Agricultural Engineering Careers PDF

INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING 1.0 Introduction It is important for us to define agricultural engineering profession before any further work is done. It is important to understand the two key words ‘agriculture’ and ‘engineering’. According to Van Dongen and Van Lier (1...

INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING 1.0 Introduction It is important for us to define agricultural engineering profession before any further work is done. It is important to understand the two key words ‘agriculture’ and ‘engineering’. According to Van Dongen and Van Lier (1999), ‘‘agriculture is defined as the practice of cultivating the soil, harvesting crops, and raising livestock to produce plants and animals useful to human beings and, in varying degrees, it is the preparation of these products for humans and their disposal. Agriculture includes horticulture, seed production, dairy farming and livestock production, and the management of the land that supports these activities.  Although this definition excludes fisheries and fisheries and forestry, these aspects form an important component of modern day agriculture and hence they should be so regarded as part of the practice. Since the ultimate goal of agriculture is to make the end products available to humans, marketing and distribution should also be considered as part of agricultural practice. Various definitions of agricultural engineering have therefore been presented by different authorities and are as follows: 1. The American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE), now the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), defines agricultural engineering as the application of any or all branches of engineering to the extent that they may be used in farming, in rural living, rural processing of farm products and such allied activities as 1. McColly and Martins (1955) defined it as the application of any or all branches of engineering knowledge to the extent that such knowledge may be used in farming in all its ramifications and in rural living. 2. The Wikipedia (2005) defines agricultural engineering as the development of science and technology in the context of agricultural production and processing and for the management of natural resources. Agricultural engineering is the application of engineering principles to any process associated with producing agriculturally based goods and management of our natural resources. The discipline concerns itself with development of labour-saving, farm machines, farm buildings, irrigation and drainage systems, and processes for preserving and converting agricultural products to useful feed, and fiber products. Thus it is believed by people that, agricultural engineering is the same as tractorization. Why people have thought that agricultural engineering is synonymous to tractorization is because the earliest engineering intervention had much to do with the reduction of drudgery with the use of tractor, for a very long time.  1.1 The Concept of Agricultural Engineering It was discovered that man was created with a catalogue of materials of both living and non-living things intended to provide comfort for him. Man’s ability to recognize this fact cannot be underestimated, and thus the expertise to harness the relevant materials in engineering to bring about this comfort. Because each of the catalogues of human problem and desires would require a unique approach to solving it, it will therefore require the use of many engineering branches. Some of which are Building, Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical engineering. The problems often encountered in Agriculture are such that the expertise of a single branch of engineering, some of which is outlined above, is insufficient to provide the needed solution. The expertise of more than one of the branches and varied combinations may be required to solve such a problem. It is for this reason that agricultural engineering emerged. Agricultural Engineering is therefore the application of any or all branches of engineering knowledge to the extent that such knowledge may be used in farming in all its ramifications and in rural living.  1.2 Importance of Agricultural Engineering The overall importance of Agricultural Engineering is to provide a conducive working environment for the farmer and assure him that there is dignity in farming, improve his economic situation and make food available in adequate quantity and quality at the right time of need and at a reasonable cost to consumers. These are pursued through one or more of the following: a) Reduction in farm hazards: The causes of these hazards are identified and solutions given. This ensures that the farmers labour is not in vain. b) Reduction of drudgery in agricultural operations: Agricultural engineering intervention is to develop machines and equipment that can be used in performing agricultural operations to reduce stress on farmers. a) Ensuring the availability of agricultural products all year-round: To meet all year-round demand of seasonal crops, they have to be processed and stored. Structures for long – term storage have to be built. b) Enhancement of the quality of life for the farmer: Agricultural engineering provides conveniences on the farm, such conveniences include farm houses, good farm roads etc  1.3 Options in Agricultural Engineering Agricultural Engineering embraces a variety of specialty areas. As new challenges, technology and information emerges, specialty areas are transformed, new ones re-created, with many overlapping with one or more other areas. Areas of specialization of Agricultural Engineering include: 1.3.1 Farm Power and Machinery Engineering This aspect of Agricultural Engineering deals with the design, maintenance and repairs of plant and machineries, transporting and processing machines for biological materials, other power units such as water pumps, electric power generation sets, small engines etc. 1.3.2 Structures and Environmental Engineering This aspect deals with the development of farmstead and infrastructures which include farm houses, access roads, animal housing, green houses, storage structures and water handling facilities such as dams and canals. 