Major in Agriculture Engineering - An Overview

Agricultural Engineering is becoming increasingly important with the growth of agriculture of highly automated methods of operation. Agriculture is the world's largest and most important industry feeding an ever growing world population. Agricultural Engineering is the input that permits this industry to develop our most basic needs without requiring the efforts of the whole population.

Agricultural Engineering provides plentiful and diverse job opportunities with good pay. Agricultural engineers can work in production, sales, management, research and development, consulting, testing, engineering surveys, or applied science. Agricultural engineers serve an immense industry. This area of study overwhelms you with opportunities to learn and grow. It is an apt career for those who have keen agricultural knowledge along with sound engineering skills.

Agriculture engineers are involved in   planning, monitoring and managing the construction of dairy effluent schemes, irrigation, drainage, flood and water control systems, performing environmental impact assessments, agricultural product processing and interpret research results and implement relevant practices. Agricultural engineering, sometimes known as biological engineering, is a diverse engineering discipline which mainly concentrates on the creation and development of tools that can improve farming techniques.

Agricultural Engineering involves following areas of specialization:

Water supply and irrigation: Effective use of available resources is of primary importance in this field  of specialized agricultural engineering. Engineers are involved with hydrology and farm dam design, drip and micro-irrigation systems and drainage.

Agricultural Mechanization: Agricultural machinery plays an important role in the production of food. Agricultural engineers assist producers, contractors and farmers. This involves development of new machinery; design of agricultural equipment; planning and evaluation of mechanization systems.

Soil conservation: To specialize in soil conservation agricultural engineer’s knowledge of civil engineering is essential- for the planning and designing of: conservation and reclaiming structures; systems for the safe release of flood water; contour and other appropriate cultivation systems.

Agricultural buildings and structures: Agriculture engineers have  choice to work in building and maintaining need based agriculture structures. This may  include the following: buildings for the intensive production of meat, dairy products, poultry and eggs; buildings for the storage and processing of products.

Food and fibre processing: Food and fiber processing engineering have lucrative career opportunities due to increasing demand of these products. Processing involves the preparation of goods that are used by human beings or animals.

Why Agricultural Engineering?

Plentiful Jobs with lavish pay
The median salary of agricultural engineer in the USA is approximately $85K per year. 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 thereby opportunity of earning a good sum of money.

Employment Outlook
Increasing demand for agricultural products, continued efforts for more efficient agricultural production, and increasing emphasis on the conservation of resources should result in job opportunities for agricultural engineers. Employment of agricultural engineers is expected to grow.

Career progression Opportunities
Agricultural Engineers have bright career prospects. Engineers in this field design and develop agricultural equipment and structures by using modern technologies and inventions. Leading agricultural firms, government services, and consulting agencies seek agricultural engineers. Agricultural engineering  will open doors around the world in large corporate firms and small businesses, including careers in water quality, nutrient processing, environmental systems, structural design, erosion control, materials handling, agricultural power and equipment design and more.

Agriculture is a key wealth creator. Opportunities abound all over the world for those who specialize in agricultural engineering.