Unit 3: Opportunities in Agriscience

Résumés consist of the following seven parts:

-Personal information: Personal details, such as your name, address, email, telephone number, and so on. -Career goal: This section states your objective. For example, the job profile for which you are applying. -Educational background: This section states your qualifications in the form of school and college certificates. -Work experience: In this section, you should list the names of your previous employers and the duration of each of your past jobs. -Honors and activities: Here, you can list rewards, awards, or prizes that you have won for activities related to employment skills, volunteer experiences, etc. -Special skills: In this section, you should list any abilities that add to your qualifications and experience. Such abilities include knowledge of software programs, foreign language skills, etc. -References: This section should give names and contact details of at least three people, including your previous employers, managers, teachers, and so on.

Earning a promotion, getting a raise, securing a better job, etc., are examples of career advancement goals. A career portfolio and a workplace evaluation are two popular tools that help in career advancement.

A career portfolio acts as a summary of your professional achievements, education, knowledge, expertise, skill set, qualities, talents, and abilities.

Identifying the problem:

A fundamental step in pursuing your research is to identify the problem. You may become curious about the effect of global warming on glaciers, or you may seek ways to improve the nutritive value of tomatoes. Once you have identified the problem that stimulates your curiosity or zeal to find an effective solution, you can begin your research journey.

Review the literature:

A literature review is an extremely important step in research. The review of all previous findings, research, and published work will help you understand what's already known about the specific problem you are investigating. It will also help you understand the existing gaps in current knowledge on the subject. Moreover, the effective methodologies used in previous research studies and inconsistent results arising from similar studies will help you streamline or design your research better.

Project proposal preparation:

A project proposal is extremely important to support sponsored research, instruction, or the extension of projects. The proposal should discuss your method of research, data collection, the time required for the research, cost approximation, and other aspects. The proposal should also cite past research on the topic, and the sponsor's interest in the work. Most institutions have their own method or instructions and guidelines for project proposals. Many private organizations and trusts, as well as some state and federal departments, disburse loans for agricultural research and development.

Electronics:

Agricultural professionals have been using sophisticated electronic devices and sensors to monitor and control crops, farms, and livestock. The new, centrally controlled automated farms will be intelligent and designed to minimize human error and maximize efficiency. The use of telemetry (or remote control and remote monitoring) is also an emerging trend in agriculture.

Water quality and quantity:

An increase in population causes an increased demand for potable water. Erratic rainfall, water pollution, and water wastage has made fresh water supply a challenge. Agriculturists also face a shortage of fresh and usable water in terms of quantity and quality. *Here are some possible solutions: recycle water from industries and urban settlements, control water pollution by reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, reduce water wastage, use efficient irrigation methods, and adopt rainwater harvesting practices

Ancient farming and Modern

Ancient civilizations designed effective irrigation systems to meet the need for agricultural water. However, agriculture was, and a large part of it still is, dependent on natural water supplied by rain and optimum seasonal temperature conditions. Modern agriculturists apply various technological interventions to use water judiciously. For example, cloud seeding uses techniques such as static, dynamic, or hygroscopic methods to stimulate rainfall in rain-starved areas

Animal systems:

Animals have been the source of milk, meat, poultry, and eggs for ages now. A venture in animal systems involves improving animal products and their nutritional quality. It also focuses on making the process efficient and hygienic. Genetics, nutrition, growth, development, and reproduction, as well as the health, hygiene, and overall well-being of domesticated farm animals are important. You will need to demonstrate effective leadership traits when you assume the role of animal scientist, animal caretaker, and meat inspector, all of which fall under this domain.

Environmental service systems:.

As an entrepreneur in environmental service systems, you will deal with the control of air and water pollution, waste disposal, recycling, and public health issues. You will also deal with the various aspects of hazardous waste containment and management to prevent accidents. You will design and develop waste management policies and systems for municipal and industrial wastes in addition to monitoring various aspects of the environment and taking corrective steps. Popular roles that require strong management abilities include environmental engineer, environmental science and protection technician, and waste management specialist.

