James Ngunjiri

I am an experienced agricultural professional possessing a broad range of technical, managerial, and interpersonal competencies gained through practical experience in agricultural production, research, extension, agribusiness, and project management. I have expertise in crop production, sustainable agricultural practices, soil and water management, integrated pest and disease management, and the application of modern agricultural technologies. I am proficient in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating agricultural programs and projects to enhance productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability.

I have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, enabling me to interpret research findings, analyze agricultural data, and develop practical solutions to farming challenges. I am skilled in strategic planning, resource management, budgeting, policy implementation, and regulatory compliance. I am also knowledgeable in quality assurance, agricultural value chains, agribusiness development, climate-smart agriculture, and risk management.

In addition, i possess excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and organizational skills, coupled with high ethical standards, adaptability, innovation, and a commitment to continuous professional development. My ability to integrate scientific knowledge with practical field experience enables me to contribute effectively to agricultural development, food security, and sustainable rural livelihoods.

Technical Manager - Bio-Medica Laboratories Limited

(2014-07)

• Developing and implementing the company's technical strategy
• Providing expert advice on crop protection, plant nutrition, and integrated crop management
• Supporting management in making technical and business decisions
• Leading the technical team and mentoring agronomists and field officers
• Planning and supervising field efficacy trials for new agrochemical products
• Evaluation of product performance under different agro-ecological conditions
• Preparing technical reports and recommendations for product registration and commercialization
• Identifying opportunities for new products and technologies
• Ensuring compliance with Kenyan laws governing agrochemical products
• Coordinate product registration and renewal with the relevant regulatory authorities
• Maintaining product dossiers, labels, and safety documentation
• Ensuring compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations
• Providing technical support to sales and marketing teams
• Diagnosing crop production challenges and recommend appropriate solutions
• Responding to customer technical inquiries and complaints
• Supporting key distributors, agro-dealers, and large-scale farmers
• Developing technical training programs for employees, distributors, and farmers
• Conducting product demonstrations and farmer field days
• Training staff on safe handling and responsible use of agrochemicals
• Preparing technical manuals and training materials
• Promoting responsible pesticide use in accordance with label instructions
• Implementing product stewardship programs
• Monitoring product performance and adverse effects in the field
• Promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and resistance management strategies
• Liaising with research institutions, universities, and industry partners
• Monitoring emerging pests, diseases, weeds, and new agricultural technologies
• Identifying market needs and recommend innovative solutions
• Participating in research collaborations and validation trials
• Building relationships with key growers, commercial farms, and distributors
• Providing technical presentations during customer meetings
• Supporting strategic accounts with customized agronomic recommendations
• Handling technical aspects of customer complaints and product performance issues
• Working closely with sales teams to develop technical marketing strategies
• Developing technical brochures, product guides, and promotional materials
• Participating in exhibitions, agricultural shows, and product launches
• Providing technical input into forecasting and market development
• Monitoring product performance in the market
• Preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual technical reports
• Analyzing field trial data and customer feedback
• Recommending improvements to products and technical services
• Preparing and managing technical department budgets
• Coordinating procurement of trial materials and laboratory supplies
• Ensuring efficient use of departmental resources
• Supervising technical projects within approved budgets
• Supervising technical officers, agronomists, and field staff
• Conducting performance appraisals and coaching
• Identifying staff training needs
• Promoting a culture of innovation, teamwork, and continuous improvement

General Manager (Large scale tea, coffee & horticultural production) - Mathara/Centurion Holdings Limited

(2014-01 - 2014-05)

• Developing and implementing the farm's strategic and operational plans
• Setting production, financial, and business performance targets
• Identifying opportunities for expansion, diversification, and value addition
• Ensuring alignment of farm operations with the organization's goals
• Planning, coordinating, and supervising all farm activities
• Ensuring timely land preparation, planting, irrigation, crop management, harvesting, and post-harvest handling
• Overseeing livestock production where applicable
• Monitoring daily farm operations to ensure efficiency and productivity
• Preparing and managing annual budgets
• Monitoring production costs and implementing cost-control measures
• Analyzing financial performance and profitability
• Preparing financial and management reports for owners or the board
• Ensuring efficient utilization of farm resources
• Recruiting, supervising, and evaluating farm managers, supervisors, and employees
• Developing staff work plans and performance targets
• Organizing staff training and capacity-building programs
• Promoting occupational safety, teamwork, and employee welfare
• Developing annual crop and livestock production schedules
• Ensuring adherence to quality standards throughout production
• Monitoring yields and productivity indicators
• Implementing quality assurance and food safety systems
• Overseeing procurement of seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, feeds, machinery, fuel, and other farm inputs
• Managing inventory and stores
• Ensuring proper maintenance of machinery, irrigation systems, buildings, and other farm assets
• Optimizing utilization of land, water, equipment, and labor
• Developing marketing strategies for farm produce
• Negotiating contracts with buyers, processors, exporters, and suppliers
• Identifying new markets and business opportunities
• Building relationships with customers, financial institutions, and development partners
• Identifying operational, financial, climatic, and market risks
• Developing contingency plans for drought, floods, pest and disease outbreaks, and price fluctuations
• Ensuring adequate insurance coverage where appropriate
• Promoting climate-smart and resilient farming practices
• Ensuring compliance with Kenyan laws and regulations relating to agriculture, labor, environmental protection, and occupational health and safety
• Promoting sustainable land management, soil conservation, and efficient water use
• Ensuring proper handling and disposal of agrochemicals and farm waste
• Maintaining records required for audits, certifications, and regulatory inspections
• Monitoring farm performance against production and financial targets
• Preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual operational reports
• Analyzing production data and recommend improvements
• Reporting key performance indicators to farm owners or the board of directors
• Liaising with government agencies, county agricultural officers, research institutions, financial institutions, suppliers, and buyers
• Representing the farm in industry meetings and agricultural forums
• Building partnerships that enhance productivity and business growth
• Introducing modern farming technologies and precision agriculture practices
• Promoting mechanization, digital farm management systems, and improved production methods
• Evaluating new crop varieties, livestock breeds, and production technologies
• Encouraging continuous improvement through research and innovation

