Agricultural Technician Job Description
Research technicians play an important role in every industry. This is also true of agricultural technicians who support agricultural scientists by providing research, production, and marketing support.
Their main job is to obtain samples from animals and plants and test them in accordance with the instructions provided to them by an agricultural scientist.
They may collect crop samples, record experiment data, take pH levels of soil, and check for nutrients.
The work of an agricultural technician does not only include taking samples and performing tests on them.
Agricultural technicians hold an important role in preparing documentation and data summaries which may include reports on research findings and results.
The work that agricultural technicians perform holds great importance for scientists as the support system that they provide is invaluable to them.
Agricultural technicians need to possess comprehensive knowledge of sustainable farming practices as this knowledge assists them in carrying out their work effectively.
They also need to be trained in specific scientific methods aimed at laboratory equipment management and agricultural research methodologies.
There are many duties that agricultural technicians perform in a typical workday which include:
Agricultural Technician Duties and Responsibilities
- Receive crop, soil, or animal samples and prepare them for analysis
- Use a variety of lab equipment to perform research and analysis procedures
- Check pH and nutrients in samples
- Prepare culture media and store samples to avoid possible contamination
- Operate a variety of equipment such as spectrometers, nitrogen determination apparatus, air samplers, and pH meters
- Look after animals at the lab by providing food and water
- Oversee directives for pest and weed control
- Identify and document information of pests or fungus in plant samples
- Conduct surveys of insects and germinate seeds as instructed by a supervisor
- Plant seeds in the determined areas and count the resulting germinated seeds percentage
- Set up equipment to work in the field or the laboratory
- Ensure that all equipment is pulled down and packed in a proper manner
- Perform maintenance measures on laboratory equipment
- Perform limited crop production duties such as hoeing, tilling, and harvesting
- Supervise work of newly hired agricultural trainees
- Ensure that each research activity is properly documented and filed
- Maintain laboratory facility by ensuring constant cleaning and sanitization of surfaces and tools
- Prepare and deliver workshops on agriculture
- Devise environmental controls for crops and educate farmers
- Record environmental data obtained from field samples of soil, air, or water
Recommended: Agricultural Technician Resume