Researcher - Mung Bean
Company Overview
Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact - the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with foundations, investors, governments, corporations, communities and civil society to formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits.
For the past 50 years, we have been making Positive Impact possible. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of more than 35,000 technical experts, Palladium has improved - and is committed to continuing to improve - economies, societies and most importantly, people's lives.
Palladium is a child-safe organisation, and screens applicants for suitability to work with children. We also provide equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status.
Project Overview and Role
AIP-Rural is a program with 4 projects: PRISMA (agricultural development), TIRTA (irrigation), SAFIRA (value chain finance) and ARISA (applied agriculture research). It follows a Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P) approach and will contribute to a 30%, or more, increase in net incomes for 300,000 smallholder farming households by December 2018. It works in a range of sub-sectors in collaboration with farmers, businesses, government and civil society partners to increase the competitiveness of farm businesses through (i) increased productivity; (ii) improved business practices; (iii) a growing share of an expanding market; and (iv) the continuous adoption of innovations. The project works in five (5) provinces in Eastern Indonesia: East Java, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, West Papua and Papua.
Pulse crops such as mung bean and soy bean is popular among farmers due to its high tolerance of drought and short harvest period. In addition to that, due to its high nitrogen content, including these crops in crop rotation can increase soil fertility and is essential for pest and disease management. Not with standing these benefits, there has not been any proper quantification on how much the productivity of the subsequent crop will increase when crop rotation with the pulse crops takes place. Therefore, a proper study can assist PRISMA to promote the benefits of cultivating pulse crops to farmers.
Responsibilities
The objective of this consultancy is to assess the productivity of crops (mainly paddy and maize) after mung bean or soy bean is planted on the same land. The consultant will conduct a secondary research, and if necessary, move to the second stage, which is a short field research (e.g. interview and observation) to a sample of farmers to obtain some primary data.
In close collaboration with Mung Bean Task Leader, the Researcher is expected to perform these tasks:
Conduct a secondary research on the impacts of cultivating mung bean and soy bean to soil quality
- Synthesize existing research and publications on the role of involving mung bean and soy bean in crop sequencing on soil fertility, crop productivity, and nutritional security, particularly on previously mono-cropped areas.
- Determine the possible gaps in the existing research, which if necessary, would be complemented by a short field research.In a case where secondary research do not fulfil the objective of this assignment, the consultant should proceed to perform the following task:
- Assess the effects of mung bean and soy bean crop rotation on soil health and fertility for farmers, for instance, by taking soil samples.
- Evaluate the productivity of subsequent crops after mung bean and soy bean crop sequence, and if possible compare with a control group.
- Minimum a bachelor degree in Agricultural Science or related discipline (Master's Degree is an advantage)
- At least 10 years of experience in agriculture-related technical research;
- Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal,
- Reporting skills and skills in the liaising with multi stakeholders
Application
Read the full details and how to apply here: Palladium- Researcher - Mung Bean
Application close on 19 June 2018.
Indonesian nationals and female candidates are encouraged to apply
