COLLINS ONYANGO ODONGO

• Founded in 2001, Atlantic Grown Organics is the largest certified organic farm located in Kensington, Prince Edward Island -Canada.

Key Responsibilities

• The role of a greenhouse manager is very diverse and involves many different things in managing the greenhouse and the people and plants within it. As a greenhouse Manager, I am responsible for:-
• Daily monitoring of plant health, balance, and environmental parameters using Argus, Let's Grow for different crops such as Organic Tomatoes(Beef, Romas, and Cherry), Organic Peppers, Organic Leafy Greens /Herbs, and Organic Cannabis.
• Integrated Pest Management using letsGrow.com to review trends of pests and diseases and make data-driven decisions.
• Crop planning and optimizing plant growth to maximize quality harvest
• Resource management to exceed company metrics.
• Labour Management using Ridder Productivity labor Management Software to draw incentives, review performance, and set KPIs to optimize labor resources.
• Landscape care and maintenance around the greenhouse and within farm residential areas

• Red Sea Farm is high technology Start-Up smart farm that develops world leading controlled environment agriculture technologies using saltwater to deliver best quality produce as well as consultancy in Gulf Countries
• Responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations of 6 Hectares greenhouse to ensure optimization of plant growth, production of high quality crop yield and maintaining overall efficiency of farm.

Key Responsibilities

• Crop Management:- Managed cultivation of cherry tomatoes,mini peppers, snack cucumbers as well as strawberries in hydroponic system
• Fertigation Management:- Scheduled irrigation to suit optimal crop growth for different crops in the greenhouse
• Climate Control Management:- Monitored and maintained optimal growing conditions including, temperature, humidity, PAR,RTR as well as radiation control for all crops in the greenhouse
• Pest and Disease Management:- Implemented Pest and Disease control strategies such as IPM and ICM to ensure plant health
• Team Leadership:- Led and supervised a team of growers, agronomists, technicians, and farm workers by providing daily guidance and training as needed. Scheduled and coordinated daily tasks and activities to maximize productivity. Integrated HRM software such as Zoho People to help manage and access all employee data from centralized distribution
• Resource Management:- Managed and allocated resources efficiently including water, fertilizers, and energy. Maintained inventory of necessary supplies and equipment; ordered as needed.
• Quality Control:- Implemented quality control measures to ensure end products meet or exceed market standards. In conjunction with post-harvest officers, we coordinated both internal and external inspections and audits and took corrective actions to address quality issues
• Data Analysis and Reporting:- Collected and analyzed data related to crops and new technologies (Proofs of concepts).Generated analytical reports to track the performance of new technologies to make data-driven decisions for improvement
• Compliance and Safety:- Ensured compliance with all relevant regulations and safety standards. Developed and implemented safety protocols for farm operations.
• Innovation and Research:- Implemented some new technologies such as Iyris Heatblocking greenhouse cover materials, new rootstock germplasm (Volcano) as well and greenhouse climate control software (https://www.coretex.ag/) to suit optimal crop development.
• Farm Budgeting and Accounts:- Implemented a strong farm budget to estimate costs, returns, and net profits of the farm. Integrated accounting software such as approvalMax and Xero to control approvals of accounts payable and accounts receivables.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Designing of Agriculture Systems: - Designing of Hydroponic systems, vertical farming systems, NFTs, Nutrigation/Fertigation systems as well as Greenhouse Cooling systems within budget
• Construction Oversight: - Supervised operations of both internal and external commercial greenhouse contractors and subcontractors for new and existing greenhouse projects
• Managed plant science research projects within budget and timescale, implementing improved rootstock development for optimised business profitability.
• Planned, controlled, evaluated and delivered 9 plant science project 80% of these new products are currently under patent review.
• Contributed to product strategy process of fresh produce business and launching of different products into Saudi Market.
• Procurement of Raw Materials: - Purchase of seeds, fertilizers and plant protection products, preparation of budgets, purchase requisition, obtaining quotations, selection of suppliers, issuance of purchase orders, payment of suppliers and maintaining cashbook
• Oversaw plant science research operations, including new technology development and construction operations, managing research budgets of up to 2 million USD annually.
• Drove consistent workflow optimisation, initiating regular training sessions for staff to ensure maximum productivity.
• Spearheaded transition to new technology that led to increased sales of heatblocking and Coretex by 15% in Q1 2023 equivalent to 1.5 million USD in tech sales

