Agricultural Technician Career Description
Agricultural technicians assist the agriculturists in their work and help with the collection of information. They also give advice and information to the fanning industry.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
There are three kinds of agricultural technicians, namely agricultural resource technicians, agricultural extension technicians and agricultural research technicians. Depending on which field you choose, the nature of the work will be as follows:
Agricultural resource technician
Agricultural resource technicians work together with the agricultural resource officer. They are involved in the classification, description and plotting of a region's natural resources.
Agricultural extension technician
Agricultural extension technicians assist the agricultural extension officer. They collect agricultural information to determine the needs for agricultural extension. This information is then used to plan agricultural extension activities. Agricultural extension technicians are also involved in the classification of agricultural resources and the planning of farms. They advise farmers on specific farming methods.
Agricultural research technician
Agricultural research technicians help the agricultural researchers with their research but can also undertake their own research projects in one of the following fields: Botany, Agricultural Microbiology, Analytical Chemistry, Zoology, Veterinary Science, Food Technology, Agricultural Meteorology and Soil Science.
Some engineering technicians, namely civil, mechanical, electrical/ electronic and civil agricultural engineering technicians are also involved in the agricultural industry. They use their knowledge of engineering to solve problems with regard to irrigation schemes, soil conservation, agricultural structures, agricultural mechanisation and the use of electronics and electricity.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need? Prospective agricultural technicians must like to work with soil, plants and animals. They should be inquisitive and have good interpersonal skills because they have to offer information and advice to farmers.
Where can I work?
One can work at the Departments of Agriculture and Water Affairs and Forestry. The research institutes of the Agricultural Research Council and the agricultural cooperations also employ agricultural technicians.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
One can act as consultant for farmers and agricultural co-operations.
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