Food product and processing system:

Beginning your entrepreneurial venture with this line will mean dealing with developing new food and food sources and analyzing the food content. You will develop processes and methods to store, preserve, and package food in accordance with various health and safety regulations. The responsibilities include ensuring sanitation, safety, and quality of food and maintaining standards of waste management. The most popular roles to demonstrate leadership qualities in this pathway include food production supervisors and food safety/quality assurance managers.

Carbon sequestration:

Carbon dioxide capture and sequestration (CCS) should be used to remove and store carbon dioxide from air, land, and water by adopting different methods. These methods include industrial, chemical, and biological processes. The aim is to capture excess CO2 and "sequester" it for later use.

modern technology

Computerized chips or sensors are used to monitor food intake and an animal's vital signs. Computerized controls are also used to produce and package food products. Technological advances, such as global positioning systems (GPSs), remote sensing, and geographical information systems (GISs), help farmers to optimize the use of natural resources, anticipate likely changes in weather, and practice precision farming and deep-sea fishing.

Conclusion:

Data analysis is followed by the conclusion of the experiment. The conclusion spells out the causes or factors that may be responsible for causing, or not causing, the phenomenon under observation. Conclusions either prove the hypothesis, or throw light on some other prospective hypotheses. Researchers may decide to retest their hypothesis or the newly derived hypothesis under the same conditions or different conditions.

____________ involves delegating tasks, ordering, guiding and motivating, executing, and supervising activities in the organization. The directing function of management is essential to execute plans and conduct various other operational activities. The absence of direction will lead to waste of resources, loss of time and effort, and ultimately loss of business. A good director is aware of the skillsets that the staff members possess and delegates tasks to them accordingly. Proper direction leads to smooth and efficient agribusiness activities.

Directing

Plant systems:

Entrepreneurial ventures in plant systems involve using natural resources appropriately and working toward protecting natural resources while producing crops. Improving the nutritional value of crops and the quality of seeds are also important responsibilities. Various branches of science, technology, and engineering are used to carry out agribusiness activities in this domain. Golf course superintendents, horticulturists, and soil scientists are a few of the roles in this area that require effective leadership qualities.

Ethical Issues:

Every researcher should follow ethical practices. They should typically follow an effective research methodology, abide by the relevant laws, avoid conflicts of interest, and maintain adequate safety standards in the lab.

Natural reserve costs:

Excessive mining has caused severe depletion of natural resources. Excessive agriculture and continuous land use has caused loss of natural soil fertility. Pollution has rendered many natural resources unusable. We need to preserve and protect these natural resources for future generations. Affirmative actions to recycle, reuse, and reclaim these natural resources can help preserve and protect the environment.

Genetics and biotechnology:

Genetically modified and customized crops, as well as animals, may become the standard in agriculture. Crops that are nutritious; drought, disease, and pest resistant; and produce high yields are being designed and developed for commercial cultivation. Future crops may need very little nutrition and will be less dependent on natural conditions. Animals will be bred to create designer products such as fortified milk with low fat and high protein content or eggs with higher protein content.

Biotechnology and genetic engineering:

George H. Shull developed hybrid corn, and Norman Borlaug developed high-yielding varieties of wheat. Robert Farley is one of the pioneers who have worked on technologies to genetically modify crops. Scientists in various laboratories are trying to develop pest- and disease-resistant crops with high nutritional value.

Global warming and climate change:

Global warming refers to the phenomenon of a steady rise in the environment's temperature. Excessive use of fossil fuels and the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) into the atmosphere has caused major shifts in climate. Changes in air currents or oceanic water currents affect the climate and upset the ecological balance

Globalization:

Globalization is the process of increasing economic, social, and cultural interactions among nations of the world.

Farmers face three major challenges. They are required to do the following:

Improve the productivity of plant and animal resources Improve food safety and nutrition Improve accessibility to nutritious food

Design the experiment:

In the design of an experiment, you need to set parameters to minimize the deviation of results due to unknown or external factors, which may not be relevant for the experiment. An effective experiment design sets the standard for the reliability of the experiment.

In-vitro meat

In-vitro meat, or meat cultured and developed in laboratories, may become a future trend. They reduce the possibility of health risks and can be customized to offer a variety of flavors, textures, and tastes.

