. Agronomist/Agriculture Extension Officer (14)

Reporting to the Hub Plantation Manager while working closely with the PMU Oil Palm Agronomist, the overall responsibility of the Agricultural Extension officers is to ensure that the oil palm establishment activities are carried out in accordance with the laid down guidelines. They will also provide extension advice in agricultural intensification under alternative livelihoods activities. Each Extension Officer will be in charge of a sub-county where project activities will be undertaken.

Key Responsibilities:

i.    Mobilize farmers into groups for delivery of Extension services. ii.         Identify farmer’s need and provide responses as appropriate.

• Assist the farmers and their leaders (Unit and Block) to identify suitable land and plan the schedules for the recommended services and farm inputs for oil palm establishment.

1. Oversee the oil palm establishment stages in land preparation, lining, planting, crop maintenance, FFB harvesting and collection at Block level.
2. Provide Agricultural Advisory and Training service to oil palm farmers in collaboration with Agricultural staff at the District Local Government and the Private Sector.
3. Carry out agronomic demonstrations, training or exposure to best oil palm agronomic practices.

• Conduct in-field training sessions on the correct use and application of fertilizers and crop protection products. Provide technical advice to the farmers in other project-supported agricultural enterprises, in addition to oil palm.

1. Supervise and monitor performance of farmers’ activities in oil palm cultivation.
2. In liaison with the Credit Officer, sensitize farmers on savings and credit.
3. Support the Farmer Loan Application Process.

• Technically assess stages of oil palm development for approval of farmers’ loan payments.
• Attend technical and other training as required. xiv. Participate in preparation of work plans, budgets and reports as required by the PMU. xv. Ensuring timely and accurate reporting of all activities to the Hub coordinator.
• Carry out any other duties delegated by the Hub Coordinator from time to time.

Specific Qualifications

In addition to the general qualifications detailed above, the following specific qualifications are required:

1. A Degree in Agriculture, Agriculture Extension, Agribusiness, Agro- Forestry or related field from a recognized Institution.
2. A Post Graduate qualification is an added advantage.
3. 5 years’ experience in working in relevant field
4. Knowledge of Oil Palm Agronomy is an added advantage
5. The ability to understand and communicate with farmers to provide information and advice in an acceptable way.
6. Should have a pro-active approach to work with the ability to take field level decisions.
7. Willing and able to ride a motor cycle.
8. Fluent in English and a working knowledge of the local languages in the hub.
9. Computer literate in at least MS Office Word and Excel packages.
10. Ability to write and submit reports timely.
11. Be a team player.

• Mobilize farmers into groups for delivery of Extension services.
• Identify farmer’s need and provide responses as appropriate.
• Assist the farmers and their leaders (Unit and Block) to identify suitable land and plan the schedules for the recommended services and farm inputs for oil palm establishment.
• Oversee the oil palm establishment stages in land preparation, lining, planting, crop maintenance, FFB harvesting and collection at Block level.
• Provide Agricultural Advisory and Training service to oil palm farmers in collaboration with Agricultural staff at the District Local Government and the Private Sector.
• Carry out agronomic demonstrations, training or exposure to best oil palm agronomic practices.
• Conduct in-field training sessions on the correct use and application of fertilizers and crop protection products.
• Provide technical advice to the farmers in other project-supported agricultural enterprises, in addition to oil palm.
• Supervise and monitor performance of farmers’ activities in oil palm cultivation.
• In liaison with the Credit Officer, sensitize farmers on savings and credit.
• Support the Farmer Loan Application Process.
• Technically assess stages of oil palm development for approval of farmers’ loan payments.
• Attend technical and other training as required.
• Participate in preparation of work plans, budgets and reports as required by the PMU.
• Ensuring timely and accurate reporting of all activities to the Hub coordinator.
• Carry out any other duties delegated by the Hub Coordinator from time to time.

• Pro-active approach to work with the ability to take field level decisions.
• Ability to understand and communicate with farmers to provide information and advice in an acceptable way.
• Computer literate in at least MS Office Word and Excel packages.
• Fluent in English and a working knowledge of the local languages in the hub.
• Team player.

• A Degree in Agriculture, Agriculture Extension, Agribusiness, Agro-Forestry or related field from a recognized Institution.
• A Post Graduate qualification is an added advantage.
• 5 years’ experience in working in relevant field.
• Knowledge of Oil Palm Agronomy is an added advantage.
• Willing and able to ride a motor cycle.
• Ability to write and submit reports timely.