Should you study agricultural science? Does an Agricultural Science degree offer rewarding career opportunities?
Sometimes deciding which course to study at the university or what career path to take can be difficult. When it comes to choosing a course of study, most people shy away from agricultural science. Engaging young people in the prospects of the agricultural sector has become imperative.
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Agric Science is both the practical and theoretical application of farming, production, and processing of plants and animals. It includes the technologies of soil cultivation, crop cultivation and harvesting, animal production, and the processing of plant and animal products for human consumption and use.
In this post, we shall explore some of the reasons why you should study agricultural science. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider studying agricultural science.
Also read 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Opportunities in Agriculture
Table of Contents
1. Agricultural science is an exciting field to explore.
Agricultural science is both practical and theoretical, and more people worldwide are getting interested in the sector. Agriculture is the world’s future, and choosing to study the course will position you to be relevant in the future. More so, there are many interesting subjects in agricultural studies such as agricultural science, food processing, water resource management, physiology of plants, food chemistry, etc.
2. Better job and career opportunities
The job and career opportunities available in the agricultural sector are unlimited. You do not need to bother about getting a job after successfully completing your studies. The scopes of job opportunities in the agric sector are broad because governments support the studies. You can decide to start up your own private firm based on your area of specialization. Upon graduation, you can also choose to pursue higher studies to qualify for higher opportunities or choose to work in various agro-allied industries. As an agricultural science graduate, you also stand the chance of getting a job in the banking sector or biotech industries.
3. Agric Science is a progressive path.
Agricultural science is an innovative sector that utilizes some of the most recent innovations in the field of science to make sustenance and subsistence farming less expensive. It becomes increasingly proficient and more secure due to its advanced performance. By choosing to study agriscience, you become part of a field that is progressive and innovative in nature.
4. Agriculture is the future.
Without agriculture, there will be no food and no future. The world depends on farmers cultivating plants and animals for food production and industrial raw materials. Thus, agriculture can totally eradicate poverty and needs vibrant and passionate youths to be part of the sector. By choosing to study the course, you’re contributing your quota to the betterment of humanity.
5. Future growth trends in the agricultural sector
The agricultural sector has one of the highest growth projections globally. Attitudes toward the industry are changing exponentially for good. Agriculture used to be one of the most neglected sectors. It was left to illiterate farmers. Now, the narrative is changing as more youngsters are becoming more passionate and enthusiastic when it comes to choosing a career path in the agricultural sector.
6. High demand for young graduates
There is still room for innovation and opportunities in the agricultural sector. Young graduates are in high demand to carry out more agricultural research geared towards improving and transforming livelihood and technology in the developing industry.
7. Technology in the agricultural sector
As such, most people see the agricultural sector as an ancient sector and do not consider it an advanced or modern sector. But the technology in this sector is continually advancing. Millions of farmers worldwide use modern equipment and sophisticated gadgets to boost their productivity and improve their businesses.
8. High opportunities for young graduates and entrepreneurs
The agricultural sector has enormous opportunities for all. The sector is exceptionally friendly to young entrepreneurs who have the eyes to identify business opportunities. It is one of the best job creation sectors and welcomes investors from all walks of life.
9. The role of agricultural science in economic development
It has been estimated that the agricultural industry has more potential for reducing poverty than any other sector in the world. All nations of the world are now dependent on the agricultural sector like never before.
10. There are more opportunities for agricultural businesses in Africa.
Upon your graduation, you can decide to go into full-time agribusiness as the market conditions are favorable across the world. Agricultural science is easy to practice and apply on the job.
Also read How to Make a lot of Money From Agriculture in Africa
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Careers in Agricultural Science
The career options in agricultural science go beyond ranching and farming. If you’re passionate about working with animals, crops, and resources that contribute to the development of the economy, then pursuing a career in agriculture will be the best option for you.
Below are some of the career options available in agriculture.
1. Agriculture Mechanics
This field consists of various skilled jobs. You may consider pursuing a career as an agricultural engineer, manager, scientist, or technician.
