How Agri Input Companies Are Doubling Field Coverage Without Doubling Team Size

Discover how agri input companies use field force management to increase field coverage without hiring more manpower.

The agri-input industry grows by bringing more territories under their coverage. This usually requires hiring more field agents.

But modern agri-input companies are breaking the rules and proving that putting more boots on the ground isn’t the only path to growth. What’s the alternative?

Well, boosting existing workforce efficiency and using one-stop field force management solutions are two strategies agri-input businesses prefer to increase field coverage without hiring aggressively.

Want to know more such strategies?

Dive in!

How Agri Input Companies Are Doubling Field Coverage Without Doubling Team Size – 6 Strategies

Here are 6 smart strategies agri input businesses swear by to increase field coverage without expanding their workforce.

1. Smart Task Allocation

One of the easiest and most effective way to increase your field agents’ efficiency is to ensure there are no task overlaps or repeat allocations. By optimising your agri teams’ tasks, you can reduce their workload and boost performance.

Thus, smart allocation using field force management helps you utilise your workforce to its full potential. You can boost expansion without hiring more employees.

• Assign tasks based on an executive’s skillset, workload or regional familiarity.
• Allocate tasks in bulk to save time.
• Schedule tasks in advance.
• Thoroughly explain tasks using voice notes, descriptions and videos to reduce chances of failure.
• Define task types (Demos, Troubleshooting, Sales)

Additionally, agri-input businesses should also prefer to utilise agents who are skilled in multiple roles. This will allow for multiple tasks being completed at the same time instead of requiring several employees.

It saves time of staff and customers, requires less planning and better resource allocation.

2. Efficient Route Planning

Agri field agents have to cover considerable distances daily. Plus, they visit distant and inaccessible locations. Thus, a large chunk of their workhours is spent travelling, which is not productive.

But you can change that with better route planning. We have already covered how smart location-based task allocation can reduce travel time. You can further reduce it by overseeing and optimising your agri agents’ routes.

You can use a field force tracking tool with an integrated map. It allows field managers to:

• Check for traffic and poor road conditions.
• Identify the fastest travel routes for agri sales reps.
• Inform agents in real-time of the road conditions.
• Prioritise routes with multiple client locations.

Thus, route optimisation reduces commute fatigue and increases the number of farmer interactions per day.

3. Optimised Territory Management

Not all regions require the same level of efforts or resource allocation. Farmers’ need for agri inputs can vary as per seasonal growing patterns, climate, land size, etc.

So, instead of choosing territories just for the sake of expanding, agri-input businesses should consider the following factors.

• Farmer density
• Type of crops grown in the area
• Seasonal growing patterns
• Local traditions
• Climate and soil type

Only after thorough analysis of the above factors and your existing workforce capability should you choose to expand your territory coverage.

💡 Let’s understand territory management with an example. 

• Sugarcane takes over a year to grow and requires consistent labour and attention.
• Paddy has a short growing cycle, but the labour demand peaks at certain stages.

Therefore, targeting rice growing regions can be beneficial. Why? Well because it is a staple, high-demand crop and can be grown multiple times a year. It allows for broader reach, faster sales cycles, and easier resource allocation.

ROI can be tracked faster, and more farmers can be served collectively as many regions focus solely on growing rice instead of alternating with other crops.

4. Automated Reporting

Do you really want your field reps to use manual paper cards to punch attendance or collect survey data on paper forms?

Manual reporting is challenging and slow. The time and effort put in it by agri agents can be instead used to visit more farmers. How? Well, field force automation software is the answer!

Using field force automation, you can:

• Allow field reps to share custom forms with farmers who input their own data.
• Ensure accurate and auto-logged, geofenced attendance marking.
• Automate visit logging, time tracking and route distance calculation.

With agri reps spending more time in the field and less time in spreadsheets, they are bound to work more productivity and visit more farmers.

5. Use One-Stop Software to Manage Agents’ Field Operations

Why rely on using multiple platforms to manage your field operations when you can just use one?

That way your field agents won’t have to spend more time and efforts logging into and operating several apps. They can use a single, lightweight field executive app to:

• Mark geo-verified attendance
• Take multiple sales orders with custom discounts
• Mark tasks as complete or in progress
• Raise reimbursement or leave requests
• Calculate daily distance travelled

So, save your agri agents’ time by choosing an all-in-one software for field reporting, communication, customer management, payroll, and more.

6. Measure Impact & Analyse Data

One of the best ways to enhance your reach is by regularly analysing your agri teams’ performance data. It allows you to spot skill gaps and patterns of underperformance early.

You can also identify trends, better understand market demands and optimise your strategies after reviewing what’s working and what’s not. Here are the key agri input KPIs you should be tracking:

• Villages covered per week/month
• Farmer meetings per day
• Demo plots executed per agent
• Retail visits and order conversion
• Idle time vs productive hours
• Missed vs completed tasks

Wrapping Up

Scaling field coverage doesn’t always mean hiring more agents. For agri-input companies, the smarter path to growth lies in optimising what you already have.

With smart task allocation, efficient route optimisation, territory mapping, and powerful field force automation tools, your existing teams can do more in less time. The best thing? It’s possible to do without sustaining employee burnouts or blowing out your budget.

So, if you want to grow your agri input operations coverage, begin by empowering your field teams today. Schedule a free demo of TrackoField.

FAQs

• How can agri input companies double their rural outreach without increasing headcount?

  Agri input companies can increase their rural outreach without hiring more staff by:
  - Equipping existing agents with route optimization tools
  - Using activity planning dashboards
  - Using digital reporting systems to log field operations
  This allows reps to visit more villages daily without spending more time or resources.

• Is it possible to manage rural field agents remotely with TrackoField?

  Absolutely. You can manage rural agri field agents remotely by :
  - Using real-time activity and location monitoring
  - Offline task tracking
  - Using centralised dashboards
  - Ensuring agents have GPS-enabled mobile devices

• What are the best tools to track agri field agents?

  Tools like TrackoField, Leadsquared, and SalesDiary offer mobile-first tracking, attendance, route planning, and daily reporting features useful for agri sales teams.

• Can field agents cover more ground without compromising visit quality?

  Yes. With well-defined daily plans, geo-tagged visit tracking, and digital demo kits, agents can maintain both efficiency and quality in each farmer interaction.

• How can companies reduce fake visit reports from field agents?

  Using time-stamped, geo-tagged photo uploads and GPS-tracked attendance ensures that visit reports are authentic and verifiable. Farmer feedback and data collection also help authenticate the agents’ visit.