Agronomy/Horticulture Graduate Intern

• PositionAgronomy/Horticulture Graduate Intern
• OrganisationTechnoServe
• LocationKabale, supporting Kigezi Region, Uganda
• Job TypeFull-Time Internship (4 months)
• CategoryAgriculture Jobs in Uganda
• Reports ToHorticulture Production Manager
• RequisitionAGRON005544
• DeadlineTuesday, 6 October 2026

TechnoServe is an international nonprofit organisation founded in 1968 by American businessman Ed Bullard, dedicated to developing business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital, and markets. Rated the number one nonprofit for reducing poverty by ImpactMatters (now part of Charity Navigator), TechnoServe operates in over 29 countries across Africa, Latin America, and Asia, employing approximately 2,600 staff, with over 90% from the countries where they work. The organisation generates approximately $95.6 million in annual revenue and has helped transform the lives of 3.1 million people in 2024 alone.

TechnoServe has been working in Uganda since 1972, partnering with farmers, cooperatives, suppliers, and processors to develop competitive industries around key agricultural markets including dairy, coffee, horticulture, and staples. The Uganda office is led by Country Director Juliet Kyokunda and is based at Plot 1, Ntinda II Road, Kampala. TechnoServe’s Uganda portfolio includes programmes such as the Producer Organizations Activity (with USAID), STRYDE youth entrepreneurship, Project Nurture (with Coca-Cola and the Gates Foundation), and the GROWTH horticulture project. The organisation takes a regenerative approach, with a goal that by 2030, at least 80% of all projects will have regenerative targets built into their implementation.

The Agronomy/Horticulture Graduate Intern will support the GROWTH Programme’s horticulture production activities in the Kigezi and Rwampara regions of south-western Uganda. GROWTH (Growing Resilience and Opportunities for Wealth Through Horticulture) is a five-year project implemented by TechnoServe in collaboration with consortium partners Agriterra and Wageningen University and Research, supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN). The initiative fosters a market-oriented, resilient, and inclusive horticultural ecosystem targeting approximately 100,000 smallholder farmers.

This is a temporary field-support and learning position designed for recent graduates. Under the supervision of the Horticulture Production Manager and in coordination with the Associate Agronomy Advisor, the intern will provide hands-on support to demonstration sites, farmer training, crop monitoring, nursery activities, and data collection. The role does not carry independent responsibility for programme coordination, partner management, or technical supervision. Frequent field travel within Kabale, Rubanda, Rukiga, and Rwampara districts is required, and candidates must hold a valid motorcycle riding permit.

• Support establishment, monitoring, and documentation of horticulture demonstration plots and farmer learning sites.
• Support nursery establishment and routine nursery management activities.
• Support farmer training and practical field demonstrations on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA), crop production, safe use of agro-chemicals, post-harvest handling, and produce quality.
• Support routine crop monitoring, pest and disease identification, and basic technical follow-up under supervision.
• Support field visits to farmers, demonstration sites, and farmer groups in Kigezi and Rwampara.
• Support mobilisation of farmers for trainings, demonstrations, field days, and other learning activities.
• Collect field data, photographs, and activity evidence using digital data collection tools.
• Support monitoring of farmer adoption of promoted practices and technologies.
• Support preparation of simple field updates, activity reports, and documentation of lessons and success stories.
• Support coordination of agronomy activities with the Associate Agronomy Advisor and other GROWTH team members.
• Undertake other field-support responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Agriculture (Crop Science), Agronomy, or a related field from a recognised institution.

Experience

• Must have graduated within the last 3 years.
• Previous internship, field attachment, or practical experience in horticulture or agronomy is an advantage.
• Practical exposure to demonstration plots, farmer training, or technology promotion is an advantage.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to ride a motorcycle with a valid riding permit and willingness to undertake frequent field travel within Kabale, Rubanda, Rukiga, and Rwampara districts.
• Basic knowledge of horticulture production, GAP, CSA, pest and disease management, and farmer extension approaches.
• Ability to collect, manage, and report real-time field data using digital data collection, monitoring, and reporting tools.
• Good computer skills, especially Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency in local languages spoken within the Kigezi region is an added advantage.

