New Member: Agrii – Growing Future Talent to Support Sustainable Agriculture
At MDS, we’re proud to work with organisations that are passionate about developing future talent while supporting the UK’s food and farming industry. One of those organisations is Agrii, whose work supports farmers with the knowledge, technology and expertise needed to navigate the challenges of modern agriculture
We spoke to Jaishree Mistry, HR Business Partner at Agrii, and current MDS Trainee Reuben Cavill to learn more about the business, why they chose to partner with MDS, and what life is like as a Trainee at Agrii.
Supporting Farmers Across the UK
Agrii brings together expert agronomy, technology and strategic advice to support farmers across the UK. The business harnesses the latest research and innovations across crop protection, seed, fertiliser and technology, all trialled and tested through its network of iFarms and technology centres. This approach allows Agrii to provide growers with trusted advice and practical solutions to support sustainable farming.
Investing in Future Talent
Jai shared why Agrii chose to partner with MDS:
“One of our values is People, having outstanding people, expertise and leadership, and partnering with MDS, Agrii benefits from access to high-calibre graduates.”
She also highlighted the role MDS plays in Agrii’s wider graduate recruitment approach:
“Agrii have been reviewing our succession planning and graduate talent recruitment approach for our commercial team, and our analysis showed that the cost-benefit of using MDS is more favourable than running an in-house graduate programme.”
Life as an MDS Trainee at Agrii
Current MDS Trainee Reuben is completing a commercial placement within Agrii’s Crop Protection team, supporting the Commercial Managers with a range of projects.
Speaking about his role, Reuben said:
“A typical day starts by catching up with the team and planning my priorities before getting stuck into whatever project I’m working on. This could involve analysing sales, pricing, and forecasting data, reviewing product portfolios, supporting wider commercial projects, or attending meetings with colleagues from across the business.”
Alongside his commercial responsibilities, Reuben has also had the opportunity to join Agrii’s Agronomists on crop walks, giving him the chance to see how the business supports growers in practice.
“I’ve also had the opportunity to join some of Agrii’s Agronomists on crop walks, which has been a great way to see firsthand how their advice supports growers and connects with the commercial side of the business. It’s been a brilliant way to develop my commercial understanding while learning more about an industry that was completely new to me.”
Discovering a New Industry
Before joining Agrii, Reuben had very little knowledge of crop protection. His placement has given him the opportunity to explore a new area of agriculture, both through his commercial role and by spending time with Agrii’s Agronomists on crop walks.
“The highlight of my placement has definitely been learning about an industry that was completely new to me. Before joining Agrii, I had very little knowledge of crop protection, so it’s been fascinating to gain an insight into an industry that plays such an important role in UK agriculture and food production.”
“Getting out on crop walks with Agronomists has been a real highlight because it’s given me a much better understanding of the challenges growers face throughout the season and the expertise involved in helping them make informed decisions. Seeing that side of the business has really brought everything together and given me a much greater appreciation of the work that goes into supporting British farming.”
Why Agrii?
Agrii offers graduates the opportunity to be part of a team that is making a difference to farms, food production and the countryside.
The business is committed to creating a friendly and collaborative environment where people can learn, share ideas and develop their skills. For those looking to build a career in agriculture, Agrii provides the opportunity to gain valuable experience while contributing to an industry that continues to evolve.
We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Agrii and look forward to seeing more MDS Trainees develop their careers with the business in the years ahead.