Junior Agronomist at Rama Homes Limited

Job Purpose

To study soil, plants, seeds, and products to better understand crop needs and develop more effective and efficient farming practices.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Studying plants and soil in order to develop better planting, cultivation, and harvesting techniques, improve crop yield, and solve problems facing the agriculture industry.
• Researching, developing, monitoring, and promoting farming practices or products that diminish the effects of changes in soil, climate, and weather or prevent damage from pests.
• Visiting fields to collect seed, plant, and soil samples and testing samples for nutritional deficiencies, diseases, or other changes.
• Ensure good agricultural practices are carried out from planting to harvesting.
• Assisting with the plant selection process and the development of planting and irrigation schedules, budgets, and timelines.
• Check and ensure that the product meets the market and customer requirements
• Keeping detailed records regarding fields, customers, crops, and samples.
• Generating reports and presenting findings to management, clients, or other interested parties.
• Promoting products and techniques through educational presentations.
• Season forward prediction of farm income based on the year of production.
• Maintains contact with numerous industry personnel including growers, supplier salespersons, product technicians, breeders, customers and produce brokers/buyers to identify new products or market needs.
• Plans, coordinates and implements trial plan for assigned crops in assigned territory
• Supports downstream marketing initiatives in conjunction with the company’s marketing programs.
• Assists in collecting information to resolve product performance complaints.
• Collecting data on the competition varieties in the market, their traits and positioning

Key Performance Indicators 

• Chemical per output
• Water per output
• Yields per plant/acre
• Estimated production potential
• Fertilizers per output
• Increase in production
• Work per output.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Agriculture, or related field.
• He/she should have knowledge in :
• pest and diseases
• Fertigation
• Plant/crop management 
• He/she should have a 2-3 years’ experience in vegetable farming

Competencies and Attributes

• Ability to work outside, stand, walk, kneel, and stoop for extended periods.
• Proficiency with computers, especially MS Office and diagnostic scientific software.
• Exceptional active listening and verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong research, decision-making, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Awareness of industry trends, technology, and developments.
• Sales and presentation skills are also a major plus.