Lewis Bwalya
Lusaka
Summary
Performance-driven professional with a stellar record in agronomy, business development, market research, marketing, and sales. Experienced in developing and implementing sales plans and market strategies to deliver tailored solutions in the Zambian agricultural sector. Skilled in executing targeted market campaigns for key customers and channel segments to achieve sustainable profitability and market share. Holds an MBA from the University of Zambia and a BBA from Cavendish University, along with a certificate in general Agriculture. Brings over 15 years of experience in sales and marketing of crop protection chemicals, maize seeds, soya bean seeds and vegetable seeds with a proven track record of achieving targets and commercial objectives. Committed to seeing projects through from conception to successful completion.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Agronomist
Export Trading Group (ETG Inputs Zambia Ltd)
Lusaka
03.2023 - Current
- Marketed and sold crop protection products, maize and soybean seeds nationwide
- Delivered technical support on seed varieties, crop management, and crop protection products
- Analyzed volume trends to inform regional strategies
- Increased direct and indirect sales of agricultural solutions to key accounts within Zambia
- Cultivated strong customer relationships
- Managing sales to guarantee customer satisfaction
- Analyzed industry developments to support strategic units
- Managed regional teams across stock and debt collection functions
- Collaborate with team to develop annual regional sales and marketing plans
Agriculture Consultant
Inza Agro and Processing Company
Lusaka
03.2018 - Current
- Delivered technical assistance and conducted training sessions for agronomy team
- Devised plans for capitalizing on new markets.
- Developed and executed work plans for production and sales teams
- Developed and built relationships with potential partners to promote company products for business growth and sustainability.
- Ensuring that sales targets are achieved and debts are collected on time.
- Conducting market and competitor analysis to identify business opportunities.
- Participate in negotiation of contracts with customers.
Provincial Team Leader
International Development Enterprise (iDE, Zambia)
Choma
05.2015 - 02.2018
- Creation of partnerships and linkages with institutions and the private sector relevant to the project implementation, including agro dealers and farmers.
- Managing area program activities and coordinating the project implementation in Southern Province through set area targets, according to plan and budget.
- Facilitation of technical assistance (training, coaching, and mentoring) to the team and stakeholders to ensure increased value chain integration, sustainable, and profitable operations.
- Conducting product trials, coordination of field days, and training of farmers in the region.
Technical Sales Specialist (Small-scale / Commercial Sales)
Syngenta
Lusaka
01.2013 - 10.2013
- Delivered agronomic support to farmers, customers, NGOs, and government entities in the Zambian agriculture sector.
- Researching and understanding the needs of customers, thereby effectively planning marketing and sales strategies and activities to increase sales.
- Maintaining a thorough agronomic and technical knowledge of products in various segments and analyzing market opportunities that are available to increase product usage and sales.
- Identify new markets for the products and create business relations with NGOs, stakeholders, farmers, and government departments.
- Maintain industry awareness regarding technical developments through networking, personal development, and trainings.
- Provide necessary market intelligence required for the commercial success of the business.
Senior Agronomist
Cassi Farms Limited
Accra
11.2009 - 12.2012
- Assessed crop production and quality to inform decisions regarding best planting, harvesting, and climate effects. Also analyzed market conditions to determine acreage allocations.
Farm Manager
Teka and Mipachima Farms (Late President Levy Mwanawasa's Farm)
Ndola and Lusaka
08.2002 - 10.2009
- Responsible for all farm operations, including crop planning, production implementation such as land preparation, planting, crop management (which includes weed control, crop nutrition, irrigation, spraying, harvesting, and post-harvest control measures), purchasing of inputs, marketing, sales, and administrative activities.
Education
Agribusiness Leadership program Certificate -
International Finance Corporation (IFC) World Bank Group
Lusaka, Zambia06-2023
Master of Business Administration - MBA
University of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia05.2023
Training of Trainers Certificate in Integrated Pest management and Responsible use of pesticides -
CropLife Zambia
Choma, Zambia07-2015
Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA
Cavendish University
Lusaka, Zambia07.2013
Certificate in Computers -
Australian Institute of Business and Technology
Lusaka, Zambia05.2007
General Agriculture Certificate -
Zambia College of Agriculture Monze
Monze, Zambia04-2002
Skills
- Master of Business Administration
- Business Administration Degree
- Fifteen (15) years of relevant experience in crop agronomy, seeds and pest control practices
- Extensive Sales Experience
- Solid agricultural knowledge and understanding of local market environment
- Will strongly demonstrate Bayer core competencies: Customer Focus, Drives Results, Values Differences, Manages Complexity, Collaboration, and Instills Trust
- Ability to collaborate/communicate with and develop internal and external partnerships
- Ability to work well in smallholder farmer markets
- Proficiency in English and Local languages
- Good Microsoft Skills (Excel / PowerPoint / Word)
- Highly motivated, creative, dynamic, and well organized
- Interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Networking, negotiating and collaborating skills
- Ability to work under tight deadlines
References
- Doctor Eliab Simpungwe, Country Programme Coordinator, International Finance Corporation (IFC) World Bank Group, +260 777 037177, esimpungwe@ifc.org
- Lottie Senkwe, Programmes Director, International Development Enterprise (iDE Zambia), +260 966 785495, +260 955 203586, lsenkw@ideglobal.org
- Emmanuel Gondwe, National Program Officer United Nation's World Food Program (WFP), +260 971 017907, Emmanuel.gondwe@wfp.org
- Neil Garaway, Former Head of Operations, Syngenta Zambia, +260 977 872320
- Geoffrey Chomba, Assistant Country Representative Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), +260 977 966 174389, +260 962 948080, Geofrey.Chomba@fao.org
Accomplishments
- Currently i'm managing a project in Central and Eastern provinces that ETG and International Finance corporation (IFC) World bank Group have combined hands and partnered on the project titled Agribusiness Leadership Program aimed at giving trainings and coaching to three project participants that includes Farmer Organisations (FOs), Village Based Agents (VBAs), and Agro-Dealers (ADs). The value chain crops involved are maize and soya beans. I'm currently working with over 20,000 small holder farmers (SHFs).
- I have helped ETG to increase sales by 15% of the annual sales target
- Under IDE i helped to change the southern province team from being labelled as lowest performing to highest performing team the whole of IDE Zambia teams. Also i increased the number of smallholder farmers from 4,000 to 25,000 farmers in two years.
- I helped Syngenta Zambia to increase sales by 20%
Timeline
Senior Agronomist
Export Trading Group (ETG Inputs Zambia Ltd)
03.2023 - Current
Agriculture Consultant
Inza Agro and Processing Company
03.2018 - Current
Provincial Team Leader
International Development Enterprise (iDE, Zambia)
05.2015 - 02.2018
Technical Sales Specialist (Small-scale / Commercial Sales)
Syngenta
01.2013 - 10.2013
Senior Agronomist
Cassi Farms Limited
11.2009 - 12.2012
Farm Manager
Teka and Mipachima Farms (Late President Levy Mwanawasa's Farm)
08.2002 - 10.2009
Agribusiness Leadership program Certificate -
International Finance Corporation (IFC) World Bank Group
Master of Business Administration - MBA
University of Zambia
Training of Trainers Certificate in Integrated Pest management and Responsible use of pesticides -
CropLife Zambia
Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA
Cavendish University
Certificate in Computers -
Australian Institute of Business and Technology
General Agriculture Certificate -
Zambia College of Agriculture Monze
Similar Profiles
SAVIRAJ SHETTYSAVIRAJ SHETTY
Group Head – Insurance & Risk Management at Export Trading Group (ETG)Group Head – Insurance & Risk Management at Export Trading Group (ETG)
RUDRA PRASAD NATH SHARMARUDRA PRASAD NATH SHARMA
REGIONAL MANAGER (EIHL) at EXPORT TRADING GROUP (ETG)REGIONAL MANAGER (EIHL) at EXPORT TRADING GROUP (ETG)
Chandni PrasannanChandni Prasannan
Product Executive at Nuforth Trading LLC (ETG Group)Product Executive at Nuforth Trading LLC (ETG Group)