Summary
Date Posted: Wednesday, April 24 2024, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Asili Agriculture is a fully-mechanized largescale farming company with an integrated food security platform for East Africa that manages dual-season production of high-quality maize and soybeans for supply to regional food processors. Asili became operational in January 2014 and is currently farming on over 7,000 ha of land in Western Uganda under a conservation agriculture and precision farming approach to maximize yields efficiently and sustainably.
• Our purpose: To catalyse a more equitable, resilient and regenerative food system.
• Our mission: To deliver integrated agricultural land management & marketplace solutions that empower farmers and food system stakeholders to sustainably increase profitability, resilience and nutrition.
• Our vision: A food system in harmony with nature that empowers farmers, nourishes communities, and creates local prosperity.

Our Farm Hubs operate the largest staple foods farming enterprise in Uganda. We also operate grain storage and trading activities serving over 15,000 farmers and supplying over 40,000 MT of food annually. Our Producer Services Business Unit (PSBU) provides bundled services—agronomy, quality inputs supply, grain marketing and financial services—to smallscale producers (also known as smallholders) as well as customized farming services to large landowners. Our Digital Division develops AMSAF – a resilient food marketplace connecting all stakeholders - and implements digital solutions employed across our Hubs and PSBU. Today, we employ 230+ individuals and employ over 800 temporary employees. We are an ambitious and growing business with a vibrant and dedicated workforce committed to expanding equitable, resilient and regenerative food systems in the region.

The Purpose of the role
The Crop Scout plays an essential role in the company’s agricultural operations by conducting thorough inspections of crops across the fields. Their primary objective is to assess plant health, identify diseases, weed infestations, and pest outbreaks. By providing timely and accurate information, the Crop Scout empowers the company to make informed decisions crucial for optimizing crop yield, quality, and overall farm productivity. This position operates under the guidance of the Technical Supervisor-Agronomy, contributing essential field insights to support strategic agronomic planning and execution.

Specific Roles and Responsibilities of the Position
The successful candidate will be expected to perform the following tasks with respect to this position:
1. Planning
• Plan the order of the fields to be monitored according to the developed Schedule

2. Monitoring and Surveying fields
• Conduct weekly field visits to access crop health and potential risks
• Identify and report on potential pest and disease
• Perform yield estimates on a weekly basis
• Take photos; conduct soil and tissue sampling
• Notifying security of any potential crop theft/ distraction

3. Recording and Reporting
• Collect and record data related to pests, diseases and weed status in a given field
• Make recommendations based on field status
• Communicate any irregular situation to the agronomist

4. Support Research and Development Efforts
• Supervising casuals in preparing and planting sentinel plots
• Monitoring crop and sentinel plot trials
• Participate in research projects as required

5. Quality Control
• Ensuring that the plant population is within the required threshold, seed is covered and planting with the right condition
• Ensuring that sprayer nozzles are dispensing the desired volumes and there is no blockage
• Ensuring application of the correct fertilizer rates and correct spreading distribution
• Ensuring that there’s minimal losses during harvesting

Various tasks that may be assigned by the supervisor from time to time.

Personal Specification for this Role
• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or Diploma in Agriculture
• Minimum 2 years work experience on a large farm.
• Result oriented, quality-oriented individual with high level of integrity
• Able to work transparently with all team members
• Physically fit and able to travel and examine farms in a variety of environments and climates including the ability to bend, Kneel and carry light loads.
• Open to change and learning new systems
• Effective planner and time conscious
• Computer skills
• Ability to ride a motorbike with a license.

Competencies for this Role
• Demonstrates strong numerical and analytical skills
• Good inter-personal skills
• Work effectively in a team environment
• Fluent in spoken and written English
• Good knowledge of computer applications such as word, excel and power point.

Working Conditions
1. Field Environment:
• The role primarily involves working outdoors in various weather conditions, including exposure to sunlight, rain, and wind.
• Field visits may require walking or traveling by vehicle and/or motorbike to different field sites.

2. Physical Demands:
• Requires walking, standing, bending, and kneeling for extended periods during field visits.
• Lifting and carrying equipment or samples, which may sometimes be heavy.

3. Work Schedule:
• May require flexibility to accommodate seasonal demands or unexpected situations.
• Weekly field visits are a key aspect of the role, which may involve working on weekends or evenings if necessary.

4. Safety Precautions:
• Adherence to safety protocols is essential to minimize risks associated with fieldwork, such as using protective gear when handling chemicals.

5. Collaborative Environment:
• Effective communication skills are important for reporting findings, sharing recommendations, and collaborating with colleagues.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Asili Agriculture is an equal opportunities employer and seeks to provide equal-opportunity employment to all employees and applicants. Asili Agriculture strongly believes in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within its workforce. At Asili Agriculture, diversity refers to all the ways in which we differ. This includes but is not limited to age, gender, disability, ethnicity, religion and nationality. Asili Agriculture encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply to become part of our organisation.

Any candidate offered a job with Asili will be expected to comply with Asili’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.


Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 24

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure

Does this sound like an exciting role and company to work with? Do you have any questions? We would be happy to hear from you.

Interested applicants please send your CV and a Cover Letter explaining why you are a suitable candidate for this role to recruitment@agilis-partners.com. All applications should include the reference 23-04-2024-1 in the subject line. Hard copy applications will not be accepted.

Please note this is an ongoing recruitment process. Candidates will be contacted and assessed on a rolling-basis.


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