BAMBOO PRODUCTION NC II TESDA Course

BAMBOO PRODUCTION NATIONAL CERTIFICATE II (TESDA Course)

The BAMBOO PRODUCTION NC II Qualification consists of competencies that bamboo farmer, or bamboo nursery operator to operate bamboo nursery, establish bamboo farm, conduct bamboo clump rehabilitation and conduct harvesting and post-harvesting operations. It also includes competencies in practicing safety measures, operating simple equipment and using various tools for (small scale to large scale) bamboo farmer and bamboo farm owner.

This Qualification is packaged from the competency map of the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Sector.

A person who has achieved this qualification is competent to be:

• Bamboo farmer
• Bamboo nursery worker
• Bamboo farm worker
• Bamboo clump rehabilitation worker
• Bamboo harvesting and post harvesting worker

BAMBOO PRODUCTION NC II COURSE QUALIFICATION

Course Title: BAMBOO PRODUCTION
Level: NC II
Nominal Training Duration : 195 Hours

This course is designed to provide the learner with knowledge, skills and attitude on Bamboo Production NC II in accordance with industry standards. This covers competencies that a person must achieve in operating bamboo nursery, establishing bamboo farm, conducting bamboo clump rehabilitation and conducting harvesting and post-harvesting operations.

To obtain this, all units prescribed for this qualification must be achieved.

TRAINEE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Trainees or students who would like to enroll in this course should possess the following requirements:

1. Able to read and write
2. Able to communicate, both orally and in writing
3. Basic mathematical skills

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED IN BAMBOO PRODUCTION NC II

To obtain this course, all units prescribed for this qualification must be achieved.

This units of competency comprising this qualification include the following:

UNIT CODE	CORE COMPETENCIES (110 Hours)
AFF611310	Operate Bamboo Nursery
AFF611311	Establish bamboo farm
AFF611312	Conduct bamboo clump rehabilitation
AFF611313	Conduct harvesting and post-harvesting operations
UNIT CODE	COMMON COMPETENCIES (65 Hours)
AGR321201	Apply safety measures in farm operations
AGR321202	Use farm tools and equipment
AGR321203	Perform estimation and basic calculation
UNIT CODE	BASIC COMPETENCIES (20 Hours)
500311105	Participate in workplace communication
500311106	Work in a team environment
500311107	Practice career professionalism
500311108	Practice occupational health and safety procedures

CORE COMPETENCIES

Core competency units comprising the qualification in BAMBOO PRODUCTION NC II

OPERATE BAMBOO NURSERY (AFF611310) – This unit covers the knowledge, skills and attitude required to conduct pre-nursery operation, perform nursery operation, care and maintain nursery stocks and conduct post-nursery operations

1. Conduct prenursery operation
   • Site is selected based on established criteria.
   • Nursery plan is followed according to prescribed procedures.
   • Rooting facilities and nursery beds are prepared according to established farm procedures.
   • Tools, equipment, supplies and materials are prepared according to work requirements.
   • Site selected is secured from stray animals and unauthorized persons.
   • Work output is reported to concerned authority according to industry practices.
2. Perform nursery operation
   • Culms as source of propagules are selected from the clump based on the established criteria
   • Propagules of required bamboo species are collected and prepared based on prescribed criteria.
   • Storage of propagules is done based on established farm practices.
   • Rooting hormones are applied to propagules following prescribed dosages.
   • Hormone treated propagules are rooted in pots and in rooting bed
   • Propagules rooted in bed are potted in containers using recommended potting media and placed in shaded nursery bed
   • Nursery area is maintained as clean and safe following workplace procedures.
   • Safety measures are practiced according to Occupational Safety and Health Standard
3. Maintain nursery stocks
   • Watering of nursery stocks is done according to species requirement
   • Weeding is done according to cultural procedures
   • Pests and diseases are prevented and controlled using industry standard
   • Fertilizers are applied based on soil nutrient status and plant’s nutritional requirements
   • Hardening of nursery stocks is undertaken according to prescribed procedures
   • Safety measures are practiced according to industry procedures.
4. Conduct post nursery operations
   • Planting stocks are graded according to standards
   • Quality planting materials are packaged, dispatched and sold according to marketing procedures
   • Sub-standard planting stocks are improved following farm procedures
   • Maintenance of safe and clean area is undertaken throughout the completion of nursery operations following environmental regulations
   • Tools and equipment are maintained and stored according to manufacturer’s manual
   • Excess supplies and materials are inventoried and stored based on standard procedure
   • Work activities and outputs are recorded and reported to concerned authority

ESTABLISH BAMBOO FARM (AFF611311) – This unit covers the knowledge, skills and attitude required to conduct pre-establishment activities, plant bamboo stocks, maintain bamboo farm and conduct post-establishment operation.

