Job description

Job Specification: Agronomist

Company: Hillview Blossoms Limited

Location: South West Lusaka, Zambia

Industry: Commercial floriculture cut flower production

Position: Agronomist

Reports to: Farm Manager / Production Director

1. Role Purpose

Hillview Blossoms Limited seeks an experienced Agronomist to support high-quality cut flower production in greenhouses and open ground for local and export markets, including roses, gerbera, chrysanthemums, gypsophila, and other varieties.

The role provides technical crop support, improves yield and flower quality, and strengthens sustainable practices in IPM, fertigation, soil health, water conservation, solar-powered irrigation, production planning, and compliance.

2. Key Responsibilities

2.1 Crop Production and Quality Management

·        Develop crop production plans for greenhouse and open-ground roses, gerbera, chrysanthemums, gypsophila, and other cut flowers.

·        Monitor crop health, flowering, yield, stem quality, vase life, grading, and market readiness.

·        Diagnose production issues and recommend timely corrective action.

·        Support production planning for consistent local and export supply.

·        Work with management to improve productivity, quality, post-harvest handling, and efficiency.

2.2 Sustainable Crop Nutrition, Soil Health, Water, and Irrigation

·        Guide soil/substrate management, soil preparation, irrigation, fertigation, nutrition, pruning, hygiene, harvesting, and efficient water use.

·        Design and monitor sustainable fertigation and nutrition programmes based on crop needs and production targets.

·        Promote responsible use of natural extracts such as Cropsol and Fortafol.

·        Use environmentally friendly soil treatments to suppress soil-borne pathogens and support long-term soil health.

·        Support water conservation through efficient irrigation practices and effective use of harvested rainwater.

·        Work within an off-grid production environment that relies fully on solar-generated power for irrigation and other farm power needs.

2.3 Integrated Pest and Disease Management

·        Implement pest and disease monitoring, prevention, and control programmes.

·        Apply IPM using biological, cultural, mechanical, environmental, and responsible chemical methods.

·        Deploy beneficial insects to control harmful pests.

·        Train staff in pest scouting, crop hygiene, safe application, and early symptom detection using available the Natutec App.

2.4 Records, Compliance, and Continuous Improvement

·        Maintain accurate records on planting, sprays, fertiliser, yields, losses, pests, diseases, and crop performance.

·        Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, phytosanitary, and export requirements.

·        Support trials of new varieties, methods, crop protection products, natural inputs, and technologies.

·        Prepare regular agronomic reports and recommendations.

3. Qualifications and Experience

·        Diploma in Agronomy, Agriculture, Horticulture, Crop Science, Plant Science, or a related field.

·        At least five years’ practical crop farming experience, preferably in commercial horticulture or floriculture.

·        Cut flower experience, especially roses, gerbera, chrysanthemums, or gypsophila, is an advantage.

·        Strong knowledge of crop nutrition, irrigation, water conservation, sustainable fertigation, IPM, biological controls, soil health, and quality control.

·        Experience with beneficial insects, natural crop nutrition products, and eco-friendly soil treatments is an added advantage.

·        Familiarity with greenhouse and open-ground flower production systems is useful.

·        Experience with rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation, or solar-powered farm systems is an added advantage.

·        Knowledge of export standards, phytosanitary requirements, and farm certification is beneficial.

·        Basic computer skills for records, reporting, and data analytics.

4. Key Competencies

·        Technical expertise: Crop physiology, nutrition, irrigation, pest and disease management, and production systems.

·        Sustainable practices: Use of natural extracts, biological controls, beneficial insects, eco-friendly soil treatments, water conservation, and solar-powered farm systems.

·        Floriculture knowledge: Ability to produce quality cut flowers with strong stems, uniformity, vase life, and market readiness.

·        Problem-solving: Quick diagnosis of crop issues and practical corrective action.

·        Attention to detail: Early identification of stress, pests, disease, nutrient imbalance, and quality defects.

·        Planning and organisation: Effective crop cycle planning, scheduling, and prioritisation.

·        Leadership: Ability to train and supervise field teams effectively.

·        Data use: Record keeping, analysis, and evidence-based improvement.

·        Quality focus: Commitment to local and export flower standards.

·        Communication: Clear communication with management, staff, suppliers, and stakeholders.

·        Commercial awareness: Focus on productivity, cost control, quality, consistency, and customer needs.

·        Adaptability: Ability to respond to weather, pest pressure, market needs, and operational changes.

·        Accountability: Ownership of crop performance, farm standards, and reporting.

5. Personal Attributes

The ideal candidate is practical, hands-on, disciplined, observant, and results-oriented, with strong field presence and follow-through.

6. Performance Indicators

Success will be measured by improvements in crop performance, quality, sustainability, and operational discipline, including:

·        Improved crop health, productivity, and flower quality.

·        Reduced pest and disease losses through IPM and biological control.

·        Effective sustainable nutrition, fertigation, soil preparation, water conservation, solar-powered irrigation, and crop protection.

·        Accurate, timely records and agronomic reports.

·        Better staff compliance with agronomic and hygiene procedures.

·        Consistent marketable flower supply for local and export sales.

·        Practical recommendations that improve efficiency, sustainability, and profitability.