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Modern scientific knowhow and new cultivation techniques have also enabled farmers to increase crop yieldand prevent crop damage which have redefined agricultural practices across rural India
The Indian agriculture and agrarian sector has observed a series of vast transformations in the last three decades. Agriculture and associated activities have undergone a major paradigm shift having moved from the erstwhile traditional practices to modern methods. With the advancement of technology, labor-intensive techniques have seemingly given way to capital intensive farming with mechanized operations replacing manual modes of cultivation.
Modern scientific knowhow and new cultivation techniques have also enabled farmers to increase crop yieldand prevent crop damage which have redefined agricultural practices across rural India. This revolution in the agro-based industry has also paved the way for novel career prospects. Moreover, the relentless technological Innovation has created a market-driven agriculture industry with various new offshoots and disciplines. One such notable field is the agrochemical industry. The agrochemical industry has now become an integral part of the overarching agricultural ecosystem of the nation. Various breakthroughs in the field of agrochemicals have helped farmers to drastically enhance their annual produce and profitability while also developing newer methods of combating agricultural pests that damage the crop.
For those interested in the agrochemical industry, there are numerous lucrative career prospects that range from scientific opportunities to field-based responsibilities. A number of new specializations have sprouted in the domain of pest, weed, and plant disease management, manufacturing and agricultural research. The introduction of new paradigms such as green chemistries and novel plant-breeding methodologies, cutting–edge farming equipment and soil testing apparatus, biological products has ensued significant disruption across the agrochemical industry.
Most disciplines demand their own particular skills and qualifications in the field of agrochemicals. There are a variety of skillsets and proficiencies that are essential for carving a promising career in the agrochemical industry. Let’s analyze them more closely:
· If you are interested in Agricultural Research, you should have a strong background in chemistry and botany. This intriguing domain allows researchers to constantly push the ambit and explore novel fronts and test them to discover the latest breakthroughs. Agricultural science is a broad field and is concerned with the evolution of the agrochemical industry and its efforts to increase agricultural productivity by deploying new techniques and methods. To chart a bankable career in agrochemical research, you require a Master’s of Science in Agriculture. Though not necessary, gaining a PhD will prove to be the best-case scenario in this field.
· If you are interested in Agricultural Marketing, you must hone certain skills that can help you create a better sales narrative. The operations ofAgrochemical marketing firms are aimed at both retailers as well as farmers. These companies tirelessly strive to take the latest developments in the field of agricultural research to prospective audiences. If you are interested in building a career in the field of agricultural and rural marketing, a Bachelor of Science in
Agriculture is the minimum required qualification. An MBA in Agri-Business would prove to be an additional advantage.
· Registration and Licensing are key components of the agro-industry. For complying with the agricultural laws of the land, it is necessary to follow the chemical composition of agrochemical products as per the legal boundaries and follow due procedure in gaining a license for production and sale. Therefore, every agrochemical manufacturing companies has special positions for regulatory specialists who ensure their products are adherent of the established standards. An agrochemical graduate interested in this field must have a deep knowledge regarding the agricultural mandates in the country and a managerial proficiency to assess legal matters of licensing and registration. A Master of Science in Agriculture/Chemistry is essential for being a Pesticides Regulatory Expert.
· Another lucrative field is the Quality Assurance. Quality assurance and control are imperative functions in the field of agriculture that provides us with daily sustenance to survive in this world. A quality control expert has to keep the quality of product in check both at the stage of production of agrochemicals as well as on the field. Important responsibilities include Monitoring and reviewing raw material information, detecting environmental changes, and inspecting equipment, materials and crops. Crop Testing Specialists must also operate in synchrony with these quality control experts by scientifically experimenting with prototypes on certain crops to observe the various resulting inferences. A Master of Science in Organic Chemistry is a must to become a quality assurance and control expert. A PhD, though not mandatory, is always desirable.
· Agricultural Formulation Scientists oversee the production of agrochemicals as well as the post-production work of transferring technology and its implementation from the lab to the farm. People with a previous experience in laboratories and clinical facilities those who know their way around chemicals are more suited for this duty as it necessitates substantial lab work. A background in extensive chemical research in laboratories is essential for charting a career along this trajectory. You must have a minimum Masters of Science in Chemistry to become an Agricultural Formulation scientist. However, a PhD qualification is added bonus
Source: Business World