Job Overview Farmers struggled to produce crops and earn before the effective farm legislation was enacted. This paved the way for the advancement in farming industry because of the extensive studies and research in farming and crops. New machinery, equipment and techniques are now being used by the farmers. This greatly improved the planting and harvesting methods which gave them more opportunity to gain income. Marketing plays a big factor in any business. Agribusiness is now a major career field which combines agricultural and business aspect in one. The person who links farming industry and agricultural business is called an agribusiness technician. They are also called farm and home management advisers or agricultural business technicians who represent either the business or the farm.
Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required
Classes in Laboratory Science like Physics, Biology and Chemistry prepare an individual to become an agribusiness technician. Other classes which will also help them are Mathematics, Social Studies, Business and Agriculture. Computer, Composition and English classes are beneficial also. It is required to be trained in a technical college or take up two-year agricultural course. Associate degree in Agricultural and Agribusiness Management is offered in most colleges where ing applicants can go through intensive communication training and training in management analysis and practical problem solving. Courses included in this program include Health, Biology, Introductory Animal Husbandry, Introductory Data Processing, Agricultural Economics, Physical Education, English, Microbiology, Social Science, Principles of Business and Accounting, Farm Management, Personnel Management, Agricultural Finance, Agricultural Marketing Institutions, Agricultural Records and Taxation and Forage and Seed Crops.
Skills and Abilities
An agribusiness technician should know how to work well with other people.
They should know how to delegate responsibility. It will be helpful to have a friendly relation with the company managers, laborers and farmers. They should have the ability to solve problems and make sound decisions. It is important that they know how to analyze management problems. Effective communication and writing skills are necessary for reports, advice and comments that they will give to the other workers.
Duties
An agribusiness technician can perform two tasks in a day. He can spend half of the day in the field concentrating on livestock, dairy and grain farm production. The other half of the day can be spent in business management. They are responsible in coordinating with the farm managers and manages staff or production workers. They also supervise buying for large commercial farms. They look for the best markets of their farm products to be distributed to the consumers. Farmers also rely on agribusiness technician on records and some management decisions.
Earnings and Job Outlook
Agribusiness technicians can earn between $22,240 to $68,350. Their average earnings in 2004 was $41,270. Agribusiness technicians are still in demand because of the global trade movements when it comes to marketing and productions of the agricultural products.
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