CURRICULUM VITAE

Mr.Geshame Chuma

Mobile No: +220*******, +263*********

E-mail: adelcc@r.postjobfree.com

Date of Birth: 4 July 1978

Nationality: Zimbabwean

Professional Summary

I am an experienced Agriculturalist with management experience and strong technical expertise. Results oriented with more than 17 years’ experience in the Agricultural Sector. Areas of expertise include Crop production (tobacco, horticultural crops and field crops), Fruit production (mangoes and oranges), seed production, sales and marketing, Agronomy, crop protection, plant breeding, out grower management and implementation, dairy farming, cattle farming and poultry production.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Farm management, Tropical/Sub-tropical/Temperate crops production, fruit production, greenhouse production, hydroponics, Crop protection, Soil management, Sales and marketing, out grower management, seed production, Mechanical knowledge and experience in using machinery and Extensive experience in labour management.

PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:

HORTICULTURE MANAGER [FROM JANUARY 2017 TO DATE] AT RADVILLE FARMS LIMITED, THE GAMBIA, WEST AFRICA (PARENT COMPANY: WEALMOOR LIMITED, ENGLAND -A leading supplier of fruits and vegetables to UK supermarkets)

Exporting organic and conventional fruits and vegetables to UK supermarkets like Tesco, Nurture’s choice. Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Safeway, Waitrose and Somerfield. The company is into production of fruits like mangoes and Curry leaf. Vegetables under production both outdoor and indoor include: Chilies, baby corn, fine beans, butternut and sweet corn.

Main responsibilities:

Key role in planning the company's organic and conventional production operations and co-ordination of activities;

Maintaining agronomic programs and monitor throughout the season for all fruits and vegetables.

Hiring, training and personnel development and design and implement systems to efficiently manage labour and equipment;

Making recommendations for pest management based on crop scouting reports, and maintain compliance with all safety requirements and conduct farm research.

Soil sample analysis and making prescription maps for crop inputs for fertility management and monitor organic & modular compost production.

Management of the fertigation programmes for different crops under production by the company.

Greenhouse production- crop production in protected environments using growing media. Responsible for all fertigation processes

Generate accurate crop survey and crop forecast and keeping knowledge of the UK supermarkets customer specifications and standards, works closely with harvesting, packing and quality management to produce the highest quality products.

Oversee a team of year-round and seasonal employees in all phases of vegetables and fruits production including field preparation, planting, pruning & training, irrigation (drip) scheduling & system maintenance etc.

Co-ordinate the processes in the farm pack house, which includes the packing of fruits, pre-packing processes of vegetables etc.

Maintaining farm data for analysis, understanding Audit requirements on-farm of Global GAP, Nature’s Choice, Ecocert etc. and assistance in development and implementation of a farm hazard analysis (HACCP), which demonstrates a concern for food safety and product quality.

Conducting trials and making recommendations of successful trial crops [in terms of yield as well as budget] to include in the production plan

Major achievements include:

Increased yields for various vegetables like Super hot demon chilies, fine beans, baby corn and butternut. In addition, I manage to achieve a high pack out for these vegetables as a s result of good quality product.

Quite recently I have managed to increase crop production at Radville farms, for example production of super hot demon chilies was increased from 12 tons per hectare to 20 tons per hectare.

CHIEF AGRONOMIST (FROM AUGUST 2012 TO DECEMBER 2016) AT NUTRIVEG PVT LTD-UNIHARVEST FARMING

The Company was involved in large scale cultivation of a wide range of vegetables (tomatoes, cucumber, cabbage, onion, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, fine beans and garlic) for drying with markets in Netherlands and China. I was also in Charge of horticulture out grower program with 150 ha under vegetable and potato production. The farm was also into tobacco farming and was the Agronomist in charge of 100 ha on the farm and 100 ha on contract farming

Main responsibilities:

Production, planning, organizing & monitoring the execution of agronomic operations.

Budget and cost management; setting strategies for maximum yield and profit

Recommendation of all supplies like seeds variety & quantity, chemicals, fertilisers, farm implements etc.

