Applies engineering principles to all activities related to agriculture and horticulture. Improvement in agricultural farm machinery, farm structures, rural electrification, biogas, new technologies in the design and manufacture of agricultural products and also conservation of soil and water, are some of the jobs handled by an agricultural engineer. 

This basically implies looking after the mechanization of agricultural activities for the smooth functioning and efficient increase in food productivity.

Necessary Qualifications

BE in agricultural engineering is a must.

Academic Programme

The Bachelor's degree course covers basic physical, engineering and agricultural sciences. Soil conservation, drainage methods, irrigation practices, farm machinery, dairy engineering, are some of the areas dealt with. 

At the postgraduate level, specialization in crop process engineering, farm machinery and power, soil and water conservation, etc. are taken up. At IIT, Kharagpur, and at IARI (Indian Agricultural Research Institute) New Delhi, a Ph.D. degree of three years duration is also offered.

Job Opportunities

Agricultural engineers may be involved in the sales, marketing and servicing of farm equipment and agricultural implements, in designing and constructing farm buildings, in product planning, mechanizing procedures and crop storage and processing. They could also work for tubewell borings, irrigation and drainage projects, canal irrigation programmes, land reclamation and soil conservation projects. 

Jobs in mechanized farms, for rural electrification, and in agro-industrial corporations are also increasing. Agricultural engineers also work as assistant engineers, designers, management trainees, and technical officers in banks. Besides teaching and technical journalism, large numbers of these engineers are absorbed in Central and state governments departments of agriculture.