The
successful candidate will ensure that plant nutrition and irrigation is running
optimally across various farms. Therefore, it involves both knowledge of plant
nutrition, water demand and soil reaction to fertilisation and irrigation and
an understanding of how irrigation systems function. The candidate will be part
of the Agronomy Team but will be in direct and regular liaison with the on-farm
production teams and ensure that the production teams are aligned with the
agronomy technical advisors.
Key Performance Outputs
- Process, review and interpret data related to plant nutrition and irrigation on various farms to assess whether systems are running optimally.
- Review irrigation scheduling, strategies and probe data across various farms and provide guidance for both soil and substrate production of blueberries.
- Regular orchard visits to assess plant health and growth and comparison to current plant nutrition and irrigation program.
- Provide professional recommendations and plant nutrition programs in collaboration with the area agronomist.
- Collate, summarize, analyze and present data on irrigation and nutrition at prescribed intervals.
- Review whether required on-farm checks and tests are being done related to irrigation and nutrition and general irrigation system maintenance.
- Work closely with farm production teams and pump-house managers to ensure irrigation systems are working optimally.
- Ensure effective and regular knowledge transfer to farm production teams.
- Be at the forefront of new irrigation and fertigation technologies and innovation.
Requirements
Qualification / Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Soil Science, Horticulture, Agronomy, or a related field.
- 3-4 years experience with and technical understanding of plant nutrition, irrigation scheduling (interpretation of irrigation graphs) and general knowledge regarding drip irrigation systems will be advantageous.
Functional / Technical
- Excellent computer skills.
- Analytical skills.
- Detailed-oriented.
- Excellent administrative skills.
- Ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
- Fully bilingual in English and Afrikaans.
- Valid driving license.