Strategic Hiring of a Head of Agricultural Sciences for an Agritech Startup in Rajasthan

Zifcare helped an Udaipur-based funded startup hire its first Director-level scientist with a deep expertise in agri-tech to fund the next stage of innovation in the firm as well the overall sector in India.

With a very small pool of qualified candidates available in the Indian market - the task was challenging, additionally made difficult due to the budget constraints. Zifcare first identified key firms that were working in the sector and then did a targeted outreach on scientists with the relevant expertise. The role was closed in the first attempt itself with a shortlist of just 2 candidates.

⏰ Time to hire	1 month (approx.)
💰 Salary offered to hired candidate	INR 30 LPA + ESOPs
👥 Company team size	11-50 range (at time of hiring)
👨 Candidate profiles shared	2
💻 Candidates interviewed	2

Client Overview

• Company: Agritech Startup

• Industry: Sustainable Agriculture & Agritech

• Location: Udaipur, Rajasthan

• Challenge: Hiring a Head of Agricultural Sciences to lead R&D, field trials, and product development for organic and sustainable farming solutions.

Hiring Requirements & Challenges

The startup needed a leader with:

✔ Strong academic & research background in agricultural sciences

✔ Hands-on field trials experience, particularly in organic/natural farming

✔ Cross-functional collaboration with agronomists, product teams, and business stakeholders

✔ Willingness to relocate to Udaipur, Rajasthan

Key Challenges Faced:

1. Niche Expertise: Finding candidates with a blend of research depth and practical field experience in sustainable agriculture.

2. Location Constraints: Attracting senior talent willing to relocate to a non-metro city (Udaipur).

3. Compensation Balancing: Aligning startup budgets with market-competitive salaries while offering growth potential.

Candidate Summary (Selected Candidate)

Background & Expertise:

• PhD in Agricultural Sciences with 11+ years of experience in bio-pesticides, organic farming, and agri-product development.

• Previously Lead Scientist at a leading agri-inputs company, managing end-to-end product development from land preparation to market launch.

• Previously Senior Research Fellow at a premier agricultural research institute, specializing in bio-pesticides for pest management.

• Strong experience in cross-functional leadership, working with marketing, sales, and regulatory teams to commercialize products.

Why This Candidate Stood Out:

✔ Deep expertise in bio-pesticides & organic solutions—perfectly aligned with the startup's mission

✔ Proven ability to lead R&D-to-commercialization cycles in agri-inputs

✔ Experience working with government research bodies added credibility

✔ Flexible on relocation and adaptable to startup culture

Hiring Process

1. Sourcing & Initial Shortlisting

• Targeted candidates from agri-research institutions, agritech firms, and sustainable farming projects

• Key shortlisting criteria:

  • PhD in Agricultural Sciences

  • Hands-on field trials experience without synthetic chemicals

  • Leadership in product development & commercialization

• Top Candidates Identified:

  • Candidate X: 14+ years in R&D, specializing in organic fertilizers

  • Selected Candidate: 11 years in bio-pesticides, with agile product launch experience

2. Multi-Round Evaluations

• Round 1: Technical & Research Fit

  • Deep dive into past research, field trials, and problem-solving approaches

  • Assessed hands-on experience in organic farming techniques

• Round 2: Leadership & Cross-Functional Fit

  • Discussions with CEO & Founders on business alignment and team leadership

  • Evaluated ability to collaborate with marketing, sales, and regulatory teams

• Round 3: Strategic Review with Advisor

  • Final validation by an industry expert to ensure long-term scalability

3. Offer & Negotiation

• Selected Candidate chosen for strong bio-pesticide expertise and cross-functional agility

• Key Negotiations:

  • Notice period reduced from 60 to 30 days (via buyout)

  • Compensation structured with equity incentives for long-term retention

  • Relocation support provided for smooth transition to Udaipur

Impact

Why This Hiring Process Worked

✔ Structured & Multi-Stage Evaluation: Ensured technical, cultural, and strategic fit

✔ Advisor Involvement: Added external validation for long-term success

✔ Flexible Negotiation: Balanced candidate expectations with startup realities

Key Takeaways for Other Startups

✔ Clearly define must-have skills (e.g., field trials, organic farming expertise)

✔ Involve multiple stakeholders (CEO, founders, advisors) for diverse perspectives

✔ Be flexible in negotiations (notice period, equity-based compensation)

This case study demonstrates a structured, strategic approach to leadership hiring in agri-tech, ensuring the right blend of expertise, leadership, and cultural fit.