Agrarwissenschaftler/Agrarwissenschaftlerin / Agrarökonom/Agrarökonomin

Various information resources are available, such as the 'Agricultural Sciences' film from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (German Federal Employment Agency). Further information and publications include 'Shaping Future Agricultural Systems Together', 'Reports on Agriculture', 'Agricultural Education Server', 'Federal Information Centre for Agriculture (BZL)', 'Digitalization in Agriculture', 'FISA - Research Information System Agriculture and Food', 'The Research Magazine of the BMLEH', 'German Journal of Agricultural Economics (GJAE)', 'Journal of Crop Health', 'National Bioeconomy Strategy', 'Livestock Strategy: Sustainable Animal Husbandry in Germany', 'OA Open Agrar', 'Organic Farming in Germany', and 'top agrar'.

Adapting to climate change in agriculture is crucial. Climate change leads to altered soil and weather conditions, including heatwaves, droughts, storms, and floods. Agricultural professionals must adapt to these conditions, for example, by using water more efficiently or investing in environmentally friendly irrigation techniques. Agri-photovoltaics (Agri-PV) on agricultural land protects harvests from extreme weather events while simultaneously generating solar power. Agricultural professionals will address climatic changes and take precautions. The agriculture of the future should be efficient, sustainable, and socially acceptable. In this regard, autonomous, AI-based swarm robots enable soil-friendly cultivation. Sensors collect data on soil quality, moisture, and weather through deep learning.

The following interests are important and helpful for success in this academic profession. Interests are listed in order of importance, with illustrative activities for each area. These include interest in organizational-auditing activities (e.g., assessing vegetation on cultivated areas, organizing the distribution of agricultural products), interest in theoretical-abstract activities (e.g., developing seeds, feed, and fertilizers, developing environmentally friendly and economically viable production and processing methods), and interest in commercial-organizational activities (e.g., developing and implementing concepts for customer consulting, marketing, and sales of agricultural products, guiding and technically supporting employees to ensure the quality and economic efficiency of agricultural production workflows).

Agricultural scientists and agricultural economists primarily work in offices and meeting rooms, outdoors (e.g., on cultivation or experimental cultivation areas) and in animal stables, in laboratories, and in lecture halls and seminar rooms. Additionally, they may also work in home offices or remotely.

Core competencies acquired or deepened during the Studium (university study) include: Arable farming, agricultural biology, agricultural ecology, agricultural economics, agricultural policy, agricultural law, agricultural technology, agricultural machinery technology, agricultural sciences, business management, planning of operational resource use, soil science, bonitur (plant assessment), research, plant protection, animal husbandry, and animal production. Further competencies that may be significant for practicing this profession include: Aeroponics, agricultural robots, agroforestry systems, agrophotovoltaics, agrotourism, aquaponics, designing irrigation systems, managing biogas plants, biological plant protection, soil protection, cultivating energy and raw material plants, feed analysis and production, water protection, expert appraisal activities, hydroponics, climate change adaptation, customer consulting and support, molecular agriculture, nature conservation, organic farming, biochar, plant physiology, plant breeding, phytopathology (study of plant diseases), precision agriculture, rainwater management, conducting and evaluating experiments, vertical farming.

The advancing digitalization of the working and professional world can change task areas and requirement profiles. For agricultural scientists and agricultural economists, opportunities may arise to engage with the following technologies, procedures, or systems: Agricultural robots (e.g., participating in the development of agricultural robots or planning their deployment), automatic feeding systems (e.g., initiating and monitoring fully automated feed retrieval from silos, mixing feed, and feeding all performance groups), automatic milking systems - AMS (e.g., participating in the development of automatic milking systems or planning their deployment), automatic section control (e.g., saving seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers by avoiding overlaps in the processing of agricultural areas), Business Process Management Systems - BPM Systems (e.g., using software to analyze and control business processes to increase efficiency), Digital Topographic.

Agricultural scientists and agricultural economists independently undertake organizational, business management, or technical tasks in agricultural enterprises, fodder and fertilizer production, the agricultural machinery industry, or in agricultural authorities and organizations. In many of these areas of activity, they bear responsibility for healthy food and feed products or the species-appropriate keeping of animals, while observing various regulations such as food law or environmental protection law. If they lead a team, they motivate their employees and coordinate their collaboration. This requires communication skills. Negotiation skills are important in customer discussions. Agricultural scientists and agricultural economists often work in an office at a computer, for example, when planning production or work processes or preparing offers. In addition, they may work in stables, open fields, or pastures.

