| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Agriculture and Food Processing |
| Level | Mid level |
| Reports to | Head of Agronomy |
| Direct reports | Field Assistant (Agri) |
| Experience | 2 to 5 years in field agronomy or extension |
Agronomist job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Agronomist
Department: Agriculture and Food Processing
Reports to: Head of Agronomy
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
An Agronomist advises farmers on how to grow better crops, from seed choice and nutrition to irrigation and pest management. The role reports to the Head of Agronomy or an agri business manager. A good agronomist visits farms regularly, gives advice suited to the local soil, crop and season, runs demonstration plots, helps farmers adopt better practices, diagnoses crop problems in the field, keeps input use safe and sensible, and lifts the yield and quality of the farmers they work with while building trust that keeps farmers with the company.
Key responsibilities
- Visit farms and advise farmers on seed, nutrition, irrigation and crop protection.
- Diagnose crop problems in the field and recommend practical remedies.
- Run demonstration plots to show better practices and their results.
- Give advice suited to the local soil, crop, season and farmer means.
- Help farmers adopt improved seeds and the package of practices.
- Guide safe and sensible use of fertilizers and crop protection inputs.
- Support soil testing and nutrition planning for the farmers.
- Track yield and adoption on the farms you cover and report them.
- Build trust with farmers so they follow advice and stay with the company.
- Coordinate with procurement on the produce grown by the farmers.
Requirements
- Degree in agriculture or agronomy
- Knowledge of the local crops, soils and pests
- Field experience is an advantage
- 2 to 5 years in field agronomy or extension
KRAs and KPIs for a Agronomist
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Advisory coverage | Farmers advised and visited against the seasonal target |
| Yield improvement | Yield improvement on advised farms against the agreed target |
| Practice adoption | Adoption of recommended practices above the agreed level |
| Demonstrations | Demonstration plots run and shared against the plan |
| Problem resolution | Crop problems diagnosed and resolved within the agreed time |
| Farmer retention | Advised farmers retained with the company above target |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Crop advisory tools, Soil and leaf testing kits, Mobile advisory app, Weather data, Demonstration plot records.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Head of Agronomy, Agri Business Manager, Crop Specialist
Interview questions for a Agronomist
- How do you advise a farmer whose crop is not doing well?
- How do you diagnose a crop problem in the field?
- How do you get a farmer to adopt a new practice?
- How do you tailor advice to a small farmer with limited means?
- How do you use a demonstration plot to convince farmers?
- How do you guide safe use of crop protection inputs?
Managing a Agronomist in ZeniaHR
Hire and manage your agriculture and food processing team in one place
Post the role, onboard the new hire, and track attendance, leave and KRAs in ZeniaHR. Free for your first 50 employees.
Book a free demoSee pricingFrequently asked questions
What does an Agronomist do?
An Agronomist advises farmers on how to grow better crops, from seed choice and nutrition to irrigation and pest management. They visit farms, diagnose crop problems, run demonstration plots and help farmers adopt better practices. They lift yield and quality while building trust that keeps farmers with the company.
What is the difference between an Agronomist and an Agriculture Field Officer?
An Agronomist is a crop science adviser who diagnoses problems and recommends practices to lift yield. An Agriculture Field Officer covers a wider field role that includes advisory along with procurement, input sales support and data collection. The agronomist goes deeper on crop science; the field officer covers broader village work.
What qualifications does an Agronomist need?
Most roles ask for a degree in agriculture or agronomy with knowledge of the local crops, soils and pests, and field experience is a strong advantage. Employers value field diagnosis, extension and communication skills and the local language, since the agronomist must advise farmers practically on their own farms.