AgroStar - Head - Agronomy

Head - Agronomy @ Agrostar

- AgroStar is India's foremost AgTech start-up with a mission of #HelpingFarmersWin through right advisory and solutions, powered by data and technology. It was started with a vision to solve two of the biggest problems in Indian agriculture - Lack of guidance for healthy and sustainable farming AND limited access to quality farm inputs for consistent and qualitative farming.

- With technology at its core, we have built an innovative & sustainable ecosystem that includes products such as a customized enterprise sales solutions that maps data of farmers' crop life cycles, India's first online farmer community, online agri-advisory with online shopping for inputs and an incomparable logistics solution for last mile rural connectivity.

- We have procured and partnered with leading national and international brands for major agri-inputs like seeds, crop nutrition, crop protection and farm implements, that are needed for farming and we deliver them at the doorstep of farmers. Thus, our efforts at AgroStar are focused to become the driving force to equip our farmers with the power of knowledge to farm better and smarter, through technology and up to date expert advice.

- The company is funded by prominent VCs like IDG Venture Partners, Aavishkaar Ventures and Accel Partners. AgroStar is the winner of Economic Times' Best Startup Award 2016, under the 'Social Enterprise' category.

Our Team :

- We are a team of highly motivated individuals, who are willing to push beyond the ceiling, initiate new ideas and take challenges head on. Apart from coffee, working in an extremely fast-paced, dynamic work culture is what we passionate souls thrive on. We ride against the tide as time is never enough and there's always more to do.

- Our mission of - Helping Farmers Win- is a tall task as we try to bring change and development to the grassroots of India. We need heroes who are dedicated to the mission, live the dream and drive it with passion. If that sounds like you, here's more about the role:

About the Role :

Job description : As a Head of Agronomy @ AgroStar, you will get to manage a diverse team of subject matter experts (entomologists, plant pathologists etc) and create wide-spread impact on lakhs of farmers by leveraging agronomy knowledge with technology.

The key responsibilities will include :

- Assess, validate and review recommendations by the agronomists in the team for the various crops throughout the assigned region.

- Develop and disseminate advice to achieve best plant health and productivity relating to crop nutrients, crop protectants and field.

- To bring field wisdom to open new lines of business for the company by evaluating and selecting crops for expansion.

- Mentor and manage a team of 10-15 agronomists.

- Develop training modules and standardise all agronomy related knowledge which can be used across multiple channels.

- Influence and engage with key stakeholders to gather information and drive actions in a highly collaborative manner.

- This role will be based out of Pune

As an ideal Head Agronomy candidate, you will need :

- 12+ years of experience in practicing and advising crop and seed production and processing, technology transfer, cropping and rotation systems.

- A M.Sc in agronomy, plant pathology, entomology or soil sciences. PhD would be preferred

- Exposure to market study, analysis and segmentation.

- Experience in leading and mentoring teams and projects.

- Desired personality traits of being a self learner, collaborator and extra miler.

- Ability to own and execute with a Hands on attitude.

- Understanding of rural landscape and previous experience in working to increase farmer yields.

- Ability to translate field knowledge into a technology platform.

We are looking for enthusiastic intrapreneurs who want to work at the - grass root- level and want to make a difference to India's biggest sector. We hope this excites you as much as us and looking forward to the next few conversations.