- The Agronomist will provide technical assistance, farmer capacity building, and extension services to smallholder farmers. The role involves promoting improved agricultural practices, managing demonstration plots, monitoring crop performance, supporting digital data collection, field reporting, stakeholder engagement, and scaling the FSSS Farmers' Hub Model to improve farmers' access to agricultural technologies, services, and market opportunities.
Your key responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to:
Agronomic Support and Farmer Capacity Building
- Support field planning and execution of agronomy-related activities across project locations.
- Provide technical support and extension services to smallholder farmers cultivating cereals (e.g., maize, rice, sorghum, pearl millet), legumes (e.g., cowpea, groundnut, soybean), and vegetables (e.g., tomato, pepper, onion, okra).
- Assist in establishing and managing demonstration plots to showcase improved agronomic practices and technologies.
- Assist to train farmers on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), Integrated Pest Management (IPM), soil fertility management, and climate-smart agriculture techniques.
- Support farmer groups in record keeping, yield monitoring, and production planning.
- Input Supply and Value Chain Support:
- Facilitate linkages between farmers and input/service providers for timely access to quality seeds, fertilizers, and crop protection products.
- Work with input companies, aggregators, and local agro-dealers to strengthen the supply chain within project communities.
- Support post-harvest handling and storage practices to minimize losses and maintain product quality.
Field Monitoring, Data Collection, and Reporting
- Support in conducting regular field visits to track crop performance, identify challenges, and recommend solutions.
- Collect, validate, and report agronomic and yield data using standard tools (digital or paper-based).
- Contribute to periodic technical and field activity reports, highlighting progress, lessons learned, and success stories.
- Research and Innovation
- Assist the agronomy team in testing new technologies, improved seed varieties, and sustainable practices suitable for local conditions.
- Document field results and contribute to adaptive learning and knowledge-sharing sessions.
Stakeholder and Community Engagement
- Liaise with local leaders, extension officers, farmer organizations, and relevant partners to ensure smooth field operations.
- Represent the project in community meetings, training sessions, and stakeholder engagements.
- B.Sc in Agriculture, Agricultural Extension, Agricultural Economic, Plant breeding, Agribusiness and other related discipline.
- A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in agronomy, crop production, agricultural extension, or smallholder farmer support.
- Experience working with international organisations, development agencies, research institutions, or NGOs.
- Strong understanding of agricultural systems, livelihoods, and rural development.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Practical knowledge of digital data collection tools, including ODK, KoboToolbox, and Soluta.
- Strong farmer engagement and client relationship management skills.
- Good problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
- Compensation and Benefits
- Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.