Position:  Agronomist

Reports to: Farm Manager

Location: Kafue Gorge, Zambia

Employment type: Full-Time, annual contract, renewable each year

Start date: ASAP

Compensation: K3000/mo base pay, plus 25% of harvest value up to a max of K7,000/mo

About the farm

Hippo Hill is a growing farm started in 2021. The farm is a total of 30ha. 1.5ha is under irrigation and the rest of the land is forest and hills. The farm has approximately 80 avocado trees, 400 x grape vines, 40 x pomegranate, and 20 x cashews alongside 1000’s of herbs and approximately 0.7 ha for vegetable production.

The orchard portion is fully organic, while the horticulture is farmed under conventional methods.

The role

We are looking for a driven individual who would like to help us expand to 10ha under irrigation in a profitable manner. The goal is to continue growing half the irrigated land under horticulture, and half as an orchard.

The successful candidate will report to the farm manager, however, they will create an annual plan with the owners of the farm – including setting budgets.

The farm manager handles the day-to-day operations of the farm (including managing the vehicle and infrastructure such as fencing, clearing, buildings, and irrigation) while the job of the agronomist is to;

• Procure inputs
• Prepare the land
• Maximize yield of each crop
• Maximize quality of each crop
• Grow according to requirements specified by off-takers/buyers
• Meet with the buyers and close sales at time of harvest

Requirements

• 2+ years of hands on experience growing vegetables
• Based at the farm full time, with 24 days leave per year
• Ability to communicate well in English
• Can use a smart phone to capture information and take photos
• Willing to do manual work as well as oversee other workers

Compensation

The position has a base pay of K3,000/mo plus a bonus that is based on the sales. To start this will be 25% of all sales up to a maximum of K7,000/mo bringing the total to K10,000/mo if successful.

Accommodation

Basic accommodation is provided at the farm for the Farm Manager, the Care Taker, and the Agronomist. This is currently solar powered for lighting and phone charging, however, as the farm grows this will be upgraded.