BDM - Agricultural Drones & Rural Markets

The Role & Responsibilities

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to spearhead the growth of our Agricultural Drone business across rural markets in India. This role is critical for establishing market leadership in precision agriculture technology adoption among farmers, cooperatives, and agricultural institutions. The successful candidate will bridge the gap between advanced drone technology and traditional farming communities, driving both business growth and agricultural transformation.

Key Responsibilities

1. Market Development & Expansion

• Rural Market Penetration: Develop and execute comprehensive market entry strategies for agricultural drones across rural districts and villages
• Territory Management: Manage assigned geographical territories covering multiple states with focus on high-potential agricultural regions
• Market Intelligence: Conduct detailed market research, competitor analysis, and farmer needs assessment in rural markets
• Growth Strategy: Develop and implement strategic plans to achieve annual sales targets of 100+ agricultural drones in 2025-26 and 200+ in 2026-27

2. Customer Acquisition & Relationship Management

• Farmer Engagement: Build direct relationships with progressive farmers,
• Partnerships with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), and agricultural cooperatives
• Institutional Sales: Develop relationships with agricultural universities, research institutions, and government agricultural departments
• Customer Education: Conduct farmer awareness programs, field demonstrations, and technology adoption workshops

3. Channel Partner Development

• Dealer Network: Identify, recruit, and manage agricultural input dealers, equipment dealers, and rural entrepreneurs as channel partners
• Distributor Management: Establish and manage relationships with regional distributors across assigned territories
• Partner Training: Develop and deliver comprehensive training programs for channel partners on product knowledge and sales techniques
• Channel Support: Provide ongoing support, marketing materials, and incentive programs to drive channel partner performance

4. Government & Institutional Relations

• Government Liaison: Build relationships with state and central government agricultural departments, rural development agencies, and agricultural extension officers
• Subsidy Programs: Navigate and leverage government subsidy schemes, agricultural development programs, and technology adoption initiatives
• Policy Advocacy: Represent company interests in policy discussions and contribute to agricultural drone adoption frameworks
• Tender Management: Identify and participate in government and institutional tenders for agricultural technology procurement

5. Rural Marketing & Communication

• Campaign Development: Design and execute rural marketing campaigns using appropriate channels (village meetings, agricultural fairs, local media)
• Content Creation: Develop vernacular marketing materials, farmer success stories, and educational content suitable for rural audiences
• Digital Strategy: Implement rural-focused digital marketing strategies including WhatsApp campaigns, social media, and mobile-first approaches
• Community Engagement: Participate in agricultural festivals, village events, and farmer gatherings to build brand awareness and trust

6. Sales Operations & Performance

• Sales Execution: Achieve quarterly and annual sales targets for agricultural drones across all product categories
• Pipeline Management: Maintain robust sales pipeline with regular forecasting and opportunity management
• Pricing Strategy: Implement competitive pricing strategies while maintaining profitability and value proposition
• Customer Support: Coordinate with service teams to ensure customer satisfaction and retention

Preferred Candidate Profile

Educational Background

• Bachelor's Degree: Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Rural Management, Business Administration, or related field
• Preferred: MBA in Agribusiness, Rural Management, or Marketing
• Certifications: Agricultural extension, rural development, or agribusiness certifications preferred

Professional Experience

• Minimum 5-8 years of business development or sales experience in rural/agricultural sectors (MANDATORY)
• Rural Sector Experience: Demonstrated experience working directly with farmers, agricultural cooperatives, or rural communities (MANDATORY)
• Agriculture Industry: Experience in agricultural inputs, farm equipment, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, or agricultural technology
• Channel Management: Proven track record of building and managing dealer/distributor networks in rural markets
• Government Relations: Experience working with government agricultural departments, rural development agencies, or agricultural institutions

Technical Skills

• Agricultural Knowledge: Deep understanding of Indian agriculture, crop cycles, farming practices, and agricultural challenges
• Technology Adoption: Experience in introducing new technology to traditional farming communities
• Rural Marketing: Expertise in rural marketing strategies, communication methods, and customer behavior
• Digital Literacy: Proficiency in CRM systems, digital marketing tools, and data analysis
• Language Skills: Fluency in Hindi and English; knowledge of regional languages (Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi) highly preferred

Core Competencies

• Rural Relationship Building: Exceptional ability to build trust and relationships with farmers and rural communities
• Cultural Sensitivity: Deep understanding of rural culture, farming traditions, and community dynamics
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to explain complex technology in simple terms
• Negotiation: Strong negotiation and persuasion skills suitable for diverse rural customer segments
• Problem Solving: Ability to understand farmer challenges and position drone technology as solutions

Preferred Qualifications

Industry Experience

• Agricultural Technology: Previous experience with precision agriculture, farm mechanization, or agricultural innovation
• Drone Industry: Understanding of drone technology, applications, and regulatory environment
• Cooperative Sector: Experience working with farmer cooperatives, FPOs, or agricultural institutions
• Government Projects: Experience with government agricultural schemes, subsidies, and rural development programs

Additional Skills

• Regional Expertise: Deep knowledge of specific agricultural regions, crops, and farming practices
• Network: Existing relationships with farmers, cooperatives, agricultural dealers, or government officials
• Training & Development: Experience in conducting farmer training programs and technology demonstrations
• Financial Understanding: Knowledge of agricultural finance, crop insurance, and farmer credit systems