Permanent | SASRI, Extension and Biosecurity
In Umfolozi, water decides a great deal. Growers in the region need to make every drop of irrigation water count, cope with unpredictable rainfall, and keep pests and diseases out of their cane. Good advice in the field makes a real difference to how their season turns out.
We are looking for an Extension Specialist who knows sugarcane well, understands irrigation and soil-water management, and is at home working alongside growers on their farms.
About the role
You will be SASRI's person on the ground in Umfolozi. You will help growers put SASRI's research, varieties and services to work, and lead the region's biosecurity programme. You will start with a handover period alongside the outgoing Extension Specialist, so you can build on their knowledge of local growers and farming systems.
You will report to the Extension and Biosecurity Manager, have administrative support in your office, and work as part of an experienced team of Extension Specialists across the industry.
What the job involves
Water management: the top priority
- Helping growers use their irrigation water as efficiently as possible.
- Advising on irrigation scheduling and soil-water management to improve production.
- Helping growers plan for rainfall variability and manage water-related risks.
Working with growers
- Running extension programmes, farm visits, demonstrations and grower days.
- Helping growers interpret their Fertiliser Advisory Service (FAS) results and adopt SUSFARMS® and other best management practices.
- Supporting on-farm trials and data collection for SASRI.
- Building strong relationships with growers, milling companies, grower associations and local committees, including the RD&E and Local Environment Committees.
Biosecurity
- Developing and running the biosecurity strategy for the area with the Local Pest, Disease and Variety Control Committee (LPD&VCC), and reporting on field surveys at its meetings.
- Managing the field inspection teams: their standards of work, discipline, spot checks, data quality, and the vehicles and equipment they use.
- Following up with growers on problems found in the field, with advice from SASRI specialists where needed.
- Running seedcane schemes and nurseries, approving certified planting material, and managing the bulking and distribution of new SASRI varieties.
What you'll need
- A BSc in Agriculture or another agriculture-related qualification.
- 3 to 5 years' experience providing extension services to large-scale farmers.
- At least 2 years' proven experience in irrigation and soil-water management, including irrigation scheduling.
- Strong sugarcane agronomy knowledge: crop husbandry, varieties for irrigated and rainfed conditions, ripening, fertiliser and fertigation, and pest, disease and weed control.
- A sound knowledge of soils, particularly how they hold and supply water to the crop.
- A track record of explaining scientific information clearly to growers.
- Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office.
- A valid driver's licence and your own vehicle.
It would be a plus if you have
- The ability to speak, read and write English and isiZulu.
- A qualification or training in irrigation or water management.
- Experience supervising field teams.
- Experience working with small-scale and emerging growers.
About you
You are a clear communicator and a practical problem-solver, comfortable working on your own in the field and as part of a team.
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