Lazarus Salizani
Greenside, Mutare, Zimbabwe
Summary
Dynamic agronomy leader with extensive experience in agriculture, excelling in employee training and project management. Proven track record in expanding organic sugarcane production and enhancing supply chain efficiency. Adept at data analysis and fostering strong relationships with farmers, driving sustainable agricultural practices for improved yields.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Agronomy
Epresa de Comercializacao Agricola Lda
05.2023 - Current
- Coordinating the distribution of inputs to 3,000 contracted small-scale maize-producing farmers.
- Providing technical services to 15,000 small, medium, and large-scale farmers in the company's database.
- Training of extension officers and meeting with farmers.
- Procuring raw materials for the factory mill.
Agriculture Manager
EcoFarm Ltd
08.2017 - 04.2023
- Growing of 20ha of Cavendich Williams and 10ha of Grand Nain Bananas varieties as a family income generating project
- Growing 1256 hectares of Organic Sugarcane under Pivot and 41 ha under Dragline systems and expanding by 500 ha before end of 2022, product for the Europe market
- In charge of a staff compliment of 350 workers including 3 Section managers and four Supervisors
- Providing technical support to Sugar cane out growers
- Training of staff and allocating duties in line with the calendar
- Cane and soil sampling and entire crop maintenance processes
- Scheduling of harvest and subsequent ratooning of crop
- Overseeing irrigation in both Pivot and Dragline systems
- Growing of 2.7 ha of Organic Bananas for staff consumption
- Reports and records to the Managing director
Managing Director
Mukana Green
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Company Overview: a subsidiary of FPXA Holdings of Switzerland
- Consulting services to Banana growers in the Southern & Central African region (Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi and Angola)
- Training a group from all provinces of Mozambique the practice of growing Soya beans and Maize
- Reporting directly to the President of Mukana Holdings
- A subsidiary of FPXA Holdings of Switzerland
Extension Officer
Sunspun Bananas
01.2002 - 01.2014
- Advising a pool of farmers technically and coordinating supplies to the market
- Training farmers good farming practices
- Establishing a sound farmer and market relationship
- Projection of yields on behalf of farmers and the market for planning purposes
- Promoting production of Bananas in all tropical areas in Zimbabwe
- Surveying of international markets
- Handling cash transactions on behalf of Sunspun to farmers
- Searching for Agricultural trading opportunities
Banana Plantation Manager
Dawmill Farms Bindura
01.1996 - 01.2002
- Overseeing and training of all plantation and pack shed operation supervisors ie irrigation, de-suckering, weeding, fertilizing, spraying, scouting for Nematode symptoms, Sigatoka, fruit damage by thrips, etc
- Overseeing day to day operations in the Banana production line including export consignments
- Attending field days and conducting seminars for Banana farmers around the country
- Reporting to the Directors every day
- Dealing with labor conflicts with relevant Ministries
Extension Officer
Milweb Pvt. Ltd.
