Agronomist Job in Oorja Development Solutions Limited

Roles Background
For this role we seek a candidate native to the eastern UP region with good communication and interpersonal skills and a keen interest and knowledge of field crop, horticulture and irrigation practices in the region. You should have worked at least 1 year in the domain of agriculture-based livelihoods and have good capacity building and persuasive skills. The role focuses on planning, designing and delivering training programs to support farmers select appropriate inputs, diversify their cropping systems, and improve agricultural yield and profits.

Major Responsibilities
The Agricultural Extension Officer will be expected to serve a key role within our Operations team. Your responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Develop training and capacity building modules for farmers focused on agriculture and livelihoods (crop and input selection, cultivation practices for field and horticultural crops, intercropping, multicropping, yield enhancement, plant and soil health, pest and disease control, efficient irrigation methods, post-harvest storage and processing, agronomy, sustainable agricultural practices, agricultural innovations, etc.)
• Develop or get access to training and capacity building materials (video and print) suited to farmers needs, with sensitivity to the needs of smallholders, women and marginal groups
• Organise and deliver participatory workshops for farmers in each village: liaise with farmers to organise community meetings; oversee video screenings i.e. arrange audiovisual equipment, handouts, venues, refreshments and other logistics; coordinate and facilitate refresher trainings as needed
• Conduct field level training and capacity development for farmers one-on-one or in small groups to build their awareness and knowledge; resolve farmers queries to ensure adoption of farming practices and techniques and increase in farmer productivity and income
• Recommend and introduce new crops or crop varieties according to local suitability and market demand; assist farmers with obtaining quality inputs and tools;
• Provide guidance and training on suitable post-harvest storage conditions (under refrigerated and ambient conditions); support farmers with market linkages
• Keep records of attendance on farmers trained; ensure data collection and entry into MIS for monitoring and evaluation of training and capacity building activities; send monthly Training Report to Management
• Identify or develop test plots to showcase best practices and organise immersion and exposure visits for demonstration to farmers
• Maintain networks of collaboration with external trainers, agricultural institutes, local NGOs and capacity building agencies to gather information and promote awareness of advanced agriculture
• Prepare short messages to communicate with customers via SMS using RoloCRM software to send information on crops, weather, irrigation, sowing and harvesting, inputs, market prices, and other useful agricultural and market information
• Canvas actively for new customers and members at existing sites
• Conduct door to door campaigns to inform existing customers of service benefits with the aim of increasing asset utilisation and monthly sales
• Communicate prices and promotions to customers and pump operators; distribute sales and marketing materials and coordinate rural advertising efforts
• Motivate pump and cold storage operators to increase sales by scheduling farmers service requirements, extending operator hours on a daily and monthly basis, and canvassing for new customers

Qualifications & Competencies

• BSc or MSc degree in Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development, or related field
• 1-3 years experience in the planning, organisation and implementation of agricultural extension, rural development or agricultural innovation programmes
• Sharp organisational and documentation skills
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Excel; experience working with various ICT platforms for agriculture and surveying is an advantage
• Expert knowledge of field and horticultural agriculture specific to the region, agronomy, value chains, extension and livelihood challenges and opportunities
• Native speaker of Hindi; knowledge of local dialects of eastern U.P. and Bihar is desirable
• Strong communicator with good persuasion and capacity building abilities and tact
• Readiness to travel in rural and remote locations
• Passion to make a change and willingness to deliver quality results to achieve company s ultimate aims
• Ability to work independently, confident character with the ability to interact effectively and with sensitivity with people from various backgrounds
• Should have own laptop and motorcycle, valid driver s license