CAREER IN AGRONOMY

Career Opportunities for
Agronomists in Nigeria

Agronomy was derived from the Greek
derivatives 'Agros' and 'nomos' which
respectively mean 'field' and 'management'.
According to Wikipedia, Agronomy is the
science and technology of producing and
using plants for food, fuel, fiber, and land
reclamation. Agronomy has come to
encompass work in the areas of plant
genetics, plant physiology, meteorology,
and soil science. It is the application of a
combination of sciences
like biology, chemistry, economics, ecology, earth
science, and genetics. Agronomists of today
are involved with many issues, including
producing food, creating healthier food,
managing the environmental impact of
agriculture, and extracting energy from plants.
Agronomy is a branch of agricultural science
which deals with principles and practices of
soil, water and crop management.
An agronomist is a professional with a
versatile set of roles and functions which are
essential to the sustenance of life and in turn
benefit human society. Since the dawn of
human civilization and ever since man gave up
his nomadic ways of living and began the
practice of cultivation, having outgrown the
hunter-gatherer stage of his existence,
agriculture has played a vital role in his eternal
quest to fathom the mysteries of nature.
Agronomists have contributed in no small
measure to this evolving story.
Scope of Agronomy
There is a gradual increase in scope for
agronomists. Agronomists will be needed to
find ways to increase the output of crops used
in these products. Agronomists will also be
needed to balance increased agricultural
output with protection and preservation of soil,
water, and ecosystems.
Yield maximization with introduction
of new cultivars/ HYVs
Reduced cost of production due to
proper crop management
Better water use efficiency due to
agronomic knowledge
Special tillage and intercultural
operations for better crop growth and
maximizing harvesting index
Appropriate soil fertility
management can increase crop yields
with lesser use of fertilizer for
increased profit
Reduced post harvest loss due to
agronomic knowledge and practices
Intensive cropping patterns and
integrated farming systems for
sustainable agricultural growth and
increased food production per unit
area to feed teeming millions every
year.
Skills and Competencies Required to as a
Graduate of Agronomy
Analytical ability
Problem solving
Critical thinking
Decision making
Communication
Qualities of an Agronomist:
Dependable
Ethical
Cooperative
Stress tolerance
Patience and persistence
Adaptability

Role of Agronomist:
. Agronomist aims at an obtaining maximum
production at minimum cost by exploiting the
exploiting the knowledge developed by basic
and allied/applied science.
. In a board sense he is conceder with
production of food and fiber to meet the needs
of the growing population.
. He has to test the suitability of research
finding of others specialists in the field and
accept them finally and also judge the reaction
of the farming community.
. He is a coordinator of different subject matter
specialist and act as a physician who concern
with other SMS.
. He carries out research on scientific cultivation
of crops taking into account the effect of
factors like soil climate, variety of crops
production techniques suitably depending on
the situation.
. He is the key person with working knowledge
of all disciplines and coordinator of different
subject matter specialists.

Career Opportunities for Agronomy
Graduates in Nigeria
Agronomists can have many career paths,
however, most their careers are generally
focused on increasing the quality and amount
of food produced for the nation's food supply.
Many Agronomy graduates are employed in
farm management or go on to manage their
own farms, others use the breadth of skills and
experience that they develop during their degree
to follow a range of opportunities in the service
and supply industries.
Agricultural Climatologist.
Lecturer
University Professor
Agronomist.
Agronomist Sales.
Biological Science Technician.
Biotechnology Technician.
Chemical Sales Representative.
Crop Consultant.
Crop Production Specialist.
Environmental Scientist
Fertilizer Plant Manager
Research Assistant
Soil and Water Conservationist
Lab technician
Crop Scientist
Admission Requirements for the study of
Agronomy in Nigeria
The O'level subject combination and
requirements needed to study Agronomy ;
You require;
Five SSCE credit passes in Chemistry, English
Language, Mathematics, Biology and
Geography or Economics.
In UTME, please note that English Language is
Compulsory for this course. Therefore, the
three (3) other JAMB UTME subject
combination needed to study Agronomy under
the Faculty of Agriculture in the above
Universities include;
» Chemistry, Biology or Agriculture and Physics
or Mathematics.
Please check Jamb brochure for requirements
for each school.

SOME INSTITUTIONS WHERE
YOU CAN STUDY AGRONOMY
• Adamawa State University
• Enugu State University of Science and
Technology
• Nasarawa State University
• Osun State University
• Taraba State University
• University of Ibadan
• Adekunle Ajasin University