Careers in food have become more popular as a consequence of COVID-19. There are many different ways you can get involved, and one interesting option is to become an agronomist.
An agronomist is someone who is tasked with improving crop yields through expert planning and intelligent experimentation. Sometimes referred to as crop scientists, agronomists will also assist with the management of weeds and pest control.
Agronomists will be essential in understanding any new tech and interpreting it on the farm. So, let’s take a look at how the role of an agronomist is set to develop, as well as providing some information on the steps you will need to take to secure one of the available agronomy jobs.
What Does the Job of an Agronomist Entail?
There are many different agronomist jobs available, and many different paths you can go down. However, an agronomist’s main focus is to boost the quantity and quality of food that is produced throughout the country. You may work on the farm or in an agricultural lab. Some agronomists are also researchers, teachers, and agricultural business consultants. This is a career that has more transferable skills than a lot of people realize.
In terms of job duties, you will be expected to plan and experiment so that crop yields improve. Because of this, you need to be a critical thinker and exceptional problem solver. An agronomist will study a farm’s crop production to determine the most effective ways to plant, harvest and cultivate the crops, irrespective of the weather conditions. You will also be tasked with ensuring the crops are free of weeds and pests at all times.
In order to conduct experiments effectively, you will be expected to have a high level of mathematical and analytical skills. There is a lot of complicated data involved with this role, which you will need to present in speeches, presentations, and written form. Of course, there are going to be times whereby the findings are not what the farmers want to hear, and so you will need to respond in a diplomatic matter. In short, no matter the situation, your job will be to work scientifically to ensure the very best crops are produced.
The Demand for Agronomist Jobs
Rollback the clocks 70 years ago, and there were very few farms that had a scientific consultant advising them on how to improve their yield. This is most certainly a job that is increasing in demand.
There are a number of different factors and trends that are going to impact the role of an agronomist going forward. This includes the following:
- There is going to be more emphasis on water, soil, and environmental management to ensure efficient crop performance and protect resources and the environment.
- Organic and conventional techniques are going to converge. This means that you will need to have a complete understanding of the fundamental principles of agriculture.
- Chemistry and genetics will converge, i.e. chemical interventions and crop genetics will interact to control and stop the development of diseases, pests, and weeds.
- Most crops, wheat included, will probably be hybrids. This will change crop growth, with different seed rates and inputs.
- It is likely a new variety will be genetically engineered 20 years from now, which means it is vital to understand crop genetics.
As you can see, this is a role that is going to become more complex and more important. So, there is no better time to get your foot on the career ladder.
How to Become an Agronomist
So, how do you get your foot on the ladder? A great starting point is to have a good knowledge of farming processes and some experience. You can also develop your skills by taking an agricultural qualification, such as one of the following:
- BSc (Hons) Degree in Agriculture or a similar subject
- Foundation Degree in Animal Studies or Agricultural Business Management
- City and Guilds Level 4 Diplomas or extended Diplomas in Agricultural Business Management
- Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Diplomas or extended Diplomas in Agricultural Business Management (QCF)
Of course, there are some skills you need to have too. You must be able to have a flexible working approach and great communication and IT skills. You also need to get along well with others, as you will often be part of a team, and you must excel in terms of organizational skills. An agronomist will be expected to monitor the use of resources, analyze and present information, manage budgets, and pay extreme attention to detail. We’d recommend reading up on cover letter tips and also video interview mistakes and tips, as most job interviews are going to be conducted remotely, especially considering the current COVID-19 situation.
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the increasing demand for agronomist jobs, and how such a role is likely to develop and become more important in the future.
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