Isaac Bok
BSc and MSc in Horticulture from University of Pretoria, Principal Agricultural Research Officer at Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Research from 2006-2008. Horticulture Incubator Manager at Local Enterprise Authority since Nov 08
| Headline: | Scientist |
| Skills: | Business, Design, Editing, Languages, Leadership, Management, Marketing, Writing |
| Groups: | African Incubator Network (AIN) |
| Interested in: | Consulting opportunities, Learning about entrepreneurship, Meeting new people, Offering Expertise, Patenting my idea, Professional opportunities |
| Schools: | University of Botswana, University of Pretoria |
WORK EXPERIENCE
| Employer: | Local Enterprise Authority |
| Position: | Horticulture Incubator Manager |
| Time period: | November 2008 - Present |
| Description: | Coordinate activities of the Glenn valley Horticulture incubator and develop a suitable program to ensure the smooth running of the incubator. Currently I am in the process of establishing the incubator. The task entails development of incubation processes as well as infrastructure. As part of the incubation process development, I have been involved in creating awareness among potential clients as well as stakeholders.
The incubator covers a total area of 25 ha but the area under production will be 5 ha when it is operational. The facility is intended to be used as a training facility for horticulture farmers and will produce a number of high value vegetables. I report to the Director of Technology and Innovation on any matter related to the Glenn valley incubator. |
| Employer: | Ministry of Agriculture - Department of Agricultural Research |
| Position: | Principal Agricultural Research Officer/ Manager |
| Time period: | January 2006 - Present |
| Description: | Designing and implementing research trials with the aim of solving problems faced by horticultural farmers in the country. Collaborate with fellow researchers and scientists from different institutions to devise ways of improving productivity in the horticultural sub-sector. Ensure that the horticultural skills are transferred to extension officers in the agricultural sector as well as the farming community.
I also ensure that good cultural management practices are adhered to for horticultural crops at Bobonong research station. Research work in different aspects is done on crops comprising of 1.0 hectare of different cultivars of citrus (14 cultivars of sweet orange and 10 of the mandarins), 0.5 hectare of grapes of different cultivars (12 cultivars) and 1.5 hectare under different vegetables at the station. I also have the responsibility of ensuring that irrigation systems are in optimal working order for the purpose of applying required amounts of water as and when needed. I have been involved in guiding junior officers in doing their work as well as training students on attachment from both local and South African tertiary institutions, pursuing studies in agricultural related courses. I also take part in workshops for farmers and stakeholders as a resource person to share knowledge on horticulture related issues, as well as organizing other forums for the same purpose, such as field days at the research site. As a manager of Bobonong research station, I also have the responsibility of managing human, material as well as financial resources at the station. The latter includes preparing budgets, facilitating the procurement/acquisition of material requisites and ensuring the efficient utilization of department resources in general at the station. I represent the department in different forums and committees in the Bobirwa district. I also ensure that the welfare of staff at the station is taken care of. |
| Employer: | Ministry of Agriculture - Department of Agricultural Research |
| Position: | Senior Agricultural Research Officer |
| Time period: | January 2003 - December 2006 |
| Description: | Undertaking research work with the objective of assisting horticultural farmers manage their projects better and enable them get high yield and good quality produce. I collaborated with other researchers and officers from different institutions so that different aspects of crop production are taken care of as well as consider the socio-economic background of farmers (beneficiaries of our technologies) when recommending technologies. I also had a responsibility to ensure that horticultural skills were transferred to both officers in the agricultural sector and farmers in general, by participating in workshops and playing a leading role in developing publications to disseminate information on good crop husbandry practices.
