Institution

University of Bonn

Date:              

1979 -1984

Degree(s) or Diploma(s) obtained:

Studies of agriculture, Dipl. Ing. Agr. (M.Sc. equivalent)

Institution

Institute for Horticulture University of Bonn

Date:              

1985-1988

Degree(s) or Diploma(s) obtained:

Ph.D. horticulture

Date

1989 -2005

Location

Alfter; Germany

Company

Dr. Mager Consultant, Certified Horticultural Experts / Naturhof Wolfsberg

Position

Owner, Managing Director and Horticultural Expert in various national and international projects / Owner and Farm Manager

Job Description

As certified engineer and horticultural expert assisting public and private institutions, companies and farmers to carry out advice on all aspects related to fruit and vegetable production including environmental issues, giving expert opinions for courts of law, agricultural chambers and fruit and vegetable producer, marketing and trade organisations and associations.

Organisation of visits and study tours of international technical expert groups in the fruit and vegetable sector: visits to fruit and vegetable producers, marketing and producer associations, wholesale markets, storage and packaging stations, organising of seminars and scientific research networks with German institutions and universities, information events on requirements for certification according to EUREPGAP and QS.

( up to 2006) As member of the supervisory board and  technical advisory board of the “Centralmarkt” Rosdorf Straelen (today LANDGARD), the biggest German producer wholesale market extensive involvement in the implementation of EUREPGAP and QS within the producer associations.

Activities include:

§         Environmental assessments and pesticide residues analyses

§         Advice on high quality ecologically produced apples

§         Advice on EU standards, quality and hygienic requirements for marketing of fruit and vegetables

§         Advice on packaging and labelling for fruit and vegetables

§         Advice on fruit and vegetable storage and handling

§         Advice on quality management systems (HACCP, ISO 9000, EUREPGAP, QS)

§         Advice on reduction of post-harvest losses

§         Advice on logistics from harvest to market

From 1991 – 1995 Advisor to the German “Treuhandanstalt”, Berlin on the assessment and valuation of former state owned horticultural enterprises.

Date

2006 - 2007, two visits

Location

Ukraine

Company

Scanagri

Position

Expert for horticultural development and GAP

Job Description

Improvement of Logistics and Marketing Channels in Agriculture

§         the introduction of best agricultural practices and efficiency in apple production;

§         Introduction of EurepGAP

Date

2000-2006, six visits

Location

China, Peking area and Shandong 

Company

GTZ /Henzler/ Plattenhard & Wirth/ IFC, Washington

Position

Expert for horticultural development and GAP

Job Description

Public Private Partnership project aimed to rise the quality and the efficiency of apple production. Responsibilities included:

§         the introduction of best agricultural practices and efficiency in apple production;

§         reducing pesticide inputs;

§         establishing of two demonstration plantations for apples (new varieties, mechanisation, plant protection) and

§         training of farmers.

§         Introduction of EUREPGAP

German partner companies were supported in their agro-business development.

Date

1999

2000

Location

Bulgaria

Company

GTZ

Position

Horticultural Marketing Expert

Job Description

Advice on the establishment of a producer wholesale market in Sliven. Main tasks included:

§         assistance to the producer association of Sliven to set up a wholesale market for fruit and vegetables, including the necessary organisational requirement for the producer association;

§         assistance in the organisation, structures and management of  the participating fruit and vegetable farms;

§         advice on required quality standards and logistics

Date

1998

Location

Costa Rica

Company

GTZ

Position

Horticultural Quality  Management Expert

Job Description

Within a Public Private Partnership project a study was conducted to evaluate the quality standards in fruit production and processing of Costa Rica,  to assess the possible  HACCP or  ISO 9000 certification and if European quality or hygienic standards can be applied in Costa Rica. Interviews were held at all levels from farmer to government organisations to assess the current quality standards and to identify legal, organisational, technical and management constraints and possibilities to introduce certification and accreditation of interested companies in the fruit and vegetable sector. 

Date

1997

Location

Bulgaria

Company

GTZ 

Position

Horticultural Expert

Job Description

Assessment of existing fruit tree nurseries and development of recommendations for a restructuring of the nurseries with the aim to rise fruit production and improve quality though better organisation and management and the introduction of best agricultural practices. Contacts between Bulgarian and Germany University / Research institutions was established in order to introduce better quality management systems.

Date

1996

Location

Egypt

Company

Dr. Ahmed Dabbous, Cairo, Export-Import

Position

Horticultural Expert

Job Description

Evaluation of the possibilities and requirements to export fruit to EU countries for private fruit producers. Establishment of contacts between Egyptian fruit producers and German interested buyers.

Planning of a private cold store for a fruit cooperative in order to store fruit in the Nile Delta.