District Crops Development Officer (Senior Agriculture Officer) - Ministry of Agriculture

(2008 - 2013)

• Developing and implement annual agricultural work plans
• Coordinating crop production and agricultural extension programs
• Ensuring implementation of government agricultural policies and strategies
• Preparing project proposals and development plans
• Supervising agricultural extension officers and field staff
• Providing technical advice on crop production, soil fertility, irrigation, pest and disease management
• Promoting adoption of modern farming technologies and climate-smart agriculture
• Organizing farmer training, demonstrations, and field days
• Monitor implementation of agricultural projects and government-funded programs
• Collect, analyze, and interpret agricultural production data
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual technical reports
• Evaluate project performance and recommend improvements
• Supervising and appraise junior agricultural officers and support staff
• Coordinating staff deployment and capacity building
• Ensuring efficient utilization of government resources and compliance with public service regulations
• Promoting increased crop productivity through improved farming practices
• Coordinating food security initiatives
• Supporting seed multiplication, fertilizer use, and mechanization programs
• Advising on sustainable land use and conservation agriculture
• Monitoring outbreaks of crop pests and diseases
• Coordinating surveillance and control measures
• Promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Liaising with research institutions on emerging crop threats
• Collaborating with county governments, research institutions, universities, NGOs, and development partners
• Working with farmer groups, cooperatives, and agribusiness organizations
• Facilitating implementation of donor-funded agricultural projects
• Interpreting and implement national agricultural policies and regulations
• Advising management on policy issues affecting agricultural production
• Participating in formulation of sector strategies and operational guidelines
• Preparing and manage departmental budgets
• Ensuring proper utilization of agricultural inputs and project resources
• Maintaining records of government assets under their control
• Promoting adoption of research findings from institutions such as Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization
• Identifying farmers' production challenges and relay them to research institutions
• Supporting validation and dissemination of improved agricultural technologies

Graduate Assistant - University of Nairobi

(2006 - 2008)

• Assisting lecturers in preparing teaching materials and course content
• Conducting tutorials, practical sessions, seminars, and laboratory demonstrations
• Supervising students during practical classes and fieldwork
• Assisting academic staff in designing and implementing research projects
• Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting research data
• Assisting in writing research grant proposals
• Maintaining research records and databases
• Preparing laboratory equipment and materials for practical classes
• Ensuring proper handling and maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Assisting in supervising laboratory experiments and field studies
• Ensuring compliance with laboratory safety procedures
• Mentoring undergraduate students academically
• Responding to students' academic inquiries
• Assisting students with research projects and final-year projects
• Supporting examination administration and invigilation
• Adhering to university policies, regulations, and academic standards
• Maintaining confidentiality of student records and research data
• Upholding academic integrity and ethical research practices

Intern - Simlaw Seeds Company

(2009-08 - 2009-10)

• Assisting in the establishment, management, and monitoring of seed production fields
• Participating in land preparation, planting, crop management, and harvesting activities
• Monitoring crop growth and report field observations
• Supporting implementation of good agricultural practices (GAP)
• Assisting in conducting field inspections for seed crops
• Monitoring crop health, pest and disease incidence, and varietal purity
• Collecting field data and maintain accurate records
• Participating in rouging activities to maintain genetic purity
• Assisting in receiving, cleaning, grading, treating, drying, and packaging seed
• Operating or assist in operating seed processing equipment under supervision
• Monitoring seed handling procedures to minimize damage and maintain quality
• Ensuring proper labeling and storage of processed seed
• Assisting in sampling seed lots for laboratory testing
• Participating in germination, purity, moisture, and seed health tests
• Recording and analyzing laboratory results
• Supporting implementation of quality management systems and standard operating procedures
• Assisting in establishing and managing research and demonstration trials
• Collecting, compiling, and analyzing research data
• Participating in variety evaluation and performance assessments
• Supporting preparation of technical reports and research documentation
• Assisting in responding to customer inquiries regarding seed products
• Participating in farmer training sessions, demonstrations, and field days
• Providing basic technical information on seed selection, planting, and crop management
• Supporting technical staff during extension activities
• Assisting in promoting seed products during exhibitions and agricultural shows
• Helping prepare marketing materials and product information
• Supporting market surveys and customer feedback collection
• Maintaining records of customer interactions where required
• Assisting in stock taking and inventory management
• Maintaining accurate records of seed stocks and inputs
• Ensuring proper storage conditions for seed and related materials
• Supporting warehouse organization and documentation
• Maintaining daily work records and activity logs
• Preparing field, laboratory, and internship reports
• Entering production and quality data into company databases
• Following company health and safety procedures
• Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Assisting in proper handling and disposal of seed treatment chemicals and other materials
• Promoting environmental sustainability and safe workplace practices

Bachelor of Science - Agriculture - University of Nairobi (2001 - 2005)

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education - Chinga Boys High School (1996 - 1999)