Open To Work
Sanele Lethukuthula Mthethwa
Ngwelezane A
Work Preference
Summary
BSc agronomy qualified professional with SASRI senior certificate in sugarcane agriculture and 5+ years’ experience as farm manager in commercial sugarcane production. Proven expertise in SASRI best practices, cane husbandry, RV management, fertilizer and chemical recommendations, and pest & diseases scouting. Strong team leader with an excellent people management skills, experience leading and motivating large field teams and training small-scale growers to improve productivity and profitability.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
Farm manager
The Hyslop Farming Trust
09.2026 - Current
- Full management of irrigated sugarcane and vegetable with pivots and dragline
- Plan and execute full irrigation scheduling based on soil moisture data, crop water damage, reducing water and electricity cost
- Oversees all agronomic practices: Land preparation, planting, fertilizer, herbicide application and ripening
- Implement integrated pest and diseases management for eldana, smut and invasive weeds
- Operate and maintain irrigation infrastructure (Pivots, mainlines, nozzles, pumps)
- Supervise, train and schedule 40+ field staff including irrigators, tractor drivers, spray operators and seasonal cane cutters
- Maintain accurate farm records such as irrigation logs (mm applied), RV% analysis and cane delivery statements
- Implementing and complying with all health and safety regulations
- Keeping all farm asset in good repair through regular servicing
Sugarcane manager
Arcadia Estate Farm
01.2021 - 08.2026
- Runs the day-to-day operations of the farm
- Plan sugarcane planting and ratoon cycle
- Oversees land preparation, planting and variety selection based on soil and climate
- Manage fertilization, weeds/pests and disease control programs
- Monitor crop growth stages and decide when fields are ready for harvest
- Liaise with agronomist and sugar mills on cane quality and sucrose content
- Schedule cutting to match the mill's delivery quotas and maximum sucrose recovery
- Coordinate cutters, loaders, and transport trucks
- Minimize time from cut to crush
- Hire, train and supervise field workers, tractor operators
- Schedule and maintain tractors, harvesters
- Keep records of equipment use and maintenance costs
- Keep yield records, costs per ton and input vs output data
- Prepare annual budget and track input cost
- Maintain roads, fields boundaries, firebreaks and fencing
- Implement soil conservation and erosion control measures Comply with local environmental laws on burning, runoff and biodiversity
- Ensure proper use of PPE and pesticides application standards
- Soil and leaf sampling
- Taking sugarcane samples to test sugar level in sugarcane using Brix level
- Track and upward trend cane quality and provide weekly month reports
- Keeping accurate track records on cane stock available in fields, zone and into the mill
- Herbicide management- mixing chemicals and taking precautions of using chemicals, and monitoring application of chemicals in fields
- Soil fertility management- soil sampling, lime and gypsum application, growing green crop manure and application of organic manure
- Optimized sugarcane cultivation by implementing advanced agronomic practices and coordinating harvest schedules, resulting in a 15% increase in yield and enhanced crop quality at Arcadia Estate.
Plant Nursery Worker
Umzamo Wethu Youth Agricultural Co-op
05.2017 - 06.2017
- Propagated seedlings using cuttings, sowing, and transplanting techniques to maintain healthy plant stock.
- Monitored irrigation schedules, adjusting watering practices to support optimal growth and reduce plant stress.
- Inspected nursery beds for pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies, then applied corrective treatments.
- Prepared potting soil, compost, and containers to ensure consistent growing conditions across nursery sections.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture (Agronomy)
University of Zululand
KwaDlangezwa11-2019
Skills
Farm operations
Farm equipment operation
Farm budgeting
Performance management
Fertilizer application
Crop rotation
Crop inspection
Crop management
Controlling pests
Insecticides application
Field scouting
Pest control
Overseeing employees
Irrigation system
Harvesting protocols
Sustainable agriculture
Crop irrigation
Soil fertility
Horticulture
Irrigation management
Overseeing planting
Crop health management
Insect prevention
Worker training
Crop harvesting
Team supervision
Soil preparation
Soil preparation
Staff management
Worker hiring
Work scheduling
Certification
Senior Certificate Course in Sugarcane Agriculture , SASRI
Timeline
Farm manager
The Hyslop Farming Trust
09.2026 - Current
Sugarcane manager
Arcadia Estate Farm
01.2021 - 08.2026
Plant Nursery Worker
Umzamo Wethu Youth Agricultural Co-op
05.2017 - 06.2017
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture (Agronomy)
University of Zululand