Dairy Development Officer- Nyamira at Q-Sourcing Servtec Group

• The overall purpose of the job is to provide extension/advisory services to dairy farmers for enhanced and sustainable strategies for increased quality milk production as well as act as liaison between the dairy farmers and the company

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Support the farmers in the implementation of best practices in their farms – conservation of the pastures/fodder, establishing of the pastures/fodder, feeding routines, milk safety, and hygiene practices, disease control, farm planning.
• Assist farmers in keeping track of expenses incurred for their farms so they can assess how profitable the farm is and pinpoint areas where costs can be reduced and stock.
• Support in the management of the young stock to reduce calf mortality.
• Act as the liaison between the farmers and HCL on matters of milk supply.
• Recommend and participate in recruitment and onboarding of new dairy farmers – small-scale, big-scale, individual farmers.
• Handle farmers’ questions and complaints related to milk quality, feeding, animal health, housing, production and farm management.
• Mobilise farmers for training on disease control, breeding, and hygiene.
• Continuous monitoring of farmers to make sure they are compliant with the expected milk production standards.
• Communicate with farmers regularly to understand their concerns/complaints and provide relevant solutions and escalate to the manager where necessary.
• Conduct field surveys to collect farmers’ views and expectations and submit the raw data to the manager for analysis.
• Responsible for delivery of incentives to the farmers and sensitization on proper use – pasture seeds, milk cans, weighing scales, etc.
• Any other responsibilities that may be assigned to the job holder by the supervisor from time to time.

Knowledge, experience and qualifications required 

• Diploma in either Food Science, Agriculture, Animal Health, Animal production, Dairy Technology
• Minimum of 2 years of experience

Competencies
Technical & Behavioural competencies

• Knowledgeable in animal management practices and pasture management
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Listening
• Customer care
• Adaptability
• Reporting and presentation
• Organizational and project management skills