Academy for Continuing Education (ACE)

• Growth and Development of Agricultural Produce
• Managing the Natural Resource Base for Farming
• Agriculture Nutrient Management
• Agro-Ecosystems and Farming
• Project on Food Production / On-the-Job-Training

• Disease: Causes and Identification
• Integrated Pest Management
• Breeding Techniques and Seed Stock Management
• Farm Waste Management
• Project on Farming Process and Management/ On-the-Job-Training
  
  

• Green Tech Farming
• Design, Operation and Management of Urban Farms 
• Automation and Mechanisation in Agriculture
• Post-harvest Technologies
• The Applications of Computer-Aided Design in Urban Farming

• Traceability of Farm Produce 
• Agribusiness Risk Analysis and Management
• Agribusiness Regulatory and Funding
• Innovation, Ethics and Patent Law
• Standards for Agriculture
• Agribusiness in Supply Chains and Logistics

• Farming Practice through Inhouse Experiential Learning
• Farming Immersion through Industry Experiential Learning

Students will be introduced to the organization of cells into tissues and organs, and how they interact in terms of their anatomy and physiological function. This module will compare and contrast mechanisms of nutrient intake and energy production in living systems. The integration of all major metabolic systems will be studied, with emphasis on physiological functions. Examples of green leafy vegetables will be reviewed to discuss and assimilate theories and concepts in this module.

This module provides a basic understanding of the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil and water as natural resources for farming, including topics such as the effect of water quality and quantity on agricultural systems. The topics covered in this module will include soil texture and fertility, the effect of soil flora and fauna on soil conditions; soil management to optimize and maintain production efficiency and water quality analysis.

This module provides a broad understanding of the basic principles of nutrition as applied to leafy vegetables in farms. It will identify the essential nutrients required by plants for growth and how plants in return provide nutrients to animals and humans. Students will learn about basic principles and concepts of plant and human nutrition. They will gain an understanding of how balanced nutrition can not only assure proper growth and maintenance but add value to the farm produce.

Students will be introduced to different types of agricultural farms, providing a relation between fresh produce, their growth requirements and building of an ecosystem that is best suited.  This module provides a general overview of the need to understand the different ecological factors and parameters that affect farm production, and how some of the key concepts, principles and parameters can be used in understanding the farm ecosystem and for farm planning process. Attention will also be paid to managing farm externalities such as pesticide or fertilizer runoff and their effects on the wider ecosystem.

Students on the Work-Study Programme track will be involved in an On-the-Job training at the place of employment. The project will be structured with the employer and are expected to execute the project at the workplace. A project on understanding the basic requirements of a farm set up for primary production will be designed. Through hands on experience in handling plant. Students will acquire a greater understanding of plant’s physiological needs.

As the global population rapidly rises, there is an ever increasing demand on sustainable agricultural practices. One facet of sustainable agriculture is the management of pests and diseases. This module will provide an overview of the diseases and its causative agents that inflicts damage to local and/or regional leafy vegetable production. A range of disease causing agents including pathogens and pests will be discussed. Students will study various disease symptoms and their causes. Disease identification through visual observations and modern diagnostic methods for early detection will also be discussed.

For managing pests and diseases, the farms need to adopt a holistic approach that focuses on combination of effective controls, responsible use and desired consequences. The module will provide students an understanding of the principles of Integrated Pest management (IPM) and its use in farm setups. Students will be able to appreciate IPM as an approach for selection and use of pest control actions that will ensure favorable economic, ecological and social consequences. Students will learn various methods to manage pests, such as, traditional preventive practices, mechanical and biological controls, and the responsible use of synthetic pesticides. Students will be made familiar with the concepts of pests acceptance levels and economic injury levels that will enable them to carry out risk assessment and identify appropriate controls to be used conscientiously. 

General anatomical and physiological basis of reproduction will be discussed as a foundation to facilitate the understanding on various modes and mechanism of reproduction for plants. Students will learn concepts and methods of selective breeding and propagation for improving quality and yield. The module will also provide an overview of germplasm collection, maintenance and propagation for sustainable farms. The students will be introduced to different principles, concepts and methods for selecting, collecting, cataloguing and maintaining seed stock for future. A range of traditional and modern methods for plant propagation will be discussed.

