The Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) is a unique and innovative English language undergraduate institution dedicated to preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders of Rwanda and East Africa. Students at RICA engage in curricular and co-curricular learning opportunities emphasizing Conservation Agriculture and One Health principles, oral and written communication, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
In an experiential learning environment, students develop the knowledge and experience necessary for a wide range of careers in agriculture. Students at RICA experience the six Enterprises including Dairy, Poultry and Swine, Food Processing, Row and Forage Crops, Vegetable and Fruit Crops, Irrigation and Mechanization.
The curriculum is designed to incorporate threads of Innovation, Conservation, One Health Systems Thinking, and Entrepreneurship. Communication, One Health Systems Thinking, and Entrepreneurship are woven throughout the curriculum.
All RICA graduates will be innovative problem solvers able to operate farms and ranches, start agribusinesses, assume management roles in cooperatives, NGOs, and other agricultural enterprises, serve their communities as extension agents and technical and policy experts, or assume positions of agricultural leadership in Rwanda.
POSITION: Vegetable and Fruit Crops Enterprise
DESCRIPTION
The Vegetable and Fruit Crops Technologist will support the V&F Enterprise Lead in technical management of vegetable farms and fruit orchards, as well as in hands-on students training. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in practical farm operations within vegetable and/or fruit cropping systems. Tractor and machine operation and basic maintenance, pesticide application, pest scouting, records keeping, crop production planning and casual labor management are essential skills for this position. The candidate should be able to work independently and to efficiently coordinate and supervise the activities of farm labor. Candidates who have a passion for agricultural education and who are willing to actively engage with students in the learning environment by demonstrating technical skills will be prioritized.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Liaise with the V&F Enterprise Lead to align production activities with curriculum and class schedules
- Assist with logistics and technical demonstrations in practical teaching sessions
- Support hands-on learning activities for volunteering students
- Ensure a diversified and conducive environment for RICA students’ experiential learning
- Establish and maintain farm educational displays and demonstration plots
- Provide students with logistic and technical support in their product-based learning projects
- Efficiently coordinate and closely supervise casual workers
- Collect and organize all detailed production records: planting, fertilization, irrigation, pest and disease management, harvesting, labor and fuel use, input inventory records, equipment and maintenance records, sales and revenue records, production costs and expenses records, etc.
- Manage and keep inventory of all farm equipment and machinery used on the enterprise farms
- Participate in the planning, purchase, storage and use of relevant farm inputs and tools
- Develop and implement irrigation schedules, spraying and fertilization programs
- Implement conservation agriculture practices
- Coordinate enterprise marketing and sales: production planning, harvesting, sorting, grading, packaging, delivery, etc.
- Seasonally evaluate, report and advise on farm profitability and sustainability,
- Support relevant community outreach extension planning and activities
- Establish and maintain extension demo plots
- Participate and support the enterprise lead in research activities
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, crop science, or 5+ year experience as a farm technician
- Experience operating tractors and other farm machinery.
- Ability to solve basic mathematical problems applied to agricultural operations.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral, analytical and problem-solving skills.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITY
- Hands-on experience of at least three (3) years in the production of vegetables and fruits and in the use of agricultural equipment and machinery (agricultural mechanization).
- Experience and ability to keep detailed records of farm activities and inventory.
- Working experience with small scale farmers.
- Experience with extension services and experience in farm Management.
- Ability to prioritize a busy workload to meet deadlines and targets.
- Fluent speaker of English
HOW TO APPLY
- Fill the information required, upload and submit the documents in English to the link provided below.
- Cover Letter summarizing intent and suitability for the position.
- List of Recommenders with contact information.
- Please combine your Cover letter, CV ,Degree Certificate or any other relevant document, as one PDF file before you upload.
Application Link : https://rica.bamboohr.com/hiring/jobs/113
Application review will begin December 13th , 2024, and will continue until the position is filled.
Website: https://www.rica.rw/
