Agricultural Engineering

Agricultural Engineering

Introduction:

Agriculture is the production of food and other goods by systematic and controlled growing of plants and living organisms. It involves working the land, harvesting the crops, rearing and management of farming as well as breeding and raising live stock. In the broad sense, Agriculture includes agronomy, animal husbandry, horticulture, floraculture, aquaculture, silviculture etc. Agriculture plays a major role in the Indian economic scenario contributing around 23% to the Gross Domestic products (GDP). Around 62% of Indian population depend on agriculture for a livelihood.

The career opportunities for agricultural engineering graduates has increased rapidly because of the advancements in biotechnology and growing concerns over environmental quality. Agricultural engineers can either specialize in designing power and machine systems, animal or plant production, environment management or in food and bioprocess. Some of the major jobs handled by agricultural engineers involve improving agricultural farm equipment, farm structures, rural electrification, biogas, new technologies in the design and manufacture of agricultural products and conservation of soil and water.

Eligibility & Course Areas:

Students who wish to pursue a career in Agricultural Engineering should possess a strong foundation in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. To become a qualified agricultural engineer one should have a Bachelors degree (B.E/ B.Tech.) or a Masters degree (M.E/M.Tech.) in Agricultural Engineering or at least a diploma in Agricultural Engineering with a minimum of 3 to 4 years experience in field of landscaping, plantation of vegetables, fruits etc.  

Educational Qualification & Selection : The basic eligibility criteria for BE/ B.Tech in Agricultural Engineering is 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and preferably Biology. Duration of bachelors course in agricultural engineering is 4 years.

M.E/ M.Tech courses are of 2 years duration and most institutes admit candidates to these programmed through Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE). B.E/ B.Tech in Agriculture/ Horticulture or its equivalent is the minimum qualification. Some institutes conducted their own Entrance examination for the post graduate programmes. Candidates with master's degree can go for the 3 years Ph.D. course.

Job Prospects & Career Options:

Agriculture Engineering is a technologically sophisticated and ever expanding field that offers bright career prospects to agricultural graduates. Agriculture Engineers can built up a career in any country around the world and in a variety of sectors, no matter whether it is private or public. Their major task is to improve farming techniques and agricultural products and for that they combine engineering and biological science principles so that, farming is made easier, efficient and more profitable. 

Some of the specialization in the field agricultural engineering include :

·  Agricultural equipment designing

·  Conservation of soil and water

·  Crop production

·  Dairy Management

·  Bio-renewable products

·  Processing of agricultural products etc.

Lucrative careers prospects are available for qualified agricultural engineers in fields like :

·  Government and Public sector organizations

·  Agribusiness firms

·  Food processing and retail industry

·  Research organizations and laboratories.

·  Banks and Financial corporations

·  Sales and Management

        Remuneration:

Compared to other branches of engineering, agricultural engineers receive excellent pay package at the beginning itself. The remuneration depends on the status of the industry and experience, qualification and ability of the employee. They can find job openings both in India and abroad. 

In India, in the government organisations, a fresh graduate in agricultural engineering can expect a salary ranging between Rs 20,000/- to Rs 25,000/- per month. Within 1 to 2 years of experience, the monthly pay scale may  increase to Rs. 30,000/- or more depending on the efficiency, capability and seniority of the employee. Those who are working with private organisations, MNC's and NGO's can earn a good amount. A lecturer in the filed of agricultural engineering can earn an initial amount of Rs 15000/- per month plus other allowance.

Courses:

 » B.E. Agricultural and Irrigation Engineering
 » B.E. Agricultural Engineering
 » B.Tech. Agricultural Engineering
 » B.Tech. Water Resource Engineering
 » M.E. Agricultural Engineering
 » M.E. Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering
 » M.E. Integrated Water Resources Management
 » M.E. Irrigation Water Management
 » M.E. Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering
 » M.E. Water Recourse Engineering
 » M.E. Water Resources and Irrigation Engineering
 » M.Tech. Agricultural Engineering
 » M.Tech. Agricultural Water Management
 » M.Tech. Water Resource Engineering

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