Agricultural scientists and agricultural economists can work freelance in the following areas, for example: in their own or leased agricultural enterprise, in expert appraisal, in management consulting, in agricultural trade.

Example gross basic remuneration in the public service (öffentlicher Dienst) collective bargaining area (monthly): €5,106 to €5,874. Example gross basic remuneration in the commercial economy sector (monthly): €5,066 to €6,439. Sources: Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the States (TV-L), Collective Bargaining Collection of the Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labor and Social Affairs. Please note: This information is for orientation purposes only. No claims can be derived from it.

Agriculture: Cultivation of cereals other than rice, as well as legumes and oilseeds; cultivation of other annual and biennial plants n.e.c.; cultivation of wine and table grapes; cultivation of potatoes and other roots and tubers; cultivation of fiber crops; cultivation of oil-bearing fruits; mixed farming; provision of agricultural services for crop production. Animal husbandry, animal breeding: Rearing of dairy cattle; rearing of other cattle; rearing of pigs; rearing of poultry n.e.c.; other animal husbandry n.e.c.; provision of agricultural services for animal husbandry. Horticulture, floriculture: Cultivation of vegetables and melons; cultivation of spice plants, plants for aromatic, narcotic and pharmaceutical purposes; cultivation of strawberries; cultivation of plants for the production of beverages; cultivation of pome and stone fruits; cultivation of other fruits and nuts n.e.c.; production of flower seeds; cultivation of ornamental plants for cutting. Fishing, fish farming, aquaculture: Freshwater aquaculture.

Those who wish to work in this profession generally need a completed undergraduate degree (grundständig Studium) in agricultural science. Leadership positions or specialized tasks usually require a master's degree (Masterstudium). Activities in science and research often require a doctorate (Promotion) or habilitation (Habilitation).

Agricultural Science (undergraduate), Agricultural Science (postgraduate)

Agricultural scientists and agricultural economists find employment, for example, in agriculture, with manufacturers of plant protection products, feed, and fertilizers, in research institutes, experimental stations, universities, agricultural offices, environmental protection authorities, professional organizations, or economic associations, and in companies manufacturing agricultural machinery.

Agricultural Scientist / Agricultural Economist. Also common professional title/synonym: Agronomist. Comparable professional titles in German-speaking countries: Switzerland: Agricultural Scientist, Agronomist. Professional titles in English: Agricultural economist (m/f), Agricultural scientist (m/f).

Proof of expertise according to the Plant Protection Expertise Ordinance (Pflanzenschutz-Sachkundeverordnung) may be required.

Some characteristics of work and social behavior are equally relevant for all professions and are therefore not mentioned separately. These include: reliability, punctuality, honesty, ability to criticize, and appropriate manners. In addition, the following profession-specific characteristics are required to practice this academic profession (Studium): willingness to perform and commit (e.g., willingness to actively and dedicatedly take on additional work in fields, stables, or the office during seasonally induced work bottlenecks), perseverance / determination (e.g., conducting or accompanying lengthy breeding programs, sales negotiations, or consulting assignments), conscientiousness (e.g., precise determination of costs for individual production branches and production processes; error-free creation of schedules or invoices), sense of responsibility and willingness to take responsibility (e.g., taking responsibility for the use of plant protection products and for the quality of products).

Agricultural scientists and agricultural economists produce, market, and develop agricultural products. They manage businesses, advise farmers, and work in research, administration, or the agricultural industry.

AgroBrain, ajb Agrarjobbörse, Bildungsserver Agrar, Environmentjob.co.uk, Karrero by top agrar, lebensmitteljob.de, proplanta Agrar-Stellenmarkt, WILA-Arbeitsmarkt.

Key associations and organizations in this profession include: Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE), Federal Association of Agricultural Trade (BVA), Federal Association of German Plant Breeders (BDP), German Research Foundation (DFG), German Farmers' Association (DBV), Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI), Industrial Union Building-Agriculture-Environment (IG BAU), Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, VDL-Federal Association of Agriculture, Food, Environment, Association of the Agricultural Industry (VdAW), Association of Chambers of Agriculture.

