About the Department:

The Department of Agriculture Engineering at this institution was established in 2020, offering a 4-year Bachelor of Engineering degree in Agriculture Engineering as per the guidelines of Anna University. The department currently has an intake of 30 students. Agriculture Engineering is a field of engineering that focuses on the design, construction, and improvement of farming equipment and machinery. Agriculture Engineers utilize the latest technology to meet the challenges of environmental issues and activities, integrating technology with farming.

To provide practical training and hands-on experience, students are given opportunities to work with machine components and equipment, test agricultural machinery to ensure safety and performance, and gain exposure to water and environmental concerns. In the field, students receive training on crop production using tractor-operated farm implements. The department provides internships and training opportunities for students in farm machinery manufacturing industries, drip irrigation manufacturing companies, food processing industries, dairies, renewable energy industries, and more.

One of the main goals of the department is to provide technical support to farmers and entrepreneurs to establish small-scale industries.

Vision

The Department of Agricultural Engineering's vision is to be the premier Agricultural engineering platform in the world, based on the excellence of our people, our innovative multidisciplinary and enabling research, and our discovery-centered educational programs. We strive to pioneer the transfer of biomedical engineering research into applications that will advance and improve health care throughout the world.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Agricultural Engineering is:

To develop clinically translatable solutions for human health by training the next generation of Agricultural engineers, cultivating leaders, and nurturing the integration of science, engineering, and agriculture in a discovery-centered environment.

Program Educational Objectives (PEOs):    

In two to five years after undergraduate graduation, through the professional practice of engineering, graduates should:

1. Have demonstrated competence in methods of analysis involving use of mathematics, fundamental physical and biological sciences, engineering sciences, and computation needed for the practice of agricultural engineering.

2. Have developed skills necessary to the design process; including the abilities to think creatively, to formulate problem statements, to communicate effectively, to synthesize information, and to evaluate and implement problem solutions.

3. Be capable of addressing issues of ethics, safety, professionalism, cultural diversity, globalization, environmental impact, and social and economic impact in engineering practice.

4. Have demonstrated continuous professional and technical growth, with practical experience, so as to be licensed as a professional engineer or achieve that level of expertise.

5. Have demonstrated the ability to:

a. be a successful leader of multi-disciplinary teams,

b. efficiently manage multiple simultaneous projects,

c. work collaboratively,

d. implement multi-disciplinary systems-based solutions,

e. to apply innovative solutions to problems through the use of new methods or technologies,

f. contribute to the business success of their employer, and

g. build community.

Program Outcomes (POs)

Engineering Knowledge: Apply the knowledge of mathematics, science, engineering fundamentals.

Problem Analysis: Idenmtify, formulate, review research literature, and analyse complex engineering problems researching substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics, natural sciebce, and engoineerinfg science.

Modern tool usage: Create, select, and apply appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engg and IT tools including prediction and modelling to complex engg activities with an understanding of the limits.

Environment and sustainability : Understand the impact of the professional engineering solutions in societal and environmental contexts, and demonstrate the knowledge of, and need for sustainable development.

Indidual and team work: Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader in diverse teams, and in multidisciplinary settings.

Communication : Communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with the engineering community and with society at large, such as, being able to comprehened and write effective reports and design documentation, make effective presentations, and give and receive clear instructions.

PROGRAM SPECIFIC OUTCOMES (PSOs):

Graduates of the programme B.Tech. Agricultural Engineering will be able to

1. To make expertise in design and engineering problem solving approach in agriculture with proper knowledge and skill.

2. To enhance the ability of the students to formulate solutions to real-world problems pertaining to sustained agricultural productivity using modern technologies.

3. To inculcate entrepreneurial skills through strong Industry-Institution linkage.

A Career in Agricultural Engineering:

Who is an Agricultural Engineer?

‘The discovery of agriculture was the first big step toward a civilised life ~ Arthur Keith

You must be thinking about who is Agricultural Engineer and what are the Agricultural Engineer career options or the role of Agricultural Engineer, here in this article, you will get all the answers to your questions. Agriculture is usually termed as the science and the art of growing crops and using livestock for various farming purposes. An agricultural engineer is a professional who applies and uses the principles of agriculture and engineering to come up with solutions in the agriculture sector.  An agricultural engineer is also known as a biological engineer. He or she plays a vital role in finding solutions to various agricultural problems and also to meet the agricultural demand of the people. 

Agricultural engineers design and develop new farming techniques and equipment that help in making farming more efficient in terms of sustainability, safety, and environment-friendly. They increase the efficiency of farming with the help of new and advanced technologies. Agricultural infrastructure such as dams, water reservoirs, warehouses, and other structures are also designed and built by them. In short, agricultural engineers work to improve the efficacy and sustainability of agricultural practices with the help of advanced technologies.

