Precision Agriculture Specialist - Eastern Seaboard Focus

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health coverage

Cutting-edge technology

Autonomy

Travel opportunities

Sustainable agriculture

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a highly skilled Precision Agriculture Specialist to help farmers adopt advanced technologies for efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in Durban and KwaZulu-Natal. You will implement GPS guidance, VR fertilizer, remote sensing, and FMIS while translating complex data into actionable recommendations.

The role requires 5+ years of experience, GIS/FMIS proficiency, and strong communication with clients.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, Geomatics, CS with an agricultural focus.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in precision agriculture or related field.
• Hands-on experience with GPS systems, ArcGIS, QGIS, and FMIS.
• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools.
• Knowledge of sensor technologies, drone applications, and remote sensing in agriculture.
• Understanding of soil science, crop physiology, and agronomic principles.
• Excellent communication, presentation and client-facing skills.
• Willingness to travel frequently to farms in Durban area.

Responsibilities

• Assess farmer needs and recommend precision agriculture technologies and strategies.
• Implement and calibrate precision agriculture equipment on client farms.
• Collect, analyze and interpret data from yield maps, soil samples and satellite imagery.
• Develop site-specific management plans with variable rate fertilizer and seeding prescriptions.
• Train farmers and farm staff on operation and maintenance of precision agriculture systems.
• Troubleshoot technical issues related to precision agriculture hardware and software.
• Stay current with emerging trends and innovations in precision agriculture and digital farming.
• Develop reports and presentations summarizing findings and recommendations for clients.
• Promote data-driven decision-making in agricultural practices.
• Contribute to knowledge base and best practices in precision agriculture.

Skills

GPS systems

GIS software

FMIS

Data analysis

Visualization tools

Sensor technologies

Drone applications

Remote sensing

Soil science

Crop physiology

Agronomic principles

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, Geomatics or CS with ag focus

Tools

ArcGIS

QGIS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic agribusiness consultancy serving the Durban and wider KwaZulu-Natal agricultural sector, is seeking a highly skilled Precision Agriculture Specialist. This role is crucial for helping farmers adopt and optimize advanced technologies to enhance efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. You will be at the forefront of implementing data-driven farming solutions, including GPS guidance, variable rate application, remote sensing, and farm management software. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background combined with practical knowledge of agricultural operations and the challenges faced by farmers in the region. You will play a key role in advising clients on the selection, implementation, and utilization of precision agriculture tools and techniques, driving tangible improvements in their operations. This role requires excellent analytical skills and the ability to translate complex data into actionable recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess farmer needs and recommend appropriate precision agriculture technologies and strategies.
• Implement and calibrate precision agriculture equipment on client farms.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret various data sources (e.g., yield maps, soil samples, satellite imagery).
• Develop site-specific management plans, including variable rate fertilizer and seeding prescriptions.
• Train farmers and farm staff on the operation and maintenance of precision agriculture systems.
• Troubleshoot technical issues related to precision agriculture hardware and software.
• Stay current with emerging trends and innovations in precision agriculture and digital farming.
• Develop reports and presentations summarizing findings and recommendations for clients.
• Promote the adoption of data-driven decision-making in agricultural practices.
• Contribute to the company's knowledge base and best practices in precision agriculture.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, Geomatics, Computer Science with an agricultural focus, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in precision agriculture, agricultural technology, or a closely related field.
• Hands-on experience with GPS systems, GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS), and farm management information systems (FMIS).
• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools.
• Knowledge of sensor technologies, drone applications, and remote sensing in agriculture.
• Understanding of soil science, crop physiology, and agronomic principles.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and client-facing skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Willingness to travel frequently to client farms in the Durban area and surrounding regions.
• A passion for leveraging technology to improve agricultural outcomes.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary and benefits package designed to attract and retain top talent.
• This includes a strong base salary, performance-based incentives, and comprehensive health coverage.
• You will have access to cutting-edge technology and ongoing professional development opportunities to stay at the forefront of agricultural innovation.
• The role provides significant autonomy and the chance to make a direct impact on the success of farms in the Durban region.
• We foster a collaborative and forward-thinking work environment.
• Opportunities for travel within the beautiful KwaZulu-Natal province are inherent to the role.
• Be part of a company committed to advancing sustainable and efficient agriculture.