Agronomist

Agronomists are soil and crop scientists who work to improve the productivity of agricultural soil to ensure higher farm yield from the same amount of land. Agronomy deals with the study of crops and the soil in which they grow as well as the influence of climatic variations on agricultural output. As an Agronomist, you will work to ensure high fertility of the seeds as well as the land.

As an Agronomist, you will be studying soil, seeds, plants, crops and other agro-based products to better understand farm needs and plan more efficient and effective farming practices. You will be responsible for finding effective solutions for the farming and food industry. You may take samples to make observations, conduct research or field checks, and identify and solve issues associated with plant or soil nutrition, damage caused by insects or wildlife, weather or climate differences, or the use of pesticides, fertilizers, etc.

After completing your education in Agricultural Sciences or related fields, you may be involved in research and developmental activities (lab experiments) in a laboratory setting or you may also do field-based or office-based work including looking for information virtually (on the Internet) or interacting with farmers and agricultural workers to collect real-time production data (their personal experiences and to collect soil or crop samples) for work projects.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

As an Agronomist, you will be engaged with one or more of the following roles and responsibilities: -

1. You will be involved in studies and analyses concerning crops (food - vegetables, cattle feed, turf – rice, wheat, and fiber crops – jute, cotton), types of soil, climatic variations and their influence on agricultural activities and processes.
2. You will be working on increasing the productivity, yield & distribution of farm yields by studying the resistance to insects / diseases in crops, most suitable pesticides for a particular crop / soil, creating new and better plant / hybrid products with dedicated research, preservation of desirable qualities in different soil types.
3. You will be involved in developing plans for proper disposal or partial use of animal waste, prevention of soil erosion, and reduction in use of harmful chemicals.
4. You will be observing action of microbes upon soil and living tissues of crop plants.
5. You will be involved in monitoring or performing tests on crop specimens, soil samples, and water for detecting harmful microorganisms or for obtaining information about pesticides, chemicals or infectants.
6. You will be investigating the relationships between varieties of crops with associated climatic (precipitation, temperature etc.) and soil conditions, the effects of pesticides and fertilizers on crops.
7. You will be operating or monitoring the use of a variety of specialized laboratory techniques and equipments.
8. You will be preparing or supervising the preparation of technical reports and compilations based upon research outcomes.
9. You will be coordinating with participating agricultural scientists, agronomists, other biological technologists, technicians, agricultural workers, investors, clients etc.
10. You will be involved in conducting research regarding new technologies, experimental techniques, instruments and laboratory supplies that can improve agricultural standards as well as operating procedures and outcomes.
11. You will be ensuring that no harm is posed to the larger ecosystem while tweaking the traditional agricultural processes during your research or work activities.

• You should have interests for Investigative Occupations. Investigative occupations involve working with ideas and quite a lot of thinking, often abstract or conceptual thinking. These involve learning about facts and figures; involve use of data analysis, assessment of situations, decision making and problem solving.
• You should have interests for Realistic Occupations. Realistic occupations involve more practical and hands-on activities than paperwork or office work. Realistic occupations often involve physical activities for getting things done using various tools and equipment.
• You should have interests for Conventional Occupations. Conventional occupations involve repetitive and routine tasks as well as fixed processes or procedures for getting things done. These occupations involve working more with data, systems, and procedures and less with ideas or creativity.  
• You should have knowledge of Biological Sciences - humans, their anatomical structure, cell structure, tissues, physiological functions, evolution, and all other related aspects.
• You should have knowledge of Computers – for using computers for various technical and academic purposes.
• You should have Critical Thinking skills- Skills in the analysis of complex situations, using logic and reasoning to understand the situations and take appropriate actions or make interpretations and inferences.
• You should have Reading Comprehension Skills - Skills in understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• You should have Judgment and Decision Making Skills - considering pros and cons of various decision alternatives; considering costs and benefits; taking appropriate and suitable decisions.
• You should have Problem Solving Skills - Skills in analysis and understanding of problems, evaluating various options to solve the problems and using the best option to solve the problems.
• You should have Oral Comprehension Ability - listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• You should have Oral Expression Ability - communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• You should have Deductive Reasoning Ability - apply general rules and common logic to specific problems to produce answers that are logical and make sense. For example, understanding the reasons behind an event or a situation using general rules and common logic.
• You should have Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• You should have Inductive Reasoning Ability - The ability to combine pieces of information from various souces, concepts, and theories to form general rules or conclusions. For example, analysing various events or sitations to come out with a set of rules or conclusions.
• You should have Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• You should have Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
• You should have Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• You are always or mostly careful about your actions and behaviour.
• You are always or mostly disciplined in your action and behaviour.
• You are always calm or generally remain calm in most situations.
• You can always act independently or could do so in most situations.