Master the science of farming
Rajesh Aggrawal
There is little doubt that agriculture and allied activities have undergone a major change in the past few decades. From completely manual to highly mechanised and automated, from labour intensive to capital intensive, the field has witnessed several paradigm shifts.
Today agriculture world over is driven by scientific knowledge and uses new technology and research to improve yields and prevent crop damage. Not only has the new market-driven economy brought about a change in the ways agriculture is practiced, it has also introduced multiple new fields and career prospects in agriculture. The agrochemical industry is a key component of agriculture today. The industry has helped increase the reach and penetration of agrochemicals that has allowed farmers across the world better their crop yields and income and adopts more effective ways of fighting pest damage. For agri science enthusiasts, the agrochemical industry today offers a wide spectrum of career opportunities from laboratory to farms. Several specialisations have emerged in the fields of pest, weed and disease management, manufacturing and research.
With new developments like introduction of green chemistries, plant breeding techniques; highly improved and efficient agricultural equipment and use of latest soil testing techniques, biological products, and the agrochemical industry is breaking new ground every day.
Career pathways
If you are looking for opportunities to make a career in the field of agrochemicals, here are a few options that you can consider, according to your aptitude and predisposition:
Agricultural Research
This sector has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, with research and development being recognised as key to resolve crop woes and improve yields. It has two basic fields i.e. chemistry and the bio efficacy. This is an interesting field that offers to explore new avenues and test them rigorously to find new solutions. The research further specialises in the domain of insects, weeds and crop diseases. Students interested in a career in agrochemical research can opt for any of these specialisations.
If you are an enthusiast in this field and want to make a career studying the subject, one branch you can turn to is agriculture science.
Agriculture scientists play a key role in the evolving agrochemicals industry by devising new ways and products to improve agricultural productivity, development of new agro chemicals and fertilisers. Research & Development in the field of agrochemicals is an ever expanding field and India is witnessing a growth of indigenous R&D facilities in the arena.
Pesticide Regulatory Specialist
Licensing and registration is an integral part of the agrochemical industry. If one wishes to stay on the greener side of the law, it is necessary to restrict the chemical composition of agrochemical products according to the legal limits and follow due procedure in acquiring a license for production and sale. This is where the role of a pesticide regulatory specialist comes in.
Statutory compliance with respect to the health and environment laws of the nation and state, and new product registration are the main functions of a regulatory specialist. Agrochemical manufacturing companies have dedicated positions for regulatory specialists who make sure their products comply with all norms. The products do not pass muster unless internal regulatory experts approve them. In agrochemical field, adhering to such regulations are very important for the collective health of the country.
An agrochemical graduate with in-depth knowledge about agricultural laws in the country and a managerial efficiency to look over legal matters of licensing and registration is ideal for the job.
Quality Assurance Expert
In the field of agriculture, which provides us with daily sustenance to survive in this world, quality assurance and control is a necessary function. Therefore, at the stage of production of agrochemicals as well as on the field, one has to keep the quality of product in check.
Monitoring and reviewing raw material information, detecting environmental changes, and inspecting equipment, materials and crops are part of the job. Crop Testing Specialists, who test the agro chemical product on the crops, also work hand-in-hand with these quality control experts by scientifically experimenting with prototypes on certain crops to help them review the information through observation.
Quality experts need to be knowledgeable about the agrochemicals and their possible side effects, and also need to possess the personality for a strict supervisory role. On-field presence requirement implies some physical proficiency as well.
Agrochemical Formulation Scientist
This is an ambitious line of work for people who are interested in the agrochemical industry and the processes involved. Formulation scientists are involved in the production of agrochemicals as well as the post-production work of transferring technology to the field from the lab. New product development and direct involvement in designing are the exciting opportunities that await a formulation scientist in agrochemicals.
Since this involves a lot of lab work, people with a previous experience in labs and those who know their way around chemicals are highly recommended for this duty. A background in extensive chemical research in laboratories is a must.
It is clear that the agrochemical industry is a breeding ground for various exciting and new career opportunities to nurture and grow in. And you should definitely considering exploring the field!
Job roles and pay scale
The popular job roles in the agrochemical business are in the domain of agriculture finance, sales and marketing, procurement and supply chain, strategy and planning, quality control, farm auditor, and project management. Freshers with a BSc Or BTech may start with a monthly salary of Rs 18,000 to Rs 25,000, depending on the job role, skill portfolio and the educational institution. However, upon gaining an experience of 4 to 6 years, one can earn as much as Rs 6 to Rs 15 lakh per annum.
Advanced level education (Master’s or PhD.) can prove helpful the jobseekers with a background. Master’s degree holders can expect an average starting salary of Rs 6 lakh a year and with 4 to 6 years of industrial experience, the pay package could increase to Rs 9 to Rs 16 lakh per year. For those are academically inclined, garnering substantial industry experience can help in exploring job opportunities within the academia with handsome pay packages, along with great work-life balance. Research professionals within the academic setups can earn in the range of Rs 50,000 to Rs 80,000 per month. With a host of agricultural reforms taking place in India and a robust export scenario coming through, we can hope the agrochemical sector will bloom in the near future and become of the dependable employers in the country. Salary brackets, however, are just indicative and may vary from company to company.
Marketing
If you have a flair for selling, then sky is the limit for an agriculture graduate. Marketing of new agrochemical products is a very large field within the marketing industry that requires special expertise and experience. Marketing of agrochemicals targets both retailers (who sell the product to farmers) and farmers directly. Most agrochemical manufacturing organisations, including Insecticides India Ltd, have dedicated and thickly employed marketing departments that work round-the-clock to help take their new products to the audience. If you have a degree in marketing, you can polish it further to suit the needs of the agrochemical industry. Having a knack of rural marketing is also important.
Educational qualifications
- Agriculture research: MSc in Agriculture or PhD.
- Agrochemical Marketing: BSc in Agriculture is the minimum requirement, MSc in Agriculture and also MBA in Agri business would an added benefit
- Pesticides Regulatory Specialist: MSc in Agriculture/Chemistry or PhD
- Quality Assurance: MSc or PhD in Organic Chemistry
- Agrochemical Formulation Scientists: MSc in chemistry or PhD.
— The writer is Managing Director, Insecticides India Ltd
