STEVEN KABEYA EDSON
Arusha
Summary
Proactive and goal-oriented seed expert with a robust background in the seed industry, including breeding, seed production, product development, and sales. Demonstrated adaptability and mental flexibility enable rapid acquisition and application of new skills in dynamic environments, depending on the role. I am committed to leveraging strengths to drive team success and contribute to organizational growth. A track record of delivering results through innovative solutions and collaborative efforts underscores a dedication to excellence in the field. As a professional seed specialist, I hope Bayer will be the next chapter in my career and that I can join the team addressing global health and nutrition challenges.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Technical Sales Manager
Bakker Brothers Seed Company
Arusha, Tanzania
03.2024 - Current
A company's technical and sales representative for the Eastern African countries responsible for organizing, executing, and supervising early and pre-commercial trials, introducing new varieties, and promoting the existing commercial varieties in the market.
Supporting the Sales by supporting business partners and identifying business opportunities in the region.
A company's Technical expert on crops to give solicited and unsolicited advice to customers, farmers, and end users in the region
Evaluating and reporting on the outcome of trials after collection, analysis, and presentation of the data
Technical Area Manager- East Africa
Bakker Brothers Seed Company
Arusha, Tanzania
11.2022 - 02.2024
Working under the direction of the Product Development
Responsible for performing early and pre-commercial internal and external trials, and existing genetics in the East Africa region.
- A company's Technical expert on crops to give solicited and unsolicited advice to customers, farmers, and end users in East Africa.
- Conducting, supervising, and evaluating trials of new genetics and commercial varieties at trial stations and off-stations.
- Collecting market data and collaborating with stakeholders in the chain: Eyes and ears in the market.
- Supports the company with the collection of data from the trials and with data from the market.
Variety Selector[Breeding and Product Development]
Bakker Brothers Seed Company
Arusha, Tanzania
09.2021 - 10.2022
Selection of vegetable hybrid varieties and lines in Breeding and product development Trials through data collection and evaluation of varieties/lines' performance.
- Supporting the Product Development team in selecting hybrid varieties that fit and can compete in the Sub-Saharan Africa market to develop the company's portfolio
- Conducting a Farmers' Field Day and training farmers on the features, advantages, and benefits of good hybrid varieties.
- Supporting the breeders in selecting hybrid lines that fit and can compete in the Sub-Saharan Africa market
Field Technician Supervisor
Best Agricultural Practices Tanzania
Arusha, Tanzania
12.2020 - 08.2021
Managing Crops for Farmers' Field Days demos and Vegetable Seed Trials[Variety selection] under Station Managers' supervision
- Responsible for crop protection, crop nutrition, all cultural practices, and irrigation at the Station
- Facilitating Trainings and workshops of the Vegetable Seeds Hybridization Project in Tanzania[Funded by Bakker Brothers Seeds Company]
- Training Farmers: Features of a good hybrid seed [varieties selection ] depending on their localities
- Implementing and advising overall Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) to farmers, by visiting their fields and making phone calls.
Seed Production Trainee
Rijk Zwaan Qsem Tanzania
Arusha, Tanzania
07.2019 - 10.2020
As a student from Sokoine University of Agriculture, I was trained in seed production for different vegetable crops at Rijk Zwaan Qsem under the GSPP.
Learnt basic skills on the on-farm seed production, including crop management and pollination processes, and seed extraction
Education
Bachelor of Science - Horticultural Science
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Morogoro, Tanzania12-2020
Science- PCB
Moshi Technical Secondary School
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania05-2017
Secondary Education - Science Education
Itaga Seminary
Tabora, Tanzania11-2014
Skills
- Crop production
- Product development
- Sales and marketing
- Seed production, extraction and storage
- Breeding Support
- The intense concentration and prioritization of tasks
- Proficient user of some Microsoft Office packages, Mercado data collection software, and Power BI data analysis software
Interests
Learning from others and teaching others, knowledge transfer, and people engagement, Sports (football), Innovation, Pianist/ Organist
3. LANGUAGE SKILLS
English language: Reading, writing, and speaking
Swahili language: Reading, writing, and speaking
Timeline
Technical Sales Manager
Bakker Brothers Seed Company
03.2024 - Current
Technical Area Manager- East Africa
Bakker Brothers Seed Company
11.2022 - 02.2024
Variety Selector[Breeding and Product Development]
Bakker Brothers Seed Company
09.2021 - 10.2022
Field Technician Supervisor
Best Agricultural Practices Tanzania
12.2020 - 08.2021
Seed Production Trainee
Rijk Zwaan Qsem Tanzania
07.2019 - 10.2020
Bachelor of Science - Horticultural Science
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Science- PCB
Moshi Technical Secondary School
Secondary Education - Science Education
Itaga Seminary
4. CARRIER, TRAININGS, AND WORKSHOPS
- March 2024- Present: Technical Sales Manager- Eastern African countries, Bakker Brothers Seed Company
- October 2021- February 2024: Technical Area Manager- Eastern African countries, Bakker Brothers Seed Company
- December 2020- October 2021: Variety Selector- Vegetable seeds selection and production, Bakker Brothers Seed Company- Arusha Station
- 2020: The Second Field Practical Training (FPT II), Rijk Zwaan Q-Sem Limited Company
- 2020: A workshop on fertilizers and fertilizer materials, Tanzania Fertilizer Regulatory Authority (TFRA)
- 2019: The First Field Practical Training (FPT 1), Rijk Zwaan Q-Sem Limited Company
- 2019: Training on agricultural seed standards regulation and control, Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI)
- 2019: The Sixth Participatory Research Workshop Design (WPRD), in collaboration with the farmers, Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT)
6. Role of My Current Job -Technical Sales Manager, East Africa [Bakker Brothers]
As the Technical Sales Manager for Eastern Africa at Bakker Brothers, I oversee technical aspects, serving as a product development specialist and technical advisor to our business partners and farmers.
As part of the sales team, I also support sales across the region in collaboration with the commercial team.
I focus on planning and executing trials, then evaluating, collecting, and analyzing data on the performance of vegetable seed varieties across different locations and seasons in East Africa, and finally introducing competitive varieties that fit the market.
Keeping an eye on the market at both parties, the farming level, and market dynamics from the seed dealers to the fresh produce end user and stakeholders involved in the chain. Delivering technical expertise on varieties, knowledge, and farming techniques to our valued customers, farmers, and end users has been a core part of my work.
I also collaborate with stakeholders to identify commercial opportunities and strengthen our market presence in the region.
7. LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
- 2015-2016: Head of the Prefects (President) - Moshi Technical Secondary School
- 2013-2014: Chief Sacred Music - Itaga Junior Seminary
- 2009-2010: Head Of the Prefects - Igurubi Primary School