Upland Rice Farming Consultant (Relocate to Africa)

We are seeking an experienced Consultant – Upland Rice Farming to support the planning, establishment, and optimization of upland rice cultivation in arid to desert-like conditions with low-fertility soils and minimal rainfall. The role will focus on developing a practical, profitable upland rice production system using supported irrigation (non-flooded) and regenerative soil improvement practices.

The consultant will provide technical and strategic guidance on:

• Suitable upland rice varieties for dryland conditions
• Efficient irrigation systems and scheduling for water-scarce regions
• Fertility management for sandy and nutrient-poor soils
• Weed control and crop management under non-flooded conditions
• Yield optimization and farm profitability

Success in this role will be measured by the development of a clear, field-ready upland rice production model that is technically sound, water-efficient, and commercially viable under challenging environmental conditions. The consultant will play a key role in helping the company diversify cropping systems and improve food crop production alongside its regenerative agriculture strategy.

Responsibilities and Duties

Upland Rice Strategy & Technical Advisory

• Provide expert guidance on the design and implementation of upland rice farming systems in arid and low-rainfall regions.

• Develop a complete cultivation roadmap from land preparation to harvest, tailored to non-flooded rice production.

• Recommend practical approaches to establish upland rice on sandy, low-organic matter soils.

Rice Variety Selection & Seed Recommendations

Identify and recommend upland rice varieties suitable for:

• Arid/desert-like environments
• Low-fertility soils
• Low and irregular rainfall
• Irrigated but non-flooded conditions

Advise on varietal traits required for success, such as:

• Drought tolerance
• Heat tolerance
• Early maturity
• Weed competitiveness
• Yield stability under stress
• Recommend seed sourcing strategies and seed quality standards.

Irrigation System Design & Water Management

Assess and recommend the most suitable irrigation systems for upland rice in water-limited conditions and advise on:

• Which irrigation type to use under different field conditions
• Irrigation frequency and scheduling
• Water-saving strategies
• Soil moisture monitoring methods

Develop guidelines for efficient water use to maximize yield per unit of water.

Soil Fertility & Fertilizer Advisory

• Assess soil fertility constraints and provide recommendations for improving nutrient availability and crop performance.
• Develop fertilizer programs for upland rice in poor soils, including: Basal and top-dress nutrient plans, Organic and inorganic fertilizer integration, Timing and method of fertilizer application.
• Recommend use of soil amendments (where appropriate) such as: Compost, Biochar, Mulch and other Organic matter incorporation
• Advise on nutrient management to improve yield while controlling production costs.

Weed Management & Crop Protection

Develop practical weed control strategies for non-flooded upland rice systems, including:

• Pre-plant and post-emergence weed management
• Mechanical and manual control methods
• Herbicide recommendations (if required)
• Cover crop and mulching approaches to suppress weeds

Advise on basic pest and disease prevention measures relevant to upland rice under dryland conditions.

Yield Optimization & Agronomic Performance

• Recommend agronomic practices to improve crop establishment, tillering, grain filling, and harvest outcomes.

• Advise on:

• Planting density and spacing
• Sowing methods (direct seeding vs nursery transplant where relevant)
• Planting windows and crop calendars
• Harvest timing and post-harvest handling
• Set realistic yield targets based on soil, water, and climate conditions.

Profitability & Business Planning

Provide guidance on how to make upland rice farming commercially profitable, including:

• Cost of production analysis
• Input optimization
• Yield-to-profit scenarios
• Break-even and margin estimates
• Market positioning and pricing strategy
• Recommend models for scaling from pilot plots to larger commercial production.

Field Support, Training & SOP Development

Support field teams in implementing recommended practices through demonstrations and technical training.

Develop simple and practical SOPs for:

• Variety selection
• Irrigation management
• Fertilizer application
• Weed control
• Harvest and yield tracking

Monitor pilot implementation and refine recommendations based on field performance.

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Plant Science, Soil Science, Irrigation Engineering, or a related agricultural field.

• Additional certifications or specialized training in rice agronomy, dryland farming, or irrigation systems are an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum 8–12 years of hands-on experience in rice cultivation, with proven expertise in upland rice farming.

• Demonstrated experience growing rice in: Arid or semi-arid conditions, low-fertility soils and low-rainfall environments with supplemental irrigation

• Experience in designing and managing non-flooded rice systems is essential.

• Experience advising on commercial farm profitability and scaling is highly preferred.

Skills

Strong practical knowledge of:

• Upland rice varieties and varietal performance
• Irrigation systems for dryland rice (drip, sprinkler,Centre pivot, etc.)
• Fertility management in poor soils
• Weed control in non-flooded rice systems
• Yield improvement and farm economics
• Ability to develop clear, field-ready recommendations and implementation plans.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on practical outcomes.
• Excellent communication and training skills for field teams and management.
• Proficiency in English

Knowledge

• In-depth understanding of agronomic requirements for upland rice under water-limited conditions.

• Knowledge of crop-water relations and irrigation scheduling for maximizing water productivity.

• Familiarity with integrated nutrient management and regenerative approaches for low-organic soils.

• Understanding of market factors and cost structures affecting rice farm profitability.

Others

• Experience working in Africa, the Sahel, or other dry tropical regions is highly desirable.

• Ability to conduct on-site visits and support implementation in remote farm locations.

• Experience with trial design and field validation of agronomic recommendations is preferred.

• Strong commitment to sustainable agriculture and practical, farmer-oriented solutions.

• Availability for periodic consulting visits and remote technical support throughout the crop cycle.