I was also involved in assisting to train students from local and South African tertiary institutions on Field Practical Training as well as supervising those doing projects. Also had a responsibility of managing human as well as material resources at the station. I had to represent the department in a number of committees, such as the Task Force for Youth in Agriculture, Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture Task Force, Botswana Bureau of Standards Technical Committee on Fruits and Vegetables among others. |
| Employer: | Ministry of Agriculture - Department of Agricultural Research |
| Position: | Agricultural Research Officer |
| Time period: | January 2000 - December 2003 |
| Description: | Designing and implementing research trials after consultation with extension officers and collegues in the horticultural research program. Taking part as a resource person to teach participants from different stakeholders in the horticultural sub-sector (farmers, extension staff, etc), attending short courses on horticulture production. Coordinating activities of the horticultural research program as a program leader for horticultural research program. This involved compiling reports for the program and also responsible for acquisition of material resources for the program, such as seeds and equipment. Developing a budget for the procurement of the necessary materials/activities of the program. Advising the Chief Arable Research Officer on any other matter related to the program, such as allocation of staff and their duties. |
| Employer: | Ministry of Agriculture - Department of Agricultural Research |
| Position: | Assistant Agricultural Research Officer |
| Time period: | January 1993 - December 2000 |
| Description: | Assisting the Principal Agricultural Research Officer in implementing horticultural research trials, collecting and analyzing data, and writing research reports. Crops dealt with being vegetables and fruit crops. Taking part as a resource person to teach participants (farmers, extension staff, etc), attending short courses on horticultural related subjects. |
EDUCATION
| University: | University of Pretoria |
| Time period: | 1999 |
| Degree: | Horticulture, MSc |
| University: | University of Pretoria |
| Time period: | 1996 |
| Degree: | Horticulture, BSc |
| University: | University of Botswana |
| Time period: | 1993 |
| Degree: | Agric., BSc |
PUBLICATIONS
| Papers: | Published papers:
1. Department of Agriculture Research. 2006. Vegetable Production manual for Botswana. Bok, I., Madisa, M., Moamogwe, M., Machacha, D and More, K. (Eds.). Gaborone, Botswana. 2. Bok. I., Moamogwe, M., Molatlhegi, M., Hunyepa, M. and Ramogotsi, I. 2004. Evaluation of South African bred cultivars of sweetpotato under Botswana conditions. African Crop Science Journal, vol. 12, (3) pp 12-15. 3. Monamodi, E. L., Bok, I and Karikari, S. K. 2003. Changes in nutritional composition and yield of two sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) cultivars during their growth in Botswana. Uniswa Journal of Agriculture. Vol. 11, 2003; 5-14. 4. Laurie S. M., Malemela , M. L., Magogo, M. D., Braun, B. R., Bok, I., and Nxumalo, M., 2002. Evaluation of selected sweetpotato breeding lines and imported cultivars in the Southern region of SADC. Acta Horticulture 583:95-101. 5. Botswana Bureau of Standards. 2002. Fruits and vegetables – Headed cabbage – Grading requirements (BOS 58:2002). Maselesele K. G. D., Segomelo, K., Oagile, O., Sono, P., Sekgoma, M., Batlhophi, J., Bok, I., Segonetso, M., Mazebedi, L., Kealeboga, K., Proctor, J., Mphande, A. C., Mabona, B., Paniker, M., and Collison D. K. Gaborone, Botswana. 6. Botswana Bureau of Standards. 2002. Fruits and vegetables – Potato – Grading requirements (BOS 59:2002). Maselesele K. G. D., Segomelo, K., Oagile, O., Sono, P., Sekgoma, M., Batlhophi, J., Bok, I., Kealeboga, K., Mazebedi, L., Segonetso, M., Proctor, J., Mphande, A. C., Mabona, B., Paniker, M., and Collison D. K. Gaborone, Botswana. Papers presented: 1. Bok. I., Hammes, P.S. and Steyn, J. M.. Effect of water stress at different growth stages on yield and quality of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas). 10 – 14th May 2003. Kampala, Uganda. African Potato Association Conference Proceedings, vol. 5. pp 205 – 208. ISSN 1607-9353. 2. Bok, I., and Ferreira, D. I. Effect of water stress during different phases of tuberization in sweetpotato. 22-25 June 1997. Nelspruit, South Africa. Proceedings of the Southern African Society for Horticultural Sciences 7th Congress. Institute for Tropical and Sub-tropical crops. |
INFORMATION
| Clubs: | 1. Botswana Bureau of Standards Technical committee on Fruits &Vegetables 2001–to-date
2. Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture (UPA) Task Force. From: 2003 –to-date 3. Task force on Youth in Agriculture From: 2005 –to-date 4. Southern African Root-crop Research Network (SARRNET) steering committee member as well as Country coordinator From: 2001 – 2004 5. Botswana Horticulture Council (ex-officio member) 2000 – 2002 |