1. Conduct pre-establishment activities
   • Species-site matching is carried out following established procedures
   • Plantation plan is followed according to prescribed procedures
   • Equipment, tools, supplies and materials are prepared according to work requirements
   • Boundaries are laid-out and marked through reference points 
   • Site is prepared in accordance with established farm practices
2. Plant bamboo stocks
   • Planting is carried out according to prescribed farm practices
   • Early tending operations are performed based on cultural practices
   • Safety measures are practiced following OSHS
3. Maintain and protect bamboo farm
   • Schedule of maintenance and protection activities is followed according to work requirement
   • Maintenance activities are performed according to established farm practices
   • Monitoring checklist is accomplished based on instructions of immediate supervisor
   • Remedial action is performed based on the instructions of immediate supervisor
   • Safety measures are applied following OSHS
4. Conduct post establishment operation
   • Maintenance of safe working area is undertaken throughout the completion of plantation operations following environmental regulations
   • Tools and equipment are maintained and stored according to manufacturer’s manual
   • Excess supplies and materials are inventoried and stored based on standard procedures
   • Work activities and outputs are recorded and reported to immediate supervisor

CONDUCT BAMBOO CLUMP REHABILITATION (AFF611312) – This unit covers the knowledge and skill required to conduct clump pre- rehabilitation activities, perform clump rehabilitation operation and perform clump post- rehabilitation

1. Conduct pre-clump rehabilitation activities
   • Clump conditions are assessed based on established criteria
   • Rehabilitation plan is followed according to cultural practices
   • Equipment, Tools, supplies and materials are prepared according to work requirements
   • Safety measures are applied according to OSHS
2. Perform clump rehabilitation activities
   • Clump rehabilitation procedures are applied according to farm practice
   • Maintain the rehabilitated clumps based on standard cultural practices
   • Monitoring culm age is performed based on established farm practices
   • Safety measures are applied according to OSHS and industry procedures
   • Mini – chain saw is handled and operated following manufacturer’s manual
3. Perform post-rehabilitation activities
   • Tools and equipment are maintained and stored according to manufacturer’s manual
   • Excess supplies and materials are inventoried and stored based on standard procedures
   • Wastes are managed following environmental regulations
   • Work activities and outputs are recorded and reported to immediate supervisor

CONDUCT HARVESTING AND POST-HARVESTING OPERATION (AFF611313) – This unit covers the knowledge and skill required to undertake pre-harvesting operations, perform harvesting operations and carry-out post harvesting activities for poles and shoots.

1. Undertake pre-harvesting activities
   • Market transactions are performed following common business practices and market demand
   • Harvestable culms are selected based on maturity indicators
   • Harvesting equipment, tools, supplies and materials are prepared based on work requirement
   • Harvesting plan is prepared based on farm records
2. Perform harvesting operations
   • Harvestable culms and shoots are cut using standard harvesting procedures
   • Safety measures are observed according to OSHS
   • Harvested culms are prepared based on farm practices
3. Carry-out post harvesting activities
   • Harvested culms are cut into desired sizes and quality based on market requirements
   • Prophylactic treatment is applied to prevent discoloration and other defects based on buyer’s specification
   • Safety measures are observed according to OSHS
   • Harvested culms and shoots are handled following farm practices
   • Poles are dried according to product requirement.
   • Market transactions are completed based on contract

COMMON COMPETENCIES

APPLY SAFETY MEASURES IN FARM OPERATIONS (AGR321201) – This unit covers the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to perform safety measures effectively and efficiently. It includes identifying areas, tools, materials, time and place in performing safety measures.

1. Determine areas of concern for safety measures
   • Work tasks are identified in line with farm operations
   • Place for safety measures are determined in line with farm operations
   • Time for safety measures are determined in line with farm operations
   • Appropriate tools, materials and outfits are prepared in line with job requirements
2. Apply appropriate safety measures
   • Tools and materials are used according to specifications and procedures
   • Outfits are worn according to farm requirements
   • Effectivity/shelf life/expiration of materials are strictly observed
   • Emergency procedures are known and followed to ensure a safework requirement
   • Hazards in the workplace are identified and reported in line with farm guidelines
3. Safe keep /dispose tools, materials and outfit
   • Used tools and outfit are cleaned after use and stored in designated areas.
   • Unused materials are properly labeled and stored according to manufacturer’s recommendation and farm requirements.
   • Waste materials are disposed according to manufacturers, government and farm requirements.

USE FARM TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT (AGR321202) – This unit covers the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to use farm tools and equipment. It includes selection, operation and preventive maintenance of farm tools and equipment.