Automation:

Many agricultural activities are being automated to reduce human labor and human error. Robots and nanobots may take over most agricultural activities. They may be used to maintain soil; pick fruit; and de-weed, irrigate, or harvest crops. Nanobots, or nano-robots, and drones, unmanned aerial vehicles, may be employed for high-precision pest control and disease control methods. Nanobots with a variety of sensors to constantly monitor crops, livestock, and fields may be common devices in the future. Technologies such as GPS, GIS, and weather forecasting can be adapted to make agricultural decisions. Streamlined processes to manage organic farming and precision farming may be common in the future.

machinery and equipment

Mechanical devices such as automated irrigating machines, food processing machines, milking machines, and meat-cutting machines are some of the modern inventions that improve agricultural practices and safety. Most of these inventions use gas and emit CO2 into the atmosphere. Efforts are ongoing to develop more environmentally friendly fuel alternatives and machines that run on renewable energy (such as solar, biodiesel, or wind energy).

Forming a hypothesis:

Merriam Webster dictionary defines a hypothesis as "an idea or theory that is not proven but leads to further study or discussion." As a researcher, you may need to form, or construct, a hypothesis that will be the basis of your research. The hypothesis will help you measure and find the answer to the problem you have identified. Hypotheses in subjects, such as theoretical physics, astronomy, and mathematics, are often difficult to test and confirm.

___________________ is the effective use of all operational activities and resources in the agribusiness. These activities not only include coordination but also monitoring of the activities and taking charge of the outcomes. The agribusiness manager needs to define a clear role for every resource in the business. This helps in establishing accountability in actions, thereby facilitating efficiency. The manager needs to group the tasks and assign resources (employees, machineries, raw materials, budgets, and so on) to the tasks. This ensures that the activities are performed according to the plans to meet the goals.

Organizing.

Because agriculture depends largely on the vagaries of the climate, forward thinking and determining future actions ensures the survival of an agribusiness. It helps safeguard the business against uncertainties. _____________ is a precursor to the other functions of management. An ideal plan should be flexible and employ all resources efficiently in order to carry out the agribusiness. The planning process should also ensure the use of the most up-to-date production and marketing techniques. It should encompass the acquisition, usage, and repayment of credit and loans.

Planning

Tools and equipment:

Ploughs (which started off as sharp wooden logs) were inventions that revolutionized agriculture in its early days. Wooden ploughs gave way to metallic ploughs and finally, to the more effective steel ploughs, which were developed by John Deere in 1837. Other tools and equipment also added to the operational efficiency of farming activities. Most modern agricultural machines, such as tillers, reapers, planters, and harvesters, have helped reduce human labor and improve farm productivity.

Most agribusinesses fall under three basic categories:

Product-based agribusinesses mainly deal in the core productive resources such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, and other power and structural tools and equipment. Commodity-based agribusinesses involve the essential agricultural supplies such as food and fiber. Service-based agribusinesses provide facilitative services such as transportation and distribution, consultation, and storage.

An effective experimental design must include the following factors:

Replication is the repeated use of a method several times. This helps to minimize experimental errors and improves the accuracy of the results. Randomization in the design eliminates bias or favor for a particular condition. It also helps to spot and eliminate unidentified sources of variation. Control groups are used to compare the effects of an experiment with parallel tests done without the experimental conditions. Standardized conditions help keep all other conditions the same for all treatment groups, except the experimental condition. Results can be invalid without a reference to a standardized condition.

Soil erosion:

Soil erosion is the loss of topsoil by the action of water and wind. It can also be attributed to a slower rate of soil formation. Cultivation is largely dependent on the fertile topsoil, and therefore a loss of topsoil can have a serious negative effect on food production. Human activities such as deforestation and overgrazing lead to soil erosion, whereas affirmative actions, such as afforestation, planting soil binders such as grass, planting windbreakers, or growing cover crops can prevent it. Practices such as terrace farming, contour farming, and building run-off barriers can also protect the soil from erosion.

Bioengineered crops and animals:

Some scientists consider bioengineered crops and animals as a solution to all problems. However, the long-term effects and risks of bioengineering need to be evaluated. The bioengineered crops may result in crossbred weeds and pests. Bioengineered foods may cause allergic reactions in people. There are many ethical and welfare issues related to experiments in genetically engineered animals. Overdependence on genetically modified crops and animals may upset the natural gene pool and natural variety developed over centuries. One solution to this problem is to preserve the natural varieties and adopt sustainable practices.