Management of soil fertility, pest control & irrigation scheduling

Acquiring technicians, permanent and seasonal employees and mentoring and monitoring them

Planning work schedules of employees and machinery

Crops survey and forecasting, monitoring the harvesting and post-harvest activities for ensuring strict quality standards of yield

Co-ordinate and control the processes in the farm pack house and warehouse; verifying records

Setup and develop farm infrastructure and maintain them in best condition

Liaison with the international suppliers of various inputs and equipment like seeds, chemicals, machinery, irrigation equipment etc.

Closely monitoring capital allocation, cash flow and all documentations

Regular reporting to the directors about the activities undertaken on the farm and the progress on the project.

Managing 3 tobacco leaf technicians, providing tobacco agronomy and technical advice, issuing contracts, debt recovery, input distribution and disbursements

Reporting directly to the Managing Director I was also responsible for development and management of out grower programs. I was also responsible for formulation of budgets and control of costs related to out grower programs.

Responsible for setting up Global GAP standards on selected farms

FARM MANAGER (FROM MAY 2011 TO JULY 2012)-ADELINA FARM

Large scale cultivation of tomatoes, cucumber, butternut, Potatoes, Mange tout Peas, Sugar Snaps, Maize, Soya Beans, Tobacco and Macadamia Nuts over an area of 600 Hectares. Also, in charge of 100 dairy cattle and 400 beef cattle.

Main Responsibilities:

Prepare and implement the company’s annual agricultural Program.

Managing 100 dairy cows controlling the milk hygiene and quality

Supervision of the handling of milking machines and maintenance.

Budget and cost management; setting strategies to improve farm profitability.

Plan, coordinate and execute farm work assignments, set priorities and manage the work of subordinate employees as per set priorities

Direct and Coordinate a wide range of farm activities such as land preparation, planting, weeding, plant protection as well as harvesting and post-harvesting activities as well as maintain the quality of farming practices.

Responsible for expansion and development of the farm.

Oversee and coordinate the timely maintenance of farm machinery and equipment and maintain the farm infrastructure in best condition.

Procurement of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, spare parts and other basic requirements as per agreed seasonal plans.

Acquire the necessary farm staff, appraise the performance of the staff, and identify staff development and training.

Maintain records of all aspects of farm operations and prepare monthly progress reports showing achievements against targets with justification for performance variances.

Tobacco curing

Major achievements include structuring of a fully functioning commercial farm from virgin Land and setting up a viable horticulture section for export vegetables to UK and Netherlands markets.

AGRONOMIST (FROM MAY 2010 TO APRIL 2011) FRESHTRADE PVT LTD

Exporting organic and conventional fruits and vegetables to UK and Netherlands supermarkets including Tesco, J. Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Safeway, Waitrose, Somerfield and Nature’s choice. I was in charge of an out-grower program with a 100-ha crop of export vegetables. Crops under production were tomatoes cucumber, Passion fruit, fine beans, chilies, peas and gooseberry.

Main Responsibilities

Responsible for out grower program (contract farming). This involved supervising the implementation of cropping programs by contracted farmers.

Providing technical advice in agronomy of horticultural crops like mange tout peas, sugar snaps, passion fruit, gooseberry, potatoes and chilies

Responsible for setting up Global GAP standards on selected farms

Key role in making budget & cost management and production planning.

Maintain agronomic programs and monitor throughout the season

Make recommendations & control fertility management, pest management, irrigation (pivot, sprinkler, drip) scheduling etc.

Oversee a team of year-round and seasonal employees in all phases of production

Hiring, training and personnel development and design &implement systems to efficiently manage labour and equipment.

Generate accurate crop survey and crop forecast

Maintain cultivation practices based on Global GAP standards and works closely with harvesting, packing and quality management to produce the highest quality products.

Major achievements include setting up Global GAP standards on 4 farms in one season and all farms were certified and given certificates.

