Augustine Rajendran

Agriculture professional with over 25 years of experience across farm operations management, agronomic research, and agribusiness leadership. Proven track record in crop planning, soil preparation, irrigation management, and integrated pest control across multi-location field programs. Experienced in overseeing farm equipment and resources for optimal performance, developing cost-efficient farming strategies to improve yield, and coordinating with procurement and cross-functional teams to strengthen supply chain efficiency.

Strong record of enforcing safety protocols and regulatory compliance, budget management, and team leadership.

Associate Professor (Agronomy) - School of Agricultural Sciences, Karunya University - Coimbatore

(2023-01 - 2026-12)

• Plan and supervise field-based agronomic research covering crop selection, soil preparation, and integrated pest management for staple and biofortified crops.
• Coordinate irrigation and nutrient-management protocols for research trials, ensuring efficient resource use and improved yields.
• Mentor student and scholar research teams (3 PG completed, 3 PhD ongoing) on crop production and soil-fertility studies.
• Enforce institutional safety protocols and standards across field and laboratory operations.
• Collaborate across university departments to design interdisciplinary programs, strengthening cross-functional coordination.

National Resource Person (Farm Livelihood) - National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) - Hyderabad

(2022-01)

• Deliver capacity-building and skill training to State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) functionaries on crop management best practices, improving service delivery.
• Provide technical support in appraising and evaluating farm-livelihood proposals, ensuring alignment with program goals and cost-efficiency targets.
• Implement and monitor best-practice farming strategies across multiple NRLM/SRLM projects.

Consultant (CIA) - National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) - Hyderabad

(2019-01 - 2020-12)

• Built strategic partnerships across agriculture and allied sectors, coordinating with external agencies to streamline project delivery.
• Oversaw incubation and RKVY-RAFTAAR project work plans, aligning execution with strategic and budgetary goals.
• Delivered training and mentoring on venture and farm-business development to start-ups and producer organizations.

Chief Operating Officer - Glo Tech Organics Private Ltd - Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu

(2007-01 - 2019-12)

• Directed end-to-end farm-input operations, overseeing development, manufacturing, and quality of 10 organic agricultural products for crop protection and soil health.
• Managed budgets, procurement, and vendor coordination to optimize supply chain efficiency and control production costs.
• Implemented safety and quality protocols across manufacturing and field operations, ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Drove revenue growth from 5–10% (2009) to 40–60% within four years through cost-efficient business and financial planning.
• Secured investor funding and led business development efforts, expanding domestic and international market presence.

Scientist - Nagarjuna Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NARDI) - Hyderabad

(1997-01 - 2007-12)

• Planned and managed multi-location field trials evaluating fertilizers, pesticides, and crop hybrids across six states — covering crop planning, soil preparation, irrigation, and pest-control protocols.
• Controlled trial budgets and led process improvements, reducing overall cost base by 5%.
• Oversaw field equipment and machinery used in trial execution, ensuring optimal performance and timely data collection.
• Coordinated product rollout across six states with sales and marketing teams, aligning agronomic recommendations with market needs.

Ph.D. - Agronomy - Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University (2022-12)

M.Sc. (Agri.) - Agronomy - AC&RI, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (1997-12)

B.Sc. (Agri.) - Allahabad Agriculture Institute (1993-12)