Agricultural Engineering Introduction Job market
Agricultural Engineering Introduction
Agricultural engineering is a discipline of engineering studies which deals with agricultural production and processing. It is an integrated field in which the main principles of agriculture production are applied with the latest technologies falling under the umbrella of chemical, mechanical, electrical and civil engineering. The main objective of this integrated discipline is to enhance the sustainability of agriculture sector, to increase agricultural output by mechanising the methodologies of agricultural processing. Agriculture engineering deals with the design, improvement and manufacturing of agriculture machinery to increase, sustain and improve the quality of agricultural output. So This involves implementation of better irrigation, crop management and harvesting methodologies for quality and increased per acre yield. This field also involves the planning of farm structure including better drainage, sustained water supply for irrigation and rural electrification. Research and Development (R&D) for continuous improvements is the bedrock of this discipline.
Brief History
The first curriculum on agricultural engineering was designed by Professor J.B Davidson in 1903 at Lowa State University in the Unites States. Subsequently, the American Society of Agriculture and Biological Engineers previously known as American Society of Agriculture Engineers was founded in 1907.
Agriculture Engineers
Education: In Pakistan students who aim to pursue agriculture engineering as a profession require to opt science subjects in high school and pre-engineering group in intermediate. After that, four year bachelor in Agricultural Engineering from a university recognized by Pakistan Engineering Council allows the students to enter this field.
Work
Every year hundreds of graduates in agricultural engineering enter the market. But The set of tasks these engineers may engage in are designing agricultural machinery, equipment and agriculture structures, agriculture resource management, research and development in this discipline, working as academicians in relevant institutes , developing water management and storage methods for livestock and better irrigation, surveying and land profiling, managing the fertility of the soil to prevent and control erosion, seeding, tillage, harvesting and processing of crops, sustainable production of livestock( poultry, fish and dairy animals), waste management( animal, agriculture and fertilizer runoff), food and bio resource engineering etc.
Institutes of Agriculture Engineering
Therefore Major institutes of agriculture engineering in Pakistan are:
1. University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
2. Sindh Agriculture University, Tandoja
3. University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar
4. Pir Mehar Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi
Fewer institutes are offering degree in the discipline of agriculture engineering as compared to its increasing scope worldwide and its untapped market in Pakistan.
Job market for agriculture engineering
Job market for agriculture engineering in Pakistan include employment in the field of agricultural products. And machinery manufacturing by various companies, engineering, production, fertilizer, crop breeder/ geneticist, animal breeder/ nutritionist and, soil industry etc. Besides, there are several other avenues for agriculture engineers’ i.e.to start as entrepreneurs in any sector of agricultural engineering considering the rich soil. So large population and huge potential of Pakistan as an agrarian economy.
Conclusion
In Pakistan there is a huge market of agricultural engineering considering the wide agriculture base of the country. In case of the initiative by the government to tap the market of agriculture engineering will be a great step. For not only multiplying agriculture production but also. To increase its contribution in the sector from 18.9% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to at least. Hence a decade old previous percentage of 24 % of GDP. It will also help eliminate food insecurity of 208 million populations and, poverty of farming community. And will also provide jobs to thousands of jobless engineers individuals related to this field.