Richard Khadra

Agricultural Engineer with 5+ years of experience in indoor vertical farming, hydroponics, livestock management, and sustainable agriculture. Skilled in optimizing crop production, increase agricultural productivity, farm operations management, and implementing innovative farming technologies. Proven track record in enhancing plant growth, increasing yields, and managing high-tech farm operations in compliance with international and local standards.

Hydroponic Farm Manager at NV Square (2024-03 – 2026-03)

Managed hydroponic farm operations with focus on crop production optimization and system maintenance.

• Optimized crop production schedules to achieve yield and quality targets.
• Monitored and maintained hydroponic systems, ensuring proper nutrient balance, pH levels, and water quality.
• Regulated indoor vertical farm climate conditions, including temperature, humidity, and lighting, to enhance plant growth.
• Implemented Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to prevent and control pests and diseases.
• Supervised and trained farm staff, ensuring efficient and productive farm operations.
• Enforced quality control measures to comply with food safety regulations and industry standards.
• Maintained detailed records of crop performance, system efficiency, and farm operations for continuous improvement.

Agricultural Engineer – Farm Manager at Sheikh Mishaal Bin Hamad Al Thani private office (2022-06 – 2023-07)

Managed all agricultural activities related to greenhouses and livestock to maximize production and quality.

• Managed all activities related to green houses and animals (sheep, cows, and goats) to maximize production and reproduction, ensure highest quality, and maintain a safe environment.
• Collected, assembled, analyzed, and evaluated data pertinent to farm goals and ultimate agricultural productivity of sheep and goats.
• Performed on-site engineering inspections for different types of animals by overseeing productivity and welfare concerns, site environmental concerns, farm infrastructure upgrade, and equipment needed.

Agricultural Engineer - Project Manager at LPR-USEK (2020-12 – 2022-05)

Initiated and developed agricultural projects with focus on planning, execution, and management of costs and performance.

• Initiated and developed agricultural projects including planning, executing and managing costs, schedule and performance.
• Achieved agricultural projects within strict timeframes and budget constraints by solving complex problems and working closely with management.
• Managed farm structure location and planning, farm drainage, soil properties, erosion control, water supply and irrigation, and farm product processing.
• Implemented preventive measures to reduce crop loss caused by environmental damage and crop diseases.
• Maintained livestock growth, feeding, production, and reproduction for cows, sheep, and goats.
• Administered medications to animals undergoing treatment and recorded changes in condition.
• Improved cow welfare and farm conditions resulted in a 30% increase in milk production.

Radio Speaker at Rotana FM (2021-05 – Present)

Periodic guest speaker covering agricultural topics and seasonal crop management.

• Periodic Guest Speaker on Rotana FM covering topics about good management of seasonal crop for each month, agriculture practices of different crops (Citrus, Avocado, Strawberries, Olive…) and solution of bad environmental conditions on planting.

Final Year Project at Dairy Khoury (2019-01 – 2020-01)

Research project on iron introduction in livestock nutrition for Lebanese caprine breeds.

• « Effet d'introduction de fer dans la ration sur les performances des races caprines Saanen et Alpine adaptées aux conditions libanaises. »

Freelancer at One Health (2018-06 – 2019-05)

Animal health representative providing sampling and pathogen analysis services.

• Animal health representative, taking samples from animals and analyzing the pathogen site, concerning pets, cows, sheep and goats.

Work on field at Hboub at USEK (2017-01 – 2018-12)

Crop production including nursery, greenhouse planting and seasonal tree production.

• Crop production: Nursery, greenhouse planting and seasonal tree production; from planting until harvesting.

Internship at Dairy Khoury (2016-12 – 2018-01)

Hands-on experience in ovine, caprine, and bovine production management.

• Ovine and Caprine production: veterinary inspection, dehorning, vaccination, trimming, milk quality, nutrition quality and control sexual cycle.
• Bovine production: veterinary inspection, dehorning, vaccination, trimming, milk quality, nutrition quality, control sexual cycle and Artificial Insemination.

Laboratory Assistance at USEK (2015-09 – 2016-12)

Laboratory support across multiple agricultural disciplines.

• Pedology, Microbiology, Animal nutrition, Food composition, Zoology, Anatomy, Poultry, Botanic, Crop system…

PHD Assistance at USEK (2015-11 – 2016-11)

Doctoral research assistance at Holy Spirit University of Kaslik.

MS. Agriculture Engineer in Agricultural Engineering – Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) (2015-01 – 2019-12)

Biochemistry in Biochemistry – Lebanese University (2014-01 – 2015-12)

French Baccalaureate -TS - Bac Français in General Education – College des Apotres – Jounieh (1999-01 – 2014-12)