Experience

Kilombero Sugar Company Limited

• Tanzania
• Food and Beverage Manufacturing
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Grower Agriculture Head

  • May 2022 - Present



Transmara Sugar Company Limited

• • Feb 2019 - May 2022

• • Feb 2016 - Feb 2019

  • Established Agronomy Department to support Variety trials and improved sugar husbandry standard• Established Regional Management Units to better serve farming community• Development target of 4500 ha of cane per year – 4,500 ha established in 2017 and 4,600 ha in 2018• Implementation of transport system change and transit stations• Established GIS Management unit including Digitized Mapping and Integration of data to information management system• Cultural sensitivity analysis for integrated planning and execution integration• Soil Classification and Yield Analysis Potential Mapping conducted to inform development potential and planning towards sustainable production – Linked to GIS interface and Information management system to support Best Management Practices of Outgrower Community Show less



Mark Chennells (Pty) Ltd

• Zululand, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa

• General Manager

  • Jan 2012 - Jan 2016

  Overall Group Management • 3200 ha of cane of which 1600 ha under drip, dragline and centre-pivot irrigation. • 4400 ha of timber plantations • 200 ha Macadamia Orchards • 4000 ha Game Ranching Budgets preparation, implementation of irrigation infrastructure upgrades, Macadamia expansion and general management and fiscal disciplines. Overall Group Management • 3200 ha of cane of which 1600 ha under drip, dragline and centre-pivot irrigation. • 4400 ha of timber plantations • 200 ha Macadamia Orchards • 4000 ha Game Ranching Budgets preparation, implementation of irrigation infrastructure upgrades, Macadamia expansion and general management and fiscal disciplines.



Solid Ground

• Kloof, Durban,South Africa

• Independent Consultant

  • Mar 2011 - Dec 2011

  Consulted in private capacity which included following:. Illovo Sugar SA - South Coast Rural Sugarcane Development Initiative - Drew up Evaluation, Business Plan and Applications for Grants for the establishment of 3000 ha of sugarcane including assessment of bioresource unit potential and Community structuring. AFGRI - Appointed as director on Land Reform JV, Facilitated DFA Application for Property Development. Consulted in private capacity which included following:. Illovo Sugar SA - South Coast Rural Sugarcane Development Initiative - Drew up Evaluation, Business Plan and Applications for Grants for the establishment of 3000 ha of sugarcane including assessment of bioresource unit potential and Community structuring. AFGRI - Appointed as director on Land Reform JV, Facilitated DFA Application for Property Development.



Crystal Holdings (Pty) Ltd

• • Jan 2008 - Feb 2011

  Own operations included 2880 hectares under sugarcane and 400 hectares of timber. Land reform Joint Venture of 16,000 ha on the KwaZulu Natal escarpment which included 2233 ha of sugarcane and 3600 ha of timber Re-structured management and staff (680 Employees) at all levels to improve accountability and productivity. Revised agronomic, harvesting and administrative processes. Directed and monitored all aspects of businesses on daily basis. Negotiated sale of shares of Crystal Holdings to a listed company. Show less

• • Jan 2003 - Dec 2007

  Community Engagement and Joint Ventures Managed two Land Claim Joint Venture initiatives with Claimant Communities Facilitated negotiation with Community Trusts from primary engagement to conclusion of Joint Venture agreements. Included legal team and community facilitation. Facilitated all dialogue with the business partners and employees in transition. This included negotiation of working capital against commodities as collateral and off-take agreements for timber and sugar commodities.Crop Production and Cost Savings  Structured capital equipment requirements to maximize efficiencies and economies of scale. Consolidated land reform farms covering an area of 16 000 ha, including 2233 ha of sugarcane and 3600 ha of timber plantations, predominantly wattle. Secured permit to construct a Section 9b irrigation dam, licensed under the new Water Act. The surface area is 86ha and it stores 6 million m3 of water. Managed the entire dam construction project from inception to completion in 2004. Project Managed the installation of irrigation infrastructure including 8 pump stations, pipelines and 16 centre-pivots covering a total area of 693 ha. Generated Operational Budgets to monitor expenditure. Show less