Agricultural technician

Description

Agricultural technicians collect and conduct experiments and tests on agriculture and aquaculture specimens. They provide support to scientists and farmers and also analyse and report on conditions in the collected specimens’ environments.

The duties of an agricultural technician include, but are not limited to:

  • examining topographical, physical and soil characteristics of farmland to determine its most effective use and identify nutrient deficiencies
  • assisting in developing new methods of planting, fertilising, harvesting and processing crops to achieve optimum land usage
  • identifying pathogenic micro-organisms and insects, parasites, fungi and weeds harmful to crops and livestock, and assisting in devising methods of control
  • analysing produce to set and maintain standards of quality
  • inspecting livestock to gauge the effectiveness of feed formulae
  • assisting in controlled breeding experiments to develop improved crop and livestock strains
  • arranging the supply of drugs, vaccines and other chemicals to Farmers and Farm Managers, and giving advice on their use
  • collecting and collating data for research
  • planning slaughtering, harvesting and other aspects of production processes
  • may advise producers on farming techniques and management.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to agricultural technician:

assistant in agricultural research
bacteriological testing coordinator
aquaculture technician
biotechnician
agricultural research assistant
agricultural technologist
horticultural technician
viticulture technician

Working conditions

Agricultural technicians work in a variety of settings, including laboratories, processing plants, farms and ranches, greenhouses, and offices. Working conditions depend on the type of work involved.

For example, agricultural technicians who work in grain elevators work indoors in climate-controlled environment. Their work may be fairly routine. Those who work for agricultural scientists or technologists are also generally indoors. They may spend much of their time performing laboratory research and testing, or writing reports in an office.

Technical farm workers, on the other hand, are often involved in outdoor work and hands-on farm management. Field representatives and agents have a great deal of contact with farmers and tend to travel a lot during the growing and harvesting seasons. Their work-days may be long and hectic when they do scheduling work.

Agricultural technicians who work in processing plants and agricultural settings may face noise from processing and farming machinery, extreme temperatures, and odors from chemicals or animals. They may need to lift and carry objects, and be physically active for long periods of time.

Minimum qualifications

Agricultural technicians typically need an associate’s degree in biology, chemistry, crop or animal science, or a related field from an accredited college or university. Some agricultural technician positions require a bachelor’s degree.

Some agricultural technicians successfully enter the occupation with a high school diploma or equivalent, but they typically need related work experience and on-the-job training that may last a year or more.

Agricultural technicians receive most of their training through formal education. They may also receive on-the-job training to learn the specific processes and procedures of their employer.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Agricultural technician is a Skill level 3 occupation.

Agricultural technician career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to agricultural technician.

biotechnical technician
agricultural inspector
soil surveying technician
physics technician
material testing technician

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of agricultural technician. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of agricultural technician with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

soil scientist
agronomist
bioinformatics scientist
oceanographer
physiologist

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of agricultural technician.

  • Laboratory techniques: Techniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of agricultural technician.

