Farm Service Lead at Saro Agro Allied Limited

Saro Agro-Allied is a leading agricultural commodity exporting company that started in 1996, gaining dominance in Cocoa trading both locally and internationally by 2010. Our operations over time have covered sesame seeds, cashew and cocoa-producing communities in Nigeria.

Through its transformation, the business has expanded from a short cycle trading business to become a Consumer driven sustainable Agric. & Food business Company with a medium to long term focus on value creation and capturing for all our stakeholders. We have made investments in Rice & Soybean value chain. While rapidly developing capabilities in the local market, we have initiated Non- GMO Soybean meal export to drive scale and open new market opportunities.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Farm Service Lead

Location: Keffi, Nasarawa
Employment Type: Full-time

Job purpose

• The incumbent of the role will be responsible for the In-Growers and farmer facing activities for the business in an efficient and timely manner. 
• He will manage the farm clusters in the key location for selected key commodities, as well as implement a cost-effective strategy for all In-grower initiatives of the business.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, implement & monitor the In-Grower program for key selected crops.
• Develop and foster sustainable and strategic partnerships with key farming location.
• Develop strategies to foster long term, sustainable farm cluster management that will deliver the desire CUG volume.
• Develop a technical package to offer to farmers to enable them supply to the company, based on Agro-ecological and farmer organizational development realities.
• Prepare activity plan, work plan including, budget and timelines.
• Carry out profiling of farmers with the aim of strengthening farmer groups and development of farmer networks up to village level.
• Determination of actual land available for agriculture in the agreed area and land available for both maize and soybean.
• Determine current output per acre for selected commodity and carry out activities that will increase farmer output per acre through implementing, training and advising farmers on best agronomic practices particularly in post-harvest and storage of grain.
• Set up and manage demonstration sites, collection centers and offer extension support.
• Work out the items to be provided by the company to farmers and the necessary arrangements to ensure optimum supply of raw materials. These may include pesticides, fertilizers/manure, seeds, drying and post-harvest equipment and training.
• Develop an out-grower management system to ensure timely sharing of information. Particularly setting up farmer and field reporting systems.
• Hold regular consultative meetings with farmers to strengthen the mutual partnership between them and Saro Agro-Allied
• Provide extension services and train farmers on the basic agricultural practices to ensure supply of adequate quantity of quality seed to Saro Agro-Allied factory.
• Check and certify all applications of farmers who would like to join the In-growers scheme to ensure that the required particulars are correctly given, and all the company norms fixed for selection of fields are observed.

Key Result Areas

• Registered new and existing farmers.
• Enrollment of eligible farmers
• Conducting diverse trainings for the enrolled farmers.
• Updated and well-maintained database of existing farmers that tracks out-grower activities and related training.

Key Working Relationships / Interdependencies

• Accounts Department
• Warehousing Department
• Quality Department
• HR
• IT
• Audit, Risk, Compliance & Governance.

Person Specifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture or Agricultural extension or a related discipline from a reputable university.
• MBA from a reputable Institution added an advantage.
• At least 3 years' extension work experience with rural farmers, agronomical practices and any such related activities.
• Demonstrable experience in conducting of trainings and carrying negotiations with farmer groups will be an added advantage.
• Must have experience in either an In-grower or farm service position with reputable companies in Nigeria.
• Not more than 35 years at the time of application
• Strong result orientation/go-getter
• Strong ownership and drive/self-starter
• High level of integrity & team player
• Willingness & ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Strategic thinking ability.
• Good networking & relationship-building skills.
• Good negotiation & influencing skills.
• Problem solving & analytical ability.
• Age Requirement: 23 - 35 Years.

Application Closing Date
7th March, 2025.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online