Agronomist

JustTheJob.co.za; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agricultural firm seeks an experienced Agronomist in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape to optimize yields on large citrus farms. The ideal candidate must possess a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture and over 5 years of relevant experience in commercial farming. Responsibilities include managing fertilizer and water resources, developing crop strategies, and providing consultation to farmers. A culture of teamwork and integrity is upheld, ensuring meaningful contributions from all team members.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years’ experience in the agronomic field.
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to mentor and work independently.

Responsibilities

• Manage fertilizer programmes and water on 1,400 ha of citrus.
• Develop crop management strategies to optimize yields.
• Provide expert advice to stakeholders on crop production.

Skills

Commercial farming in citrus

Research and decision-making

Proficiency in MS Office

Plant selection process

Irrigation scheduling

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture

Tools

Diagnostic scientific software

Job description

Overview

Agronomist - Port Elizabeth

Our client, a highly respected Citrus Producer in the Sundays River Valley, Eastern Cape, part of one of the world's largest fresh fruit companies, is looking for a highly skilled Agronomist with at least 5 years of experience in the agronomic field and a proven track record of commercial farming in citrus to join their technical team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, with a major in horticulture / crop science / Agronomy / Soil Science

Key Skills and Attributes

• Minimum 5+ years’ experience in the agronomic field
• Plant selection process and development of planting and irrigation schedules, budgets, and timelines
• Proven track record of commercial farming in citrus
• Proficiency with computers, especially MS Office and diagnostic scientific software
• Strong research, decision-making, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Awareness of industry trends, technology, and developments
• Listening, verbal, written communication skills, and presentation skills
• Ability to work independently and in a team
• Ability to mentor subordinates
• Ability to present technical subject matter to senior management, officials, farmers, and other stakeholders

Key responsibilities

• Responsible for fertilizer programmes and water management on approximately 1,400 ha of citrus
• Responsible for annual budgets of these programmes (approximately R40 million)
• Provide input on farming practices, including irrigation, pruning, and yield estimates
• Crop Management: Develop and implement crop management strategies to optimize yields, quality, and profitability
• Soil Science: Analyze soil composition, fertility, and health to recommend improvements and sustainable soil management
• Water Management: Develop and implement efficient irrigation systems and water conservation strategies
• Research and Development: Conduct research and experiments to develop new crop varieties, soil management techniques, and irrigation systems
• Consultation and Advisory Services: Provide expert advice to farmers, agricultural companies, and government agencies on best practices in crop production, soil management, and water conservation
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Collect and analyse data on crop yields, soil health, and water usage, and prepare reports to inform decision-making

What working at our Client offers

The company values teamwork and maintains a culture of integrity, enthusiasm, stakeholder stewardship, and excellence, expecting high performance from each person. The value added by the successful candidate will be appreciated.