Job Summary
We are seeking a highly experienced Agronomist to lead large-scale open-field habanero pepper production and greenhouse bell pepper cultivation for a commercial farming operation in Nigeria. The ideal candidate will have a proven record of high yields, strong pest and disease control, and the ability to manage pepper crops across different production systems and agro-ecological zones. This role is critical to achieving consistent volume, quality, and profitability.
Key Responsibilities
Open-Field Habanero Production (Large Acres)
- Plan and manage large-scale habanero pepper cultivation from land preparation to harvest.
- Develop planting calendars aligned with Nigerian climatic zones and rainfall patterns.
- Optimize spacing, pruning, staking, and crop management practices for high yield and uniform fruiting.
- Coordinate mechanized and manual field operations to ensure efficiency at scale.
- Monitor crop performance and implement corrective measures to minimize losses.
Greenhouse Bell Pepper Production
- Design and implement complete agronomic programs for greenhouse bell peppers.
- Manage nursery production, transplanting, trellising, pruning, and canopy management.
- Oversee fertigation programs tailored to greenhouse systems.
- Control greenhouse climate variables (temperature, humidity, ventilation) in collaboration with operations teams.
- Ensure consistent fruit size, color, and quality for premium markets.
Soil, Nutrition & Irrigation Management
- Conduct soil, substrate, and water analysis and develop customized fertility programs.
- Manage drip irrigation and fertigation systems for both open-field and greenhouse production.
- Optimize water and nutrient use efficiency to improve yield and reduce input costs.
- Implement soil improvement and sustainable land management practices suitable for Nigerian soils.
Pest & Disease Control / IPM
- Lead Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs for both open-field and greenhouse peppers.
- Identify and control major pepper pests common in Nigeria, including thrips, whiteflies, aphids, mites, fruit borers, and leaf miners.
- Diagnose and manage diseases such as bacterial wilt, pepper leaf curl virus, anthracnose, powdery mildew, damping-off, and root rots.
- Implement resistance management strategies and supervise safe pesticide use in compliance with Nigerian regulations.
- Promote biological and cultural control methods where appropriate.
Yield Optimization & Quality Assurance
- Set yield targets and monitor field and greenhouse performance against benchmarks.
- Analyze production data to drive continuous improvement and maximize profitability.
- Reduce post-harvest losses through proper harvest timing and handling practices.
- Ensure produce meets commercial, processing, and export quality standards.
Team Leadership & Training
- Supervise agronomy staff, greenhouse technicians, scouts, and field supervisors.
- Train farm workers on best practices in pepper cultivation, pest scouting, spraying, and safety.
- Build standard operating procedures (SOPs) for both open-field and greenhouse operations.
Reporting & Commercial Support
- Maintain detailed records of inputs, yields, pest and disease incidents, and interventions.
- Prepare regular agronomic and performance reports for farm management.
- Provide technical input for budgeting, input procurement, and production planning.
- Support farm expansion and scaling strategies.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Horticulture, or a related field.
- Extensive hands-on experience in large-scale open-field habanero pepper production.
- Proven experience managing greenhouse bell pepper cultivation.
- Demonstrated track record of achieving high yields and strong crop health in commercial operations.
- Strong understanding of Nigerian agro-climatic conditions and farming systems.
Skills & Competencies
- Expert knowledge of pepper agronomy, nutrition, and IPM.
- Strong diagnostic and decision-making skills under field conditions.
- Data-driven approach to yield and cost optimization.
- Excellent leadership, training, and communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively in demanding commercial farm environments.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with export-oriented pepper production.
- Familiarity with GLOBALG.A.P. or similar food safety standards.
- Experience with protected agriculture technologies in tropical climates.
Working Conditions
- Combination of open-field supervision and greenhouse management.
- Field-based role requiring regular crop inspections and seasonal workload peaks.
Gmail
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