ERIC PHIRI
KAZUNGULA
Summary
Results-oriented Senior Technical Plant Health Inspector with extensive experience at the Ministry of Agriculture-PQPS, specializing in resource management and team leadership to drive operational excellence. Proven expertise in problem-solving, Microsoft Office, and Excel, leading to enhanced safe trade practices and effective phytosanitary activities. Known for exceptional communication and collaboration skills that foster team success and align with organizational goals. Dedicated to continuous learning and professional development while delivering high-quality service.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Technical Plant Health Inspector
Ministry of Agriculture-PQPS
Kazungula, Zambia
02.2019 - Current
- Carry out technical support services in phytosanitary activities, in order to facilitate safe trade in plants, plant products, and other regulated articles.
- Provide professional advice to stakeholders and the public on matters that border on phytosanitary, trade requirements for plants, plant products, and other regulated articles.
- Ensure the submission of field and monthly reports within deadlines.
- Train new staff members in proper phytosanitary activities in order to facilitate safe trade in plants, plant products, and other regulated articles.
- Develop structured SOPs to enhance operational efficiency within the department.
Agronomy Supervisor
Nanga Farms PLC
Mazabuka, Zambia
05.2017 - 02.2019
- Implemented and managed company agronomical policies on sugarcane production.
- Pest and disease scouting and control in sugarcane.
- Managed sugarcane seed nursery fields, and monitored pests and diseases in a timely manner to obtain good quality seed.
- Data capturing in CanePro.
- Educate farm workers on any new pests attacking sugarcane, and how to control them.
- Recommended chemicals to use in controlling pests in sugarcane.
- Produced pest and disease planners (control of pests) and provided agronomic advice to farm managers on a weekly basis.
- Prepared weekly and annual resource plans on agronomic activities for the company.
- Carried out trials on herbicides and pesticides used in sugarcane production.
- Developed work instructions (SOPs) for agronomy-related operations.
- Developed agronomy planners on fertilizer applications (top and basal dressing), soil sampling, leaf sampling, smut inspections, rogueing, pest inspections, and control.
- Calibrated fertilizer applicators (spreaders and mayfields) and herbicide applicators (boom sprayers and knapsacks).
- Conducted field inspections on weeds, irrigation (wetness or dryness of the field), and provided guidance.
- Monitored fertilizer, herbicide, and pesticide applications across the farm to verify adherence to prescribed rates.
Irrigation Supervisor
Nanga Farms PLC
Mazabuka, Zambia
04.2015 - 05.2017
- Implemented quality control measures to uphold company standards.
- Managed about 270 hectares of sugar cane (21 fields, furrow irrigated).
- Carried out canal inspections, i.e., main canals, and feeder canals.
- Supervised daily activities such as weeding, irrigation, smut rouging (disease control), trash management, and veggie control.
- Inspect fields for weeds, diseases, and pests.
- Inspected hand tools and personal protective equipment for workers.
- Conducted safety meetings and trained workers on safety work procedures for every operation being done.
- Assessed risks or hazards for the operations to be carried out.
- Made weekly resource plans.
- Supervised about 60 workers daily.
- I made reports of daily activities.
- Monitored water usage, soil moisture levels and weather conditions to determine when and how much to irrigate crops.
Agronomy Assistant
Nanga Farms PLC
Mazabuka, Zambia
08.2014 - 04.2015
- Pest scouting and control in sugarcane.
- Disease control and scouting.
- Seed inspection.
- Soil sampling and leaf sampling.
- Calibration fertilizer applicators (spreaders and mayfields) and herbicide applicators (boom sprayers and knapsacks).
- Serviced knapsack sprayers, and producing a report for my superior.
Education
Bachelor of Science - BSc in Agronomy
Mulungushi University
Zambia-Kabwe11-2024
Diploma - General Agriculture
Zambia College of Agriculture-Monze
Monze, Zambia09-2014
Skills
- Planning and supervisory skills to manage resources
- Problem-solving
- Team building and managing a team of workers efficiently
- Computer skills in Microsoft Word and Excel
- Easy to adapt to a changing environment, and make decisions when faced with unexpected conditions or scenarios
- Expertise in working with other people and in teams
- Time management and organization skills ensure that projects or tasks are completed on time and within budget
- Management skills, I am able to supervise and monitor various operations with high efficiency
- I am a receptive person; I listen to others, and I get new ideas on how to manage operations
Affiliations
- Vegetable gardening.
- Poultry keeping.
- Land use planning
- Small business owner.
Accomplishments
- Best graduating student BSc in Agronomy, 2024 at Mulungushi University.
Certification
- Surveillance and pest status determination.
- National reporting obligation.
- African Phytosanitary Programme Train-the-Trainer Workshop.
- PIMS Train-the-Trainer Workshop.
- Pest monitoring and detection information management workshop.
- Eping.
- Red Cross.
- MLN Management.
Languages
English
First Language
Tonga
Intermediate (B1)
B1
Bemba
Intermediate (B1)
B1
Nyanja
Intermediate (B1)
B1
Objective
- I seek challenging opportunities where I can fully use my expertise, skills and knowledge in crop production processes such as pest control, irrigation management, soil management, and also to create resource plans for the success of the organization.
References
References available upon request.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Work Preference
Work Type
Part TimeContract WorkFull TimeWork Location
On-SiteRemoteImportant To Me
Team Building / Company RetreatsCareer advancementPersonal development programsTimeline
Senior Technical Plant Health Inspector
Ministry of Agriculture-PQPS
02.2019 - Current
Agronomy Supervisor
Nanga Farms PLC
05.2017 - 02.2019
Irrigation Supervisor
Nanga Farms PLC
04.2015 - 05.2017
Agronomy Assistant
Nanga Farms PLC
08.2014 - 04.2015
Bachelor of Science - BSc in Agronomy
Mulungushi University
Diploma - General Agriculture
Zambia College of Agriculture-Monze
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