CHIEF AGRONOMIST (FROM MAY 2008 TO APRIL 2010) EXHORT ENTERPRISES, ZIMBABWE

Involved in the running of an out grower farming program and also outsourcing vegetables for the processing factory. The company is into freezing of vegetables for selling to local and export markets. Vegetables under production were carrots, garden peas. Fine beans, broccoli, cauliflower, baby corn and sweet corn.

Main responsibilities

Responsible for out grower programs (contract farming). I was also responsible for: Supervising the implementation of cropping programs by contracted farmers;

Provision of extension services to the business’ out growers; sourcing raw materials to augment contracted programs,

Sourcing raw materials for the fresh market.

Supervising the work of Field monitors; preparing of periodic delivery schedules; Appraisal, training and development of subordinates;

providing technical advice in Agronomy,

Crop procurement and inputs procurement.

I was also responsible for farmer training and report writing.

Major achievements include:

Designing and implementing an out-grower program which had a 90% recovery rate.

HEAD-RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (FROM JANUARY 2006 TO APRIL 2008) AT EAST WEST SEEDS, ZIMBABWE

An international vegetable seed supplier with interests in Zimbabwe. The company is into plant breeding, seed production and marketing of high quality vegetable seeds for the world. I was the head of research and development responsible for overseeing the breeding of vegetables and variety trials.

Main Responsibilities

My duties included development of new vegetable varieties through conventional plant breeding methods,

On farm and on station variety testing,

Germplasm collection, testing and storage.

I was also responsible for breeder’s seed and foundation seed production,

Training of field personnel in the area of pollination techniques and proper seed production.

In addition to staff supervision I was also responsible for data collection, entry, storage, analysis and report writing

Major achievements include developing high yielding OPV vegetable varieties for the company e.g. improved Waltham

RESEARCH OFFICER (FROM JUNE 2002 TO DECEMBER 2005) AT CIMMYT-ZIMBABWE

CIMMYT is an International center for maize and wheat improvement. It focuses mainly on the plant breeding of maize and wheat. I was a research officer reporting directly to the senior plant breeder

Main Responsibilities:

I was responsible for maize plant breeding

Maize seed production,

supervision of communal areas yield trials

management of on station yield trials,

Data recording, Analysis and Trial reporting.

I was also mainly involved in working with communal area farmers through participatory breeding approaches

I also worked with resource constrained farmers through community-based seed production of mainly open pollinated varieties

I have experience in both organic and conventional farming of crops that include Fine beans, runner beans, mange tout peas, sugar snaps, various types of chilli peppers [more than 30 varieties], various salads & herbs, cauliflower, broccoli, sweet potatoes &Irish potatoes, melon, sweet corn & baby corn, squash, aubergine, tomatoes, ladies finger [okra], various root vegetables, various guards, onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric, curry leaves, lemon grass, pepper corn, wheat, millet, coconut and fruits like mangoes, banana, grapes, papaya, passion fruits, citrus fruits & pine apple.

Professional Qualifications

October 2017- March 2020- UNICAF University

Masters of Business administration (MBA).

August 1999-July 2002 University of Zimbabwe Harare, Zimbabwe

Bsc (Honors) degree in Agriculture (crop science)

PERSONAL INTEREST

Traveling, reading on global issues and playing soccer

COMPUTER SKILLS:

Office 2010, Windows, Internet handling and applications and Optimix Arable Plus farm software.

PERSONAL DATA: Very active and enthusiastic, solid knowledge, highly professional, self-motivated, able to work on own initiative, knowledge about international standards, dynamic, creative and dedicated.

REFEREES

Morris Masukume, CIMMYT-Zimbabwe, P. O. Box MP163, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Tel: +263-***-***-***; Email: adelcc@r.postjobfree.com

Mrs. S. Mudonhi Chief of Party ACD/IVOCA, Tel: +263-***-***-***; Email:adelcc@r.postjobfree.com

Mr. W Makurumure -Outgrower Coordinator Nutriveg 5 Shamwari Road Mt Hampden Harare Cell +263-***-***-***; Email: adelcc@r.postjobfree.com

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