Forage Extension Officer at AMO Farm Sieberer Hatchery Limited

Job Purpose

• The Forage Extension Officer will be responsible for providing technical support and field extension services to pastoralists on forage production, pasture management, feed conservation, and sustainable livestock nutrition practices.
• The role focuses on improving pasture availability, enhancing livestock productivity, strengthening relationships with pastoralist communities, and promoting the adoption of improved forage technologies and best practices.

Roles and Responsibilities
Forage & Pasture Development:

• Provide technical guidance on forage crop production suitable for different ecological zones.
• Support the establishment of improved pasture systems for pastoralists.
• Promote drought-resistant and high-yielding forage varieties.
• Advise on pasture rehabilitation and rotational grazing systems.

Extension & Community Engagement:

• Conduct regular field visits to pastoralist settlements and clusters.
• Deliver practical training on forage cultivation, harvesting, storage, and utilisation.
• Organise demonstration plots and farmer field schools.
• Serve as a link between the company and pastoralist communities.

Production Operations Oversight:

• Supervise and support forage cultivation, harvesting, processing, and baling activities at production sites.
• Monitor yield performance and report productivity metrics.
• Ensure compliance with company quality benchmarks for moisture levels, baling standards, and storage.
• Identify production bottlenecks and recommend operational improvements.
• Minimise post-harvest losses through proper storage and handling systems.

Territory Sales & Revenue Growth:

• Drive sales of company-produced forage within assigned pastoralist clusters.
• Develop and manage a structured customer base (individual pastoralists, cooperatives, livestock aggregators).
• Execute territory sales plans and meet monthly volume targets.
• Track and report revenue performance against assigned targets.
• Identify and onboard new customers and distribution agents.
• Support pricing implementation and seasonal sales strategies.

Market Intelligence & Business Expansion:

• Gather field data on forage demand trends, seasonal feed gaps, and competitor activity.
• Provide insights for production planning based on market demand cycles.

Customer Relationship Management:

• Build long-term relationships with pastoralist leaders and livestock owners.
• Educate customers on the nutritional and economic benefits of the company's forage.
• Provide post-sales guidance on proper storage and feeding practices.
• Resolve customer complaints and escalate critical issues promptly.
• Monitor repeat purchase behaviour and improve retention rates.

Logistics & Distribution Coordination:

• Coordinate forage movement from production sites to depots and customers.
• Ensure proper documentation of deliveries and inventory.
• Monitor depot stock levels and prevent stock-outs during peak demand periods.
• Support route optimisation and delivery efficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) in Agronomy, Crop Science, Pasture and Range Management, Animal Science, Agricultural Extension, Agriculture, Forage Production, Soil Science, or a related agricultural discipline.
• A Master's degree in a relevant field is an added advantage.
• Professional certification or membership with relevant agricultural bodies is an added advantage.

Experience:

• 3–5 years' relevant experience in forage production, pasture management, agricultural extension services, livestock production, or rural/community agricultural development.
• Practical experience in establishing and managing forage crops such as Napier grass, Brachiaria, Rhodes grass, Stylosanthes, Lablab, Alfalfa, or other improved pasture species.
• Experience working directly with livestock farmers, pastoralists, out-growers, or rural farming communities.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting farmer training, demonstrations, and capacity-building programmes on forage production and sustainable grazing practices.
• Experience providing extension advisory services on pasture establishment, forage conservation (hay and silage production), soil fertility, irrigation, and sustainable land management.
• Experience collecting field data, preparing technical reports, and monitoring programme performance.
• Experience working with agribusinesses, livestock production companies, agricultural development projects or government agricultural extension programmes is an added advantage.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and familiarity with mobile data collection tools is an added advantage.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively and work in remote rural communities across Nigeria.
• Knowledge of local languages commonly spoken by pastoralist communities (e.g., Fulfulde, Hausa, Kanuri, or other regional languages) is an added advantage.

Skills and Competencies:

• Basic knowledge of forage production and livestock feeding systems
• Sales orientation and customer relationship skills
• Good communication and negotiation ability
• Record-keeping and reporting skills
• Attention to quality and detail
• Physical stamina for fieldwork
• Strong teamwork and adaptability