Agricultural giants such as ITC, Monsanto and Cargill, which are beginning to establish their presence in commercial farming as well as small farmer-led production initiatives are on the look out for young executives to handle extension services. Since agriculture is a priority area in achieving financial inclusion, many insurance companies and banks also recruit agriculture graduates.
Also, look at research and advocacy-based organisations such as Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). “Extension, that is, taking your expertise from the lab to the land and vice-versa, is the most challenging aspect,” says Dr. K M Manjaiah, Registrar (Academic), IARI, enthusiastically. For instance, the AME Foundation, an NGO which focuses on promoting agriculture in difficult circumstances, helps families which thrive on dry farming in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.