• Dal group is the largest and most diversified conglomerate in Sudan.The company operates across six sectors: food, agriculture, engineering, real estate, medical services and education
• Job Duties and Responsibilities:
• Provide leadership to the Company in areas of Greenhouse Crop Production and product quality
• Managing 50 acres (200,000 m2) under fully automated, hydroponics, commercial mid tech greenhouses with polyethylene Plastic Film and Evaporative Cooling System.
• Growing greenhouse tomatoes (beef and Cherry), capsicum,lettuce,cucumbers,Herbs, Spices and Strawberries
• Supervising 150 employees including greenhouse assistants in the greenhouse units assigned
• Planning, Organizing, Controlling and Leading the daily activities run by the subordinates and the agricultural workers within the farm and taking care of farm machinery
• Monitoring crop growth, crop protection, preparing nutrition and feeding the crops through fertigation units throughout the crop life cycle
• Ensuring product quality and specification, Production planning and Forecasting are followed
• Pest and Disease Management throughout the crop cycle
• Farm Budgeting for raw materials-seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and protective clothing for the workers.
• Monitored staff performance levels, implementing necessary changes to improve productivity and meet targets.
• Upheld health and safety standards, maintaining complete compliance with department procedures.
• Expertly led teams of 150 staff to successfully achieve productivity KPIs.
• Professionally handled difficult customer complaints and objections to maintain first-class customer service standards.
• Resolved employee relations issues and navigated disciplinary proceedings.
• Fostered positive employee relationships through communication, training and coaching.
• Maintained accurate employee records and updates on performance, absence and HR conversations.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Planning the production within the greenhouses assigned to ensure they are in different stages of the crop life cycle to suit market Demand and Supply
• Managed 5 acres(20,000 m2) under a fully automated, hydroponics, commercial high tech greenhouses with polyethylene Plastic Film
• Responsible for growing greenhouse tomatoes (beef and Cherry), capsicum, lettuce, cucumbers, Herbs, Spices and Strawberries
• Supervising 15 employees in the greenhouse units assigned
• Prepare trials of various crops from different breeders to test the possibility of commercializing them within the greenhouses
• Supervise crop protection product application within the greenhouses assigned and maintain safety assurance of the workers by providing appropriate training and personal protective equipment
• Controlling the greenhouse production in terms of quantifying the crop quality standards as per market requirements
• Pest and Disease monitoring within the greenhouses assigned
• Ensure Crop Hygiene and general crop maintenance practices on a routine basis.

• Executed Work plan from the senior Grower, reviewed and allocated work accordingly
• Grew different varieties of roses cut flowers and carnations for export to EU markets.
• Supervised and assessed team performance of 24 employees and report to the management from time to time
• Fostered teamwork and Discipline within the areas assigned
• Ensured the Section assigned is operating within the acceptable P&L limits
• Liaised with the HR personnel to coordinate administrative matters as per the law
• Enhanced preparation for all audits in liaison with the Senior Grower
• Inspected incoming materials to verify quality and quantity with order information.
• Oversaw inductions, training and probation procedures for new starters.
• Conducted workplace safety inspections whilst setting personal example for health and safety.

● Scouting for pests and diseases and enforcing IPM

● Crop Protection Product spray application-spot sprays and blanket spray

● Operated Central Spray Station on shifts

Mixing of fertilizers for stock tanks from time to time