Agricultural consultant
An agricultural consultant or adviser, like any consultant, is a professional problem-solver. They offer support and solutions to their clients to ensure their business or enterprise is running as efficiently and effectively as possible. Clients may be:
Agricultural consultancy and advisory work is principally split into two distinct but interrelated areas:
Consultants and advisers must be aware of the business and legislative implications of their advice.
The exact nature of the work carried out by agricultural consultants varies depending on the type of service they offer (e.g. business or technical consultancy) and the type of employer (e.g. private consultancy or charity) but typical activities include:
A degree in agriculture or another relevant subject is usually required. The following subjects may increase your chances:
Studying an element of business management within these degree schemes can be advantageous, particularly if you want to enter the business side of consultancy.
Entry is sometimes possible with an HND, though it is likely that this will need to be backed up with considerable relevant experience. Agriculture and horticulture sciences are the subjects considered most relevant.
To enter the technical stream a Masters in a related subject such as animal production or seed and crop technology may be advantageous. A PhD may also help, especially if your research is in an area in which you will offer specialist advice.
It may be possible to enter into the business side of consultancy with a business degree backed up with knowledge and experience of the agricultural industry. Postgraduate business qualifications are not likely to give a particular advantage.
A broad knowledge of agriculture and farm management is essential, as is experience of working in the industry. Without relevant experience it is difficult to find a way into an advisory or consultancy post, but many opportunities exist to gain voluntary, and sometimes paid, work experience.
Candidates need to show evidence of the following:
A driving licence is considered essential.
Some of the larger agricultural consultancies offer graduate recruitment schemes, generally focusing on farm management and agricultural business. These are usually advertised as they become available. Speculative applications are often essential for trainee jobs and work experience opportunities, as many of these vacancies go unadvertised. The development of a strong CV and covering letter is, therefore, essential for these opportunities, along with the ability to develop a network of contacts.
Entry into agricultural consultancy and advisory work is competitive. Try to gain practical experience of farm management, rural surveying or planning, or other types of agricultural work, and research potential employers.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
The training offered by agricultural consultancies varies depending on the size of the company and the needs of the business. It may involve in-house training supervised by a senior and more experienced colleague, or be a mixture of external short courses and project work.
Consultants working in the technical side of agricultural consultancy may need to undergo specific training. For example, those involved in crop consultancy may need to undertake training for the Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme (FACTS) , which provides a recognised level of competence in crop nutrition and fertiliser use.
As an independent consultant, it is your responsibility to keep up to date both in your specialist area and in the agricultural sector overall. This is done mainly through personal contacts, short courses and attendance at conferences, and may be at your own expense.
Membership of professional bodies such as the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants (BIAC) and the Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC) can enhance professional knowledge and may offer the opportunity to follow a programme of continuous professional development (CPD).
Some consultants choose to study a related Masters degree part time to extend their knowledge. This may be supported by the employer if it is something that enables the consultant to give more specialist advice.
Career development and structure varies across the different types of employing organisations.
In commercial agricultural consultancies, career development depends largely on performance and revenue earned, but is also affected by the size of the employing organisation. In smaller consultancies, the possibility of promotion to more senior roles may be limited and relocation or specialisation will then be required. Career progression is likely to be from junior consultant to senior consultant, then to team leader with the possibility of an invitation to become a partner or director.
For those based in the public sector and within charitable organisations, career development is likely to be linked to performance and increased responsibility, with promotion to team leader and management positions being possible. Progression to management roles may involve less time out in the field and more time in the office.
There is no set career structure for the independent consultant, although setting up your own operation may be the ultimate step in an agriculturally-based career.
There may also be the opportunity of lecturing at a university or college if the right qualifications are acquired.
The main types of employment for agricultural consultants and advisers are:
There is also the opportunity to be a self-employed consultant and the Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC) has over 200 members.
Agricultural colleges and university schools of agriculture usually have established contacts within the industry and may have information on job vacancies.
For a list of agricultural consultancies and contacts that may be useful for speculative applications see:
Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.
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