As an agriculture officer, here are the job opportunities that are available in Zambia. Some jobs come from individual big farmers, the government, or NGOs. Agriculture is one of the most vital sectors of Zambia’s economy, providing employment to a large portion of the population and contributing significantly to the country’s GDP.
Image by Daily Nation
Below is a breakdown of common agriculture-related jobs in Zambia, including their roles, qualifications, and sectors:
1. Farm Workers
- Roles:
- Daily farming tasks such as planting, weeding, irrigating, and harvesting crops.
- Caring for livestock (feeding, cleaning, and monitoring health).
- Qualifications:
- Basic skills in crop or livestock management.
- Physical strength and stamina.
- Sector: Small-scale and large-scale farms, commercial farms, and agribusinesses.
2. Agronomists
- Roles:
- Provide advice on crop production techniques, soil management, and pest control.
- Conduct research to improve agricultural productivity.
- Work with farmers to implement sustainable farming practices.
- Qualifications:
- A degree in agriculture, agronomy, or related field.
- Knowledge of soil science and plant biology.
- Sector: Government agricultural agencies, research institutions, commercial farms.
3. Veterinary Officers
- Roles:
- Diagnose and treat illnesses in farm animals.
- Advise farmers on animal health, breeding, and nutrition.
- Conduct disease surveillance and control measures.
- Qualifications:
- Degree in veterinary medicine.
- Licensing from the Veterinary Council of Zambia.
- Sector: Government livestock departments, private farms, NGOs.
4. Agricultural Extension Officers
- Roles:
- Provide training and advice to farmers on modern agricultural techniques.
- Help farmers access government resources such as inputs and subsidies.
- Promote climate-smart agriculture.
- Qualifications:
- Degree or diploma in agriculture, environmental science, or extension services.
- Field experience is highly valued.
- Sector: Ministry of Agriculture, NGOs, private agribusinesses.
5. Farm Managers
- Roles:
- Oversee daily farm operations, including crop production, livestock management, and staff supervision.
- Handle budgeting, purchasing supplies, and ensuring farm profitability.
- Qualifications:
- Degree or diploma in agriculture, farm management, or agribusiness.
- Strong leadership and financial skills.
- Sector: Commercial farms, agribusiness firms.
6. Agricultural Engineers
- Roles:
- Design and maintain agricultural machinery and equipment.
- Improve irrigation systems and farm infrastructure.
- Work on projects related to sustainable energy use in farming.
- Qualifications:
- Degree in agricultural engineering or a related field.
- Technical and problem-solving skills.
- Sector: Equipment manufacturers, large commercial farms, government agencies.
7. Soil and Water Conservationists
- Roles:
- Implement programs to prevent soil erosion and manage water resources efficiently.
- Work with farmers to adopt conservation-friendly techniques.
- Qualifications:
- Degree in environmental science, soil science, or agriculture.
- Knowledge of sustainable land-use practices.
- Sector: Environmental NGOs, Ministry of Agriculture, research institutes.
8. Agro-Processing Technicians
- Roles:
- Work in the processing of agricultural products like fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat.
- Ensure food safety and quality standards are met.
- Qualifications:
- Training in food technology or agro-processing.
- Knowledge of hygiene standards and equipment handling.
- Sector: Agro-processing industries, cooperatives, food processing companies.
9. Agricultural Economists
- Roles:
- Analyze economic trends in agriculture and advise on policy or investment decisions.
- Work on pricing strategies, market analysis, and cost management for farmers.
- Qualifications:
- Degree in agricultural economics or agribusiness.
- Strong analytical and economic skills.
- Sector: Research institutes, government agencies, agribusiness companies.
10. Irrigation Technicians
- Roles:
- Design, install, and maintain irrigation systems on farms.
- Ensure optimal water use for crop production.
- Qualifications:
- Diploma in irrigation technology or a related field.
- Knowledge of water management systems.
- Sector: Commercial farms, irrigation companies, government irrigation schemes.
11. Poultry or Livestock Specialists
- Roles:
- Focus on the production and health management of poultry or livestock.
- Provide technical advice on feeding, breeding, and disease control.
- Qualifications:
- Degree or diploma in animal science or livestock management.
- Specialized knowledge in poultry or livestock.
- Sector: Large-scale poultry or livestock farms, government agencies, feed companies.
12. Agribusiness Consultants
- Roles:
- Advise businesses on agricultural investments, strategies, and development projects.
- Help farmers and agribusinesses with financial management, marketing, and export processes.
- Qualifications:
- Degree in agribusiness or business management.
- Experience in the agricultural sector.
- Sector: Private consultancies, NGOs, government projects.
13. Fisheries Officers
- Roles:
- Manage fish farming (aquaculture) operations.
- Promote sustainable fishing practices and conservation of aquatic resources.
- Qualifications:
- Degree or diploma in aquaculture, marine biology, or a related field.
- Field experience in fishery management.
- Sector: Fisheries departments, private fish farms, conservation agencies.
14. Agri-Tech Specialists
- Roles:
- Implement technological solutions in agriculture such as precision farming, drones, and remote sensing.
- Provide data-driven insights to improve farm productivity.
- Qualifications:
- Degree in agricultural technology, computer science, or engineering.
- Knowledge of ICT applications in agriculture.
- Sector: Tech companies, agribusinesses, agricultural startups.
NGO Job Opportunities in Zambia
- Government Initiatives: Zambia’s government promotes agriculture as a way to diversify the economy, offering jobs in rural development projects, extension services, and subsidies for farmers.
- Private Sector Growth: Private agribusinesses and export-oriented farms, particularly in crops like maize, tobacco, and cotton, offer numerous employment opportunities.
- NGO Involvement: NGOs working in rural development, food security, and environmental conservation provide opportunities for jobs in community outreach, research, and development projects.
Key NGOs Operating in Zambia’s Agricultural Sector:
NGO agricultural jobs in Zambia offer a diverse range of opportunities for professionals interested in improving rural livelihoods, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Image by Farmbiz NGO
These roles are impactful and often require strong community engagement and development skills. Here are the organizations that offer agriculture jobs to Zambians:
- World Vision Zambia: Focuses on food security and rural development.
- SNV Zambia: Specializes in agriculture, water, sanitation, and renewable energy.
- CARE International: Works on food security, climate resilience, and gender empowerment in agriculture.
- Heifer International: Supports livestock development and rural livelihoods.
- Concern Worldwide: Focuses on agriculture, nutrition, and resilience programs in rural communities.
Zambia’s agricultural sector holds potential for both entry-level and skilled professionals, with significant growth in modern farming techniques, agro-processing, and sustainable agriculture.
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