Agricultural Engineering Inside-Out

About Agricultural Engineering

Agricultural engineering is an engineering discipline that applies engineering science and technology to agricultural production and processing. Agricultural engineering combines the disciplines of animal biology, plant biology, mechanical, civil and chemical engineering principles with knowledge of agricultural principles.

When the knowledge of engineering and biological science is applied to agriculture, it is called agricultural engineering. Agricultural engineers are responsible for designing agricultural tools and equipment as well as machinery and plants. These engineers can either specialize in designing power and machine systems (for environmental or agricultural purposes) or be involved in food and bioprocess. Soil and water conservation as well as agricultural processing are some of their concerns. Agricultural engineers may work in R&D operation or sales or management.

In the past, nearly one-third of all agricultural engineers were employed in professional, scientific and technical services and provided consultancy services to agricultural workers and farming and agro industries. The rest of them were employed in other agriculture –related industries like crop and livestock as well as manufacturing and government concerns.

Course Duration 

4 years BE/ B.Tech

Education Stream

Science

Specialization

The bachelor's degree courses covers basic physical, engineering, and agriculture sciences, Soil conservation, drainage method, irrigation practices, firm machinery, dairy engineering etc.

Will The Course Suit Me?

If you want to become an Agricultural Engineer, you should posses the following qualities:

• You should have a keen interest in understanding of agriculture, horticulture or forestry and the ways that these industries work.
• You should have a very practical and logical approach to problem solving and a strong mechanical interest.
• You should be able to analyze problems clearly and then produce workable solutions.
• In addition to your technical and engineering skills, you would need good communication skills to explain technical issues to others who do not have your expert knowledge.

What Does an Agricultural Engineer do?

Agricultural Engineers may perform tasks such as planning, supervising and managing the building of dairy effluent schemes, irrigation, drainage, flood and water control systems, perform environmental impact assessments, agricultural product processing and interpret research results and implement relevant practices.

A large percentage of agricultural engineers work in academia or for government agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture or state agricultural extension services. Some are consultants, employed by private engineering firms, while others work in industry, for manufacturers of agricultural machinery, equipment, processing technology, and structures for housing livestock and storing crops.

Agricultural engineers work in production, sales, management, research and development, or applied science.

Work Prospects 

Agricultural Engineers find employment in:

• Departments of agricultural engineering
• Water management
• Area development projects
• Minor irrigation projects
• Agricultural machinery manufacturing organizations
• Tea gardens
• Food Corporation of India
• National Seeds Corporations
• Dairy and food industries
• Agro industries
• National Dairy Development Board
• NABARD and other banks
• Agricultural finance corporations
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research
• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
• Agricultural universities and non government voluntary organizations. 
• Some Agricultural Engineers are also self employed as consultants or have their own production units for manufacturing agricultural implements or processing agricultural products

Scope of Agricultural Engineering

Demand for agricultural engineers is supposed to multiply almost as quickly as the demand for all other occupation. The global trend toward standardization of all agricultural products and equipment will lead to greater demand for agricultural engineers.

The increasing demand for agro-products, the efforts toward attaining greater efficiency in the agricultural industry and the emphasis of conservation of scare resources would result in higher job opportunities in this sector.