Job Summary

The Horticulturist will be responsible for providing expertise related to identification of vegetable clusters in project areas, prepare training materials on selected vegetables, kitchen gardening, vertical farming, training of master trainers and famers in improved vegetable farming using FFS and other training methods to build and enhance the knowledge, capacities and skills of farmers project teams and KPAD staff.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare training curriculum on (06) vegetables including Peas, Bitter Gourd, Garlic, Hot Pepper, Tomato and Onion. The curriculum should entail nursery raising techniques, direct seeding of vegetables, soil management, field preparation, vertical structures and materials, fertilizers and   nutrients   management,   pesticides   and   weedicides,   integrated   pest management (IPM), irrigation and water use efficiency, harvest and handling, post-harvest management, sorting/grading and packing,
• Conduct Training of master trainers and KPAD staff on the developed and approved training
• Curricula of selected vegetables and training material prepared on kitchen gardening 
• Provide guidance on the selection, sowing and up-keep of vegetables suitable for the  specific agro-climatic conditions or landscaping requirements.
• Advise on proper nutrient management to ensure healthy vegetables. Recommend suitable fertilizers and nutrient application schedules.
• Provide input on selection and vegetables for kitchen gardening, prepare seasonal calendar and hand-outs for training of women farmers
• Coordinate with Food Technologist, Agronomist, FFS and other specialists and get their inputs while preparing the training material and include important aspects relevant to seed cleaning, preservation, storage, nutrition, food processing and preservation, and training delivery methods for effective roll out of the project capacity development program
• Provide backstopping support and technical training on suitable greenhouse designs, vegetable varieties; climate control methods; horticulture lighting; low-cost energy efficiency systems; covering materials; vertical gardening, irrigation/fertigation systems;
• Guide and train master trainers and vegetable farmers on water management, trellising systems; seedling production including nursery management and grafting; record keeping; plant nutrition; integrated pest and diseases management and crop cultural practices;
• Guide farmers on pre-and post- harvest technologies to manage losses
• Provide guidance to farmers accessing the quality inputs, services and markets
• Prepare technical specification of selected vegetable assortments, kitchen gardening, food processing and preservation toolkits in consultation with the Agriculture Extension Department and agriculture research and provide to the client for procurement. Top of Form
• Any other task to be assigned by the Client or ADB in line with the TORs of this assignment and the overall objectives of the project.

Qualification and Experience

• Preferably Post-graduate degree in Horticulture, Agribusiness, Crop Science, natural science or equivalent qualification in a similar field.
• Preferably 7 years’ experience in vegetable production, agri-business/ value chain, development of vegetable training modules and capacity building trainings
• The expert having experience of being a part of the similar project in Pakistan, particularly the province of KP would be an advantage. 

This role is subject to the award of Project.