In this article you will learn about:
- An overview of agriculture industry
- Why choose agriculture as a major?
- Why agriculture as a career is needed now more than ever
- Different Career Options in the Agricultural Industry
- Conclusion
An overview of agriculture industry
When an individual thinks about agriculture, the first thought they get in their mind is farmers, cultivation, watching over crops, spraying pesticides, and more. Don’t be surprised if you feel you are among them. Because in high school students learn only about these terms so when they hear the term “Agriculture” they start to think about a man plowing the field, planting corps, and more.
Today every person wishes to have a career in marketing, finance, computer science, aerospace, and more. But no one wants themselves to land in the agriculture industry. Most people think like this just because they don’t find their colleagues, friends, and elder ones planning their career in agriculture. Even if there is a small sense of encouragement people will think of planning their career in the agriculture industry.
The agriculture industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and has a huge potential for growth. But every time employers are failing to find qualified candidates that are keen about working in the industry. Even today if a person thinks of a career switch they never think of planning their career in the agriculture industry, mostly because they are unfamiliar with what the agriculture industry can offer them.
Not only that but even in high school students are not taught about what is the importance of the agriculture industry and how they can build a career in the agriculture industry. Parents also have to understand that even if they don’t live on a farm or in a rural community, their children could choose agriculture as their profession and build a full career plan in the agriculture industry.
Due to high job demand and fewer job seekers every day there are hundreds of positions running empty. If you are interested in the agriculture industry and wonder how you can plan a career path in one of the world’s most underrated industries then you have landed on the right article.
Below we are going to walk you through some of the different career options that you can select if your plan is to land in the agriculture industry. Not only that but we are also going to highlight why one should pick agriculture as your career option.
Before we start exploring different career options in the agriculture industry. Let’s first understand how it can benefit you and why one should choose agriculture as their major?
Why choose Agriculture as major?
When people hear about individuals planning to start a career in the agriculture industry, either they go blank or have a big question mark on their face “Why?”. I would not be surprised if you are one of them.
Most of the people, mainly the young ones, tend to divert more toward technology, arts, commerce, and more. But when they are asked about the agriculture industry? They start wondering why one should select a career in farming or what does this major can offer (in terms of money, position, and more)? By the end of this article, you will be able to identify most of your answers.
Many youngsters think that starting a career in agriculture can limit them and there is a strong belief that among people that the agriculture industry offers limited opportunities. But in reality, the agriculture industry is not limited to farming there are other options like becoming an agricultural economist, agriculture operation manager, agronomy sales manager, agriculture engineer, animal nutritionist, and many more.
According to a recent survey by USDA, in the coming years, there will be more jobs available in the food system, agriculture industry, renewable energy, and more but fewer graduates are qualified to enter the industry.
Today India is on the edge of an exploding workforce which will need a stable and sustainable means of livelihood in the coming future. That’s why it’s important for young people to explore different career opportunities, one among them is the agriculture industry.
With the agriculture industry booming, most of the high school students and college students are left uninformed about the importance of the agriculture industry. Below we are going to list some of the important tips that will help you to identify why agriculture as a career is needed more than ever.
Why agriculture as a career is needed now more than ever?
1. Increase in the population
A recent survey by the United Nations states the world population is constantly increasing and it is expected to increase by 9.8 million by 2050. Undoubtedly China and India are among the most populous countries, it is expected that by 2024 India is expected to surpass China’s population.
To feed the population the world is going to rely heavily on agriculture that is the reason why various companies and countries have started experimenting with various agricultural processes. So that they are able to develop various agriculture techniques that can contribute toward mass production to feed highly populated countries.
This is the reason why today agriculture is one of the underrated but most demanding careers that require new technology, hard workers, creative minds, and most importantly educated graduates who can contribute their unique thinking to develop new and optimized processes in agriculture.
2. Can act as a goldmine for the young entrepreneur
Individuals who think of becoming an entrepreneur or wish to pursue their career as an entrepreneur can develop their interest in the agriculture industry as it can be a gold mine for them. With the increase in the population but low-quality supply people have started to look for quality food and being an entrepreneur you can bridge the gap by boosting productivity and offering quality products to them.
