Job Title: Field Agronomist - Fruits and Vegetables

Location: PAN India

Company Overview:

Since its inception in 2006, Reliance Retail has grown to become India’s largest retailer delivering superior value to its customers, suppliers and shareholders. Our nationwide network of retail outlets delivers a world-class shopping environment and unmatched customer experience powered by our state-of-the-art technology and seamless supply-chain infrastructure.

Reliance Retail operates chain of convenience stores, supermarkets, specialty and online stores providing choice, convenience and superior value.

Job Description:

As an Agronomist specializing in fruits and vegetables, you will play a vital role in optimizing crop production and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. You will be responsible for providing expertise and guidance in all aspects of crop management, from cultivation and pest management to soil health and irrigation strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

Crop Management:

·        Develop and implement crop production plans and strategies for fruits and vegetables to optimize yield, quality, and profitability.

·        Developing a rapport with farmers by visiting the fields daily and providing them tips for a good harvest.

·        Monitor and assess crop health, growth stages, and nutrient requirements throughout the growing season.

·        Implement integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to minimize pest and disease incidence while reducing environmental impact.

·        Guide farmers with package of practices and ensure how the practices are followed.

·        Regularly record and share the difficulties of farmers in the region which will help in ideating farm level interventions.

·        Checking the feasibility of trying out new crops or new varieties in the region

·        Helping farmers in preparing a crop plan which will fetch them better returns and help RRL in sourcing a range of fruits and vegetables from the collection centre.

Soil Management and Fertility:

·        Conduct soil tests and analyses to assess soil health and fertility levels.

·        Recommend and implement soil management practices, including fertilization, soil amendments, and crop rotation, to improve soil structure and fertility.

Irrigation and Water Management:

·        Design and implement irrigation systems tailored to the specific needs of fruits and vegetables.

·        Monitor water usage efficiency and recommend irrigation scheduling based on crop water requirements and environmental conditions.

Research and Innovation:

·        Stay updated on the latest agronomic research, technologies, and trends related to fruits and vegetables.

·        Conduct trials and experiments to evaluate new varieties, planting techniques, and agronomic practices for improved productivity and sustainability.

Farm Advisory and Training:

·        Provide technical guidance and training to farmers and farm workers on best agronomic practices for fruits and vegetables.

·        Setting Standards: Establishing quality standards for fruits and vegetables in alignment with RRL QA Team

·        Regularly Updating the RRL Sourcing Team about the current level of crop and expected harvest quality in the area.

·        Maintain minimal deviance between Farm level suggesting Crop Plan and the actual field data by visiting farmers daily and updating the crop status.

·        Collaborate with extension services and agricultural institutions to disseminate knowledge and promote adoption of sustainable farming practices.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Horticulture, Crop Science
• Should have technical skills to guide farmers for a better yield.
• Should be interested in agriculture technologies.
• Being on the field should be his/her interest.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to innovate and adapt agronomic practices to local conditions.
• Deep understanding of crop physiology, soil science, pest management, and irrigation principles as they apply to fruits and vegetables.
• Experience with agricultural research methodologies, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with farmers, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams.