An Introduction to Agricultural Engineering

Agricultural Engineering is the area of engineering concerned with the design, construction and improvement of farming equipment and machinery. Agricultural engineers may perform tasks such as planning, supervising and managing the building of dairy effluent schemes, irrigation, drainage, flood water control systems, performing environmental impact assessments, agricultural product processing and interpret research results and implement relevant practices. Agricultural engineers integrate technology with farming. For example, they design new and improved farming equipment that may work more efficiently, or perform new tasks. They design and build agricultural infrastructure such as dams, water reservoirs, warehouses, and other structures. They may also help engineer solutions for pollution control at large farms. Some agricultural engineers are developing new forms of biofuels from non-food resources like algae and agricultural waste. Such fuels could economically and sustainably replace gasoline without jeopardizing the food supply. For decades, agriculture has been associated with production of essential food crops. At present, agriculture above and beyond farming includes forestry, dairy, fruit cultivation, poultry, bee keeping, mushroom, arbitrary, etc. Today, processing, marketing and distribution of crops and livestock products etc. are all acknowledged as part of current agriculture. Thus, agriculture could be referred to as the production, processing, promotion and distribution agricultural products. Agriculture plays a critical role in the entire life of a given economy. Agriculture is the backbone of economic system of a given country. In addition to providing food and raw material, agriculture also provides employment opportunities to very large percentage of population. Agricultural engineers must have a wealth of knowledge and skills to function effectively in the multiplicity of the agricultural and agribusiness industries. The agricultural engineer helps to make farming sustainable, safe, and environmentally friendly. They analyze agricultural operations and weigh the use of new technologies and methods to increase yields, improve land use, and conserve resources like seed, water, fertilizers, pesticides and fuel. The engineer recommends strategies to protect the health, safety and security of worker’s, animals and agricultural products. Agricultural engineers develop methods and design equipment for land preparation, planting and harvesting. They incorporate automation, precision and smart technologies “intelligence” to new and existing equipment. Sensors (including biosensors) are combined with microcomputers, controllers, artificial intelligence and other software, to optimize efficiency, sustainability, and the reliability of our food, feed, fiber and fuel economy. Agriculture engineers find better ways to reduce crop loss from field damage, during handling, sorting, packing and processing. The warehousing of food and fiber are an important part of the agriculture industry. The agricultural engineer is the person who plans the heating, cooling, ventilation, postharvest handling, logistics and more.