Resources for Agricultural and Horticultural Science

Clarifications of Internally Assessed standards

Teachers are encouraged to download the latest version of the standard and TKI resources on a yearly basis. 

Level 3 Achievement Standards

AS90649 Research the production of a marketable, locally produced primary product

Generic template
A Growing School

When using the TKI activity (3.1) (right) the schedule should be modified with evidence appropriate to the product studied. This may not be feasible where students are given free choice of product. In such cases, an equivalent standard of evidence for that provided for wool in the TKI resources is expected. If a small number of products are offered or selected then examples of evidence from each product can be used e.g. price on supply for kiwifruit, political intervention on demand for apples.

For Merit and Excellence there needs to be evidence to establish the links between the market requirements and the actions taken by producers to supply a product that meets the named market's requirements.

The emphasis of the standard is on the research process and it is expected that students will use a variety of research methods appropriate to the product and local conditions. Interviews of relevant personnel can be very valuable as they provide knowledge and understanding that websites do not. Information gathered from websites etc. must be analysed and linkages established. Information must be gathered on production, market requirements and market forces pertaining to the product.

It is good research practice for students to record their sources of information so they are accessible by others. The examples below indicate the level of referencing expected at this level:

Rural News, Dec 14 th, 2008 - article on exchange rates, by Colin Williscroft

Personal Communication - Mr Alan Brown, Orchardist, Nelson.

www.hortnews.com - article on kiwifruit cultivars

AS90650 Investigate production and marketing of a nationally significant primary product

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Most teachers are making good use of the TKI resource (3.2). Evidence statements that are appropriate to the chosen product need to be included and << insert >> prompts in the generic task must be completed by the teacher.

A range of information gathering techniques requires the use at least three different information gathering techniques as detailed in Explanatory Note 3. They should relate to the aspects of production and/or the aspect of marketing. It is desirable that students state what information was acquired from each of the information gathering techniques as well as provide evidence of the raw data/information and analysis of this data e.g. survey forms must be provided along with the raw survey data and appropriate forms of analysis such as graphing. Where surveys are used there should be a clear connection between the questions asked and the aspect(s) of marketing or production.

Only information gathered using the information gathering techniques and reported on are to be used when making conclusions and recommendations.

Last updated: 07 September 2009