Agriculture Career Description
The agricultural industry offers a large variety of careers from agricultural economists, agricultural engineers and agriculturists to wool-classers and farm workers.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Agriculturists
Agriculturists are scientists who have each
specialised in a specific field in agriculture. Their main objective is to produce food and fibre. Some of the specialisation fields are Entomology, Agricultural Economics, Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Animal Science, Food Science and Wildlife Management. The minimum requirement to become an agriculturist is a B.Sc. degree or a B.Sc.(Agric) degree.
Agricultural engineers
Agricultural engineers use their knowledge of engineering to solve problems in agriculture. Agricultural engineers usually specialise in a specific field such as agricultural mechanisation, soil conservation and the processing of food. Agricultural engineers often work in the field and sometimes they are away from home for several days. The minimum requirement for agricultural engineers is a B.Sc. degree in Engineering or Agricultural Engineering.
Agricultural technicians
Agricultural technicians concentrate on the practical aspects of agriculture. Specialisation fields for agricultural technicians are, for example, mechanical agricultural technology (the design of farming implements), agricultural extension services and research. Agricultural technicians can follow various diploma courses at a technikon such as the N.Dip. Agricultural: Animal Production, N.Dip. Agriculture: Resource Utilisation, N.Dip. Agricultural Plant Production, N.Dip. Agricultural Management and the N.Dip. Agricultural Research: Botany.
Farmer and farm foreman
Farmers and farm foremen supervise, plan and organise all activities on the farm. Some farmers and farm foremen have no formal training, while others have certificates, diplomas and university degrees .
Farm workers
The duties of farm workers differ according to the type of farming. Most of the farm workers receive in-service training, but the training centres of Kromme Rhee and Boskop offer various short training courses for male and female farm workers. People with disabilities can also follow the courses at Boskop Training Centre.
Where can I work?
Presently there is a shortage of people with training in agriculture. Agricultural scientists can be employed by private organizations such as manufacturers of agricultural remedies, food companies, farming enterprises and co-operations, semi-governmental organizations such as the Council for Science and Industrial Research (CSIR). Agricultural engineers are employed by consulting engineering organisations which specialise in agriculture.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
One can act as consultant for farmers and agricultural co-operations.
|
