enterprise horticultural products in relation to client needs and the standards required by the marketplace

establishment procedures, plant selection and cultural practices for a range of enterprise horticultural products

the advantages and limitations of sustainable horticulture systems

the role of business and marketing plans and client consultation processes in planning horticultural production

processes and techniques for preparing, costing and documenting plans for and scheduling horticultural production.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Industry sectors involved in production may include

nursery

turf

floriculture and production horticulture.

Products may include

fruit

vegetables

herbs

flowers

foliage

bulbs

tubers

nuts

mushrooms

seeds

wild harvest plants and oils

trees

shrubs

turf

containerised and bare-rooted grown plants.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Client preferences and requirements for the horticultural product are understood and confirmed according to enterprise marketing and business plans. 
The production site is assessed for growing environment factors, services and site modifications. 
Research is conducted into the characteristics and growing requirements of plant species and cultivars, legal attributes of the production site, and local by-laws and restrictions that may affect the production plan. 
Sustainable land use issues that may affect planned production are identified and, if necessary, reported to relevant personnel for further research. 
Production targets are set that are consistent with the marketing strategy and business plan. 
Production requirements in terms of quantity, quality and availability of the product are determined. 
A preliminary plan that reflects client preferences and requirements, and takes into account site factors and any identified sustainable land use requirements, is developed and presented to appropriate personnel for discussion and approval. 
Plant species and cultivars that are appropriate to the site and consistent with the agreed preliminary plan are identified, and the required quantity calculated, costed and availability confirmed with the supplier. 
Plant establishment procedures consistent with the agreed preliminary plan are selected according to the characteristics and growing requirements of available plant materials, site factors, resources and equipment available and the sustainable land use factors affecting the success of production. 
Design of the production site includes irrigation and drainage systems, and takes into account the growing requirements of plants and sustainable land use practices. 
Cultural management of the growing environment from planting to harvest is provided for according to client requirements, site capabilities and enterprise standards, and encourages optimal growth. 
Harvesting dates to meet market deadlines are determined according to enterprise policies. 
Resources, tools, equipment and machinery required for the establishment of the production site, propagation of plants, planting, cultural management of the growing environment, harvesting and post-harvest care are identified, costed and availability confirmed with suppliers, contractors and appropriate personnel. 
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards associated with production activities are identified, risks assessed and controls developed according to enterprise guidelines, costed and documented in the plan. 
Policy concerning out-of-standard products is identified according to enterprise customer service, quality assurance policies and marketing strategy. 
Staged implementation and development of product are outlined, where appropriate, with access for future works provided for according to client, enterprise and site requirements. 
Timelines for preparations, the establishment of the production site, propagation of plants, planting, cultural management of the growing environment, harvesting and post-harvest care are determined taking into account the needs of the plant species and cultivars, the softscape and hardscape components, site conditions and any other planning requirements. 
Timing within the plan ensures that available enterprise production facilities and space are effectively and efficiently utilised. 
Marketing is planned and scheduled according to the production schedule and marketing strategy. 
Production activities to be monitored, the format for recording factors, frequency of monitoring and the thresholds for remedial action are determined according to enterprise and industry quality assurance policies. 
Required remedial action is documented for implementation by staff according to enterprise and industry quality assurance policies. 
Effectiveness of the monitoring system is reviewed on a regular basis according to enterprise and industry quality assurance policies. 
The production program is compared with feedback and projections from clients according to sound business practice. 
Detailed plan, specifications and quotation are prepared based on horticultural conventions and the requirements of production, and presented to appropriate personnel for acceptance. 
Scaled production site plan is produced which can be readily interpreted and understood by on-site personnel according to enterprise standards. 
Detailed on-site procedures and schedules required for production are developed and documented. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPHT502A - Develop a horticultural production plan
Assessment task 1: [title]

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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

AHCPHT502A - Develop a horticultural production plan

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Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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