Crop Protection Technical Advisor (Chemicals)

KHULA!; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agricultural technology company in South Africa is seeking a Crop Protection Technical Advisor. The role involves designing and supporting crop protection programs, diagnosing issues, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience and a relevant degree. Strong communication skills are essential for guiding farmers in effectively using crop protection products. The job combines desk-based work with field support, including travel to farms during critical periods.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience advising on crop protection programs.
• Strong ability to identify common South African pests and diseases.
• Excellent communication skills to simplify technical guidance.

Responsibilities

• Develop tailored crop protection programs for various crops.
• Guide farmers in spray quality and application methods.
• Promote responsible use of crop protection products.

Skills

Diagnosis of crop issues

Communication skills

Identification of pests/diseases/weeds

Education

Diploma/Degree in Agronomy or similar

Job description

About Khula!

Khula! is a leading agricultural technology company, committed to driving innovation in the agricultural sector across South Africa. Through our ecosystem—comprising the Inputs App, Trader Platform, and FinTech Platform—Khula! helps farmers grow, scale, and access the resources they need. Our mission is to create a sustainable, connected, and empowered agricultural ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders.

Position overview

We are looking for a Crop Protection Technical Advisor to design and support chemical (crop protection) programs across a wide range of crops, including vegetables, citrus, and maize. This role focuses on diagnosis (pest/disease/weed identification), program recommendations, stewardship, and training, ensuring farmers use crop protection products safely, legally, and effectively.

Key Responsibilities

Program Design & Technical Recommendations

• Develop crop protection programs (prevention and control) for weeds, pests, and diseases, tailored by crop, region, and season.
• Recommend products, rates, timings, and spray sequences aligned to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and resistance management principles.
• Adjust programs based on scouting observations, weather patterns, growth stage, and farmer operational constraints.

Field Support, Scouting & Troubleshooting

• Diagnose crop issues through field assessments (in-person or remote), including deficiency vs pest/disease look-alikes.
• Guide farmers/RMs on spray quality fundamentals: application method, calibration, droplet coverage, adjuvant use, and drift management.
• Support escalation decisions (when to change mode of action, rotate chemistry, or integrate non-chemical controls).

Stewardship, Compliance & Safe Use

• Promote responsible use: PPE, storage, disposal, and safe handling aligned to stewardship standards.
• Ensure recommendations align with South Africa’s regulatory requirements for agricultural remedies under Act 36 of 1947 and related regulations.
• Keep up to date with changes impacting restricted-use/remedies and advisory practices.

Internal Enablement & Product Alignment

• Train Relationship Managers and support teams on crop protection fundamentals and how to communicate programs clearly to farmers.
• Collaborate with procurement/category teams to ensure recommended products are available, correctly listed, and supported with the right labels/technical docs.

Learning Loop & Continuous Improvement

• Track outcomes and farmer feedback to refine program templates per crop and region.
• Contribute to demos/trials and “what works where” knowledge bases.

Qualifications & Experience

• Diploma/Degree in Agronomy, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Crop Science, or similar.
• 5+ years experience advising on crop protection programs (ideally across vegetables and/or citrus and/or maize).
• Strong ability to identify common SA pests/diseases/weeds and translate this into clear, practical recommendations.
• Excellent communication skills—able to simplify complex technical guidance for farmers.

Certifications (Important)

• CropLife SA Basic Crop Protection Course (commonly still referred to as the “AVCASA course”) — required or highly advantageous. Note: the course is now under CropLife SA and is described as the same course previously referred to as the AVCASA course.
• CropLife-related stewardship / safe-use training experience is a plus (especially where training is required for audits and on-farm compliance).

Suggested policy for hiring: If not already completed, the successful candidate should complete the CropLife SA Basic Crop Protection course within the first 6–12 months.

Work Environment

This role combines desk-based program design with practical advisory support. Travel to farms may be required, especially in peak spray windows and troubleshooting periods.

Application Deadline

23 January 2026