Agricultural scientists and economists take on personal responsibility, such as guiding and leading employees. They engage in customer contact, acquiring, advising, and supporting clients. They adhere to various regulations and legal requirements, including food law and environmental protection. They work with animals in a production-oriented manner in meat-producing operations and with plants in plant breeding or cultivation businesses. They use technical devices, machines, and systems, such as agricultural machinery and equipment. Screen work is common, for example, when conducting price and market research as a sales or marketing consultant. They work in offices for planning and administrative tasks, especially if self-employed. Outdoor work is also part of their role, such as during field consultations or on their own farm. In research activities, they may work in laboratories, for instance, on crossbreeding programs or resistance breeding for animals or plants. Their workplaces can vary frequently, often switching between different environments.

Agricultural scientists and economists have diverse career opportunities. In the agricultural sector, they can work as farm managers, managers of machinery and operational aid rings, or agricultural consultants. They may take on roles in production planning and control, as managers of biogas plants, or as appraisers and experts, including agricultural experts or environmental auditors. They can teach as agricultural teachers at vocational schools or as lecturers and study program coordinators at universities and academies. In quality assurance and management, they can serve as quality management or quality assurance managers. They also work in process and product development as product developers or research and development managers. Sales and distribution management roles are also available. Scientific research positions, including research associates, are further possibilities.

The main work items and tools used by agricultural scientists and economists include: Products and auxiliary materials such as development concepts, seeds, feed, milk, meat, fish, potatoes, grain, hay, fertilizers, and plant protection products. Documents like business and profitability analyses, agricultural market analyses, funding programs and guidelines, schedules, expert opinions, legal regulations, and test plans. Software such as geographic information systems, monitoring systems, and agricultural business software. Machines, systems, and devices including agricultural machinery, milk cooling and feeding systems, biogas or biomass plants, analysis and measuring devices, and laboratory equipment. Office equipment such as PCs, internet access, and telephones.

Agricultural scientists and economists produce agricultural goods and plan operational processes. They optimize organization and profitability and deal with agricultural technology. Among other things, they develop seeds, feed, and fertilizers for the supplier industry and ensure raw material procurement in the food industry. They also advise farmers, authorities, or associations on technical and business management issues. In institutions such as chambers of agriculture, they take on planning and organizational tasks.

Continuing education helps to keep professional knowledge current and adapt to new developments (e.g., in agriculture, animal breeding, environmental and nature protection, plant protection, sales). Furthermore, trends in digitalization and precision agriculture, as well as sustainability in conjunction with Artificial Intelligence (AI), can become important further education topics for agricultural scientists and economists. The development and use of bioplastics, whose raw materials are obtained from green waste, also offers potential for further training.

Bachelor graduates can enhance their professional and career opportunities through further studies, for example, in Agricultural Management or Agricultural Science. A doctorate is generally required for a scientific career at a university; for appointment as a university professor, a Habilitation (postdoctoral qualification) is usually needed. A doctorate may also facilitate access to higher professional positions in the private sector, research, and public administration.

Production and Marketing: Producing food and feed, such as grain, milk, or meat. Developing concepts for customer consulting, marketing, and sales. Informing and advising customers about products. Marketing agricultural products. Taking on management roles in businesses or service companies. Analyzing the agricultural policy situation and development of the respective business area. Development: Developing fertilizers and cultivation agents. Researching seed, feed, and fertilizer, developing or optimizing products. Developing machines for cultivation, harvesting, or processing products. Planning vegetation experiments, conducting and evaluating experimental cultivation. Potentially taking on tasks in project development for biogas or biomass plants. Support and Consulting: Advising agricultural businesses, among others, on development cooperation projects. Assisting agricultural associations with questions on agricultural economics. Supporting offices and authorities, e.g., as a specialist consultant.

The following additional employment alternatives are available for the profession of agricultural scientist or agricultural economist: Field of Scientific Research, Horticultural Scientist, Oenologist, Agricultural Biologist, Landscape Ecologist. Commonalities: Collecting and evaluating natural science data on vegetation, fertilization, or plant protection. Advising agricultural businesses. Publishing scientific findings. Note: The mentioned job alternatives may require a longer training period or additional qualification.

