Job Description

This job is part of our sustainability series:  > See more sustainable job ideas > Find out more about sustainable careers

An agronomist gives advice to farmers about crop production and soil management. They work closely with farmers to help them improve their crop efficiency. They will experiment in their labs to find the best method for helping them increase the quality and production of crops.  Also, they are responsible for developing methods to protect the crops from weeds, pests and harsh climates.

Entry Requirements

You can get into this job by:

College

You could work towards this role by doing a relevant college course like a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture.

You'll usually need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course.

The following local colleges offer courses in Agriculture:

• Easton College
• Suffolk Rural (Suffolk New College)

University

There's no set route to become an agronomist but it may be helpful to do a foundation degree or degree in:

• agriculture
• biology
• ecology
• crop and plant science
• soil science

You'll usually need:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Click here to search for a suitable course.

Other routes

You could study for the BASIS Foundation Award in Agronomy if you're new to the industry and have limited crop experience and knowledge. This will give you an introduction to agronomy, crop protection and crop nutrition.

You can also apply for a graduate training scheme if you have a degree. Schemes are offered by independent consultancies or companies selling agro-chemicals, seed or fertiliser products.

Career Tips

It's really useful to get as much arable farming experience as possible.

You could join the Association of Independent Crop Consultants and BASIS, for professional recognition and training opportunities.

You can find out more about how to become an agronomist from Tasty Careers.

Career Path and Progression 

You could specialise in precision farming methods or developing nutrition plans for fruit or vegetable crops.

You could also study for a postgraduate master's degree, like soil science or genetics, and become a consultant.

Relevant careers you may be interested in:

• Farmer
• Agricultural contractor
• Biologist
• Hydrologist
  Ecologist

Required Skills

• A strong interest in plants and plant science
• Good problem solving abilities
• A flexible approach to work
• Able to work well in a team
• The ability to communicate your findings to others
• Good concentration levels
• An analytical and investigative mind

Salary Range

£20,000 to £45,000