Prepare and cultivate sites ready for planting crops
Overview
This standard covers the preparation and cultivation of sites ready for planting crops. You will need to be able to use cultivation equipment in order to achieve the required ground conditions for planting to be carried out and you will require an understanding of soil types and condition, climate, weather and ground conditions. When working with machinery or equipment you should be trained and hold current certification where required. When carrying out your work you must consider the impact it will have on the environment. The standard is suitable for those with responsibility for preparing and cultivating sites ready for planting crops.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
assess the risks associated with the site and the required activity
wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
select, prepare, use and maintain the required equipment and
machinery, safely and correctly
- check that planting equipment is fit for use and confirm that it is
set up to provide the required ground conditions
- prepare the site to meet the requirements of the crop to be
planted and other relevant factors
- cultivate the site to meet instructions and specifications and
other relevant factors
- maintain hygiene and bio-security, in accordance with business
practices
maintain the security of equipment and machinery on site
clean down equipment and machinery after use and leave it
secure and in the correct condition for future use
- maintain communication with colleagues and others involved in,
or affected by, your work
- follow industry and business guidance to minimise environmental
damage
- process waste safely and correctly, in accordance with relevant
legal requirements and business practices
- carry out your work in accordance with relevant environmental
and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements,
codes of practice and business policies
- complete records as required by relevant legislation and the
business
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
how to identify hazards and assess risks
- the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
suitable for the activity
- the importance of carrying out an environmental assessment of
the site before starting work as well as the findings that may affect
the preparation and cultivation of the site ready for planting crops
- the requirements, advantages and disadvantages of different crop
production systems
- the principles of sustainable agriculture and Integrated Crop
Management (ICM)
- the types of equipment and machinery required for preparing and
cultivating sites ready for planting crops, and how to prepare,
maintain and use these safely and correctly
- how to set up the equipment and machinery to carry out the
required task, including the use of technology
- the methods used to prepare the site, in accordance with
instructions and specifications and production requirements
- the methods used to cultivate the site, in accordance with
instructions and specifications and production requirements
- the effect that soil type, climate, weather and ground conditions,
previous treatments, existing structures and systems will have on
the cultivation methods used
- the requirements that sites may have for drainage and the
relationship of this to soil type and condition, climate and
geographical location
- the relationship between the crop and soil type and condition,
climate and geographical location
- the sort of problems that may arise during the preparation and
cultivation and the appropriate actions to take
- the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security during the
preparation and cultivation of sites ready for planting crops, and
the methods for achieving this
- why it is important to maintain the safety and security of
equipment and machinery when on site
how to clean down equipment and machinery
the importance of maintaining communication with those involved
in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done
- the potential impact that your activities could have on the
environment and the ways in which this can be minimised
- how to handle, transport, store and dispose of waste in
accordance with relevant legal requirements and business
practices
- your responsibilities under relevant environmental and health and
safety legislation, codes of practice and business policies
- the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing
them
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Instructions and specifications:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
drawings/plans
schedules
method statements
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
manufacturer's guidelines
customer requirements
crop requirements
verbal instructions
Prepare the site:
• drainage
• adjustment of nutrients
• clearance
Relevant factors:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
soil type and condition
topography
climate
weather and ground conditions
existing structures and systems (e.g. fences, hedges, drainage)
previous use of the site
previous treatments
access
Required ground conditions:
• depth
• area covered
• tilth
Sustainable agriculture: Meeting the requirements for food production
while maintaining profitability and preserving the environment.