Page 17 - LandscapeSA Issue 110

TrAINING

Currently, medicinal cannabis and hemp
cannabis are regulated by two different
governmental bodies because of their
different uses and applications. Hence there
are two separate courses accredited by
AgriSETA.

PSL course
pSL’s course is designed to provide
students with a basic understanding of
crop cultivation using multiple techniques,
methodologies and environments.
Additional courses will shortly be rolled out,
providing more specialised options that
cover specific cultivation methods.

In the current course, unit standards are
broken down into the following modules:
• overview of the industry structure;
• implementation of soil fertility and plant
nutrition practices; AgriSETA cannabis course underway
• basic understanding of the physiological
processes in plant growth and
development; 4 accreditation provides a solid foundation, at an educational level as well as from the
• harvesting plans for the specific giving students the basic skills that introduce point of view of sustainability, job creation
agricultural crop; them to full scale plant cultivation. With this and poverty upliftment.
• cannabis production in a hydroponic understanding of the holistic supply chain,
system; they have sufficient knowledge to start on Dries Swanepoel, marketing manager at
• plant propagation in a variety of small scale farming endeavours, and further pSL Training, says that little is known about
situations. study is encouraged. this fast-growing industry, and legislation is
changing in order to accommodate it.
The course is both theoretical and Focus of the campus
practical, as defined by the unit standard. The general concept and focus of the “pSL is an educational platform and basis
pSL is working towards upgrading and campus is to create awareness and serve for all citizens, whether newcomers or
expanding the campus in order to house as a primary hub for education, research specialists, in both the public and private
sample areas that simulate real world and development. It currently serves as a sectors. The educational aspect will also
cultivation techniques and environments. central, collaborative space for industry address entrepreneurs who start growing
These include hydroponics, aquaponics, specialists to gather and participate in cannabis without proper knowledge and
aeroponics, living soil, indoor, outdoor, research and development for the purpose who later find out that it is a highly regulated
tunnel and traditional cultivation. Currently, of standardising the training programmes sphere. Currently we are focussing on
the basics are in place for simulation and that are being introduced in South Africa. informing the healthcare industry because
outdoor cultivation. The campus is also ideally located, as of the medicinal value of the plant, as well as
the Vaal or southern corridor has been other industries for the commercial value of
Once students have received their certificate earmarked by government for cannabis research and development.”
of competency, they have the required development.
foundation that allows them to work within Information and photos supplied by Dries
the cannabis industry either in private or This will ensure that the emerging markets Swanepoel 016 100 7000
commercial settings. The AgriSETA NQF level of cannabis and industrial hemp contribute www.psltraining.co.za n

Lecture hall Training hall

Landscape SA • Issue 110 2022 15