Distance Learning Course Fruit Production In a Warm Climate
"Fruit growing in tropical and sub-tropical climates".
- After enrolling, watch our "orientation video" and discover how to use all sorts of services to support your study.
- Lots of flexibility is where and how often you study; and even what your learning is focussed on
- Exams are optional and only needed if you want to use this study as a credit in a formal qualification -even then, we always give you the option to repeat exams
- Exceptional tutor support -Our horticulture faculty includes a dozen university trained professionals most with decades of industry experience. You have unlimited access to tutors over the phone or email.
COURSE STRUCTURE
There are 8 lessons as follows:
1. Introduction To Warm Climate Fruit Growing
- Identify different types of fruit crops, which can be successfully grown in your region.
- Explain the nature of the fruit industry in your region (locality).
2. Establishing An Orchard
- Develop a plan for the establishment of an orchard
3. General Cultural Practices
- Determine the cultural requirements for different fruit crops in your locality.
4. Tree Fruits
5. Nuts, Vines and Berries
6. Citrus
7. Cultural Management Of A Fruit Plantation or Orchard
8. Marketing Your Produce
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
This is an individual module. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study. Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
For individual courses - If you want to take one of these courses only, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it. If you successfully pass the exam, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course. If you do not wish to sit the examination, you will need to complete all assignments to receive the course completion letter. There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Click here for more information on exams.
SUMMARY OF COMPETENCIES DEVELOPED
On successful completion of the course you should be able to do the following:
- Identify different types of fruit crops, which can be successfully grown in a specific region.
- Explain the nature of the fruit industry in a specific region.
- Determine the cultural requirements for different fruit crops.
- Develop a plan for the establishment of an orchard.
- Formulate appropriate methods for marketing specific fruit crops grown in your locality.
- Develop a calendar for cultural management of a fruit plantation, or orchard.
WHAT THE COURSE COVERS
You will learn a wide variety of things, through a combination of reading, interacting with tutors, undertaking research and practical tasks, and watching videos. Here are just some of the things you will be doing:
- Compile a resource file of different sources of information regarding commercial fruit varieties.
- Compare the facilities used to produce six different fruit crops, in a specified locality.
- Determine criteria for selecting a fruit variety to grow as a commercial crop in your locality.
- Select five different fruit varieties with commercial potential for a specified location.
- Analyse the physical layout of a specified orchard.
- Determine the scope of commercial fruit growing in a specified locality.
- Demonstrate standard soil tests to three different soils to determine:
- Soil type
- pH
- Drainage
- Water holding capacity
- Evaluate the different soils tested to determine their suitability for growing different fruit varieties.
- Analyse the culture
- Watering
- Weed control
- Soil management
- Pruning
- Fertilising
- Pest control
- Disease control
- Determine soil management practices, including:
- Nutrition
- Soil structure
- Cultivation
- Weed control
- Determine the susceptibility of specified fruit species to pest and disease problems.
- Explain how to control different specified pests and diseases, on different fruit varieties grown.
- Develop sets of guidelines for pruning different types of fruits.
- Determine the factors which are critical to growing fruit trees in the your locality.
- Determine criteria to select a site for fruit growing in your locality.
- Compare the physical layout of two different orchards you visit.
- Prepare a plan for establishing a fruit growing area, in your locality, including:
- Concept layout plan drawn to scale
- Materials list (including plants)
- Cost estimates for establishment.
- Analyse different marketing systems in the fruit industry, including at local, national and international levels.
- Explain common reasons for price fluctuations in the fruit industry.
- Compare different fruit crops in relation to different factors, including:
- Storage requirements
- Storage life
- Harvesting time
- Shelf life
- Transport to market
- Evaluate the presentation and packaging of different fruits, for marketing through different marketing systems.
- Analyse different marketing strategies used by a specific fruit grower.
- Develop a marketing strategy, including:
- Marketing stages
- Marketing schedule (ie. timetable)
- Estimated marketing costs
- Handling procedures
- Promotions, for a specific fruit crop.
- Differentiate between the cultural practices undertaken by different growers, on the same crop, grown in two different localities.
- Determine the cultural practices necessary to grow different fruit crops for a twelve month period, on a specified site.
- Prepare a monthly calender, covering a twelve month period, for cultural practices in a fruit plantation or orchard you choose.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
Home Study Course Fruit Production In A Climate
"Fruit growing in tropical and sub-tropical climates".
Learn more about warm climate fruit production.
Study in your own time and at your own pace.
Work with highly experienced and qualified tutors
Similar to the temperate fruit course, but adapted to cover tropical and sub-tropical conditions. The course includes sections on Avocados, Pineapples, Macadamias, Paw Paws and Cashews.
