Barend Smit

Barend Smit

Agricultural Drone Specialist

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location of Barend SmitPaarl, Western Cape, South Africa

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Area Sales Manager at Unitec SpA

  • Education

    • Piketberg High School

      2005 - 2017
      National Senior Certificate (NQF 4) Matriculated with 4 distinctions

      Activities and Societies: Tennis, athletics Distinctions (80% +) recieved in Life Sciences, Geography, Afrikaans Home Language and English First Additional Language. My other subjects included Physics, Maths and Biology.

    • University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-Afrika

      2023 - 2024
      Master of Science in Agriculture (NQF 9)

      Thesis: Assessment of determinants of sunflower production and economic feasibility of using sunflower as a biofuel feedstock in South Africa.

    • University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-Afrika

      2022 - 2022
      Postgraduate Diploma in Agribusiness Management (NQF 8) Cum Laude

      The primary goal is to enable working professionals from various agricultural disciplines to undertake advanced reflection and development using a systematic current thinking, practice and research methods in the area of specialisation. The curriculum includes research methodology and a project under supervision.

    • Stellenbosch University

      2019 - 2021
      Bachelor of Agriculture in Agribusiness Management (NQF 7) Graduated with 3 distinctions.

      Close collaboration with researchers from the Department of Agriculture and commercial farmers is a special supporting feature, enhancing the standard of tuition.

  • Experience

    • Integrated Aerial Systems

      Mar 2020 - Sept 2022
      Agricultural Drone Specialist

      I worked part-time during holidays and weekends to fund my tertiary studies. My responsibilities included:- Planning missions and piloting various drone platforms (DJI Agras T15, T20, T30, DJI M200, DJI M210 RTK, DJI Phantom 4)- Liasing with farmers to understand their needs - Promoting drone services to farmers.- Mixing chemicals according to label instructions- Maintaining and cleaning drone equipment - Troubleshooting software issues

    • Timac Agro South Africa

      Oct 2022 - Aug 2023
      Technical Sales Representative

      - Management of relationships with existing clients to maintain and secure existing business oppertunities and to develop new business oppertunities via the TIMAC concept.- Sales and marketing of Timac Agro patented and specialized products using a dedicated CRM platform. - Specialized product training and knowledge sharing.- Customer segmentation / budgeting.- Managing and forecasting budgets, deadlines and allocations.- Deliveries and/or arranging approriate actions and follow up.- Customer credit and payment liaison and management. - Assist and share unique knowledge and experience on products to help farmers reach their production goals.- Building and improving relationships with industry patners and leaders.- To grow the province into a profitable unit. Show less

    • Unitec SpA

      Aug 2023 - now
      Area Sales Manager

      - Develop new business- Collaborate and engage with the International Sales and Technical Team- Communicating with Customers and visiting them at their premises- Understanding Customer needs and requirements- Answering Customers questions and providing them with the information they need- Establishing Customer relationships within the industry- Updating CRM- Ensuring market coverage by maintaining continuous contacts with potential and existing customers.

  • Licenses & Certifications

    • Licensed Pest Control Operator

      South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF)
      Nov 2021
    • FERTASA / BASOS

      Fertilizer Association of Southern Africa
      May 2023
    • Remote Pilot Lisence (Drone)

      SACAA
      Sept 2020
  • Honors & Awards

    • Awarded to Barend Smit
      Senate Graduate Excellence Award University of South Africa Dec 2022 Top performer in the category for Best Postgraduate Diploma and the recipient of the Senate Graduate Excellence Award in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences for the academic year 2022.
    • Awarded to Barend Smit
      Golden Key International Honour Society Membership Award Golden Key International Honour Society May 2020 Awarded to only the top 15% of students in their respective fields of study.