01.1994 - 01.1996
- Purchasing of Cotton from Muzarabani small scale farmers for resale to Cotpro Zimbabwe
- Engaging in cash transactions with farmers and coordinating transport and deliveries of cotton to Cotpro
- Transacting inputs as per farmers request eg Fertilizers, chemicals and packaging
- Reconciling cash received against deliveries daily with directors
- Purchasing of Maize for resale to Irvines Day Old Chicks, transacting in both cash and inputs-purchased over 6000t during the period
- Controlling labor and related issues and reporting directly to directors
Assistant Farm Manager
Nyawata Investments
01.1993 - 01.1994
- Assisting in the production of cut flowers for the market in Holland
- Supervising the fumigation of soil against soil borne diseases
- Supervising soil preparation, planting of Briers, irrigation, plant maintenance, fertilization programs, chemical spraying programs, scouting for diseases & pests, providing remedies to general field operations
- Controlling and assigning duties to employees in their different areas of operation daily
- Keeping a daily diary of all operations and reviewing them with the senior manager at the end of each day
- Helping with budgets and projecting yield for marketing purposes
- Assisting the pack shed foreman during harvesting and packaging to ensure quality products are sent to the export market
Stock & Order Control Supervisor
Essenby Stores
01.1988 - 01.1993
- Heading and training of a team of stock controllers mandated to control stocks in eighteen retail shops and supermarkets around Mashonaland Central Province
- Checking and balancing books of accounts monthly
- Training the shop managers and advising them about customer care, merchandising and advising on which product lines sell the most or least in their areas after studying information obtained in the stock control sheets
- Supervising the transfer and order of goods to relevant outlets
- Heading of a stock take team, verifying results and recommending actions to the directors
- Collecting cash from outlets during the scheduled visits and delivering it to the directors for checking and banking
- Reporting directly to the directors
- Recommending new areas for expansion and under-performing ones for the directors consideration
Missionary
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
01.1986 - 01.1988
- Teaching and bringing people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ after finding them by means of door to door, street contact and member referral
- Baptizing and confirming them members of the church after committing them to the living standards of the Savior
- Fellowshipping with them and helping them to progress spiritually by studying the scriptures with them, attending meetings and visiting their homes for further nourishment
- Training newly called missionaries, counseling with them, coordinating and participating in training sessions in Missionary District and Zone meetings
- Assisting the Branch Leaders throughout our areas of jurisdiction in fulfilling their mandate
- Submitting weekly reports to the Mission President and conducting interviews when assigned by him
Education
Human Resources course
BYU Pathway
03.2025
Organic farming seminar
Felderfing, Germany
Felderfing, Bavaria, Germany01.2018
Banana growing attachment
Queensland, Australia
Queensland, Australia01.2001
Pastel for farmers, Microsoft Word, Excel PowerPoint, Publisher, Internet and Networking
Sunderland College
01.1998
Ordinary level -
Oxford Cambridge
01.1985
Skills
- Employee training
- Project management
- Data analysis
- Supply chain management
- Organic farming
- Market research
References
- Ian Campbell Millar, Dawmill Farms, 34 Browning Rd, Belgravia, Harare, Zimbabwe, +263772262215, millaric@icloud.com
- Paul Babiolakis, Sunspun Bananas, Cnr Hobbs & Plymouth Rds, Southerton, Harare, Zimbabwe, +263772908250, babiolakispavlo@gmail.com
- Florian Aigrain, FPXA Holdings/AG, Switzerland, +447452256446, florian.aigrain@fxpaholdings.com
- Rademan Janse van Rensburg, EcoFarm Mozambique lda, +258842000201, j.rensburg@ecofarm.co.mz
Hobbies and Interests
- Community based programs and projects
- Church programs and youth based training activities
- Community participatory approaches on development
Languages
- Shona
- English
- Learning Portuguese
Personal Information
- ID Number: 15-083876R 15
- Place of Birth: Mazowe, Zimbabwe
- Date of Birth: 10/05/67
- Driving License: Class 4 (1988)
- Marital Status: Married
- Religion: Christian
Languages
Shona
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Portuguese
Elementary (A2)
A2
Timeline
Head of Agronomy
Epresa de Comercializacao Agricola Lda
05.2023 - Current
Agriculture Manager
EcoFarm Ltd
08.2017 - 04.2023
Managing Director
Mukana Green
01.2014 - 01.2015
Extension Officer
Sunspun Bananas
01.2002 - 01.2014
Banana Plantation Manager
Dawmill Farms Bindura
01.1996 - 01.2002
Extension Officer
Milweb Pvt. Ltd.
01.1994 - 01.1996
Assistant Farm Manager
Nyawata Investments
01.1993 - 01.1994
Stock & Order Control Supervisor
Essenby Stores
01.1988 - 01.1993
Missionary
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
01.1986 - 01.1988
Human Resources course
BYU Pathway
Organic farming seminar
Felderfing, Germany
Banana growing attachment
Queensland, Australia
Pastel for farmers, Microsoft Word, Excel PowerPoint, Publisher, Internet and Networking
Sunderland College
Ordinary level -
Oxford Cambridge
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