Agricultural Engineer in a Nutshell

Agricultural engineering is a discipline of engineering that combines mechanical, civil, electrical, and chemical engineering principles with agricultural principles. Agricultural engineers are biological engineers involved in agricultural production and processing. Agricultural engineering is the study of designing equipment and developing various eco-friendly methods to improve the productivity of crops with the help of advanced technologies. 

What is the role of Agricultural Engineer?

A career as Agricultural engineer involves a variety of activities related to farming and the agricultural industry in general. These activities range from aquaculture (breeding, raising, and harvesting fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants) to land farming and forestry. When it comes to career as agricultural engineer, his or her activities also include developing biofuels and finding better ways to process food. An Agriculture engineer designs components and agricultural machinery with the help of computer-aided design (CAD) technology. He or she tests agricultural machinery and various types of equipment to ensure that they work properly. 

Designing food processing plants and supervising manufacturing activities is also an important part of a career as agricultural engineer. An Agricultural engineer plan and supervise environmental and land restoration projects in agriculture and related industries.

Designing

Agriculture engineers are at the forefront when it comes to designing new  agriculture machinery and other equipment. Agriculture engineers also design crop storage facilities, animal farms,crop processing units. They also oversee the construction of such facilities.

Testing

Agriculture engineers also test all types of agriculture machinery in order to ensure that the agricultural operations are carried on without any problems. They ensure that the work done is smooth and efficient. Testing is an important part of an agricultural engineer's job profile. Testing helps to minimise risks and maximise the output, which further results in the desired outcome.

Educational programmes

Agriculture engineers often conduct educational programmes for farmers and provide them with the relevant information that is needed by them so that there is a rise in their agricultural produce, without affecting the environment.

Supervision

Agriculture engineers also act as supervisors in food processing and food manufacturing plants. They ensure the quality is not compromised and that everything runs smoothly. It is also their responsibility to supervise their juniors and ensure that seamless work is carried out. 

Planning

Agriculture engineers often come up with the sketches and drawings of food processing plants or food storage facilities. They also sanction budgets for various agricultural projects. Apart from this they also plan out events and surveys that help to gather raw data for further research. As the agricultural industry in India is quite vast, planning forms an essential part of the job of an agricultural engineer.

Types of a Agricultural Engineer

There are several options for those who have completed their studies in agricultural engineering. From being a plant physiologist to a food supervisor or an agronomist, one can take up any career. Some of the popular alternative types of a Agricultural Engineer for biological engineers are mentioned below:

Plant Physiologist: Plant physiologists are a type of botanist who studies various functions of living plants right down to the cellular level. Agriculture scientists study the entire functions that take place in plants, starting from their growth till the time they die, and understand how they produce fruits.

Food Inspector: A food inspector looks after the overall food hygiene and safety. A food supervisor ensures that standards are being met. A food inspector monitors and supervises all the food handlers to make sure that all the food handling tasks are carried out in an efficient manner.

Agricultural Inspector:  Agricultural Inspectors are responsible for inspecting farms and other agricultural organisations. They inspect the products and equipment, and sites to ensure that everything is according to government regulations. Most agricultural inspectors are employed by the state and central governments.

Agricultural Specialist: Agricultural specialists are in charge of enforcing the rules and regulations about the export and import of various agricultural items across the border. They study to gain information on the various agricultural products and act as Customers and Border Protection officials.

Agronomist: Agronomists work to find various ways to produce more food and increase soil productivity. They often work as planners and managers and frequently conduct soil testing and land appraisal procedures. Agronomists also work to improve the nutritional value of crops and seeds.

Soil Scientist: Soil scientists study soil resources as they not only contribute to agricultural production but also affect the quality of the environment. Soil scientists are the right professionals to inspect the soil and interpret it. Their readings and interpretation help to come up with solutions that help protect the environment and ensure that human health is not compromised.

What is the job outlook for Agricultural Engineer?

The demand for agricultural engineers is more as the Indian economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, there is no dearth of agricultural engineer jobs in India. There is a good scope for agricultural engineering in India and agriculture engineering salary in India is also high as it is the most demanding career. With the increase of technology and scientific inputs in this industry, the requirement for manual laborers has decreased. Both the private and public sectors hire agricultural engineers offering good opportunities to students who become agricultural engineers. 

The Indian Government has taken many initiatives to help the farmers which in return helps in the growth of the jobs for agricultural engineers. The growth of the population is one of the major factors that would create employment opportunities in this field. With the increase in population, the demand for food would also increase which would require engineers to use their skills to produce more food (crops) with the help of advanced technologies. 

These factors would definitely increase jobs for agricultural engineers in the coming years. So choosing a career as agricultural engineer would definitely help students in the future in getting sustainable employment.