Agronomist

REPORTS TO: Farm Operations Lead & CEO LOCATION: On-site, Mityana District, Uganda CONTRACT: Full-Time, Permanent SALARY RANGE: USD $900 – $1,200 per month EXPERIENCE: 5years in commercial horticulture START DATE: As soon as possible
ABOUT PEARL OF AFRICA OIL & NUT CO. LTDPearl of Africa Oil & Nut Co. Ltd is a 1,005-acre freehold commercial farm in Mityana District, Uganda. Primary revenue crops are Hass avocado (10,000 trees, 220 acres) and macadamia (12,000 trees, 360 acres), supported by full irrigation infrastructure, solar power, and a packhouse facility targeting GlobalGAP and MAAIF export certification.
The farm operates with a digital management system that tracks daily field activities, input usage, stock, and compliance across all blocks. The agronomist is a core user of this system — their programmes, applications, and field observations feed directly into how the farm plans and spends.
ROLE PURPOSEWe are looking for a single, highly competent agronomist to manage the crop science across both the avocado and macadamia orchards. This is a hands-on role — the person will be in the field daily, working alongside a dedicated field supervisor and coordinating closely with the Farm Operations Lead and CEO.
The right candidate understands that agronomy on a commercial export farm is not just about applying the correct inputs — it is about connecting every programme and every expenditure to a measurable outcome. Healthy trees, consistent fruit quality, and export-ready produce are the standard.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Orchard Management — Avocado & Macadamia• Design and implement seasonal crop programmes for both orchards — nutrition, pest and disease control, pruning, and orchard hygiene• Conduct regular block-by-block scouting to assess tree health, pest pressure, disease incidence, and crop development stage• Monitor flowering, fruit set, and fruit retention across all blocks — reporting findings systematically rather than by exception• Coordinate with the irrigation system to align fertigation schedules with crop nutritional requirements at each growth stage• Ensure all chemical and fertiliser applications are recorded accurately in the farm management system — product, rate, block, date, and purpose
2. Programme Monitoring & Outcome ReportingEvery input programme — whether a fungicide application, a fertiliser cycle, or a micronutrient foliar — must be followed by an assessment of its effect. Did disease pressure drop? Did flowering improve? Did fruit retention hold? This is the accountability loop that connects expenditure to results.• After each programme cycle, report observable outcomes against the intended purpose — not just that it was done, but what changed• Track key indicators per block: pest and disease levels pre and post treatment, flowering-to-fruit conversion, fruit size and condition at key development stages• Flag early when a programme is not delivering expected results — and come with an adjusted recommendation, not just the problem• Contribute to monthly planning by providing the CEO and Operations Lead with a clear picture of orchard status and what each block needs in the coming weeks
3. Export Compliance & Certification• Maintain all agronomic records required for GlobalGAP and MAAIF certification — spray records, input registers, scouting logs, and pre-harvest intervals• Ensure chemical use is compliant with export market MRL requirements — EU, UAE, and regional East Africa standards• Support packhouse readiness by communicating harvest timing, expected quality, and any compliance concerns well in advance• Coordinate with the certification process and be able to present field records confidently during audits.
4. Input Planning & Cost Awareness• Submit input requirements — chemicals, fertilisers, tools — in advance with quantities, purpose, and expected application timing• Understand the cost of each programme relative to the crop stage and expected return — prioritise expenditure that drives yield and quality• Work within approved budgets and escalate any unplanned requirements to the Operations Lead or CEO before procuring• Maintain accurate stock usage records so inventory levels and programme costs can be reconciled against field activity
5. Supervisor & Field Team Coordination• Work with a dedicated field supervisor to deploy and direct casual labour for agronomic activities• Ensure the field team understands application methods, safety protocols, and the standard required foreach task• Coordinate daily priorities with the Farm Operations Lead to ensure agronomic activities align with thebroader field planIDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILEExperience & Qualifications• 5years of hands-on agronomic experience on a commercial export farm• Direct experience with Hass avocado and/or macadamia is strongly preferred — candidates with both willbe prioritised• Proven experience with GlobalGAP certification requirements and export-standard compliancerecord-keeping• Packhouse and post-harvest quality awareness — understanding of how field decisions affect exportgrading outcomes• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, or Crop Science preferred; equivalent field experienceconsideredSkills & Competencies• Strong scouting and diagnostic skills — able to identify pest and disease issues early and respond withthe correct programme• Comfortable with digital reporting tools — this farm runs on a system and the agronomist must be areliable contributor to it• Able to write clear, structured field reports that non-agronomists can act on• Commercially aware — understands that input spend must be justified by measurable outcomes• Organised and self-directed — manages their own schedule across two orchards without needing to bechasedMityana District, Ugandawww.pearlofafricafarmug.comCONFIDENTIAL — For Recruitment Agency Use Only Page 4Personal Qualities• Accountable — takes ownership of their programmes and their results• Proactive communicator — raises issues and recommendations early, does not wait for problems toescalate• Honest and systematic — reports what is actually happening in the field, not what sounds good• Eager to grow — this is a role with real responsibility and direct visibility to the CEO
COMPENSATION & PACKAGEBase Salary: USD $900 – $1,200 per monthAccommodation: On-site housing providedTransport: Farm vehicle available for field operationsReview: 6-month performance review with progression tied to crop programme outcomesNote: Exceptional candidates with dual avocado and macadamia export experience may be considered above r