Technical Skills

• Horticulture & Agronomy: Basic practical knowledge of horticulture production systems, crop science, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA).
• Pest & Disease Management: Ability to support routine pest and disease identification and basic technical follow-up in field crop settings.
• Digital Data Collection: Proficiency in using digital tools for field data collection, monitoring, and reporting in agricultural project settings.
• Farmer Extension: Basic understanding of farmer training methodologies, demonstration plot management, and agricultural technology promotion.
• Microsoft Office: Good computer skills in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint for data management, reporting, and documentation.

Soft Skills

• Willingness to Learn: Proactive attitude toward field-based learning and professional development in a structured internship environment.
• Communication: Good verbal and written communication skills for engaging with farmers, team members, and supervisors.
• Teamwork: Ability to work effectively as part of a project team alongside agronomists, field officers, and extension workers.
• Attention to Detail: Careful approach to data collection, record keeping, and documentation of field activities and success stories.
• Rural Adaptability: Comfort and commitment to working in rural field environments with frequent travel across multiple districts.
• Integrity: Commitment to professional conduct consistent with TechnoServe’s values and safeguarding standards.

While specific stipend details are not disclosed, this 4-month internship with TechnoServe provides invaluable professional development in one of the world’s most respected development organisations, rated number one for reducing poverty by ImpactMatters. The GROWTH Programme offers hands-on experience in a Dutch government-funded, multi-partner horticulture initiative targeting 100,000 smallholder farmers, providing exposure to market-oriented agricultural development at scale. Interns gain practical field skills in GAP, CSA, farmer extension, digital data collection, and programme documentation that are highly transferable across the agriculture and development sectors in Uganda and East Africa.

• Gain field experience with TechnoServe, the world’s top-rated nonprofit for fighting poverty, with over 50 years of operations in Uganda.
• Work on the GROWTH Programme, a Dutch government-funded initiative reaching 100,000 smallholder farmers in partnership with Wageningen University and Agriterra.
• Develop practical skills in demonstration plot management, farmer training, crop monitoring, nursery management, and digital data collection.
• Build your career in horticulture and agricultural development in the Kigezi region, one of Uganda’s most productive highland farming areas.
• Learn from experienced professionals including the Horticulture Production Manager and Associate Agronomy Advisor in a structured mentorship environment.
• Contribute to Climate Smart Agriculture and Good Agricultural Practices that directly improve the livelihoods of smallholder farming families.
• Strengthen your CV with experience from an internationally recognised development organisation that operates across 29+ countries.
• Women are particularly encouraged to apply, reflecting TechnoServe’s commitment to diversity and gender inclusion.

All qualified candidates should apply online through the TechnoServe careers portal at technoserve.org/careers (search for Requisition AGRON005544). The deadline for applications is Tuesday, 6 October 2026. Women are particularly encouraged to apply. TechnoServe is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. If you have a disability that affects your ability to use the online application system, contact Human Resources at recruitment@tns.org or call +1 202 785 4515.

• Confirm you graduated within the last 3 years and hold a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Agriculture (Crop Science), Agronomy, or a related field, as these are strict eligibility criteria.
• Highlight any previous internship, field attachment, or practical experience in horticulture or agronomy, as this is specifically listed as an advantage.
• Mention your motorcycle riding permit and willingness to travel frequently within Kabale, Rubanda, Rukiga, and Rwampara districts, as this is a firm requirement.
• Reference any experience with digital data collection tools (ODK, KoboToolbox, CommCare, or similar) used in agricultural project monitoring.
• If you speak local languages of the Kigezi region (such as Rukiga or Rufumbira), mention this prominently as it is listed as an added advantage.
• Demonstrate your knowledge of GAP, CSA, and farmer extension approaches, even if gained through academic coursework or field attachments.
• Apply early as the deadline is Tuesday, 6 October 2026, just one week from the posting date.