The role
As an agronomist, you help farms and agribusinesses grow more and better crops while protecting the soil. You diagnose soils and crops, recommend varieties, fertilisation and crop protection plans, run field trials and advise farmers and field teams. As an agricultural engineer, you may also design irrigation, mechanisation or post-harvest systems for projects.
Who is hiring
Agro-industrial groups, plantations, seed and fertiliser companies, cooperatives, NGOs, development projects and ministries of agriculture hire agronomists. The work is on-site with a lot of time in the field, while some diaspora-backed farming ventures and agritech start-ups use agronomists who advise remotely between visits.
Background and career path
Agronomists usually hold an agricultural engineering degree or a master's in agronomy, crop science or soil science. They start as field or extension agronomists and grow into technical manager, project manager, researcher or head of agricultural operations.