AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING WORK

Agricultural Engineer's Work related to the profession whereby the Agricultural engineers must have a wealth of knowledge and skills to function effectively in the multiplicity of the agricultural and agribusiness industries. In Malaysia the agricultural engineer helps to make farming sustainable, safe, and environmentally friendly especially on large scale oil palm and rubber plantation also for small scale farmers involved with food production such as paddy production and vegetables. They involved seriously in ensuring the water for grainary area able to grow paddy according to the needs. They analyze agricultural operations and weigh the use of new technologies and methods to increase yields, improve land use, and conserve resources like seed, water, fertilizers, pesticides and fuel. The engineer recommends strategies to protect the health, safety and security of worker's, animals and agricultural products. Agricultural engineers develop methods and design equipment for land preparation, planting and harvesting. They incorporate automation, precision and smart technologies "intelligence" to new and existing equipment. Sensors (including biosensors) are combined with microcomputers, controllers, artificial intelligence and other software, to optimize efficiency, sustainability, and the reliability of our food, feed, fiber and fuel economy. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" explain about agriculture engineering profession.

Agriculture engineers find better ways to reduce crop loss from field damage, during handling, sorting, packing and processing. The warehousing of food and fiber are an important part of the agriculture industry. The agricultural engineer is the person who plans the heating, cooling, ventilation, postharvest handling, logistics and more. Specific examples of Agricultural engineering work include the agricultural power units, harvesters, material handling, implements' and Agricultural production facilities. They also involved ini environmental controls for poultry, swine, beef, aquaculture, plants, and involve ini the precision agriculture utilizing GPS, yields monitors, remote sensing and variable-rate technology. Agriculture engineering scope include the activity related to the worker safety, comfort, and efficiency including the control of vibration, noise, air quality, heating, cooling. It include also the sales, service, training, planning, management, market and product research related to implementing and applying technologies.

Where do agricultural engineers work?. Normally the agricultural engineer can be found working with industries associated with agriculture such as equipment companies, seed manufacturers and food companies or distributors. Some agricultural engineers like to work directly with farmers and agricultural technicians to solve issues with crop, land and livestock. Large farm operations may consult or hire agricultural engineers to resolve management and technical issues. A good number of engineers work for government agencies that oversee agricultural entities. The agricultural engineer has plenty to do as increasing biological discoveries are adopted to farming practices like on-farm energy production. New uses for agricultural waste are becoming evident and crops are yielding not only food but new byproducts. The continuing cost of agricultural operations and our increasing populations mean career opportunities for agricultural engineers should always be in demand. Thanks for visiting this article. Wasallam!!!.

By,
M Anem,
Senior Agronomist,
Agicultultural Engineering Faculty,
UPM, Serdang, Malaysia.
(January 2017)