Agricultural Development Officer

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development

Field-based work

Impactful role

Job summary

Placements24 is partnering with a non-profit in the North West to hire an Agricultural Development Officer based in Mahikeng. You will train farmers, provide inputs, and support sustainable farming practices to improve yields and access to markets.

The role requires a Bachelor in Agriculture and 3-5 years in development work, plus strong community engagement, data collection, and field management. You will collaborate with researchers and government agencies to promote climate-smart agriculture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Agricultural Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in agricultural development, extension services, or project management in the agricultural sector.
• Proven knowledge of sustainable farming techniques and crop production best practices relevant to North West.
• Strong training and facilitation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities for engaging with farming communities.
• Experience in data collection, monitoring, and reporting for agricultural projects.
• Ability to work independently and manage fieldwork effectively.
• Familiarity with local agricultural challenges and opportunities in Mahikeng.
• Proficiency in relevant agricultural software or tools is an asset.
• A passion for supporting rural livelihoods and food security.

Responsibilities

• Implement and manage agricultural development projects in Mahikeng, North West, ZA, focusing on sustainable farming methods.
• Provide technical training and advisory services to farmers on crop cultivation, soil management, pest control, and water conservation.
• Facilitate access to agricultural inputs, technologies, and resources for farmers.
• Conduct needs assessments and surveys to understand the challenges and opportunities faced by the farming community.
• Organize farmer field days, workshops, and demonstration plots.
• Assist farmers in improving product quality and market access strategies.
• Monitor project progress, collect data on yields and farmer adoption rates, and prepare reports.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with farmers, community leaders, and agricultural stakeholders in the North West.
• Collaborate with research institutions and government agencies on agricultural initiatives.
• Promote climate-smart agriculture and environmentally friendly practices.

Skills

Agriculture knowledge

Community engagement

Project management

Training facilitation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Agriculture / Agronomy / Agricultural Science

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering sustainable agricultural practices and improving livelihoods in rural communities, seeks an experienced Agricultural Development Officer. This crucial role, based in Mahikeng, North West, ZA, focuses on empowering local farmers through training, resource provision, and technical support. You will work directly with farmers to enhance crop yields, promote efficient farming techniques, and facilitate market access. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in agriculture, agronomy, or a related field, coupled with excellent community engagement and project management skills. This is a significant opportunity to contribute to the economic development and food security of the North West region. We are looking for a hands-on professional who can effectively implement agricultural development programs in Mahikeng and surrounding rural areas, fostering resilience and prosperity in the farming sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement and manage agricultural development projects in Mahikeng, North West, ZA, focusing on sustainable farming methods.
• Provide technical training and advisory services to farmers on crop cultivation, soil management, pest control, and water conservation.
• Facilitate access to agricultural inputs, technologies, and resources for farmers.
• Conduct needs assessments and surveys to understand the challenges and opportunities faced by the farming community.
• Organize farmer field days, workshops, and demonstration plots.
• Assist farmers in improving product quality and market access strategies.
• Monitor project progress, collect data on yields and farmer adoption rates, and prepare reports.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with farmers, community leaders, and agricultural stakeholders in the North West.
• Collaborate with research institutions and government agencies on agricultural initiatives.
• Promote climate-smart agriculture and environmentally friendly practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Agricultural Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in agricultural development, extension services, or project management in the agricultural sector.
• Proven knowledge of sustainable farming techniques and crop production best practices relevant to North West, ZA.
• Strong training and facilitation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities for engaging with farming communities.
• Experience in data collection, monitoring, and reporting for agricultural projects.
• Ability to work independently and manage fieldwork effectively.
• Familiarity with local agricultural challenges and opportunities in Mahikeng.
• Proficiency in relevant agricultural software or tools is an asset.
• A passion for supporting rural livelihoods and food security.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Opportunity to directly impact agricultural productivity and farmer livelihoods in Mahikeng.
• Work within a dedicated team focused on rural development.
• Professional development opportunities in agricultural sciences and extension.
• Contribute to sustainable development in the North West province.
• Field-based work with exposure to diverse farming communities.