Job Description and Specifications
To manage day-to-day operations of a medium-sized farm by ensuring proper care of livestock and crops while scaling up production yields within the set and or industry quality assurance standards Syamakanga - Busia and Cheboin - Bomet Demonstration Farms.
Duties and responsibilities
Perform and oversee daily milking of dairy cows [manual or using milking machines].
Feeding and watering of all livestock (cattle, goats, poultry, etc.)
Monitor animal health, identify signs of illness and report or coordinate veterinary care.
Ensure animal sheds are clean and general hygiene and sanitation are maintained at all times.
Oversee breeding programs, calf rearing and record keeping on births, vaccinations, and treatments
Monitor feed quality, storage and inventory to prevent waste and contamination.
Ensure inspection and harvesting of Honey.
Identify market opportunities and manage the demo farm sales of livestock and livestock products e.g. milk, eggs, honey, fish etc.
Implement sustainable practices for manure disposal and farm waste management.
Budget and control costs associated with livestock production.
Coordinate the production and printing of annual reports.
Supervise land preparation, planting, weeding, spraying, and harvesting activities.
Maintain irrigation systems and schedule timely watering.
Monitor crop health and apply fertilizers/ manure and pesticides as needed.
Maintain a seasonal crop calendar and advise on planting schedules.
Prepare and manage a budget for crop production e.g. seeds, labor and equipment.
Ensure proper storage, drying and transportation of crops after harvest to reduce post-harvest losses in a manner that doesn't expose the organization for potential risks.
Identify and negotiate with the buyers/ markets for the sale of produce.
Work with the project officer to identify and propose ways on how to increase farm [livestock & crop] yields while leveraging on market opportunities for the specific revenue stream improvement
Work with and assign daily tasks to farmhands and ensure proper execution.
Train and mentor junior workers on proper animal care and fieldwork techniques.
Monitor both farm structural & farm work quality and enforce safety protocols.
Operate and supervise use of farm machinery and tools (tractors, pumps, sprayers, etc.)
Ensure daily maintenance of tools, machinery, fencing, and farm infrastructure.
Maintain accurate logs of livestock performance, crop yields, input usage, and labor hours
Ensure all sales are recorded in the system and weekly progress reports prepared for the program.
Track production costs and recommend efficiency improvements.
Job Specifications
Minimum Qualification; Diploma in Agriculture, Crop, Animal Husbandry or Farm Management.
At least 3 - 5 years of experience in hands-on mixed farming operations.
Milking and livestock handling techniques.
Basic veterinary care and animal nutrition knowledge.
Familiarity with irrigation, pesticide use, and crop care.
Basic mechanical aptitude (for fixing farm equipment)
Basic Business Development Skills
Team player with utmost integrity
Strong leadership and communication skills.
Record-keeping and time management.