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Willie Masimbiti
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National Livestock Specialist
, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
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Harare,
Zimbabwe
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A meticulous Agricultural Professional possessing +27 years post qualification experience in the agricultural sector with extensive knowledge of the Zimbabwean agricultural, social, political and economic environments. Adept in the production of a diverse range of livestock species ranging from fish to cattle. Accomplished as an agricultural extensionist, livestock nutritionist/Technical Adviser. |
 Contact Willie Masimbiti
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Area of Expertise: |
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Agriculture, Livelihoods, Microfinance, Rural
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Professional Experience: |
November 2018 to Present: National Livestock Specialist Food and Agriculture Organization (UN) responsible for providing technical support to implementing partners within the Livelihoods and Food Security Program (LFSP) where FAO is the programme manager.
June 2017 to October 2018: Agricultural consultant and commercial farming (maize tobacco and horticulture)
April 2016 to May 2017: Senior Business Adviser at TechnoServe responsible for developing innovative smallholder agricultural marketing models under the Palladium managed Market Development component of the DFID funded Livelihoods and Food Security Programme in Manicaland.
February 2015 to September 2015
Soy market Facilitator at TechnoServe on the DAI funded regional (Zimbabwe , Zambia and Tanzania) soy trade program marketing whose overall goal was to facilitate trading of soybean between the three countries.
Jan 2013 to Jan 2015
Commercial farming (maize soyabean tobacco potatoes and onions) and part time agricultural consultancy to farmers NGos and businesses.
September 2011 to December 2012
Programme director at TechnoServe on the Poultry and Feed Grain Program whose main objective was to develop and promote smallholder outgrower programs in the broiler and soyabean value chains by running pilot programs for thes 2 value chains.
February 2008 to August 2011 : Blue Ribbon Foods
General Manager for the stockfeeds unit with overall responsibility for production, product development and marketing of the full range of broiler, layer and pig feeds.
Jan 2005 to January 2008: Blue Ribbon Foods
Stockfeeds technical adviser with the specific mandate of setting up a functional stockfeeds business unit from scratch. This involved factory design, sourcing of appropriate production equipment, sourcing key raw materials at competitive prices establishing a quality control lab,feed formulation and registration with relevant authorities, feed production as well as the design of brochures and feeding guides. In addition I also provided techcnical support to customers as well as played a lead role in product marketing and manged a team of 45 staff members.
August 2003 to December 2004 : Minsistry Of Agriculuture Zimbabwe (Department of Livestock production and Development)
Chief Provincial Livestock Specialist within the Department of Livestock Production and Development with a specific mandate to establish a functional livestock extension department in Mashonaland Central. Roles included staff recruitment and trainig, ensuring provison of livestock extension support to farmers within the province as well as coordinating and reporting on all livestock related activities in the province.
Jan 1993 to July 2003
Joined the department of Technical and Extension services (AGRITEX) as a livestock specialist. Role was to provide technical and extension support to field staff on all aspects of livestock production for the major livestock value chains found in the Manicaland region. Key value chains in Manicaland were Dairy farming, beef production, Aquaculture, piggery , Poultry (broilers and layers) and fish farming
I started as livestock specialist and was promoted to Senior Livestock Specialist then Principal Livestock Extension Specialist before leaving Agritex on promotion to the role of Chief Provincial Livestock Specialist in the newly formed Department of Livestock Production and Development.
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Education: |
1999 -2001: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
MSc in Tropical Livestock Systems
Thesis title: Utilization of urea treated maize stover in rations for dairy cows in Zimbabwe.
1990 -1992: University of Zimbabwe BSc Agriculture (Hons) (Animal Science)
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Affiliations and Achievements: |
I have experience in forage production, commercial soya , tobacco and maize farming. I have also produced horticultural crops ( onion, potatoes, garlic and fine beans on a commercial scale.
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