Liberia: Agronomist

Jun 4, 2016 | ArcelorMIttal
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ArcelorMittal Liberia’s (AML) and IDH’s cooperation in the Biodiversity Conservation Programme (BCP), as part of the IDH Liberia Smallholder Production and Forest Protection program, is focused on the terrestrial biological environment (soils, plants and animals) but addresses them through measures that are technical or socio-economic according to the needs perceived by the stakeholders involved. The Programme recognises the growing population pressure in northern Nimba, plus a number of damaging land management practices, which mean that the Nimba forests are in decline. There are consequently two main thrusts to the programme, focused respectively on community and conservation, working with the one to achieve the other.  

The vision of the programme is the establishment of a Nimba Mountains Planning Area, which should allow multiple land uses to co-exist in appropriate designated zones, and promote development based on the maintenance of a biodiverse, healthy environment. The programme is working over a much larger area of land than AML is affecting with mining, and is not just aiming to compensate for the impacts of AML’s operation but to address the ongoing anthropogenic pressures on Nimba’s forests caused by a growing population, destructive land practices and unsustainable resource use.   

One of the main threats to Nimba’s forests is shifting cultivation due to an increasing population. Therefore the programme aims to enhance the traditional extensive system of shifting cultivation through the introduction of low technology improvements. These will ensure food security through an initial focus on food crops, but will also promote stabilisation of farming through greater use of tree crops in agroforestry systems. Long term improvements in livelihoods will be developed including tree crop and livestock production, better marketing and alternative enterprises.  

Data from ArcelorMittal’s Phase 1 ESIA found that households in the Company’s area of operations in Nimba farm a mixture of tree crops, subsistence and cash annual and biennial crops. Some households only grow cash crops, whereas others undertake a mixture of cash crops and subsistence farming (URS Scott Wilson, 2010). Some households sell surpluses, but many cannot grow sufficient crops to feed their families for the year and have to support their households with other income (URS Scott Wilson, 2010). There is a paucity of livelihood options available in the surrounding communities, especially in rural towns where sales of agricultural production are the most common sources of income and where opportunities for formal and informal employment are few (URS Scott Wilson, 2010). Incomes from agricultural production are, on average, lower than agricultural wage labour or small business activities, and in turn these are lower than for formal employment (URS Scott Wilson, 2010). There have been a small number of development projects and implementations in Nimba over the years such as community rice projects, tree crops, rice-fish pond farms, vegetable production, cassava mill provision, poultry raising etc. However, the majority of projects have discontinued and agricultural and non-agricultural income-generating opportunities remain limited.  

The program aims to implement a number of projects with a view to reducing people's dependence on forest resources by encouraging stabilisation of farming through improving agricultural techniques and production, and livelihood diversification. The main agriculture and livelihoods strategy of the program is to reduce deforestation by encouraging stabilisation of shifting agriculture through sustainable agricultural practices, and increasing and broadening income and livelihoods assets for households in target communities. To date, project activities have focused on intensification of lowland rice and vegetable production, conservation agriculture, crop diversification and microfinance.  

AML and IDH are now seeking an agronomist to develop and oversee implementation of the BCP agricultural and livelihoods strategy, and work with implementing partners to deliver sustainable agricultural productivity, enhanced income and livelihoods initiatives, and improved access to markets for small holder farmers.  

Role and responsibilities: 

  • Review agricultural and livelihood recommendations made to the BCP to date and design interventions to implement activities based on those recommendations.
  • Provide technical advice and guidance to farmers and implementing partners (IPs) to increase food security, self reliance and household income through sustainable practices building on existing farmer knowledge and practices.
  • Supervise and participate in the promotion of sustainable agricultural growth and enterprise in project communities.
  • Work with IPs and the IDH Farmer Field School expert to improve implementation of farmer field schools, building on existing work to date.
  • Work with IPs to identify needs of farmers with regard to research, development and technology transfer.
  • Assist IPs to design and implement effective agricultural extension services.
  • Develop and guide the implementation of pilot production-protection agreements with farmers to encourage sustainable farming and minimise shifting cultivation.
  • Investigate options to broaden smallholder livelihood options and assets whilst promoting sustainable use of land resources, for example through integrated rice-fish pond farming, tree crops, livestock production, processing, improved access to market etc. 
  • Oversee experimental design, data collection and analysis at farmer field schools and on-farm trials with regard to improved crop production and management.
  • Build the capacity of implementing partners and farmers through trainings, workshops, exchange visits, technical supervision and field experiments.
  • Monitor and assist IPs to develop workplans and activities.
  • Undertake all necessary project administration, including contract management of IPs, data analysis and research for development.
  • Take responsibility for the quality of the project delivery through regular monitoring and supervision of the project sites.
  • Ensure projects are implemented following free prior informed consent (FPIC) principles and with adequate consideration to gender equality and the needs of marginalised groups.
  • Provide technical input about smallholder needs and resources of the area to assist with the development of a broad strategy for participatory land use planning in northern Nimba.
  • Review AML’s best practice guidelines for agricultural projects regarding the use of chemicals and general farming practices, and develop new guidelines where necessary.
  • Provide general guidance to AML’s Resettlement Programme to ensure consistency between BCP and resettlement agricultural initiatives.  

Skills and experience: 

  • A degree in agriculture, agronomy or a closely related discipline.
  • Minimum 5 years of field experience in an agronomy-based role in the humid tropics in Sub-Saharan Africa (preferably Liberia or other West African countries).
  • Proven experience working with local communities, implementing programmes such as farmer field schools and agricultural extension services.
  • Extensive knowledge and understanding of smallholder agricultural production and value chains for a variety of crops including lowland rice, cash crops (e.g. pepper, okra, sugar cane, cassava, bitterball etc) and tree crops (e.g. cocoa, rubber, oil palm, plantain).
  • Demonstrable skills in integrated pest management and understanding of pesticide and herbicide techniques appropriate to the humid tropics.
  • Knowledge of conservation agriculture, ‘climate smart’ agriculture and agroforestry.
  • The ability to work and communicate effectively in a multinational environment with a variety of stakeholders (e.g. communities, NGOs, government etc.).
  • Able to work in challenging conditions with limited resources.