Natural resource systems:

Starting an entrepreneurial venture in this area involves protecting, managing, and developing forests, wildlife, and rangelands. You may undertake the development of marine or aquatic life for a variety of human uses. Popular roles in this pathway include conservation officer, hydrologist, restoration specialist, and fish and game warden.

Synthetic biology:

Synthetic biology is an interdisciplinary field that uses specialized knowledge from biotechnology, engineering, and biology to develop biological systems and devices for human use.

Chemicals

The Haber-Bosch process of ammonia preparation, discovered by Carl Bosch and Fritz Haber, was a breakthrough for the chemical and fertilizer industry. The fertilizer industry still uses this process to produce nitrogenous fertilizers. Fertilizers are important for cultivating crops because they provide mineral nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) for the effective growth and development of crops. The chemical industry also produces a range of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides to protect crops.

Agribusiness systems:

The agribusiness industry has matured into a high-tech industry that uses biotechnology, information technology, and some of the most cutting-edge technologies to increase profitability and efficiency. If you begin a venture in this area, you will typically focus on financing, production and processing, marketing, distribution and development of agricommodities, and resources. This includes almost every kind of plant and animal product and service. The most popular opportunities in this pathway include farm manager, buyer and purchasing agent, and logistician. Each position will require you to demonstrate effective leadership qualities.

Feeding the hungry:

The biggest challenge facing the agriculture industry is to provide food for the world's increasing population. High-yielding varieties of plants and animals, alternate methods of farming such as vertical farming, and other technologies are being employed to address this problem. However, this is a challenge related to both production and distribution of food products. Governments need to come together and resolve this issue by ensuring that nutritious food reaches the hungry populations in every corner of the world.

Report preparation:

The final report is prepared with a complete description of the experimental procedure, data analysis, and a conclusion. Reports are presented in a scientific congress or published in any journal relevant to the subject.

Fertilizers and chemicals:

The indiscriminate use of inorganic fertilizers and chemicals (present in pesticides and herbicides) by agriculturists has caused water pollution and affected various animal species. Therefore, the need to develop biodegradable or nonpolluting fertilizers is critical for the future of agriculture. Fertilizers also need to be used judiciously, and they should be environmentally friendly.

Cover letter outline

The opening: In the opening section, you need to give details about your source of information about the job opening. You can state your references if you have influential contacts in the company or industry. The opening should also mention the profile for which you are applying. The body: In this section, you need to convince your potential employer that you are the best choice for the job role. The body is thus an attempt to sell your skills and experience. The closing: In the closing section, you need to thank your potential employer for reading your résumé and cover letter. You should also state how you plan to follow up with the employer about the job. You should provide your contact details before ending the cover letter.

disadvantage of globalization

The spread of chemicals and genetically modified crops has created new environmental risks that pose a threat to the natural existence of crops and plants.

Benefits of Globalization

The transition from traditional methods to modern, mechanized, and scientific methods of farming has increased production and improved quality. Global demand and market growth has boosted agriculture and opened up opportunities for a range of related industries such as food processing, packaging, logistics, and more. It has created a new generation of corporate business entities, and they are powerful competitors to traditional family-operated farms.

Machinery:

The use and development of machinery has reduced the need for human labor and helped cut down on the total time required to do work. Inventions such as the cotton gin (by Eli Whitney in 1793) or the mechanical reaper (by Cyrus McCormick in 1831) paved the way for improved and efficient mechanical devices in agriculture. Tractors replaced animal-powered plows, and manual harvesting gave way to the combined harvesters. These huge machines are powered by diesel engines, which evolved from their steam-driven counterparts.

LinkedIn:

This career networking social media website has more than 300 million registered and active users. LinkedIn allows you to create a profile and connect with other users. These users could include your colleagues, potential employers, and so on. On this site, a job seeker's profile acts as a résumé that employers can view. LinkedIn helps you grow your professional network and develop contacts. You can also find job openings that suit your skill set and experience on this site.

Power, structural, and technical systems:

This pathway uses the knowledge and application of various branches of engineering and technology to design and develop agricultural structures, machinery, and equipment. The most popular opportunities in this pathway include agricultural engineer, GIS specialist, and farm equipment technician.

Facebook:

This social media giant has around 1.2 billion members at present. You can create a professional profile on this site. Your profile can give employers an idea of your qualifications and personal details. On Facebook, you can "like" potential employers, view their updates, and follow their developments. Such practices can help you stay aware of the latest job openings, and develop relations with potential employers. This site thus helps you widen your network.

Vertical farming:

To counter the challenges of increasing population and diminishing natural resources, such as arable land, scientists and engineers have developed innovative solutions such as vertical farming, hydroponics, and greenhouses. These techniques can multiply crop production by optimizing space utilization, and they also help farmers produce crops year round.

Endangered species protection:

We need to protect and preserve endangered species and other flora and fauna in order to maintain the fine balance of nature and to preserve the gene pools. In the United States, colony collapse disorder (CCD) of bees has caused serious problems in some agricultural regions because these insects are natural pollinators for a variety of crops.

Data collection and analysis:

When researchers collect and record data, they understand the basic facts related to the subject of the experiment. Data collection helps record variables from each group, or set of experiments, and explains variations from the expected mean result and the factors that may have caused the variation. The collected data needs to be appropriate for both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Data analysis helps to either validate or disprove the hypothesis. This process is the essence of all scientific experiments.

Meetup:

allows you to form groups of people with similar interests. These groups then plan offline, real-world meetings. Though Meetup focuses on personal networking, it has now become a professional networking tool.

Arborists or arboriculturists

are also known as tree surgeons. People often refer to them as urban foresters, and their work mainly involves planting and transplanting trees. They are also responsible for tree removal, pruning, and maintenance as well as monitoring overall tree health and safety.

Nutritionists or dieticians

are experts in food and nutrition. Though this is a cross-specialty branch related to the field of human health sciences, these professionals may also work in animal husbandry, poultry farming, or pisciculture as well. Broadly classified, their jobs involve advisory, clinical, and research work regarding food selection, maintenance, and modification of diets to meet desired outcomes.

Entomologists

are insect specialists, or scientists who study insect growth, behavior, and nutrition. They are experts in the interaction of insects with the environment. These professionals can have varied and cross-functional roles in the AFN industry.

Food safety and quality assurance managers

are responsible for the overall quality and safety of the food produced under their supervision. They're responsible for ensuring that the food products that a company produces, packages, and sells will meet the internal standards of the company. They also ensure conformity with standards set by US government and regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), and the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI).

a continuous discussion to bring out innovative ideas

brainstorming session

Closed ecological systems:

closed ecological system is a self-sufficient ecosystem that has the ability to recycle and reuse its own resources. These systems will not depend on natural resources outside their borders. This will reduce pollution and will preserve natural resources.

A leader has good ____________________ _______. Only by listening to the concerns of the team will a leader be able to make the right decisions. For instance, you will only understand the concerns of farmers if you are in constant communication with them.

communication skills

The ______________ function ensures that the team performs all assigned tasks on time and in the right way. It also removes any hindrance to meeting the objectives of the agribusiness. The control function involves supervising the tasks performed by the staff members, thereby rectifying problems and preventing activities that may not be a part of the plan. For instance, there has to be control over the use of agricultural supplies (fertilizers, pesticides, and so on) to maintain the operational costs. Failure to effectively control the agribusiness can lead to a lot of chaos and inefficient use of resources.

controlling

A leader has ____________ __________-________ skills and strong problem-solving abilities. In agribusiness, a leader takes calculated risks to ensure the best returns. Because of the complexity and uncertainty involved in agribusinesses, a leader should have perseverance, discipline, and be adaptable and intuitive. A leader tries to create a harmonious environment that is conducive to the growth and efficiency of the entire team.

effective decision-making

Demand in the packaged and processed food category has increased greatly, thereby highlighting the need for ___________ _________________ to carry out efficient agribusiness.

effective management

If you start a business of your own instead of providing service to an organization, you are an _________________ and your business venture is an entrepreneurial venture.

entrepreneur

A financial backbone is necessary for the smooth functioning of an agribusiness. The management team needs to determine the financial requirements of the agribusiness so that there are no barriers to the functioning of the business. _____________ ______________ includes arranging capital for new machinery, raw materials, and training and development activities.

financial planning

Research and development (R&D) technicians

in the AFN industry work in the fields of biotechnology, plant or animal breeding, food development, and quality assurance. The role of technicians mostly involves developing, researching, and testing materials. They compile, analyze, and organize data and create reports. They are also responsible for maintaining equipment and the overall working conditions of their labs.

