Agronomist

Company: Hillview Blossoms Limited

Location: South West Lusaka, Zambia

Job Type: Full-Time

Hillview Blossoms Limited is inviting applications from experienced and qualified professionals for the position of Agronomist. The successful candidate will support the production of high-quality cut flowers for both local and export markets while promoting sustainable farming practices.

• Develop crop production plans for greenhouse and open-ground flowers, including roses, gerbera, chrysanthemums, gypsophila, and other varieties.

• Monitor crop health, flowering, yield, stem quality, and market readiness.

• Diagnose crop production challenges and recommend corrective actions.

• Support production planning to ensure a consistent supply for local and export markets.

• Improve productivity, quality, post-harvest handling, and operational efficiency.

• Manage soil preparation, irrigation, fertigation, pruning, harvesting, and water use.

• Design and monitor sustainable nutrition and fertigation programmes.

• Promote environmentally friendly soil treatments and natural crop nutrition products.

• Support water conservation through efficient irrigation and rainwater harvesting.

• Work within a solar-powered irrigation environment.

• Implement pest and disease monitoring and control programmes.

• Apply Integrated Pest Management (IPM) using biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods.

• Use beneficial insects and environmentally friendly crop protection methods.

• Train staff in pest scouting, crop hygiene, and safe chemical application.

• Maintain records on planting, fertiliser, pest control, yields, and crop performance.

• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, phytosanitary, and export standards.

• Support trials of new crop varieties, technologies, and production methods.

• Prepare agronomic reports and recommendations.

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

• Minimum of 5 years’ practical experience in commercial horticulture or floriculture.

• Experience in cut flower production, particularly roses, gerbera, chrysanthemums, or gypsophila, is an added advantage.

• Strong knowledge of crop nutrition, irrigation, fertigation, soil health, IPM, biological controls, and quality management.

• Experience with greenhouse and open-ground flower production systems is an added advantage.

• Knowledge of export standards and phytosanitary requirements is beneficial.

• Basic computer skills for record keeping and reporting.

• Strong technical knowledge of crop production and floriculture.

• Excellent planning, problem-solving, leadership, and organisational skills.

• High attention to detail and commitment to quality.

• Good communication and teamwork skills.

• Commercial awareness with a focus on productivity and sustainability.

• Ability to adapt to changing production and market conditions.