This module provides students with the overview in the operations of handling, collection, storage, and management of farm waste. Students will gain knowledge on how agriculture waste can be managed through composting. It covers the skills and knowledge needed to address planning of composting systems and economics of farm waste management.

This module will discuss concepts such as material and energy flow management under the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Besides understanding the challenges and limitations of the green technologies, students will learn to contextualise and review the energy effectiveness of some existing methods through selected case studies that include hydroponics, soilless farming and integrated polyculture/aquaponics methods. Students will learn the specific requirements of these farming systems, and incorporate green tech concepts to optimise conditions for successful cultivation of different varieties of plants.

Urban farming are constrained by land space, light and water resources. This module will teach student the design principles that emphasise optimal use of resources, including the use of vertical spaces, industrial buildings (including roof tops), private domestic spaces, shipping containers and urban voids (eg. spaces under flyovers and bridges). Student will also learn the operation and management of urban farms within the urban environment, including compliance with regulatory frameworks and relevant authorities.

Students will learn the basics of monitoring systems, incorporating digital data, feedback loop, positive and negative actuation, and integration of these components to achieve different levels of automation. Machines including robotics that facilitate farm operations by reducing labour force will be introduced.

The aim of this module is to provide the learner with the fundamental knowledge and skills to manage agricultural post-harvest. Students will study keys topics such as pre and post-harvest physiology, eating quality and its retention, controlled atmospheric storage, modified atmospheric packaging and post-harvest pests and diseases.

Computer-Aided Design is a popular tool in the engineering design, analysis and manufacturing process. In this module, students will learn and apply the fundamentals of 3D CAD modelling techniques, simulating assembly and 2D engineering drawing for systems that can be used in an urban farm. Students are also required to analyse engineering data, form fit and layout of their design and present their design in either 3D or 2D snap shots. Students would also be exposed to prototyping methods for development of solutions in urban farming that can be easily done through a computer-aided design.

Food safety and good shelf life of fresh produce has become a growing concern for citizens and farmers of many countries. Proper post-harvest handling and traceability of produce improves risk-management for food business allowing operators or authorities to have good quality harvests and at the same time respond to a need to withdraw or recall products if identified unsafe. The module will introduce post-harvest handling and processing fresh produce, and quality management systems to ensure farm setups and operations are monitored regularly. Introduction to new technologies enabling traceability of fresh produce for vegetable farms will enable students to adopt such technologies in a farm setup.

This module introduces general business risk assessment. Students will then learn how to identify, mitigate and manage the risks unique to agricultural production, markets, finance, institutions and human resources. The role of innovative insurance and new information-communication technologies and mobile media for risk management will be discussed.

Student will explore areas in agriculture that are still open for innovation, including automation, data analytics, genetics, breeding, distribution and marketing. Ethical issues related to foods will be discussed. Students will learn the basics of intellectual properties (IP) including the concepts of background and forward IP, types of IP (patents, copyrights, trade secrets etc) and the laws governing the implementation and enforcement of IP.

Students will be introduced to the importance of standards, and the process of certification and accreditation. An overview of global and regional agriculture-related standards will be provided, together with regional developments in mutual recognition arrangements to facilitate trade. National standards related to agriculture, such as those for good agriculture practice, clean and green urban farms and organic production, will be covered in detail.

This module will introduce various hands-on practical techniques and skillsets that are essential in urban farming in Singapore.  Students will learn the principles of the techniques, have hands-on experience, and practice of skillsets through laboratory work and structural activities in RP’s indoor agricultural laboratory, greenhouse and other inhouse laboratories and agri-food tech facilities. 

This module is designed to provide students with an industry immersion experience through practical learning and practice in a farm in Singapore.  Students will be given opportunities to be trained in agriculture related industry with hands-on practical sessions in a farm. It helps students to gain relevant knowledge, professional skills and useful competencies relevant to the sector.  It also allows students to apply knowledge, skillsets and techniques learned from the classroom to the industry.