Because today India is one of the most populated countries in the world and every person expects to get the best quality food. But due to low productivity and mismanagement in the supply chain, the end product is either rotten or destroyed. That is the reason why the agriculture sector needs an educated and skilled workforce who can contribute their expertise to bring out the best from it. And there is no one better than an entrepreneur, who can bring his/her expertise and skilled workforce to the table.
Once young or new entrepreneurs start spending their time learning more about the agriculture industry then most probably they will come up with new opportunities which will create new jobs and optimize the agriculture industry functioning.
3. Technology Driven sector
Most individuals think that agriculture is just limited to cattle farming, plowing, cultivation, and more. But in reality, agriculture is also a technology-driven sector that requires young minds to invest their time and expertise in developing software and modern tools which can help farmers to boost productivity, market products and most importantly produce quality food.
Agricultural industry’s functioning is becoming advanced day by day and technology is playing a major role in bridging the gap between communication-related problems and management-related issues. With the introduction of technology in the agriculture industry, comes the need for job seekers with the right skills and education which can work with the existing technology and develop new technologies that can continue to shape the future agricultural industry.
4. Great Employment rate
Today’s modern agriculture industry includes operating equipment, creating new strategies, food safety, marketing, technology, and more which open a wide range of job opportunities in the agriculture industry. Undoubtedly the agriculture industry is evolving and using modern techniques it has already started to function in a more advanced way. But still, there is room for improvement in the agriculture industry.
Young people and working professionals who are interested in getting their hands into the agriculture industry can contribute their expertise and knowledge to help transform livelihood as well as technology in the underdeveloped sectors. There are several jobs available in economics, marketing, agribusinesses, technology, sales, finance, and many more.
No matter whether you are looking for a career shift or plan a new career you can always plan to have a career in the agriculture industry depending on your existing skills, interests, and more. For example, if you are working as a tech guy in an IT company or marketing head in a company then you can always see yourself working in the agriculture industry.
5. Growing Industry
Compared to other industries, agriculture is considered one of the growing industries that are offering huge opportunities to job seekers and in return asking for highly skilled professionals to shape the industry with the right technology and strategies. With the increase in population and demand, the agriculture industry is growing at such a fast pace in different parts of the world.
Today in India agriculture has become one of the primary sources of livelihood for more than 58% of the population. But due to less expertise and old techniques, farmers are failing to sustain even in the huge marketplace. In the year 2019-2020, food grain production is estimated to reach 295.67 million tons and by 2021 the government is expecting it to grow a record 298 million tons.
So with the larger amount of production and a huge demand, the agriculture industry is growing and will reach a place where there will be more employers and fewer job seekers. So, if you are planning to have a career in agriculture then you have already secured your future and are going to land in a sector that will help you to highlight your skills and expertise.
6. Slowly grabbing youth attention
Earlier when a high school student was asked about whether they see a future in the agriculture sector or not, the reply used was a bit weird. But today as youngsters are becoming more aware of different techniques, tools, and possibilities in the agriculture industry they are becoming more enthusiastic about selecting a career path in the agriculture industry.
Days are not far when youngsters will start focusing on agriculture engineers, learning marketing and finance solely for the agriculture industry, and many more. From the recent shift, we can say that the attitude of youngsters toward agriculture and farming position is changing in a positive direction and is expected to encourage youngsters from different parts of countries to show their interest in the agriculture industry as well.
Other than that there could be another reason that people want to move away from the noisy, stressful, and quick-paced city life. The quiet and relaxed environment in smaller agricultural towns is much more simple and healthy than city life.
7. High Paying Industry
The agriculture industry is constantly including new technology, machines, software and more for better production and reach. But due to fewer employees or skilled workers, employers are paying high amounts to people who can operate the existing technology, tools and software to create a new one for shaping the industry.
Not only that but if you’re an entrepreneur who can make a difference or bridge the gap in the agriculture industry then you are probably going to have a good paycheck in the future. Undoubtedly in the early days, you may come across many problems as you will be introduced to the new industry but once you start exploring the agricultural industry, you will be able to analyze how the industry works and the goals in the agricultural industry.