1. Select and use farm tools
   • Appropriate farm tools are identified according to requirement/use
   • Farm tools are checked for faults and defective tools reported in accordance with farm procedures
   • Appropriate tools are safely used according to job requirements and manufacturers conditions
2. Select and operate farm equipment
   • Identify appropriate farm equipment
   • Instructional manual of the farm tools and equipment are carefully read prior to operation
   • Pre-operation check-up is conducted in line with manufacturers manual
   • Faults in farm equipment are identified and reported in line with farm procedures
   • Farm equipment is used according to its function
   • Safety procedures are followed.
3. Perform preventive maintenance
   • Tools and equipment are cleaned immediately after use in line with farm procedures
   • Routine check-up and maintenance are performed
   • Tools and equipment are stored in designated areas in line with farm procedures

PERFORM ESTIMATION AND BASIC CALCULATION (AGR321203) – This unit covers the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to perform basic workplace calculations.

1. Perform estimation
   • Job requirements are identified from written or oral communications
   • Quantities of materials and resources required to complete a work task are estimated
   • The time needed to complete a work activity is estimated
   • Accurate estimate for work completion are made
   • Estimate of materials and resources are reported to appropriate person
2. Perform basic workplace calculation
   • System and units of measurement to be followed are ascertained
   • Calculation needed to complete work tasks are performed using the four basic mathematical operation
   • Calculate whole fraction, percentage and mixed when are used to complete the instructions
   • Number computed is checked following work requirements

BASIC COMPETENCIES

PARTICIPATE IN WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION (500311105) – This unit covers the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to gather, interpret and convey information in response to workplace requirements..

1. Obtain and convey workplace information.
2. Perform duties following workplace instructions
3. Complete relevant work related documents.

WORK IN TEAM ENVIRONMENT (500311106) – This unit covers the skills, knowledge and attitudes to identify role and responsibility as a member of a team..

1. Describe team role and scope
2. Identify own role and responsibility within team
3. Work as a team member

PRACTICE CAREER PROFESSIONALISM (500311107) – This unit covers the knowledge, skills and attitudes in promoting career growth and advancement

1. Integrate personal objectives with organization al goals
2. Set and meet work priorities
3. Maintain professional growth and development

PRACTICE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PROCEDURES (500311108) – This unit covers the outcomes required to comply with  regulatory and organizational requirements for occupational health and safety

1. Identify hazards and risks
2. Evaluate hazards and risks
3. Control hazards and risks
4. Maintain OHS awareness

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

• Branch – cutting Segment of a branch with nodal rhizomatous bud used for propagations
• Bud – Potential shoot
• Clump – Cluster of bamboo stems growing from underground rhizome system
• Culm – Above ground stem which grows from the underground rhizomes
• Culm cutting – Segments of a culm having one or more buds used for propagations
• Early tending operations – Preliminary activities(Initial fertilizer application, mulching, weeding and replacement of dead planting materials) for the first three years of plantation
• Hardening off – Preparing the planting stocks for out planting
• Heeling – in Thumping the soil around the planting stock
• Inorganic Fertilizer – Chemical or synthetic based fertilizers
• Kiln drying – Method of removing moisture from the culm using a dry kiln
• Manual Harvesting – Cutting of bamboo culms using simple tools
• Mechanical harvesting – Cutting of bamboo culms using equipment
• Mist propagation chamber – Controlled delivery of water in mist form
• Mounding – Piling up of soils and organic debris around the clump
• Mulching – Protective covering usually of organic matter to prevent moisture loss and growth of weeds
• Nursery bed – Loosened soil where cuttings are rooted
• Nursery stocks – bamboo propagules under nursery condition
• Organic Fertilizer – Natural fertilizer
• OSHS – Occupational Safety and Health Standards
• Planting stocks – Propagules ready for out planting
• Pole – Cut culm
• PPE – Personal protective equipment
• Potting medium – Mixes of materials(soil plus saw dust, rice hull, etc.) used for growing plants in pots
• Propagules – Planting materials (stocks)
• Prophylactic – application of preservatives to the culm immediately after harvesting
• Pruning – Cutting of unwanted branches
• Rhizome – Thick, horizontal bamboo stem
• Rooting facilities – Area where propagules are rooted
• Rooting hormones – Chemicals that induce rooting
• Sap replacement – Method of applying preservatives by dipping the butt end of the freshly cut culms while the branches and leaves are intact
• Shoots – Young culm less than 30 days old
• Species-site matching – Compatibility of species to a specific site
• Staking – Putting stake as a guide in laying out of planting holes
• Weeding – Removal of unwanted vegetation
• 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle