SUMMARY:
The key functions will include ensuring best agronomic
practice, cane quality management, cane deli
POSITION INFO:
Operation:Agricultural Operations
Job Title: Extension Manager
Level: DL
Reports To:Land Reform & Small Scale Growers Manager
Context/Scope:
Tongaat Hulett has a proud 131-year history and a strong socio-economic legacy in
KwaZulu-Natal province, in South Africa, and into sub-Saharan Africa. Technical
operations include the following: -
• Four Sugar Manufacturing mills situated on along the Northcoast of Kwa Zulu Natal
stretching from Tongaat through to Empangeni.
• A sugar Refining operations based in South Coast Road Durban
• An animal feeds manufacturing plant situated in Tongaat alongside the Maidstone
Sugar Mill.
A technical operations support comprising technical specialist who provide high level
support to the operations both in South Africa and foreign operations.
The company's current priority is to improve the overall business performance in the
medium to longer term and our objectives are to operate strategically, sustainably,
efficiently and profitably. Tongaat Hulett's focus is on re-energizing assets that will
be cash-generative, and exploring new customer segments.
Going forward the company is focused on leveraging our value chain, and creating a
platform for long-term growth, while maintaining strong relationships with our key
stakeholders.
Purpose of Role
The proposed Extension Manager position will take full responsibility to provide
extension services to the growers at Mill area level. The primary function is to increase
cane production and ensure the sustainability of small scale growers. This is a strategic
imperative of the company. The key functions will include ensuring best agronomic
practice, cane quality management, cane delivery performance and compliance with
legal requirements by growers. In addition a close working relationship with all the key
role players involved in the supply chain of growing sugarcane (growers, contractors
and communal leadership structures) using appropriate agronomic standards. The small
scale growers either farm as individuals or Cooperatives.
Top Accountabilities
•To work and support all stakeholders involved in Mkuze Siding Operations, thus
ensuring a well-coordinated cane delivery to the Mill.
• To lead and manage the Extension Services cost centre with a focus on people and
vehicle costs.
• Provide Agronomic advice in cane growing ensuring best agronomic practice
to the small-scale growers.
• To take responsibility for generating annual cane estimates and ensuring that
actual cane delivered to the mill does not deviate by more than 5% from the
guaranteed estimate.
• To expand the footprint of Extension Services in the communal areas by
identifying potential areas for cane development and ensure grower
sustainability.
• To fully understand the Sugar Industry dynamics affecting SSG growers (i.e.,
tariffs, sugar tax, supplementary payment funds, Umthombo retention scheme,
industry/ government grant schemes) and their potential impact on the
sustainability/ viability of small-scale growers.
• To encourage growers to use Umthombo Ratoon Retention Scheme to keep
enough funds aside to buy and apply inputs on time.
• To facilitate the introduction of new& appropriate cane varieties by working
with SASRI& CRDU Seed Cane Department to promote new seed bed areas.
• To ensure that planned cane development projects are implemented timeously
per appropriate agronomic conditions prevailing at the time, and within
allocated budget.
• To lead the back to basic principle of Agronomy, which includes soil sampling
to determine crop nutrients required, correct land preparation before planting
and weed control to promote vertical growth.
• To monitor and manage contractor performance to improve cane quality
through reducing burn harvest to crush delays (BHTCD) and hauler
allocations. To coordinate cane transport, adhere to allocations and ensure
proper communication with the Mill Cane Supply Team.
• To ensure the outcomes of project Sakhinzuzo achieve the government and
company objectives. Provide support to the operational head and Project
Manager in this regard.
• To keep an accurate operational performance plan broken down annually,
monthly and weekly as a fundamental management tool.
• To assist the company in aligning itself with government objectives in rural
upliftment in communal areas.
• To have sensitivity towards the socio-political issues surrounding the business
environment in which TH SSG operations take place. The knowledge of the
role played by the existing Grower Leadership Structures (Mill Cane
Committee) and Traditional Authorities will be of strategic importance.
• To use geographical information system (GIS) to administer and keep accurate
data for grower cane dispositions, yields and cane deliveries in the "Crop
Managed' system. Ensure that maps of cane supply areas are kept up to date.
• Maintain good stakeholder engagement and communication: facilitate grower
days, workshops and feedback sessions on various aspects of farming and
governance issues especially amongst cooperatives.
• Train growers and co-operatives on how to minimize business risk in communal
areas e.g. arson fires and animal grazing on sugarcane.
• To always ensure that the TH operational procedures and rules ar
