Officer- Agri Value Chain

**About the job**:
A little bit about who we are: At WOTR, we are committed to tackling the key causes of rural poverty by rejuvenating ecosystems and building the community’s resilience to climate change by enhancing water availability, increasing land and agricultural productivity, diversifying livelihoods, empowering women, and strengthening the health and well-being of vulnerable rural communities.

WOTR brings together practitioners, academics, researchers, trainers, and policy makers to work collaboratively in building the resilience of rural communities. Our partners, including donors and government agencies stand resolutely behind us to affect this.

Over the course of 32 years, we have already made a significant impact, having worked in 10 states and 7,255 villages, and positively impacting the lives of about 8 million people. We remain dedicated to continuing this important work and expanding our efforts to make an even greater difference in the lives of those we serve.

**Who are we looking for?**

**Role**: Officer - Agri Value Chain & Market Linkage (FPOs)
**Location**: Dharashiv & Jalna, Maharashtra

**As a Officer Agri Value Chain & Market Linkage (FPO) you will be responsible for**:

- ** Crop Planning and Diversification**:Develop crop plans for each FPC based on market demand, soil conditions, and climate. Encourage crop diversification to reduce risk and enhance income opportunities.
- ** Market Research and Analysis**:Stay updated on market trends, pricing, and demand for various crops. Provide insights to FPCs to make informed decisions on crop selection.
- ** Supply Chain Management**:Optimize the supply chain by improving logistics, storage, and transportation to ensure timely delivery of produce to markets or processing units.
- ** Financial Management**:Assist in financial planning, budgeting, and access to credit facilities. Monitor the financial health of each FPC and implement strategies for cost reduction and increased revenue.
- ** Technology Adoption**:Promote the use of modern farming technologies, such as precision agriculture, IoT, and data analytics, to improve crop productivity and efficiency.
- ** Quality Assurance**:Implement quality control measures to ensure that crops meet the required standards. Facilitate certifications like IPM or Fair Trade when applicable.
- ** Training and Capacity Building**:Organize buyer-seller meets and workshops for FPOs to enhance their business skills, including crop management and sustainable farming practices.
- ** Market Linkages**:Establish partnerships with buyers, exporters, and processors to secure better market access for FPC members. Negotiate favorable contracts and prices. Build both input and output market linkages and establish connections with minimum support price.
- ** Risk Management**:Identify and mitigate risks related to crop production, weather events, and market fluctuations. Develop risk management strategies and insurance options for FPCs.
- ** Policy Advocacy**:Stay informed about agricultural policies and advocate for policies that benefit FPCs and smallholder farmers. Engage with government agencies and industry associations.
- ** Documentation and Reporting**:Maintain accurate records of crop production, financial transactions, and other relevant data. Generate reports for stakeholders, including FPC members, and regulatory authorities.
- ** Networking and Collaboration**:Build relationships with other agricultural experts, research institutions, NGOs, and development agencies to access knowledge and resources for FPC development.
- ** Monitoring and Evaluation**:Continuously monitor the performance of each FPC, assess the impact of interventions, and adjust strategies as needed to achieve set goals.
- A BSc/MSc degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agro-Forestry, or a related field, or an MBA in Agribusiness, Rural Management, Rural Development, or an equivalent degree from a recognized university/institute.
- A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in Agri Marketing, Value Chain Development, or Business Development, FPO management, and working with FPOs, large-scale Farmers Groups, or SHG programs.
- Fluency in both verbal and written English and Hindi; proficiency in a local language (Marathi) will be considered an added advantage.
- Experience in agriculture-processed product development, branding, & packaging, B2B, B2C marketing, etc.