bachelor in Agricultural Engineering and Mechanization

B.Sc. IN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING AND MECHANIZATION

Agricultural Engineering and Mechanization is the engineering discipline that studies agricultural production and processing. It combines the disciplines of mechanical, civil, electrical and chemical engineering principles with a knowledge of agricultural principles according to technological principles. The Agricultural Engineering and Mechanization discipline plays an important role to improve the efficacy and sustainability of agricultural practices. BSc. in Agricultural Engineering and Mechanization is a four (4) year degreeprogramme with the main aim of training and graduating agricultural engineers who will be able to:

i).    Plan, design, modify, and direct the manufacture of agricultural machinery & implements for different agricultural production systems.

ii).   Plan and design Soil & Water conservation engineering structures and modern irrigation and drainage systems

iii). Provide practical training to the engineer to contribute practical solutions to agricultural production problems.

iv). Be equipped with sound theoretical knowledge in engineering principles, sciences, research and in consultancy.

v).   Be imparted with positive and responsive out-reach attitudes, initiative and creative thinking in their mission as engineers.

vi). Understands ethical issues and responsibility of serving the society and the environment at large.

CAREER PROSPECTS

Agricultural engineers may perform tasks such as planning, supervising and managing the building of dairy effluent schemes, irrigation, drainage, flood water control systems, performing environmental impact assessments, agricultural product processing and interpret research results and implement relevant practices. Many agricultural engineers are employed by Central Government under Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Local Government Authorities under Regional and Districts authorities in their respective agricultural departments. Agricultural Engineers can also work in academic institutions, private engineering firms, industries for manufacturing of agricultural machinery, equipment, processing technology, and structures for housing livestock and storing crops. Furthermore, the Agricultural engineers work in production, sales, management, research and development, or applied science.

Agricultural Engineer jobs focus on the science behind food and farming, and how to help today's agricultural methods and products meet global and national food demands. While tasks vary significantly from job to job, the following list includes standard duties that an agricultural engineer will encounter:

• Plan and design the building of irrigation, drainage, and flood- and water-control systems
• Review research and literature relating to current discoveries in the field
• Collect field and control samples of biological samples and non-living media in order to perform analyses
• Engineer the construction of agricultural buildings and storage facilities in order to engineer a system that is the most efficient while also the most cost effective
• Design equipment and machinery used for field preparation, seeding, spraying, harvesting, and transporting agricultural products
• Ensure equipment design is consistent with local codes and farming culture as well as catering to the resources available in the region
• Supervise all aspects of the production and delivery of agricultural products from seed to table
• Prepare and present technical reports, meet with clients, and communicate technical concepts to internal and external stakeholders
• Advocate for sustainable agriculture on a local and national level to interested parties
• Research to find new ways of farming, harvesting, and storage
• Conduct research for the design of new structures and systems
• Conduct research in the field and lab to develop practices for food production that protect the environment

Senior agricultural engineer jobs often have an added level of managerial tasks to facilitate the scheduling, budgeting, and communications needs of various projects. Some common tasks may include:

• Doing paperwork, analyzing data, and preparing reports for external stakeholders
• Drafting and implementing construction plans and computerized management plans
• Planning projects, administering and managing budgets
• Participating in longitudinal safety analyses
• Communicating with internal and external clients, stakeholders, and government departments
• Researching and collecting contextual information for case studies
• Supervise the construction of flood- and water-control systems