Job Title: Agronomist/Agriculture Extension Officer – 14 Positions
Organisation: Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
Project Name: National Oil Palm Project (NOPP)
Duty Station: Masaka, Uganda
Other Locations: Mayuge and Buvuma
About Organisation:
The Government of Uganda (GoU) has received a loan from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) towards financing a ten-year National Oil Palm Project (NOPP). The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) as the Lead Project Agency, in partnership with other agencies, private sector and farmer Organisations.
Job Summary: Reporting to the Hub Plantation Manager while working closely with the PMU Oil Palm Agronomist, the overall responsibility of the Agricultural Extension officers is to ensure that the oil palm establishment activities are carried out in accordance with the laid down guidelines. They will also provide extension advice in agricultural intensification under alternative livelihoods activities. Each Extension Officer will be in charge of a sub-county where project activities will be undertaken.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Mobilize farmers into groups for delivery of Extension services.
- Identify farmer’s need and provide responses as appropriate.
- Assist the farmers and their leaders (Unit and Block) to identify suitable land and plan the schedules for the recommended services and farm inputs for oil palm establishment.
- Oversee the oil palm establishment stages in land preparation, lining, planting, crop maintenance, FFB harvesting and collection at Block level.
- Provide Agricultural Advisory and Training service to oil palm farmers in collaboration with Agricultural staff at the District Local Government and the Private Sector.
- Carry out agronomic demonstrations, training or exposure to best oil palm agronomic practices.
- Conduct in-field training sessions on the correct use and application of fertilizers and crop protection products.
- Provide technical advice to the farmers in other project-supported agricultural enterprises, in addition to oil palm.
- Supervise and monitor performance of farmers’ activities in oil palm cultivation.
- In liaison with the Credit Officer, sensitize farmers on savings and credit.
- Support the Farmer Loan Application Process.
- Technically assess stages of oil palm development for approval of farmers’ loan payments.
- Attend technical and other training as required.
- Participate in preparation of work plans, budgets and reports as required by the PMU.
- Ensuring timely and accurate reporting of all activities to the Hub coordinator.
- Carry out any other duties delegated by the Hub Coordinator from time to time.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- A Degree in Agriculture, Agriculture Extension, Agribusiness, Agro- Forestry or related field from a recognized Institution.
- A Post Graduate qualification is an added advantage.
- 5 years’ experience in working in relevant field
- Knowledge of Oil Palm Agronomy is an added advantage
- The ability to understand and communicate with farmers to provide information and advice in an acceptable way.
- Should have a pro-active approach to work with the ability to take field level decisions.
- Willing and able to ride a motor cycle.
- Fluent in English and a working knowledge of the local languages in the hub.
- Computer literate in at least MS Office Word and Excel packages. j. Ability to write and submit reports timely.
- Be a team player.
General Qualifications
Hub Offices will have the general responsibility for management of Project activities, working closely with the NOPP PMU, District Local Government and Management of BIDCO/Its subsidiaries in respective hubs. The team will ensure that the project is implemented according to the Loan Agreement and within the Government regulations. The Hub team will be responsible for planning, executing and reporting on the project implementation progress in respective Hubs. They will mobilize smallholder farmers to participate in oil palm production. They will provide technical support to the farmers in oil palm production and support access to production inputs by farmers. The team will keep accurate information and data on each of the farmers as required, including general farmer information, acreage, input amounts and value, to mention some.
The candidates for the positions should meet the following general qualifications:
- be a Ugandan Citizen;
- have general knowledge of project and business management with emphasis on work planning, budgeting and reporting;
- be computer literate and well versed with the use of Word, Excel and internet;
- be self-motivated and have the ability to take initiative and work with minimal supervision to meet deadlines;
- be fluent in English – written and oral and demonstrate excellent report writing skills;
- possess advanced advocacy, communication and negotiation skills and ability to work as a team member;
- be conversant with rural development strategies and gender equity;
- have a working knowledge of GOU policies, operations and reforms;
How to Apply:
Interested applicants are advised to write application letters to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, attach copies of their Curriculum Vitae and academic documents. The applications should be submitted to the Ministry Registry
Deadline: 17th November 2025
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Level of Education: Bachelor Degree
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: 60