What does an Agriculturist do: Role and Responsibilities of an Agriculturist

01 December,2021  |  By Brainwonders

Agriculturists research and develop the most effective methods for cultivating soil, rearing livestock, and growing crops. This involves animal care and breeding, crop protection and harvesting, and soil management. There are numerous career paths available in this sector, however many agriculturists specialise in a single area. 

Agriculturists' major duty is to direct agricultural initiatives and activities, typically in agribusiness planning or research for the benefit of farms, food, and agribusiness-related organizations. Agriculturists in the government are typically identified as public agriculturists who serve as agriculture policymakers or technical advisors to policymakers. Agriculturists can also provide technical advice to farmers and farm workers on topics such as creating crop calendars and workflows to optimize farm production, tracing agricultural market channels, prescribing fertilizers and pesticides to avoid misuse, and aligning for organic accreditation or national agricultural quality standards.

Role of an Agriculturist

Animal Agriculturist:

Animal Agriculturist Assists livestock farms in increasing productivity and profitability. Work in this area focuses on animal identification systems, breeding, living conditions, nutrition, emergency health management, and developing animal diseases. Another source of worry is global trade and the challenges that develop as a result of international trade between countries, such as pollution.

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Crop Agriculturists:

Crop Agriculturists are experts in crop management, ecosystems, weed and pest control, and harvesting techniques. The responsibilities are frequently tied to new technology, such as designing harvesting equipment or herbicides and pesticides to reduce crop damage. Another challenge for crop agriculturists is stewardship of plant and soil resources to maximise and protect their utilisation. 

Farm Management:

Farm Management is another area in which an agriculturist might specialise. Agriculturists in this field teach farmers how to create long- and short-term profit plans. Analyzing the farm's operations and financial planning are also addressed.

Another area of specialisation for an agriculturist is Rural Development. It entails assisting rural farmers with community development. These talents are occasionally transferred to other nations to assist farmers in developing and sustaining food sources and economic growth.

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Agriculturists might also pursue a profession in Biotechnology Agriculture. These agriculturists sometimes genetically modify crops to make them resistant to specific insect pests and plant illnesses. Crops, for example, may be modified to tolerate specific pesticides, making weed management easier. This can lessen the demand for synthetic pesticides as well as the costs connected with purchasing them. 

Biotechnology can also be utilised to create healthier foods. Some studies, for example, aim to reduce dietary allergies, whilst others focus on lipids found in cooking oils. This research is even being utilised to investigate plant-based medications.

Another aspect of biotechnology is the development of crops that can tolerate extreme circumstances. Crop losses can be considered when there is bad weather, for example. The ramifications of this can be severe, resulting in higher consumer prices and, in extreme circumstances, food shortages.

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Courses and Certifications

To begin a professional career in agriculture, you will need to take agricultural courses. Students can pursue a range of courses in the agriculture industry. Here are some popular courses:

Certificate Programs:

• Agriculture Science 
• Food and Beverage Service 
• Bio-fertilizer Production 

Bachelor's Degree Programs (B.Sc):

• Agriculture 
• Agriculture (Honors)
• Crop Physiology 

Diploma Programs:

• Agriculture 
• Agriculture and Allied Practices
• Food Processing 

Master's Degree Programs (M.Sc):

• Agriculture 
• Biological Sciences
• Agriculture Botany 

Doctoral Programs:

• Agriculture
• Agriculture Biotechnology
• Agricultural Entomology

Eligibility 

Eligibility for Undergraduate Courses:

Students seeking admission to bachelor's programmes must have passed the 10+2 or equivalent exam with biology, maths, and physics subjects from any recognised school or board. Undergraduate studies (B.Sc Agriculture) last three years. 

Eligibility for Postgraduate Courses:

To be eligible for admission to postgraduate courses, students must hold a bachelor's degree in science from a recognised college or institution. The M.Sc (Agriculture) programme lasts two years.

Agriculturist in India

Agricultural Scientist is the professional title in India (abbreviated as ARS). The Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board holds competitive tests to qualify for entry-level positions in accordance with the Gajendragadkar Report of 1972. The entry-level ARS position is the same as that of the Central Government's Jr. Class I cadre. The starting income is determined following advancement increases for better qualifications, with PhDs receiving the highest salary. 

They are kept on the 'tenure track' or 'probation' for two years, after which they are given tenure and confirmed in the ARS. After serving for a specified number of years and achieving certain performance standards, they are promoted to the next higher grade in a Flexible Complementation system known as the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS).

Employees who do not have a PhD degree are offered paid study leave to pursue a PhD, which is required for advancement. Scientists can advance through CAS to the Principal Scientist grade, which is equivalent to the scale of Joint Secretary to the Government of India. The ARS supports the infusion of new talent at all levels of seniority through lateral entry, in which incumbent scientists can compete in an open competition and advance their careers far faster than the CAS. All positions in Research Management are filled through open competition.