What is it about? Agricultural scientists and agricultural economists manage agricultural production or service businesses, participate in the processing and marketing of agricultural products, sell products from the agricultural supply industry, or advise agricultural businesses. They take on planning and administrative tasks in specialized authorities, associations, and agricultural institutions, or work in agricultural experimental systems. Agricultural Production and Management: Whether plant or animal food and feed are produced in agricultural production businesses or agricultural products are marketed by a supplier: Agricultural scientists and agricultural economists find the right solution for the respective business and implement it. They deal with the development of work chains in production and processing and with activities in business management.

The following abilities, knowledge, and skills are required for performing possible activities in this academic profession. Abilities: Numerical (calculating) thinking (e.g., marketing and pricing agricultural products). Observational accuracy (e.g., early detection of diseases in plants and animals; evaluating laboratory experiments). Technical understanding (e.g., developing biogas or biomass plants; planning maintenance of agricultural machinery). Commercial aptitude (e.g., marketing feed and food such as hay, grain, potatoes, milk, or meat). Ability to plan and organize (e.g., planning and coordinating operational management tasks; planning audits; planning vegetation experiments). Spatial orientation (e.g., outdoor orientation during assessment and consulting activities). Knowledge and Skills: Calculation skills (e.g., calculating storage capacities in agricultural businesses).

Plant Protection Expert Ordinance (Pflanzenschutz-Sachkundeverordnung - PflSchSachkV), amended by Article 376 of the law of 31.08.2015 (BGBl. I S. 1474).

The exercise of this profession may entail the following physical requirements. This information may not necessarily apply to every activity profile or professional deployment possibility. Robust health (e.g., working outdoors in adverse weather conditions), functionality of arms and hands (e.g., taking analysis samples in field trials), undisturbed speech ability (e.g., advising agricultural businesses on investments and operational organization issues), near vision - even corrected (e.g., working on mobile computer screens), hearing ability and speech comprehension (e.g., understanding customer requests when advising agricultural businesses), healthy, resilient skin on hands and arms (e.g., handling chemicals such as plant protection products or chemical fertilizers), healthy airways and lungs (e.g., coming into contact with feed dusts or animal hair) may be required. This information does not form a basis for legal action and is not in the sense of a professional definition.

The following lists professions or activities that show similarities to the initial profession. These professions offer a possible alternative for applicants who cannot find a vacant position in their learned profession. Furthermore, employers can consider specialists in these professions as alternatives for filling a job in the initial profession. Some alternative professions only comprise partial activities of the initial profession, while others require an induction period, which can vary in length in individual cases. The following immediate employment and staffing alternatives are available for the profession of agricultural scientist or agricultural economist: Job and staffing alternatives for partial activities and professional deployment possibilities (with/without induction): Agricultural Business Manager, Agricultural Consultant, Animal Breeding Administrator. With a lower qualification level: State-certified Technician.

The activity as an agricultural scientist or agricultural economist is not regulated. No professional recognition is necessary to work in this profession with a qualification acquired abroad. However, there is the possibility to apply for an individual certificate evaluation for foreign university degrees through the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). This can be helpful for applications in the German labor market. Further information on living and working in Germany: Hotline Working and Living in Germany - central information hotline of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and the Federal Employment Agency (BA). For people from abroad - an information offer from the Federal Employment Agency. Central International and Specialist Placement Service of the Federal Employment Agency. Make it in Germany - The welcome portal of the skilled labor initiative for international skilled workers.

The following health limitations could lead to problems when performing the profession. This information may not necessarily apply to every activity profile or professional deployment possibility. Increasingly, there are also possibilities to compensate for limitations, for example, through technical aids. Susceptibility to infection, chronic infectious diseases (e.g., working outdoors in adverse weather conditions), impaired functionality of arms and hands (e.g., taking analysis samples in field trials), speech disorder, speech impediment (e.g., advising agricultural businesses on investments and operational organization issues), uncorrectable near vision impairment (e.g., working on mobile computer screens), hearing impairment, hard of hearing, deafness, hearing disorder, chronic ear conditions (e.g., understanding customer requests when advising agricultural businesses), chronic or allergic skin diseases or lack of skin resilience on hands and arms.

The following further staffing alternatives are available for the profession of agricultural scientist or agricultural economist: Field of Scientific Research, Horticultural Scientist, Oenologist. Commonalities: Collecting and evaluating scientific data on vegetation, fertilization, or plant protection, advising agricultural businesses, developing and testing agricultural production methods, publishing scientific findings. Note: The mentioned staffing alternatives may require an induction period, which can vary in length in individual cases.