8. Rewarding
Working in the agriculture industry is more rewarding than any other sector or industry. When you know you are making a difference in society or in your industry then you get peace of mind and a sense of happiness that creates a positive impact around you. Working in an industry you like will encourage you to come up with more innovative and new ideas.
Well, this is one thing that most individuals wish to have in their career but after they land into an unwanted career either due to lack of research or pressure, they start feeling disturbed, stressful, and unsatisfied with the work they do.
People who plan their careers in the agriculture industry are most passionate about the work they do and wish to see themselves making the industry more successful and prosperous by their expertise and efforts. It feels rewarding when you know that your expertise, skills, and interest are making a difference in the industry.
Undoubtedly there are other great reasons to choose agriculture as your career, But the above-mentioned reasons will help you analyze how the agricultural industry can benefit you and why you need to plan a career in the agriculture industry. Mainly if you are a young individual looking to make a career plan then let me tell you agriculture can be a superb career field to consider.
The agriculture industry opens opportunities for different people of all races, gender, and age groups. Whether you are working in a marketing industry or in the finance industry or in the IT company you can also plan to shift your career to the agriculture sector. If you don’t get excited about the job itself then living benefits will definitely encourage you.
By now you might be aware of the reason why agriculture can be the best career option for your future. Next, we are going to highlight different career options in the agriculture industry.
Different Career option in the agriculture industry
Gone are those days when computer science engineering, mechanical engineering or MBBS or B.com used to be the priority of every youngster. Now with the advancement in the agricultural field youngsters are more diverting toward pursuing a career in the agriculture industry. With so many opportunities in the agricultural field it’s time to know the different option in the agriculture industry and the best one for your future:
1. Agricultural Economist
One of the popular and widely pursued career options in the agriculture industry is becoming an agricultural economist. The job of an agricultural economist is conducting financial analysis, setting up optimal production schedules, developing marketing plans, and more. If you plan to pursue a career as an agricultural economist then you have to use modern analytical management tools to make profit-making decisions.
An agricultural economist begins their career with a production operation or as a sales representative and as they spend time and gain experience in the industry they are handed the responsibility of decision making. Using modern analytical management an agricultural economist has to make profitable decisions. Most agricultural economists spend their time analyzing alternative decisions.
Requirement:
To have a career in agricultural economics you need interest and skills in analytics and making analytical decisions. You can focus more on mathematics and start learning economic theory. There are other aspects like having computer skills, learning more about decision-making tools in finance, marketing, and management. If you’re in high school then you can plan to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree as most agribusiness firms prefer to have employees holding a degree.
If you are in high school then try to focus more on mathematics, economics, accounting, and computer skills. You can also take up advanced courses.
2. Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural Engineering is an arena in the agriculture industry that focuses on the design, construction, and improvement of different farming equipment and machinery. The role of an agricultural engineer is to either design new farming equipment or optimize the existing tools and equipment to make it work more efficiently. An agricultural engineer mainly designs machinery & facilities like tractors, storage facilities, housing, irrigation tools, draining system, and more.
Agricultural engineers are the one who designs infrastructures for agriculture like water reservoirs, dams, warehouses, and other structures. Not only that but they are also involved in different core activities like testing the functioning of agricultural machinery, equipment, and parts. If you’re planning to become an agricultural engineer then apart from the above-mentioned activities you can also get involved in designing fusion or environment for livestock, storage structure, and more.
Requirements:
To be an agricultural engineer you need designing skills and you should be good at problem-solving. Apart from that, you need to be good at physical as well as chemical principles so that you can apply it to solve problems. If you wonder which subject to focus on more than yours, you can start with mathematics, physics, chemistry, building computer skills, economics, and other engineering-related subjects like environmental engineering, fluid mechanics, engineering design, and more.
3. Agricultural Inspector
Like in the medical industry there is a drug inspector, same in the agricultural industry there is a career option called agricultural inspector. The main job of an agricultural inspector is to examine different agricultural equipment, facilities, and others involved in food production. They also examine the products they are going to be sold in the market for its quality. An agriculture inspector verifies whether the crops cultivation process is right and safe for human consumption or not.