- Agricultural Assembly Technician: As an Assembly Technician, you’ll be responsible for assembling various parts of agricultural equipment. You’ll also be responsible for assembling the main instruments and machines used in agricultural practices. Most of the Agric Technician jobs require a higher diploma, but an associate bachelor’s degree in power technology gives you a better chance to land high-paying jobs.
- Service/Maintenance Technician: The service/maintenance technician travels around different agro-locations to service or repair agricultural equipment such as garden/lawn machines and farming equipment. They are responsible for detecting faulty problems in machines and restoring them to normalcy.
- Precision Agriculture specialists: The duties of a Precision Agriculture specialist center around supporting growers. They are responsible for helping farmers resolve technical issues associated with precision technologies.
2. Agriculture Engineers
This is one of the fields of agriculture that requires advanced degrees in engineering. It often requires the extensive use of water lines, buildings, machinery, waste management, etc.
- Structural engineer or food engineer: As a food engineer, you’ll make use of computer-aided technology to design different equipment and components in the agricultural sector. You can choose a career path in designing and developing food processing plants or a career path as a manufacturing operations supervisor. There are many more career options for a structural engineer, like designing structures for storing and processing crops or customized structures for animal housing and rearing.
- Irrigation engineer: The irrigation engineer is responsible for designing, planning, implementing, and analyzing agricultural irrigation systems. Depending on the job opening, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or agricultural engineering for a land and irrigation engineering job. However, some job opportunities will require either a master’s degree or a PhD.
3. Agribusiness
The opportunities in the agribusiness sector are similar to jobs in other sectors. However, the anchor of these business positions is on food production, either through animals or crops.
- Finance Service Rep: An agricultural finance service rep works solely with insurance and loan portfolios. They create and grow portfolios of mortgages, operating loans, and term insurance. You’ll work closely with traditional farmers, niche agricultural farmers, and individual hobby growers. To get better opportunities, you need a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business, business administration, or other finance-related degrees.
- Agriculture lawyer: As an agricultural lawyer, you’ll focus on the legal aspect of the agricultural sector. Your areas of specialization include land use, environmental regulations, agriculture labor, water use, seed property matters, and pesticide/chemical use in agriculture.
- Farm Accountant/Business Manager: A farm accountant/business manager provides financial consultancy services to farms and agro-allied companies. You’ll help create and analyze reports as part of your record-keeping duties. This includes the oversight of budgets for farm operations and other accounting duties. You need an associate degree in farm management or agricultural business to land high-paying jobs; most companies provide on-the-job training for those on the management career path.
- Farm Production Manager: A farm manager is responsible for overseeing the entire functions and production of a farm. As a farm production manager, you’ll liaise with supervisors and workers to ensure that supplies, equipment, feed/seed, and other basic necessities are available and ready for use on the farm for maximum productivity. You’ll be in charge of all functions ranging from harvests to day-to-day schedules, etc. This position requires a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, or other related fields.
Also read 5 Huge Opportunities Most People Are not Taking Seriously Today
4. Agricultural Economics
The career options in agricultural economics include
- Agricultural lender: Most of the positions in agricultural economics require a degree in either economics, finance, or business. For a job placement as an agricultural lender, you need a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, banking, business administration, or agribusiness.
- Food Distribution Manager: The food distribution manager is saddled with the responsibility of procuring food and transportation logistics. You’ll work with food manufacturing companies or grocery chains. As a food distribution manager, you’ll oversee price discovery and maintain a supplier network. Most of the job openings require a bachelor’s degree in business administration, agricultural science, or business management.
5. Animal Science
This addresses the issues of production and management of livestock. It consists of other related fields like biology and physical and social sciences. Animal scientists can find different opportunities and a career path in animal foods.
- Animal Geneticist: Animal geneticists analyze and study the genetic makeup of various animals. You’ll identify different genes responsible for health issues and behaviors in animals, such as susceptibility and immunity to diseases, as an animal geneticist; you’ll also identify the various ways of improving the selection process. To land high-paying animal genetics jobs, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in biology, animal science genetics, poultry science, or dairy science. Other job opportunities may require a master’s degree or Ph.D.
Agriculture is the future of most countries in the world, and the opportunities that lie in the agricultural sector are unlimited. We hope that the information we provided in this post has better deepened your understanding of the reasons why you should study agriculture.
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