  • Execute analytical mathematical calculations: Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.
  • Maintain laboratory equipment: Clean laboratory glassware and other equipment after use and inspect it for damage or corrosion in order to ensure its proper functioning.
  • Analyse scientific data: Collect and analyse scientific data resulting from research. Interpret these data according to certain standards and viewpoints in order to comment on it.
  • Apply safety procedures in laboratory: Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.
  • Analyse environmental data: Analyse data that interpret correlations between human activities and environmental effects.
  • Analyse test data: Interpret and analyse data collected during testing in order to formulate conclusions, new insights or solutions.
  • Gather experimental data: Collect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.
  • Write work-related reports: Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.
  • Conduct field work: Conduct field work or research which is the collection of information outside of a laboratory or workplace setting. Visit places in order to collect specific information about the field.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of agricultural technician. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Agricultural raw materials, seeds and animal feed products: The offered agricultural raw materials, seeds and animal feed products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Viticulture: Understanding of vine growth and principles of viticulture.
  • Aquaculture reproduction: The techniques used to induce spawning, spawning on nests, stripping using appropriate techniques for specific species of fish, molluscs, crustaceans and others. The environmental control of spawning, the use of hormones to induce reproduction and the broodstock recruitment by genetic selection.
  • Agricultural equipment: The offered agricultural machinery and equipment products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Agricultural production principles: Principles and conditions of organic and sustainable agricultural production.
  • Aquaculture industry: Understand the aquaculture industry, its designs and its installations.
  • Agricultural chemicals: The production and characteristics of agricultural chemicals such as fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides or insecticides.
  • Soil science: The field of science that studies soil as a natural resource, its characteristics, formation, and classification. It also examines the physical, biological, and chemical potential of soil.
  • Biology: Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.
  • Plant harvest methods: The various methods, timing and equipment involved in harvesting different crops and plants.
  • Chemistry: The composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk factors, and disposal methods.
  • Horticulture principles: The standard horticultural practices, including but not limited to planting, pruning, corrective pruning, and fertilisation.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of agricultural technician. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Monitor crops: Monitor the growth of the crops to ensure the crops are free from diseases, harmful chemicals and organisms.
  • Collect weather-related data: Gather data from satellites, radars, remote sensors, and weather stations in order to obtain information about weather conditions and phenomena.
  • Evaluate vineyard quality: Help in assessing the vineyard and varietal fruit. Supervise receipt and evaluation of fruit according to quality parameters and specifications.
  • Maintain waterbased aquaculture facilities: Clean off fouling and maintain floating and submerged aquaculture structures. Repair floating and submerged aquaculture structures.
  • Provide advice to farmers: Provide technical and economical advice in order to optimise the quality and production of agricultural products.
  • Advise on fertiliser and herbicide: Ability to advise on fertilisers and herbicides when and where needed.
  • Monitor fisheries: Monitor commercial fisheries to ensure appropriate inventories are maintained.
  • Prevent crop disorders: Advise on how to prevent and limit particular crop disorders with the appropriate methods. Select corrective treatments.
  • Assess crop damage: Identify and evaluate damage to crops due to disorders, adverse physical soil conditions, unsuitable pH, nutrient imbalances and deficiencies, the misuse of crop protection materials, or extreme weather factors.
  • Inspect agricultural fields: Inspect crops, fields, and plant stock to determine the need and timing for sowing, spraying, weeding, and harvesting.
  • Irrigate soil: Irrigate soil using portable pipes or ditches. Maintain ditches, pipes and pumps as required.
  • Research improvement of crop yields: Study crop production in order to discover the best way to plant, gather, and cultivate crops to increase productivity.
  • Maintain tanks for viticulture: Clean and sanitise the interior of tanks and hoses using chemicals. Remove and install manhole covers from the top of the tank, and tank fans made of solid or expanded metal. Wash the exterior of tanks using chemical cleaning agents. Sanitise and sterilise fermenting and fortifying tanks and railroad tank cars, using an air hose and soda ash.
  • Maintain aquaculture containers: Clean and disinfect equipment and treatment systems. Drain and clean aquaculture tanks and troughs using brushes, chemicals, and water. Prepare fish holding units to receive fish and change nets. Conduct swimthroughs. Stock fish in holding units. Collect dead fish in holding units.
  • Evaluate vineyard problems: Detect and assess vineyard problems. Recommendations effective, timely and economic solutions to deliver fruit of a high quality.
  • Advise on the causes of crop disorders: Identify crops which have a specific susceptibility to particular disorders and advise on the procedures that are suitable for their treatment.
  • Culture aquaculture hatchery stocks: Use appropriate implements to collect shellfish spat. Sort wild shellfish spat. Collect naturally spawned fish eggs; eliminate egg adhesiveness and incubate eggs until hatched. Handle fish and shellfish broodstock and feed according to their needs.

ISCO group and title

3142 – Agricultural technicians


References
  1. Agricultural technician – ESCO
  2. Agricultural and Food Science Technicians : Occupational Outlook Handbook – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  3. Agricultural Technician | Your Career
  4. Agricultural Technician Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – Climb the Ladder
  5. Agricultural Technician Job Description – StateUniversity.com
  6. Featured image: Image by teksomolika on Freepik
Last updated on February 12, 2023