Before any crop surpluses go out in the market for sales, the agricultural inspector examines and inspects all the food products and processes closely to ensure that it is safe for eating or drinking. Agricultural inspectors should have the knowledge of FDA rules so that they enforce the rule in the right way. After their verification, the food is offered with an official grade depending on the quality. However, if the for doest qualify for its correctness then an agricultural inspector can take it again to ensure that the processing is stopped before it’s sold to the public.
Requirement
To become an Agricultural inspector you need to have a high school diploma or a bachelor’s degree. You can also choose to take a degree in biology, animal science, agricultural science, and more. Before becoming an agricultural inspector an individual has to go through some in-depth job training so that they are aware of government regulation and how the production and processing of food works.
The job demand of agricultural inspectors has significantly increased by 2% theta slower compared to other sectors but when it comes to agriculture there will be a need for inspectors and regulation maintainers. And with the increase in the population, the demand for food is going to be at the peak and for that companies and countries will need food inspectors to check the safety and quality of food.
4. Agronomist
The main job of an agronomist is to deal with the management of soil and field crops. Agronomists are the ones who investigate soil, develop new types of crops, analyze soil chemistry, and get in-depth ideas about the physics of water movement in the soil. So if you plan your career as an agronomist your main job will be to research different parts of the food industry all around the world to offer the best to the environment.
Agronomist working mainly for large crop management companies or directly for the government. They are hired to give their best recommendation about the soil, crops, environment, and the land whether it’s good for fertilization or not. They are generally hired as crop consultants either by farmers or by the fertilizer, crop, or other agricultural companies.
To become an agronomist you need to have an interest in science and hold a bachelor’s degree in the same. When you are in college you can start focusing on subjects like agriculture, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, a statistics course, and other general education. Before you select agronomist as your career make sure that you are keen on the applied science and food industry.
5. Agricultural Food Scientist
The main job of agricultural food scientists is to analyze farming methods and food production processes to enhance safety and increase yield. An agricultural food scientist conducts experiments on crops and analyses different data about food production procedure to find new, innovative, and optimized ways to boost agriculture and production. Working in this career field will include traveling as you have to travel to different farms and other sites to get the crop as well as soil samples.
Agricultural food scientists spend their majority of time analyzing different crops and soil in laboratories and offices. Most of their time is spent analyzing data and creating reports. Sometimes agricultural food scientists have to perform fieldwork but in most cases, they work in laboratories. In general, an agricultural food scientist makes an average of $58610 a year and the highest goes up to $104,840.
To be an agricultural food scientist you need a degree in biology, chemistry, crop or animal science. The minimum level of degree you need to have is a high school diploma and you can also obtain your master’s or doctorate degrees. Make sure when you get started with your bachelor’s or master’s degree you are participating more in the lab work to gain experience which will help you during the time of execution.
6. Agricultural manager
An agricultural manager is another important role in the agriculture industry which you can plan to pursue if you think you’re good at management and handling bulk operations. Agricultural managers are the one who supervises and coordinates various activities and operations in farms, greenhouse, nurseries, and other agricultural production-related companies or sites. The job of an agricultural manager is to oversee all aspects of running farms which generally includes maintenance of the food supply and facilities that produce crops.
Agricultural managers are either self-employed or lead a team of workers. Some of the duties of an agricultural manager include fertilization, planting, and harvesting process. Agricultural managers are in charge of training and hiring more skilled workers and also managing farmworkers. Not only that but their job also includes selecting the right equipment and tools needed for farming.
To become an agricultural manager you don’t need to have a degree or education level, but having a high school diploma will make your work more effective and efficient. Mainly the agricultural managers gain their experience after working in the agriculture industry or taking up family from. Nowadays if a person wishes to work as an agricultural manager in big companies then they need to have a bachelor’s degree. It helps you to learn management skills and other necessary skills essential for analyzing weather conditions, training other workers, and producing effective results.
Conclusion:
Agriculture is one of the most underrated industries but after reading this article you might have a good idea about how the agricultural industry can benefit you and why individuals should plan to choose a career in agriculture. If you need more assistance related to the agricultural field then you can either take the help of our career assessment platform or contact our professional counselor to assist more about different opportunities in the agricultural industry.
