Careers in Agriculture
The need for the agriculture industry to supply the growing population with food products and alternative energies cannot be overemphasised. Over the years, the use of technology in many aspects of agriculture has shifted the general perception of the agriculture industry from one that is streamlined to manual labour, to an industry with a diverse range of opportunities to explore.
In Canada, like the rest of the world, there is an increasing demand for skilled workers in the agriculture industry to contribute towards efforts aimed at sustaining the economy while preserving its natural resources.
The agriculture industry is particularly significant in the current research and innovation to address major global challenges.
This industry is without doubts, one of the largest industries in terms of the career opportunities available. Careers in the agriculture industry span across science, production, management, economics, and research with efforts directed to discovering improved methods of growing and preserving natural resources.
The agriculture industry covers a variety of career options ranging from roles that require physical labour to more advanced positions that require standard training to gain skills needed as a professional.
Some of the diverse career options in the agriculture industry are:
Agricultural Engineer
Agricultural engineers adopt basic science and engineering principles in designing sustainable farming solutions. This role involves designing equipment and machinery such as storage and handling facilities, irrigation and drainage systems, that would help improve current agricultural production.
Specialists in this role should have the skill to design new solutions and a strong grasp of physical, chemical, and engineering principles to apply in the supervision of agricultural construction projects.
Agricultural Economist
This role requires applying microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts and theories to understand economic decisions that influence agricultural production. Agricultural economists analyze economic data and determine trends in economic activity to make profitable decisions for the business.
Professionals in this role would need to be skilled in the principles of economics and possess at least Bachelor’s degree in courses like economics or accounting.
Soil and Plant Scientist
Soil and plant scientists test the chemical and physical composition of the soil to assess how it affects plant growth and research possible alternative method of growing crops that will maximize efficiency. These scientists work to determine soil types and advise farmers on steps to make these soil types most suitable for different crops. They research how plants can help repair polluted soils and ways to increase the food yield of agricultural farmlands.
To build a career in this role, one should have a strong understanding of courses like; plant-based biology, geology, chemistry and environmental sciences.
Agronomist
Agronomists are primarily concerned with the growth and production of plants and soil management. These specialists perform scientific research on soil structure and innovate new ways to enhance crop production. For this process to be effective and sustainable, professionals in this field should have at least a Bachelor’s degree in soil science or any related field to be familiar with concepts in areas like plant genetics, animal sciences and soil sciences.
Agricultural Salesperson
Agricultural sales involve the selling of machinery, animal feed, fertilizers and seed. This role requires workers to have detailed knowledge of agricultural products to recommend products that suit buyer’s needs. A Bachelor’s degree in sales, marketing or related fields would be useful to start a career in this role. Professionals in this role should also have impressive marketing skills and the ability to build long term relationships with customers.
Agricultural Manager
Agricultural managers are responsible for overseeing the development of crops and livestock, ensuring that all processes comply with the existing health and safety standards. Skilled workers in this role are typically responsible for making decisions on the crop rotation cycle, hiring personnel, adopting new systems for agriculture and budget-related tasks.
Professionals in this role would need to receive formal training, typically in relevant agricultural-related degrees, to have a strong understanding of both the systems they would be working with and the economics of the market.
Botanist (Plant Biologist)
Botanists are scientists who engage in the study of plant life. They identify new plant species, produce entire plants using biotechnology, study the effects of pollution of various plants and implement strategies for environmental protection.
Plant biologists are particularly important in modern research science, as they look into the genetics of plants to understand their importance to humanity.
Food Scientist
Food scientists are responsible for ensuring that food produced is safe for human consumption. These professionals apply knowledge of chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, and engineering to preserve food supply by assuring its nutritional quality and safety.
Food scientists typically work in food processing companies or government agencies as product developers, production supervisors, and quality assurance specialists and require at least a Bachelor’s degree in food science.
Universities in Canada offering courses in Agriculture
Some top colleges in Canada for international students looking to study courses in Agricultural Sciences are:
University of Guelph: The Ontario Agricultural College of the University of Guelph is internationally renowned for its research, teaching and knowledge extension. The College seeks to Improve life by inspiring leaders, generating knowledge and creating innovative solutions for food, agriculture, communities and the environment.
University of Saskatchewan: The University’s College of Agriculture and Bioresources offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in agricultural sciences that teach ways to care for the environment while finding solutions to meet the demands of a hungry and growing world.
University of Manitoba: The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences in the University of Manitoba, develops students and ideas in support of providing food, bio-resources and services that benefit the society, the environment and the agri-food sector. The faculty offer programs that explore what it means to grow, produce and consume food in a sustainable way.
University of Lethbridge: The University of Lethbridge offers courses in agricultural studies that give students a solid foundation of a wide variety of productive activities related to livestock and a variety of crops. Students learn the physical and economic interrelationships between agricultural production, marketing, trade and nutrient management, and several disciplines in agriculture.
Trent University: Trent University offers a Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Program that examines the challenges and benefits of producing and distributing healthy, affordable food in sustainable ways.
