Agribusiness Consultant – Cluster Development Programme

About the role

The National Horticulture Board (NHB), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, is engaging 3 Agribusiness Consultants on contract to support its Cluster Development Programme (CDP) (notice NHB/Pers./Engagement of Consultants/CDP/2026/3363, dated 13 November 2026). The consultants coordinate with Implementing Agencies, State Horticulture Missions and state departments so approved cluster projects meet their physical and financial targets. Contract of one year from joining, extendable yearly on performance. Posting at NHB Headquarters, Gurugram, with visits to CDP clusters across India. AgriHires is publishing this vacancy for wider reach: apply directly to NHB (steps below). Last date 25 November 2026, 5:00 PM; interviews 27 November 2026.

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What you'll do

• Coordinate with Implementing Agencies (IAs), State Horticulture Missions, state departments and other stakeholders to implement approved cluster projects.
• Get project components under the DPRs and Grant Agreements started and executed on time: infrastructure, procurement, installation and commissioning.
• Monitor physical and financial progress of every cluster against DPRs, Grant Agreements and milestones; keep cluster-wise and component-wise records of cost, assistance, expenditure and pending work.
• Track IA commitments: farmer participation and registration, area, crop-wise targets, infrastructure, market linkages and exports.
• Visit clusters and write inspection reports on progress, gaps, delays and corrective action; follow bottlenecks through to resolution.
• Monitor farmer mobilisation, capacity building and integration of farmers into organised supply chains; work with KVKs, agricultural universities, FPOs/FPCs, exporters and processors.
• Examine expenditure statements and Utilisation Certificates before release of assistance; keep the CDP SURAKSHA portal and dashboards updated.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly progress reports, review notes, presentations, PAC meeting material and Action Taken Reports.

Who should apply

• Master's degree in Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Marketing, Horticulture, Post Harvest Management, Food Process Engineering & Management, Food Agri-Business Management or Food Supply Chain Management, or a two-year PG Diploma in Agri Business Management, from a recognised university or institution.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant post-qualification experience.
• Basic knowledge of computers is mandatory. Maximum age 40 years.
• Desirable: coordinating and monitoring agriculture, horticulture, agribusiness or infrastructure projects; working with government departments, state agencies, IAs, FPOs/FPCs and financial institutions; examining DPRs; monitoring fund utilisation and scheme compliance.
• Desirable: knowledge of horticulture value chains, post-harvest management, cold-chain infrastructure, marketing, export promotion and market linkages.
• Consolidated ₹80,000 a month with no other allowances; official tours reimbursed under NHB rules. Purely contractual: no claim to regular appointment.