Agronomist (Production) at Kilombero Sugar

The successful candidate will provide direction and technical guidance on crop varieties, crop nutrition, crop protection (weed, pest and disease control) and irrigation to ensure long-term optimization of yield and cost of production.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Implement sustainable agronomic practices with the objective of closing the gap between the actual and the attainable yield potentials for each field on each estate
• Support adoption and embedding of agreed best practices, frameworks, minimum standards and processes for agronomy
• Implement and manage sugar cane agronomic trials (fertilizers and crop protection) required by the head of agricultural optimisation as part of a continuous productivity initiative
• Formulate, communicate and monitor fertilizer, weed control and ripener programmes (including 3rd party contractor management)
• Manage Estate nursery fields, monitor seed quality, and ensure regular disease inspections are carried out
• Ensure all commercial and nursery fields are timeously surveyed for pests and diseases, and that their infestation levels and recommendations are communicated to the relevant parties
• Ensure all agronomic data is captured for trend analysis, reporting and decision making
• Support agronomic optimisation by adopting new technologies and methods and ensure continuous improvement by implementing best practices and conducting regular system checks
• Develop new SOPs per requirements and assure performance against agronomy-related SOPs
• Monitor trends to understand impact of adopted practices, and refine practices accordingly
• Provides agronomic advice to Growers
• Promote and adhere to Kilombero’s procedures, policies and guidelines, including, without limitation, those relating to SHERQ, Competition Law and Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC)

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or equivalent
• 5 years’ experience in sugar cane agriculture
• Research orientated with experience in agronomic experiments, trial work and evaluation
• Good business acumen and agricultural expertise, with ability to anticipate, interpret and respond to changes impacting on functional area
• A formal business/commercial qualification would be an advantage
• Strong agriculture data analysis skills
• Proven track record within an ABFSugar Company, aligning with the company culture, is an added advantage

Terms of Service: The successful candidate will be engaged on a Permanent Contract.

All interested candidates, who meet the above requirements, please click here to apply for the position on or before 10th February 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Kilombero Sugar Company Limited is an equal opportunity employer. Women and people with disability are highly encouraged to apply.