Role:
Responsible for oversight and management of all activities within the Avocado orchard concerning production of seedlings and general maintenance of the nursery.
Key Responsibilities:
Nursery Management
The upkeep and maintenance of the nursery compound and infrastructure within.
Oversee and coordinate land and medium preparation, potting, planting, and Scion grafting
activities to ensure optimal output.
General plant hygiene and health.
Observe and monitor plant health for signs of stress, disease or pests incursion.
Fertilization and pest control activities as agreed with your immediate senior manager
Management of Inventories and logistics.
The utilization, management and maintenance of the irrigation system, pest control equipment, field working tools, etc.
Health and Safety – ensure safe working conditions
Quality control, of recovered yields, all works undertaken, etc
Trailing new techniques and methodologies like propping, pruning, weeding, mulching, etc
Establishment of a model avocado orchard within the farm with a high-level management
Ensure management of seedling health in the nursery.
Oversee and ensure management of inventories and logistics up to and including utilization, management, and maintenance of the orchard irrigation system.
Source Avocado fruits from the market for planting seed for grafting.
Responsible for sourcing of Avocado scions for grafting.
Plan and forecast Avocado seedling grafting and delivery as per the seasonal demands.
Coming up with innovative ideas, techniques, and methodologies to promote optimal quality output
People Management
Ensure that all labour in the section is effective and efficient and that all staff achieves the recommended daily tasks.
Maintain staff discipline and welfare in accordance with the company policy.
Train staff in best practices for planting, grafting, crop maintenance and hygiene, pest and disease management and all other practices from time to time.
Plan and forecast Avocado Yields, gapping plants required, operations, etc.
Communicate and coordinate harvesting schedules as per Avocado Packhouse volume requirements.
Ensure safe working conditions
Audits/ standards
Ensure the orchard operations adhere to standards of all agricultural audit’s guidelines
Handle and address any deviation on standards.
Record keeping
Ensure that various team leaders, scouts and supervisors keep accurate records of all operations carried in the orchard.
Maintain Irrigation/Fertigation records, spray schedule etc.
Crop Management
Managing day to day operations of the orchard such as nursery management, transplanting, irrigation, fertilization, pest management and harvesting.
Lead the agronomy team to ensure that pest control is well managed, and all pests and diseases are kept below threshold at all times
Direct the Farm’s crop nutrition in terms of implementation of fertilizer plans, composting / manure application and foliar feeding
Irrigation Management
Manage irrigation and scheduling of irrigation based on crop requirements and stages of production. Reduction of water wastage from leaks and over irrigation.
Crop husbandry
Deeper agricultural knowledge of the avocado crop husbandry and seasons in East Africa.
In depth understanding of the Avocado husbandry practice
Sourcing of inputs.
Responsible for planning and the ssourcing of inputs through internal requisitions on time
Key competencies:
Knowledge of Avocado orchard operations preferred.
Diploma or Degree in BSc in Horticulture or a related field
2 – 4 Years’ management experience in a horticultural field
Computer literate
Good verbal and written communication skills.
Basic mechanical and general machinery operation experience.
Ability to work efficiently and methodically and follow written instructions.
Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
Good time management skills.
Understanding and commitment to Health and Safety best practice.
Attention to detail
Client, quality, and results oriented
Outstanding organizational and time-management skills
Ability to work independently, good team spirit, ability to work in a cosmopolitan environment.
Key Performance Measure:
Task completed on time and to specific specification.
Pruning and other orchard tasks completed according to seasonal and business requirements
Orchard teams supervised and work output meets agreed target.
Health and Safety procedures and policies followed.
Company processes and systems adherence
Team satisfaction
Annual yield recovery
Orchard sanitation
Apply via :
www.aaagrowers.co.ke
