MONISI KHUMALO

Company Overview: Production of Palm Dates - Citrus (Oranges, Mandarins) Grapes & Blueberries Farm

• Overseeing production processes & implementing strategies as per set company objectives.
• Establishing a balance between increased productivity and reduced costs - Overheads- Labour, inputs etc

• Managing safety & health standards and achieved product quality & 4 food safety standards within 6 months - BRCGS, GlobalGap, Smeta & Select Farm
• Crop Management - Monitoring & managing growing, nutrition, harvesting sorting, canopy management, irrigation planning & scheduling, planting & Land cartography etc
• Preparation of P&L (with a turnover of US$30m) -quarterly, biannual reports to - CEO & Board
• Developed technical strategies to align with business objectives, driving growth and innovation within the organization.

• Crops exported - Herbs (Chives, Rosemary, Basil, Thyme, Mint, - 20 ha) Extra Fine beans / Fine beans, Baby corn, Tender stem Broccoli, Peas Passion Fruit etc
• Standardized production procedures, job roles, and quality assurance guidelines.
• Orchards - Coffee Arabica - 50 ha, Macadamia 20ha & Avocado 50ha, managing Tree propagation, Canopy management, nutrition, crop protection, Grading & Packhouse etc
• Mentored junior staff members on best practices in production management, cultivating a skilled workforce capable of tackling complex challenges headon.
• Coffee -IPM, pruning & stumping management, harvesting, drying and bean grading etc
• Managing home farms and out grower standards - Global Gap, BRC, ITS and Smeta etc
• Coordinated with sales and marketing departments to align production schedules with demand forecasts, maximizing both efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Preparation & presentation of monthly, quarterly, annual budgets & financial reports to the Board, Managing Director
• Managed internal operational standards and productivity targets.
• Resolved issues quickly to maintain productivity goals.

Company Overview: Supporting Qatar Food Sustainability Goals.

• Enhanced crop yields by implementing advanced soil fertility management techniques and irrigation practices.
• Influenced policy decisions through well-researched recommendations on sustainable agricultural practices.
• Fostered partnerships with agribusinesses and government agencies, leveraging resources for collaborative research projects.
• Evaluated new seed varieties for adaptability and performance, accelerating the development of high-yielding cultivars.
• Designing cropping strategies in support of Mahaseel (Qatar government food self-sustenance project).
• Reduce chemical pesticides usage and increase Biopesticides & Increased Organic farming hectarage.

• Develop cropping programs, Implement and maintain the Out Growers Scheme - commercial and small-scale growth goals.
• Articulate and implement sustainable crop production plans- Smart / precision Agronomy -Integrated Pest management and Biopesticides use.
• Developed long-term plans for crop rotation, soil management, and sustainable farming practices to maintain soil fertility and prevent erosion.
• Consistently met or exceeded production targets by diligently monitoring progress and implementing corrective actions when necessary.
• Overseeing the production team, developing, and implementing production processes and procedures to govern farm operations
• Monitor and stay abreast of agricultural best practices, trends, and events to ensure improvement, competitive position
• Worked closely with employees to improve practices, techniques and safety choices, optimizing performance, and minimizing waste.

• Managing & Supervising production activities - seedbeds, propagation, transplanting in greenhouse Shed netting, Tunnels and Open field
• Designed land use management systems - including Orchards establishment -Cashew Nuts, Bananas & Avocados
• Designed 100 ha Irrigation system- sprinkler, Microjet and center pivot
• Crop production management &Crop protection management and IPM strategies
• Crops grown - Sweet bell peppers (Red, Yellow, and Green), tomatoes, squash, cucumbers and chilies
• Planned schedule for crop rotation, plantings, and harvest.
• Enforced strong safety and environmental protections to support habitats while preventing harm to employees or consumers.
• Successfully negotiated contracts with buyers to secure favorable terms for the sale of farm products.

• Develop sustainable production strategies for home farms 4 000ha - (Kent, Claremont, Clear water & South downs) cropping schedules, agronomy, and Global GAP standards
• Crops - Pome, stone fruits, Avocados, potatoes, onions, peppers, marrow, sweet potatoes, Tea, Macadamia
• Designing pragmatic smart strategies and systems for home farms and smallholders to take advantage of existing and emerging market opportunities
• Tree propagation, canopy management, crop nutrition & protection, Harvesting, grading, and packing (Machine grading)
• Establish market linkages and facilitation of horticulture marketing hubs and collection centers
• Increase turnover from $20m annually to $50m with a net Profit of 30% annually
• Conducted regular performance reviews, identifying areas for improvement and developing action plans to address them.

• Company Overview: USAID Funded Project -Restoring Economic Agricultural Livelihoods in Zimbabwe
• Improve food security by boosting availability of staple crops at the household level and increasing access through improved purchasing power biased at promoting gender- women entrepreneurs; target 60% women of the 10 000 households
• Strengthen the capacity of farmers to meet horticulture market requirements through improved quality and volume of production from improved agronomic practices (CA) and marketing strategy; and
• Increase incomes of rural households through strengthened commercial links between Smallholder farmers and buyers' duties and responsibilities
• Develop strong working relationships with produce wholesalers, processors, and other buyers of horticultural produce
• Facilitate market linkages, including contractual relationships, between smallholder horticultural producers and buyers of horticultural produce.
• Co-authored and Rolled-out the Farming as a Business training guide for small scale farmers
• USAID Funded Project -Restoring Economic Agricultural Livelihoods in Zimbabwe

• Crops grown - Passion Fruit, Onions, Peppers, Chilies, Peas Mange tout, Snaps & Potatoes
• Management and recruiting of small scale and commercial out growers, including weekly visits Including food safety standards
• Managing growers - market Dynamics information, in-coming quality, cropping calendar and agronomy
• Keeping abreast with new/improved cultivars, crop chemicals, agronomic practices, and market compliances issues
• Training and pre-auditing of small-scale growers' international standards e.g
• GLOBAL GAP, IPM & ICM
• Rolling out and manage MRLs and due diligence in agrochemicals usage initiatives