Career of an Agribusiness Manager

Agriculture is the largest industry in India with tremendous potential for employment generation. Indian Agriculture sector contributes to around 23% in the GDP, while providing employment to about 65% of the population. Indian agriculture has undergone several transformations in the past and is developing dynamically. From ‘Ship to Plate’ (Net importer of food grains) status in the early sixties, it has transformed itself into ‘Plough to Plate’ (Green Revolution leading to subsequent acquisition of status as a net exporter of food grains) and then ‘Plate to Plough’ to meet the ‘current demand based production’.

Due to integration of the world markets and technological advancements, this sector has metamorphosed into an increasingly complex business environment. It has become imperative to apply the business management principles to the activities encompassing agriculture and hence agriculture is now viewed from the perspective of Agribusiness management. Introduction of FDI in retail and support to the processed food industry initiated by Government of India has increased the scope of development of Agribusiness sector by multifold. To cater to this complexity, well trained and skilled manpower is needed to respond to the current scenario in the rightful manner.

Key areas for becoming successful Agribusiness Manager

In order to have a successful career as an Agribusiness Manager, young managers need to look at agriculture, food, rural and allied sectors with a fresh perspective of business management. Agriculture is practiced in traditional ways is many parts of the country mainly as means of subsistence. Whereas, an agribusiness manager looks at it as a professionally managed activity aimed at profitability as well as a technologically sound and socially sustainable venture.

Some of the key areas for ensuring success are:

1. To get equipped with requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes for managerial decision making. Effective communication skills assume prime importance here.

2. To get acquainted with the latest developments in the field of agriculture and allied sectors.

3. To enhance the techno-managerial competence in agribusiness and related areas.

Career opportunities as an agribusiness manager

The career opportunities span across the entire value chain of agriculture.

a. The backward linkages to the agricultural crop production activities would include agricultural input management (typically seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, equipments and finance).

b. Mainstay of agricultural activities would include modern farming systems, hi-tech horticulture, floriculture, greenhouse cultivation, tissue culture and other biotechnology applications into the farming systems.

c. The forward linkages include the processing, retailing, marketing, risk management and exports.

All of these areas require trained managers who understand the core of the concerned agricultural activity and can effectively handle it by applying business management principles to it. Many manufacturers and exporters of seeds, pesticides and fertilizers routinely hire trained agribusiness managers. The overall market size of these agri-inputs is currently valued at around rupees 6500 billion. The Indian pesticide industry is currently growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 13 per cent and forms bulk of the potential employers. Banks and Financial institutions specifically look for candidates who can assess agricultural projects for financial viability. Hi-tech export oriented ventures prefer agribusiness managers for their dual understanding of the technicalities of production as well as the knowledge of international markets. The latest developments in the legal and quality aspects of agricultural export lay emphasis on proper documentation of the package of practices followed at every stage of crop growth. This calls for trained agribusiness managers to do this specialized job. Also, the food processing units need managers who can handle the procurement of raw materials, production and quality assurance. Retail of fresh agricultural produce is steadily catching up. Thus there is wide range of career options to choose from. And last but not the least; entrepreneurial possibilities are also available along with lucrative corporate jobs for able Agribusiness managers.

-- Prof Vineel Bhurke

Faculty – Rural Management, Weschool