1.3.3 Soil and Water Engineering Where does water go after it falls on the soil? This aspect deals with the recommendation of good soil and water conservation practices, design and management of irrigation, drainage and erosion control. This know-how is used to ensure soil conservation and enable crops grow more efficiently while reducing erosion and protecting water quality. 1.3.4 Crop Processing and Storage Engineering Over thirty percent (30%) of produce of various agricultural crops are lost annually during storage and processing because the experts in crop processing and storage are not engaged in the agro-industries. This option therefore, deals in the design, construction and maintenance of crop processing and storage equipment and systems. 1.3.5 Food Engineering This is a specialized area dealing with processes and machinery required for processing agricultural products into food. The discipline of Agricultural Engineering is currently undergoing major and important changes as it responds to perturbations in the global economy. These changes are as a result of some technologies that are still unfolding. These Emerging Technologies include; Information Technology; Biotechnology; Environmental Engineering and Renewable Energy 1.4 Conclusion Agricultural Engineering is the bedrock of agricultural development and its neglect is a potential threat to the future survival of any country. Most of the countries who in recent times cried out for international aids are where the agricultural system has failed either due to drought, insect invasion or low agricultural input. Interestingly, most of these problems are what agricultural engineering as a profession could have arrested given the facilities and challenges. The profession has great potentials to solve most of the problems facing agriculture especially in developing countries.  2.0 Areas of Application of Agricultural Engineering The description of Agricultural Engineering plays a pivotal and important role in the development of a country like Ghana. These are in the areas of food security, reduction of drudgery in agricultural work, rural infrastructural development, soil and water resources management, and environmental management, improvement in the quality of life of farmers, sustainable agriculture and industrial development. In the past, graduates of Agricultural engineering always secure jobs in the following areas of economy; Government, Self-employment, Educational Institutions, Research and development Institution, International Organizations and other areas not usually recognized by employers of labour. 2.1 Agricultural Engineering in National Development. 2.1.1 Food Security Food security has recently become an important concept in sub-Saharan Africa. For Ghana, the idea of food security revolves around ensuring that there is readily available food in the right quantity and quality and at an affordable price. Food security can only be achieved if the food is produced in abundant quantity and in fact at commercial scale. Even when food is abundantly produced, if it is not taken care of, most of it will be lost to deterioration. The Government has recognized the need to ensure food security and so has established a number of institutions to ensure food security. These include the National Food Buffer Stock under the Ministry of Agriculture and other parastatals in the Ministry. In all these areas, Agricultural Engineering principles are practiced to ensure that there is adequate supply of food all year round. 2.1.2 Reduction of Drudgery in Agricultural Work The traditional farming method and system in Ghana is characterized by the use of primitive tools and technology. These include the hoe, machete, and axe. A visit to any rural farming community will reveal how tedious it is to work with hand tools. For toiling under the sun for hours, most farmers can only cover a few fraction of a hectare. The drudgery involved in Ghanaian traditional agricultural system can be seen on the faces and body of farmers. With the introduction of machines, tedious operations hitherto handled by man are mechanized. Operating machines is less tedious than manual operations. The reduction in drudgery that comes with the introduction of machine makes agricultural work to be more attractive to the younger generation. This has a number of implications including a reduction in rural-urban migration, and improved dignity of the agricultural worker. 2.1.3 Rural Infrastructural Development Most large-scale agricultural development programmes involve the development of basic rural infrastructure. These infrastructures include water, roads, electricity, schools, markets, and energy supply systems, maintenance systems, processing systems and waste management and control systems. When this infrastructures are provided for the farm, the rural population benefits. Thus, agricultural engineering has been referred to as a catalyst for rural infrastructural development. This is because with the development of the infrastructure listed above, the standard of living of rural dwellers is improved as they have access to basic necessities of life. 2.1.4 Natural Resources Conservation The natural resources on which the practice of agriculture is based are soil, water and air. One of the important roles of agricultural engineering is to ensure an optimum management of these resources. This will ensure that these resources are conserved. If soil and water resources are used without conservation, then one day, the resources will deplete to a point where they can no longer support plant and animal life. Soil and Water Engineering option in Agricultural Engineering ensures that soil and water are conserved and reclaimed where necessary. Agricultural Engineering practices such as conservation tillage, terracing, erosion control, etc, are used for soil and water conservation. These are practiced by Agricultural Engineers in many institutions in Ghana including the Irrigation Development Authoritie and Agricultural Development Projects. 2.1.5 Environmental Management A major area of Agricultural Engineering deals with environmental management. The control and hence management of the environment is achieved in different areas. First, is the control of the environment (moisture, temperature, humidity, etc) of animals and crops. Agricultural Engineering provides required environmental conditions for the growth of animals and crops. After harvest, technologies are provided for managing the environments under storage. The second aspect of environmental control and management involves solid and liquid waste disposal. Agriculture produces waste in different forms – animal dung, crop residue, damaged food etc. the practice of engineering in agriculture provides the techniques for managing these wastes by recycling and converting some of them to useful products. The third area of environmental management includes the control of the use of natural resources, forestry and horticulture where machines and systems are provided for environmental beautification. 2.1.6 Quality of Life of Farmers With the practice of agricultural engineering the quality of life of farmers is improved. Engineering in agriculture comes with it, mechanization of production. For mechanization to succeed, it has to be practiced on relatively large-scale farms. This results in farmers shifting from subsistent to commercial farming. With the scale of production increased, farmers can make more profits. More profits mean that they can have more disposable income, which they can invest in other areas of economic venture. In addition, they can now buy what they need to live decent lives and improve on their standard of living. This is the main goal of any national development strategy. 2.1.7 Sustainable Agriculture A sustainable agricultural system is one that operates in such a way that the ability of future generations to operate is not compromised. Sustainable agriculture is therefore practiced in such a way the future generations can practice their own agriculture. In other words, the resources used for agriculture should be used in such a way that they are not depleted to a point where they cannot support agriculture for future generations. Agricultural Engineering provides technologies for conserving resources (Soil, Water, Energy and Funds) while producing enough food for the present generation. This is achieved through optimization techniques, which Agricultural engineering offers. 2.1.8 Industrial Development When engineering is applied in agriculture, more food is produced and the variety and type of food increase. It means there will be more food in the economy than what is needed for consumption. This situation fuels the development of industries for processing the excess food into industrial raw materials either for local consumption or foe export. For example, it is now common knowledge that cassava is processed into industrial raw materials of different forms. With industries springing up, more employment opportunities are created and government revenue improves through more tax revenue. Thus, this can lead to a buoyant economy and citizens that are more gainfully employed. 2.2 Career Opportunities in Agricultural Engineering 2.2 Career Opportunities in Agricultural Engineering 2.2.1 Government Ministries Ghana operates three tiers of government, namely, national, regional, and local government. Each of these tiers of government operates ministries where agricultural engineers are employed. At the national level these include Ministries of Agriculture, Water Resources, Environment, Science and Technology. Each of the Ministries has departments under which many Agricultural Engineers are contributing their quota towards national development. At the regional and local government levels, similar ministries exist and each of them has an engineering division. 2.2.3 Private Companies and Industries In the private sector, there are many opportunities for Agricultural Engineers in the service and production industry. In this sector, there are companies who provide agricultural services with engineering content. These include companies involved in the marketing and maintenance of agricultural machinery, agrochemicals and provision of agricultural services of different forms. Companies of this category include Tractor and Equipment (Division of UAC), Diezengoff, Leventies Technical, etc, and a host of other smaller indigenous companies. In the production sector, there are food processing companies and equipment manufacturing companies, flour mills, rice mills, tractor assembly plants, beverage manufacturers, confectionaries manufacturers etc 2.2.4 Educational Institution Educational institutions in Ghana include Colleges of Agriculture, Education, and Technology. There are also Polytechnics and Universities. Some of these Institutions have Department of Agricultural Engineering as well a Farm Operation Centre where Agricultural Engineers are employed. 2.2.5 Research and Development Institution There are many Research and Development (R&D) institutions in Ghana. Under the Ministry of Agriculture, there are over 18 Agricultural research Institutes. Each of the institutes has an Agricultural Engineering Department as well as a field demonstration farm and industrial development units where the Agricultural Engineer works. 2.2.6 International Organizations There are a number of international organizations resident in Ghana who are involved in agricultural and rural development and so employ Agricultural Engineers. These include the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Bank, International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Educational and Scientific Organization (UNESCO), American Agency for International Development (USAID). In addition there are some Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) who are involved in Agriculture and Rural Development. These include Ford Foundation, Sasakawa Global 2000 etc. 2.2.7 Self Employment Self-employment is an area that has not been fully explored or exploited by Agricultural Engineers. Opportunities exist in consultancy field in almost all government parastatals and the NGOs, as well as companies in the private sector. These include all areas of project feasibility, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Many food processing industries need agricultural raw materials, which can be supplied by Agricultural Engineers, especially those interested in post-harvest systems.