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.
When the principles of engineering and biological science are applied
to agriculture, it is called agricultural engineering. Agricultural engineering,
sometimes known as biological engineering, is a diverse engineering discipline
which mainly focus on the creation and development of tools (i.e farm
machineries and other implements related to agriculture) that can improve
farming techniques. It can also be defined as a field of agricultural
science where engineering principles are applied for the improvement and
advancement of agriculture industry. Modern agriculture is highly competitive
and technology-driven with a wide variety of specialties and techniques.
Hi-tech agricultural graduates are in great demand due to the global trend
toward standardization of all agricultural products and equipment. In
recent years, agricultural engineering has contributed a lot to the agricultural
production in the country both directly and indirectly.
In agricultural engineering, the knowledge of agricultural principles
are combined with the principles of animal biology, plant biology, mechanical
engineering, civil engineering and chemical engineering. At the same time,
it also utilises mathematics and science principles for the practical
solutions to agricultural issues. Compared with the other engineering
disciplines, agricultural engineering has an extensive scope. It is a
process which involves production, processing, transportation and storage
of agricultural commodities and reconstruction of rural areas. The four
main branches of Agricultural engineering are (i) farm equipments (ii)
rural structures (iii) soil conservation, drainage, and irrigation and
(iv) rural electricity.
A career in the field of agricultural engineering is quite interesting,
challenging as well as rewarding. It is an apt career for those who have
keen agricultural knowledge along with good engineering skills. Agricultural
engineers are those who design agricultural equipment and agricultural
structures by means of better engineering methods, inventions and new
technologies. In other words, they have to look after the agricultural
functioning to bring about efficient increase in food productivity. With
their engineering skills and knowledge, agricultural engineers solve problems
related to agricultural equipment, water quality and water management,
biological products, livestock facilities, food processing, and many other
agricultural areas.
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
equipments, farm structures, rural electrification, biogas, new technologies
in the design and manufacture of agricultural products and conservation
of soil and water.
