Terms of Reference
Agriculture Facilitator - CHIRP Project
Chhattisgarh Agricon Samiti (CAS)
Position Title: Agriculture Facilitator
Project: Central Highlands Restoration Project (CHIRP)
Location: Kabirdham District, Chhattisgarh
Nature of Position: Field-based
Number of Position: 2
Remuneration: Rs. 41,000 per month including travel (PF deduction as per law)
1. Project Background
Chhattisgarh Agricon Samiti is implementing the Central Highlands Restoration Project (CHIRP) in Kabirdham district with support from Commonland Foundation. CHIRP is a long-term landscape restoration initiative focused on improving water, soil, biodiversity, agriculture, livelihoods, and community institutions.
The project works in the economic zone of Kabirdham, where agriculture is the main livelihood and crops such as paddy and sugarcane are widely cultivated. The project promotes Natural Resource Management, regenerative agriculture, water conservation, soil health improvement, livelihood diversification, and community-led planning.
The Agriculture Facilitator will support field-level agriculture activities, farmer mobilisation, trainings, demonstrations, adoption of sustainable practices, and regular data collection under CHIRP.
2. Objective of the Position
The main objective of the Agriculture Facilitator is to work closely with farmers and community groups to promote sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture practices under the CHIRP project.
The facilitator will support farmers in improving soil health, reducing chemical dependency, improving water-use efficiency, adopting bio-inputs, and participating in project activities related to agriculture and natural resource management.
3. Key Responsibilities:
A. Farmer Mobilisation and Field Coordination:
• Mobilise farmers for CHIRP agriculture activities, meetings, trainings, demonstrations, and awareness sessions.
• Maintain regular contact with farmers, farmer groups, women farmers, youth, and community resource persons.
• Support the formation and strengthening of farmer groups at village level.
• Ensure active participation of farmers in monthly meetings and project activities.
• Coordinate with Panchayat representatives, CRPs, field team, and project staff for smooth implementation.
B. Sustainable Agriculture Promotion:
• Promote sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices among farmers.
• Support adoption of practices such as Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, Neemastra, NADEP compost, green manure, bio-fertilizer, bio-input use, Integrated Nutrient Management, Integrated Pest Management, crop rotation, and crop diversification.
• Support farmers in reducing excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
• Promote soil health improvement and natural farming-based practices.
• Support awareness on water-use efficiency in agriculture, including AWD and micro-irrigation where applicable.
C. Demonstrations and Trainings:
• Organise and facilitate agriculture demonstrations in project villages.
• Support bio-input kit distribution and ensure farmers understand how to use the kits.
• Conduct practical field-level trainings with farmers in simple language.
• Support master trainers, agriculture experts, and project staff during training sessions.
• Ensure required farmer participation in each training or demonstration as per project plan.
• Follow up with farmers after trainings to check adoption and practical use.
D. Soil Health and Data Collection:
• Support soil sample collection from selected farmers and locations.
• Maintain proper records of soil samples, farmer details, and location details.
• Support household surveys, agriculture surveys, scorecards, and other field data collection.
• Ensure same-day data entry in the required project formats or digital tools.
• Share correct and timely data with the Data Management Officer and District Coordinator.
• Report any missing data, field issues, or errors immediately.
E. NRM and Convergence Support:
• Support village-level NRM planning activities related to agriculture, soil, water, and land improvement.
• Help identify agriculture-linked NRM needs such as field bunding, farm ponds, recharge pits, drainage treatment, soil conservation, and plantation needs.
• Support field verification of proposed works in coordination with the NRM team.
• Assist in community meetings related to MGNREGA convergence, NRM plans, and village-level implementation.
• Coordinate with Gram Panchayat and community members wherever required.
F. Monitoring and Reporting:
• Prepare and submit daily field updates to the District Coordinator.
• Maintain farmer-wise and village-wise activity records.
• Submit weekly plans and weekly progress updates.
• Share photographs, attendance, training reports, and field observations regularly.
• Track farmer adoption of promoted practices.
• Report challenges, farmer feedback, and success stories from the field.
G. Community Engagement and Behaviour Change:
• Explain agriculture and NRM activities to farmers in simple and practical language.
• Encourage farmers to test new practices through small demonstrations.
• Identify progressive farmers, women farmers, and youth who can become local champions.
• Promote collective learning among farmers through group meetings and field visits.
• Support awareness campaigns related to water conservation, soil health, sustainable agriculture, and climate-resilient farming.
4. Expected Deliverables:
• Monthly farmer meetings conducted in assigned villages.
• Farmer participation ensured in trainings, demonstrations, and awareness sessions.
• Bio-input kits distributed and usage training completed as per project plan.
• Soil samples collected and recorded as per target.
• Household/agriculture surveys completed as per requirement.
• Farmer adoption data collected and updated regularly.
• Field activity reports, attendance, and photographs submitted on time.
• Weekly plan and progress shared with the project team.
• Village-wise agriculture activity records maintained.
• Farmer feedback, field challenges, and success stories documented.
5. Required Qualifications and Skills:
Essential Qualifications:
• M.Sc. in Soil Science/Horticulture/Agronomy/Plant Pathology/Environmental Science/ or other relevant fields.
• Minimum 2+ years of relevant field experience.
• Practical understanding of agriculture-based field interventions such as soil health improvement, bio-inputs and organic amendments, crop management practices, water-use efficiency, farmer training, demonstrations, and community-based agriculture planning.
• Experience of working directly with farmers, Gram Panchayats, community groups, SHGs, CRPs, or village-level institutions.
• Ability to conduct field visits, farmer meetings, trainings, demonstrations, and follow-up activities in villages.
• Basic knowledge of data collection, field reporting, documentation, photographs, attendance records, and use of mobile-based data tools.
• Good communication skills in Hindi. Knowledge of the local language/dialect of Kabirdham will be an added advantage.
• Local candidates from Kabirdham district or nearby areas will be given preference.
6. Field Conduct and Compliance:
• Follow the approved weekly and monthly work plan.
• Ensure timely reporting and same-day data submission.
• Maintain discipline and professionalism in the field.
• Take prior approval for field visits, meetings, and activities.
• Maintain proper attendance, photographs, and activity records.
• Ensure transparency in community-level work.
• Follow all project, HR, finance, and documentation guidelines of CAS.
8. Travel Requirement:
This is a field-based role. The Agriculture Facilitator will be required to travel regularly to project villages in Kabirdham district as per the project plan.
9. Safeguarding:
CAS maintains a zero-tolerance policy on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), sexual harassment, child abuse and discrimination. All selected candidates must comply with safeguarding, confidentiality and data protection policies.
Apply Link:- https://forms.gle/qF3MBdhT2zhg1fFw6