Q. Briefly discuss Margaret Njambi (Personal background and professional background to your current position as Technical Manager East Africa, Lawn and Garden at Syngenta East Africa Ltd.)
A. My love for flowers started as long as I can remember. I used to be known as the home gardener. I could collect flowers from neighbor’s gardens, with permission of course and I eventually established a flower garden at our home. After high school, the computer bug caught up with me, and just like every other teenager there was a shift of interest , my plan was to study computer science or information science little did I know that destiny would have its way and I would find myself in a Horticulture class.
I was disappointed and so I tried to change my course to a BSc (Education) course which I did not succeed. After two weeks of attending lectures I met a lady who had worked with the ministry of Agriculture and articulated to me some of the opportunities in Agriculture, I warmed up to the course and by my 2nd year I had already developed a passion for the course especially floriculture units. I went for attachment in a flower farm, in my final year my project was on vase life of Carnations and that’s how I started my career in flowers and it has been quite a journey.
In December 2008 after graduating from University I started my career in the flower industry, where I worked for 2 years growing roses and as a research in one of the leading farms. In December 2010 I joined Syngenta East Africa Limited as a technical representative. About a year later I took up the technical manager role, Lawn and Garden. I have been in the role for about 2 years now.
From a professional perspective I am a holder of a BSc. in Horticulture; in addition to that am BASIS qualified and currently pursuing MSc in Crop Protection. I am also a trained lead auditor (ISO 14001: 2004 IRCA) in Environmental Management Systems.
Q. How would you describe your time as the Technical Manager East Africa, Lawn and Garden at Syngenta East Africa Ltd? Are you passionate about what you do?
A. It has been an exciting and a learning experience at the same time. The flower sector is very dynamic with all this certification issues and other emerging challenges, there is always something new to learn. I have come to appreciate each challenge I encounter as an opportunity to grow. I am passionate about what I do since it has an element of research which is what I like most about the job.
Q. Briefly discuss your role at Syngenta and your day to day interaction with growers? What are your top priorities in your current position?
A. My role entails sales support projects to implement the portfolio strategy of the Syngenta ornamental products. I coordinate technical evaluation and positioning of our products; basically working with accredited researchers to ensure registration of new products and later conduct pre commercial trials with growers before the official launch of our solutions. I also work with organisations and the in-market key-influencers, channel partners, researchers and growers to ensure that they get adequate technical support from Syngenta. My top priorities are product development, sales support work; including trainings all which are focussed on working closely with growers especially on emerging challenges in terms of pests and diseases.
Q. In a nutshell describe Syngenta East Africa ltd products portfolio for the flowers sector and how you have ensured they are not only quality but also well used?
A. Our ornamental portfolio consists of 21 products. We have 11 fungicides, 6 insecticides, 3 miticides, a nematicide and a biostimulant – the newest in the portfolio. The brands are as follows;
Fungicides: Chorus®, Daconil®, Folio Gold®, Ortiva®, Ortiva Top®,Revus®,Ridomil Gold®, Score®, Switch®, Thiovit Jet®, Tecto®, Insecticides: Actara®, Chess®, Karate Zeon®, Match®, Pegasus® Trigard®,
Miticides: Avid®, Dynamec®, Pegasus®
Bistimulant: Hicure®
Nematicide: Nemathorin EC
Our portfolio takes care of the common challenges in the sector namely: Botrytis, Black spots, Downey Mildew, Powdery Mildew, Rust, Aphids, Caterpillars, Leafminers, Mealybugs, Mites, Nematodes, Thrips, Whiteflies. Other than pest & disease control, some of our crop solutions have crop enhancement benefits.
On quality Syngenta maintains robust quality assurance processes which ensure that Syngenta continues to deliver high-quality solutions. On Usage we do product stewardship by offering relevant trainings on Safe Use of Pesticides, Spray application techniques and Good Agricultural Practices trainings including Resistance Management.
Q. For the last few months we have seen a more aggressive Syngenta E A Ltd presence in the flower sector, especially working with the growers, what can you attribute this to?
A. It has to do with the Syngenta strategy; which calls for us to think like a grower and understand that he thinks about his land and his crop in a holistic integrated way. This is a cross the whole decision making process for the farmer; specifically before, on the farm and after the farm. Our objective is to bring more innovative integrated crop solutions that address the farmer’s needs.
Q. What can you promise the flower sector in the next few months?
A.The sector to expect more of Syngenta involvement in the industry as we continue to come up with innovative solutions to tackle the emerging challenges of Pests & Diseases and to partner more with growers so that our cut flowers remain competitive at the global level.
Q. What’s the biggest challenge YOU feel faces the flower sector crop protection departments, and what you are doing to help them
A. There are a number of pests and Disease challenges not just one; first we have seen an upsurge of Thrips, Whiteflies & Mealybugs. On disease powdery mildew is a year round disease hence requires proper management. We have a spray program for each of the four challenges and more solutions are being developed. But I must say that agrobacteria is also big challenge to the grower; and by introducing Hicure® which is bio stimulant working as an antistressor, we believe that it will go a long way to enable the plant overcome the stressful conditions and hence realize the potential of the plant.
Q. What is your personal work ethic, and how does this affect the company culture?
A. My values as a person have a greater influence on how I work. I believe in accountability and cohesiveness in a team. Syngenta is a strong brand and I am an ambassador of the brand. Everything I do should work towards building that brand. Am responsible of how I work both inside and outside the organization.
Q. What are the 3 most pivotal moments in your career that you either learned from and/or that got you where you are?
A. I. Starting in the floriculture Industry – this gave me a good background of not only the crops agronomy but a better understanding of the flower sector II. The Syngenta Team – I have learnt a lot from each individual I worked closely with. III. Coach / Mentors – I have a number of people I look up to. Having these individuals has helped me to see the bigger picture and they have helped me to have a different view of the various challenges I do face in my day to day work.
Q. Describe your ordinary day? Do you still have enough personal time?
A. For the days am in the office I start at 6; 30 am, I respond to emails, work on my weekly reports, prepare training materials in case there is an upcoming training, plan for my appointments for the week and prepare or attend any planned meetings. When am in the field, I start early depending on the distance I travel for my appointments. But basically my appointments start between 8 – 9 am depending on the flexibility of the researchers and the growers I plan to see. I work five days a week and yes I still have enough personal time to go to school, teach Sunday school in my church and read one or two good books per month.
