Agricultural sciences
Eugene Cloete
Agricultural economics and rural development
The activities of agricultural economists take place on micro- and macro-economic level. Agricultural economists who operate on micro level focus on matters related to resource usage in the production, processing, distribution and usage of agricultural products. Production economists examine enterprises’ needs for resources and give them feedback. Market economists focus on the flow of food and fibre through the market channels to the final destination as well as the determining of prices in each stage. Financial economists are concerned with matters with regard to financing or enterprises and the providing of capital for these enterprises. Resource economists concentrate on the use and conservation of the country’s natural resources. Other agricultural economists are interested in compiling government programmes for certain commodities which support the income of farmers as well as the low-income consumers of food and fibre products.1
Agricultural economists are in an ideal position to grab current opportunities and work along with the government to formulate agricultural policies in order to optimise income in poor areas. The national and local departments of agriculture are both important employers of agricultural economists and are involved in several tasks and projects. Agricultural economists take part in the development of strategies aimed at supporting farmers who previously got little or no support from agricultural advisers. The task of developing such strategies consists of many facets, from marketing to market development to price policies and agricultural financing.
Agricultural economists also play an important strategic role in the private sector. On the macro level agricultural economists are taken into service by international food and export companies to study the factors that influence trade in agricultural products. The agricultural economist’s knowledge of variables in the macro economy, like inflation, exchange rates and interest rates, places him or her in a position to identify the result of several macro-economic policies on the food and fibre industry and finally the whole population. The multi-disciplinary nature of agricultural economists’ training ensures that they can negotiate with specialists in the field. That makes the agricultural economist a nearly indispensable part of some organisations and government departments.
Plant production and soil science
Plant Production and Soil Science are research areas which integrate the basic natural sciences (Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, et cetera) as well as applied natural sciences (Ecology, Plant Physiology, Plant Nutrition, Soil Chemistry, Hydrology, et cetera) that are necessary to manage natural and agricultural resources responsibly.
Career opportunities include the following:
Education and training at academic institutions;
Research and management at several public institutions, for example the Agricultural Research Council, the CSIR, provincial agricultural and nature conservation departments, the Botanical Research Institute, the National Parks Council and national agricultural and food processing agencies;
Research and management at several private institutions, for example companies involved in seed, fertiliser and plant protection research and development, as well as environmental management planning; nurseries; vegetables, fruit, ornamental plants and cut flower producers; irrigation;
Advice services for knowledge transfer;
You can also be your own employer by managing your own farm or nursery for extended (field) and intensive (tunnel or greenhouse) production of several crops, like vegetables, fruit, ornamental plants and cut flowers.
Plant pathology
A plant pathologist is trained as a specialist in plant health. In order to keep plants healthy, the micro organisms which cause plant diseases, the interactions between micro organisms and plants, how plants are affected by diseases and how the disease can be combated are studied. This knowledge is important to help farmers, growers and gardeners manage plant diseases.
Plant pathologists have a wide variety of career choices that range from high technological basic research to practical fieldwork. Career possibilities include those at academic institutions, institutes of the Agricultural Research Council, the SABS, agricultural chemical and seed companies, co-operations and private estates. Plant pathologists can also run their own practices or work as consultants.
Animal and wildlife sciences
Animal and Wildlife Sciences is the science and practice where tame and wild animals are utilised to people’s benefit. The practice and application of the science is done in a responsible way according to a code of ethics without the animals being abused or the environment damaged. The work terrain for Animal and Wildlife Sciences stretches from primary farming and game reserves to the marketing of animals and the processing and use of animal products.
Animal and wildlife experts can be commercial or wildlife farmers, or be involved in the management of farms and game reserves. They can practise as specialist consultants in production systems, animal feeding, animal genetics and breeding, animal products like meat, milk, wool and in the management of the natural environment according to ecological principles. They can also be entrepreneurs in agriculture and related industries and achieve success in the business world and management. The forage industry (ruminants, single stomach as well as pets) is surely the animal scientist’s biggest employer. They can also become scientists who develop knowledge and strive towards more effective production by doing research and seeking answers for problems. They can be administrators in several enterprises in the animal and wildlife industry, for example at breed associations, agricultural unions, in government service, at semi-government institutions or in commercial banking. They can also act as teachers at schools, lecturers at colleges, technicons and universities, or provide training to farmers, game rangers and other people who want to be trained in the fine art of animal and wildlife management. The workplaces for animal and wildlife scientists are therefore on farms or in game reserves; in a laboratory or an office; in an auditorium, classroom or in the outdoors where people can be addressed or demonstrations held; or in boardrooms and business rooms where strategies are planned.
Food science or food science and technology
The food industry is South Africa’s biggest production industry. Nowadays all food is processed to a greater or smaller extent. Trained people are necessary to develop and expand the food industry, which feeds the country’s inhabitants and earn valuable foreign currency through exports. Food scientists study the chemical composition, structure and nutritional value of food. They monitor and do research on the chemical, physical and biological changes in food during processing, preserving and storing.
Food scientists with very marketable knowledge and professional skills work in South Africa and worldwide as researchers, product developers, production managers, quality controllers, technical or process advisers and entrepreneurs in the food and related industries. The food scientist’s work environment includes laboratories, food production sites, business premises, training facilities, wholesalers and retailers, government institutions and research organisations. Food scientists also work in industries and companies that produce materials (for example packaging and additives like colourings and flavourings) in the food industry or are secondarily involved in food production and sales. Food scientists are trained to develop food products that meet the dynamic needs of modern consumers. They also make an important contribution to combat hunger and malnutrition through the development and creation of affordable, healthy food.
There is a worldwide need for graduates with training in Nutrition as well as Food Science and it is also a reality in South Africa. This combination provides career opportunities in product development, technical sales and marketing, research and food legislation, quality control and nutrition and food analysis, food service managements, consumer journalism as well as training and education. These people can be seen as consumer supporters who serve as link between consumers and the role players in the food industry.
The contributions and comments of the following people are gratefully acknowledged: Stroh, A, Kirsten, J, Malherbe, JB and Lubuma, J – Faculty Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria.↩︎