Field Assistants-apart Assam Project India

**Introduction**

The International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) is the premier research organization recognized as a global center of excellence empowering farmers and agribusiness through independent and innovative fertilizer and soil fertility research, technology transfer, agricultural policy advocacy and market development. IFDC combines innovative fertilizer and agriculture research, market systems development, and strategic partnerships to spread sustainable agricultural solutions for improved soil health, food security and livelihood. Developed on the urge of “United National General Assembly” during its sixth special session in 1974 and designated as a public international organization (“PIO”) in 1977, IFDC headquarters is based in Muscle Shoals Alabama, USA.

Assam Agri-business and Rural Transformation Project (APART) aims to improve food and livelihood security of poor and marginal farmers, including women and youth in Assam by providing and increasing access to up-to-date and timely knowledge and technologies, and empowering the farmers for effective decision making, thereby closing yield gaps, improving nutrient use efficiency, and increasing farmers’ income, and the sustainability of farming system. The consistent efforts are being made to develop and evaluate innovative modern and climate resilient technologies best suited for Assam environment and promoted in the 23 project districts to improve the agri-food system in the state. Strengthening fertilizer sector and improving nutrient use efficiency system in the state are the key objectives of the program and focuses on assessment of fertilizer sector and policies, evaluation, demonstration and scaling up of several promising climate resilient fertilizer sources and technologies strengthening fertilizer value chain to enhance the efficiency of fertilizer sector and adoption of efficient fertilizer technologies to increase climate resilience, nutrient use efficiency, farm productivity for the welfare of the farmers.

Under the supervision of Project Resident Consultant and IFDC India Program Manager, this position therefore will work on strengthening the fertilizer sector and research-cum-demonstration on new climate smart fertilizer sources and technologies, design and promote models and innovations on fertilizer value chains, foster partnership, and strategic collaboration, develop business and funding and resource mobilization opportunities in the region.

**Duties & Responsibilities**

The key role of the field assistant will be to smoothly conduct field demonstrations, training programs for stakeholders, timely data collection and reporting at District level. In particular the responsibilities of the field assistant include the following:

- Conduct demonstration on Fertilizer Deep Placement/ Urea Deep Placement along with best bet practices at farmers field in targeted districts of Assam.
- Conduct demonstration on nano fertilizer along with best bet practices at farmers field in targeted districts of Assam.
- Provide needed technical training on FDP/UDP/nano-fertilizer and best bet practices to the farmers and other stakeholders leading to better and more economic use of fertilizers and better soil management practices for increasing agricultural production.
- Provide needed technical training on mechanization of FDP/UDP technology to the farmers and other stakeholders.
- Facilitate in conduct of the fertilizer sector review/assessment survey/meetings/workshop at the district level.
- Maintain liaison with farmers, Agro-dealers, traders and governmental officials for dissemination the best bet practices for sustainable production system in Assam.
- Documenting success stories, case studies, innovative models, emerging from APART’s work FDP/UDP/nano-fertilizer contributing to the APART Newsletters & disseminating at various forums as directed.
- Perform any other related task assigned by the Reporting Officer.

**Required Skills**:

- Problem solving skills and strong results-orientation.
- Proven negotiation and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Capacity to work under pressure with minimum supervision.
- Working experience in data management.

Required Experience
- Fluency in English & Hindi. Knowledge of local language highly desirable.