Clara Lilians Lukonde
Petauke
Summary
Motivated, experienced sustainable agriculture specialist with a proven track record in managing multi-faceted projects within critical deadlines. Skilled in collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including smallholder farmers, private sector companies, government entities, and NGOs, to deliver technical support and implement activities effectively. Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, coupled with a genuine passion for making a positive impact.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
DISTRICT TECHNICAL OFFICER- AGRICULTURE & LIVELIHOOD
DAI- Scaling up Nutrition -Technical Assistance (SUN-TA) program
07.2020 - 04.2024
- Collaborated with District Nutrition Coordination Committees and supported implementation of district work plans in agriculture and livelihood
- Enhanced capacity of 300 Lead Farmers and worked with over 7,000 Follower Farmers through lead farmers and Camp extension officers on agriculture and Livelihood interventions
- Established 2,000+ vegetable gardens among project beneficiaries, promoting the production and consumption of diverse, nutritious vegetables
- Provided financial literacy, business, and entrepreneurship training to over 700 Community Saving and Loan Groups (CSLGs) with more than 10,000 members
- Supported the formation and registration of farmers groups
- Supported the training and establishment of small & medium enterprises
- Facilitated market linkages to in-community commodity aggregators and off-takers on village chicken value chain
- Linked smallholder crop producers to output markets and trade through aggregators for them to attract premium prices.
FIELD EXTENSION OFFICER
Netherlands Development Organization (SNV)
09.2017 - 12.2019
- Promoted the establishment of 100 plus demonstration plots across districts
- To enhanced the adoption of sustainable integrated land management practices among smallholder farmers/ or cooperatives
- Formed and trained over 200 women's groups in village savings and lending to improve their access to finance
- In collaboration with the Zambia Research Institute (ZARI), facilitated the establishment of fertilizer trials to develop blended fertilizers in the Eastern Province
- Identified, recruited, and organized farmers into producer groups and supported business linkages with microfinancial institutions for access to finance
- Resulting in having More than 300 farmers accessed loans to buy farming equipment's such as rippers
- Coached and mentored trained Agro dealers, the seed multipliers and tree nursery entrepreneurs as effective and efficient service providers to farmers.
DISTRICT MANAGER/ TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OFFICER
Agribusiness in sustainable Natural African Plant Product (ASNAPP)
03.2013 - 03.2016
- Facilitated the construction of greenhouses for seedlings which acted as an innovation center for farmers
- Facilitated the establishment & management of gardens demonstration plots under drip irrigation system, these were learning centers for farmers
- Trained farmers in Micro Entrepreneurship and Business development for improved livelihood and also Facilitated the development of bylaws for improved governance among farmers
- Worked closely with students and other experts in supporting the research and crop commercialization for African Indigenous Varieties for nutrition at household level through farm demonstrations, field experiments, nursery related and post-harvest activities.
FIELD OFFICER
Lutheran World Federation, Department for World Services (LWF-DWS)
06.2010 - 12.2012
- Mobilized and sensitized communities on project objectives using a community-based extension and rights-based approach
- Facilitated the selection of community volunteers' workers (Community Agriculture Extension Volunteers (CAEVs) and Community livestock Auxiliaries (CLAs) who will worked with the project and the community at large for increased activity coverage
- Facilitated the establishment of community group nurseries for propagation of afforestation tree species which helped in establishment of wood lots at farmers' field level
- Conducted community trainings on sustainable agriculture (Conservation Farming)
- Organized scheduled project reviews with the beneficiaries in own area of operation
- Facilitated the construction of goat structures / household for improved management of livestock.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FACILITATOR
Organic Producers & Processors Association of Zambia (OPPAZ)
12.2008 - 07.2009
- Facilitated certification and linkages of farmers for product markets such as honey, groundnuts, vegetables, and field crops
- Facilitated the formation of Cooperatives and associations in rural communities of Kaoma District.
Education
BACHELOR'S DEGREE - Agribusiness Management
Zambian Open University
Lusaka01.2020
DIPLOMA - Export Horticulture
Natural Resources Development College (NRDC)/Zambia Export Growers Association (ZEGA)
01.2007
Skills
- Community Mobilization & Socio-Economic Assessments
- Participatory Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation
- Workshop Organization & Facilitation
- Institutional Capacity Building in Rural Communities
- Team Building, Training, and Leadership
- Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Email
Languages
English
Nyanja
Chewa
Bemba
References
- Etah Manda, Regional Manager, DAI SUN-TA, 0966450792, 0977492860, 0955793334, emandamag@gmail.com
- Wamunyima Lifumbo, District Manager, DAISUNTA-Lusaka, 260975835182, lifumbowamunyima@gmail.com
- Dr. Natasha Mwila, Regional Directors, CABI International, +2600977721358, natasherm14@gmail.com
Timeline
DISTRICT TECHNICAL OFFICER- AGRICULTURE & LIVELIHOOD
DAI- Scaling up Nutrition -Technical Assistance (SUN-TA) program
07.2020 - 04.2024
FIELD EXTENSION OFFICER
Netherlands Development Organization (SNV)
09.2017 - 12.2019
DISTRICT MANAGER/ TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OFFICER
Agribusiness in sustainable Natural African Plant Product (ASNAPP)
03.2013 - 03.2016
FIELD OFFICER
Lutheran World Federation, Department for World Services (LWF-DWS)
06.2010 - 12.2012
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FACILITATOR
Organic Producers & Processors Association of Zambia (OPPAZ)
12.2008 - 07.2009
BACHELOR'S DEGREE - Agribusiness Management
Zambian Open University
DIPLOMA - Export Horticulture
Natural Resources Development College (NRDC)/Zambia Export Growers Association (ZEGA)
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