Diploma in Applied Science (Urban Agricultural Technology)

Growth and Development of Agricultural Produce

Students will be introduced to the organisation 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.

Managing the Natural Resource Base for Farming

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 optimise and maintain production efficiency and water quality analysis.

Agriculture Nutrient Management

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 the basic principles and concepts of plant and human nutrition. They will gain an understanding of how balanced nutrition can assure proper growth and maintenance, and add value to the farm produce.

Agro-Ecosystems and Farming

Students will be introduced to different types of agricultural farms, providing a relation between fresh produce, their growth requirements and building the most suitable ecosystem. This module allows the student to understand the different ecological factors and parameters that affect farm production and their application in the farm ecosystem and farm planning process.

Students will also learn more about managing farm externalities, such as the use of pesticides or fertiliser runoff and their effects on the wider ecosystem.

Project on Food Production/ On-the-job training

Students will benefit from hands-on experience in handling a plant and acquire a greater understanding of its physiological needs.

Disease: Causes and Identification

This module provides an overview of diseases that inflict damage to leafy vegetable production. A range of disease-causing agents, including pathogens and pests, will be discussed. Besides investigating the various disease symptoms and their causes, students will also learn how to identify diseases through visual observations and early detection through modern diagnosis methods.

Integrated Pest Management

This module covers the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in farm setups. IPM is a holistic approach for the selection and use of pest control, which ensures favourable economic, ecological and social consequences. In this module, students will learn more about the various pest management methods, such as traditional preventive practices, mechanical and biological controls, and the responsible use of synthetic pesticides.

Students will also learn the concepts of pest acceptance levels and economic injury levels that will enable them to carry out risk assessment and identify appropriate control measures.

Breeding Techniques and Seed Stock Management

The anatomical and physiological basis of reproduction will be taught to facilitate the understanding of various modes and mechanisms of plant reproduction. Students will learn about selective breeding and propagation for improving quality and yield, while also understanding germplasm collection, maintenance and propagation for sustainable farms. Different principles, concepts and methods of selecting, collecting, cataloguing and maintaining seed stock will also be discussed.

Farm Waste Management

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

Project on Farming Process and Management / On-the-job training

Students will be involved in a project involving plant health and yield management.

Green Tech Farming

This module will discuss the importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the use of material and energy flow management. Besides understanding the challenges and limitations of green technologies, students will learn to contextualise and review the energy-effectiveness of some existing methods, including hydroponics, soilless farming and integrated polyculture/aquaponics.

Optimising these farming systems and the ideal conditions to successfully cultivate different varieties of plants will also be discussed.

Design, Operation and Management of Urban Farms

Urban farming is constrained by land space, light and water resources. This module will teach students design principles that optimise the use of resources, including the use of vertical spaces, industrial buildings, private domestic spaces, shipping containers and urban voids. Students will also learn about the regulatory frameworks and bodies governing the operation and management of urban farms.

Automation and Mechanisation in Agriculture

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

Post-harvest Technologies

The aim of this module is to provide the learner with the fundamental knowledge and skills to manage agricultural post-harvest. Students will study key 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.

The Applications of Computer-Aided Design in Urban Farming

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 snapshots. Students would also be exposed to prototyping methods for the development of solutions in urban farming that can be easily done through a computer-aided design.

Traceability of Farm Produce

Food safety and the good shelf life of fresh produce have become a growing concern for citizens and farmers of many countries. Proper post-harvest handling and traceability of produce improve risk management for food businesses, 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 as 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.

Standards for Agriculture

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 agricultural practice, clean and green urban farms and organic production, will be covered in detail.

Agribusiness Regulatory and Funding

Students will be introduced to important enablers of successful businesses – government policies, legislation and financing. Acts and regulations of respective agencies governing the setup, operation, and management of agribusiness in Singapore will be covered.

Areas include the sale of food, cultivation of plants, managing plant pests, plant importation, trade effluent discharge, fire code, building code, and workplace safety and health. International obligations in the areas of food safety, plant protection, and trade in endangered species will be covered. Students will also be exposed to sources of funding available from respective agencies like the Singapore Food Agency, ENTERPRISE Singapore, etc.

Innovation, Ethics and Patent Law

Students will explore opportunities for innovation in agriculture in the areas of automation, data analytics, genetics, breeding, distribution and marketing. Ethical issues related to food will be discussed.

Students will also learn the basics of intellectual property (IP), including the concepts of background and forward IP, types of IP and the laws governing the implementation and enforcement of IP.

Agribusiness Risk Analysis and Management

This module covers general business risk assessment. Students will learn how to identify, mitigate and manage the risks unique to agricultural production. In addition, markets, finance, institutions and human resources relating to the industry. The role of innovative insurance and new info-comm technologies and mobile media for risk management will be discussed.

Agribusiness in Supply Chains and Logistics

This module analyses the flow of food and nutrition from primary production to distribution to consumers, and finally, managing food waste. It also covers the principles of efficient and effective management of logistics. It examines different aspects of logistics, including purchasing and reverse logistics, as well as global logistics trends and security challenges.

Farming Practice through Inhouse Experiential Learning

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.

Farming Immersion through Industry Experiential Learning

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.