Profession agricultural scientist

Agricultural scientists study and provide assistance and advice on farm, forestry and fisheries management, including cultivation, fertilisation, harvesting, soil erosion and composition, disease prevention, nutrition, crop rotation and marketing. They develop techniques for increasing productivity, and study and develop plans and policies for land and fisheries management.

Personality Type

• Investigative / Realistic

Related professions agriculture

• Agricultural inspector
• Agricultural machinery installer
• Agricultural machinery mechanic
• Agricultural substitute
• Agricultural technician
• Arable farm helper, field crop or vegetable
• Arable farm helper, mixed crop
• Arable farm worker, field crop or vegetable
• Arable farmer, field crop or vegetable
• Arable farmer, mixed crop
• Arable farmer, mixed crop and animal
• First line supervisor tree or shrup crop farming workers
• Fruit, nut or tea picker
• Harvest hand
• Horticultural or nursery production manager
• Land clearer
• Motorised farm equipment operator
• Quality inspector agricultural products
• Subsistence crop farmer
• Subsistence mixed crop or livestock farmer
• Supervisor arable farm workers, field crop or vegetable
• Tree or shrub crop farm manager
• Tree or shrub crop farmer
• Tree or shrub crop helper
• Tree or shrup crop worker
• Vegetable picker
• Winegrower

Knowledge

• Project management

  Understand project management and the activities which comprise this area. Know the variables implied in project management such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.

• Project management principles

  Different elements and phases of project management.

• Environmental policy

  Local, national and international policies dealing with the promotion of environmental sustainability and the development of projects which reduce negative environmental impact and improve the state of the environment.

• Livestock farming systems

  The allocation of farming ressources in relation to livestock farming and husbandry systems.

• Environmental legislation in agriculture and forestry

  Awareness on enviromental legislation, policies, principles relevant for agriculture and forestry. Awareness of the impact on the enviroment of local agricultural precedures and practices. Means to adjust the production to new enviromental regulations and policies.

Skills

• Provide advice to farmers

  Provide technical and economical advice in order to optimise the quality and production of agricultural products.

• Create soil and plant improvement programmes

  Develop and advise on implementation of soil health and plant nutrition programs.

• Report pollution incidents

  Examine the extent of the damage and consequences when an incident causes pollution, and report it to the relevant institution following pollution reporting procedures.

• Report on environmental issues

  Compile environmental reports and communicate on issues. Inform the public or any interested parties in a given context on relevant recent developments in the environment, forecasts on the future of the environment, and any problems and possible solutions.

• Provide advice to hatcheries

  Provide recommendations for the installation and well functioning of hatcheries.

• Make improvements to work activities

  Make recommendations for improvements to work activities

• Perform scientific research

  Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.

• Educate on recycling regulations

  Educate organisations and individuals on the correct procedures and legislation concerning the recycling of different types of waste in different types of containers, waste collection procedures, and on the sanctions following non-compliance to legislation.

• Monitor the farm environmental management plan

  Identify environmental designations and directives that relate to a given farm and incorporate their requirements in to the farm planning process. Monitor the implementation of the farm environmental management plan and review timescales.

• Advise on efficiency improvements

  Analyse information and details of processes and products in order to advise on possible efficiency improvements that could be implemented and would signify a better use of resources.

• Perform market research

  Gather, assess and represent data about target market and customers in order to facilitate strategic development and feasibility studies. Identify market trends.

• Advise on soil and water protection

  Advise on the effects of soil and water management practices in controlling pollutant loss, nitrate leaching and reduce soil erosion.

• Provide livestock advice and guidance

  Through observation and analysis on the farm, propose options, possible solutions, types and levels of advice required based on the customer's needs and by using appropriate techniques and methods.

• Research livestock production

  Collect and use the livestock production facts and the results of analysis as an input to scientific research. Research and keep up to date with any relevant developments in livestock production review and gather information to inform business decisions

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB