Value Seeds Limited is an indigenous crop seed production solution and development Company incorporated in 2009.  The Company is engaged in seed research, multiplication, processing and distribution of hybrids and seeds of improved varieties. We are focused on increasing farmers’ yields, nutrition and livelihood.  Our products offerings are two-fold: field crops and vegetables with technology dissemination.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Rice Seed Breeder

Location: Kaduna

The Role

• The Rice Breeder, under immediate supervision of the General Manager / Business head.
• He / She will undertake activities related to the breeding pipelines development for Value Seed’s Rice Farm.

Key Deliverables

• Develop high yielding varieties corresponding to desired product profiles, in close collaboration with farm and mill teams, by combining good agronomic traits, desirable grain quality, and tolerance/resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses through conventional breeding approach.
• Plans and carries out breeding studies to develop and improve varieties of Rice: Improves specific characteristics, such as yield, quality, maturity, and resistance to drought, disease and insect pests in plants, utilizing principles of genetics and knowledge of plant growth.
• Produce pure parent line, breeder and foundation seed for multiplication.
• Breeds plants, using methods such as inbreeding, crossbreeding, backcrossing, outcrossing and selection.
• Select progeny having desired characteristics and continues breeding and selection process to reach desired objectives.
• Lead the testing of advanced breeding lines developed at inhouse Centre for various breeding product segments (Early duration, Mid duration, long grains, High amylose content, High yielding germplasm).
• Coordinate with external stakeholders (Private organization/Public institutes) for new germplasm introduction and breeding collaborations.
• Facilitate varietal release and adoption at farm and create demand for superior varieties.

Requirements

• PhD in Breeding, Genetics or other related fields with a minimum of 2-year experience in Rice breeding; or M.Sc in Breeding, Genetics or other related fields with a minimum of 5-year experience in Rice breeding in a reputed seed company or research institution.

Knowledge and Key Competencies:

• Highly self-motivated, detail-oriented, and innovative;
• Strong record of innovation and process improvement in breeding;
• Excellent knowledge of statistics in field experimental design and data analysis;
• Good project management, communication and interpersonal skills;
• Strong scientific writing skills.
• Ability to work in multicultural environments.

Application Closing Date
31st October, 2022.