A leader is an ____________, is proactive in taking action, and is always prepared for unforeseen situations. For instance, in the case of a drought, a leader will have already made provisions for an irrigation facility.

initiator

A leader is ______________ and merges the best technology with traditional practices to achieve the most effective solutions to carry on the agribusiness.

innovative

Agribusiness

is a term that refers to any business in agriculture. It consists of an array of commercial activities such as producing, processing, buying, and selling of agricultural goods. It includes a host of activities related to agriculture and allied fields such as farming, contract farming, seed supply, ranching, processing, marketing of the agricultural produce, consulting, distribution, wholesale, and retail sales.

Twitter:

is one of the biggest social media websites in the world. It has 255 million registered and active users. You can create a professional profile on this site. Further, you can follow, forward, and reply to a potential employer's "tweets" or posts. Users might find job openings on Twitter before they appear on a company's website. Twitter can thus help users find jobs through employers' posts

In agribusiness, in order to meet consumer demands, the management team needs to be aware of social, cultural, economic, and other factors. They can acquire this information through ________ ________________. This also provides information about the latest production methods, ways to improve the quality of the stock, and more.

market research

Food production supervisors

may have varied job responsibilities. They may handle research and coordinate manufacturing processes of food, or they may assist with the responsibility of quality control and assurance. They may be responsible for the daily operational procedures of food processing, coordinating shifts, monitoring employee performance, and so on. Their responsibilities could also include ensuring quality standards, sanitation, and health standards according to food industry and regulatory guidelines

Personal connections

or networks are one of the oldest methods of locating job openings. Networking is the process of maintaining old contacts, as well as building and developing new professional relationships.

An ___________________ is a collective combination of management, money, material, and machinery that work together as a single unit to achieve the set objectives and execute the plans. For instance, to estimate the amount of rice for production, the marketing team will have to bring in bulk contracts in advance.

organization

Once the objectives are set, the management team needs to determine a road map for how to achieve its goals. This is the __________ process. Managers use their knowledge and past and present trends to take action. For example, to attain the objective of producing a particular quantity of rice, the management team may decide to use hybrid (cross-pollinated) seeds

planning

Some actions that can help reduce the effects of global warming are:

reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the use of fossil fuels, use alternate, green energy sources, reduce the indiscriminate use of pesticides and herbicides.

Research

refers to a diligent or careful search for an answer or a solution to a problem.

A leader is very _________________, is well qualified to lead the team, and has access to information that can resolve any kind of ambiguity and discrepancy. This trait helps to prevent any kind of bottleneck in the agribusiness. The leader positively reinforces the efforts of the team by recognizing their contribution toward achieving goals.

resourceful

The first step taken by the management team in any industry is to ___ __________. In agribusiness, the management team needs to establish time-bound goals. For instance, deciding the quantity of rice that a business needs to produce or procure in the next quarter can be the goal of a business dealing in food grains.

set objectives

Filling vacant positions with the appropriate resources is the foundation of the staffing function in management. The _____________ function comes into play after the planning and organizing functions because it is then that the management team is in a position to decide the number and type of personnel required to carry out each task or a group of tasks. The process begins by identifying the task requirements followed by recruiting eligible candidates to fill the vacancy and carry out the tasks. In the agribusiness, a new recruit participates in certain induction and training programs to become familiar with the assigned tasks.

staffing

Employment websites:

such as CareerBuilder, Indeed, and Monster help people search for suitable jobs and employers.

______ _________ refer to the behavioral relationship that exists among team members.

team dynamics

Downside to Chemicals

the random and unrestrained use of these chemicals in agriculture has created several environmental issues. The chemical industry is now working on projects to research and develop various biodegradable chemicals to minimize their impact on the environment without compromising their effectiveness.

definition of vison and mission

vision- what the agribusiness wants to achieve mission- statement of the agribusiness