There is little doubt that agriculture and allied activities have undergone a major change in the past few decades. From completely manual to highly mechanised and automated, from labour to capital intensive, the field has witnessed several paradigm shifts. Not only has the new market-driven economy brought about a change in the ways agriculture is practiced, it has also introduced multiple new fields and career prospects.

The agrochemical industry is a key component today that offers a wide spectrum of job opportunities from laboratory to farms. Several specialisations have emerged in the fields of pest, weed and disease management, manufacturing and research.

With new developments like introduction of green chemistries, introduction of plant breeding techniques, highly improved and efficient agricultural equipment and use of latest soil testing techniques, biological products, the industry is breaking new ground every day.

If you are looking for opportunities to make a career in the field of agrochemicals, here are a few options that you can consider, according to your aptitude and predisposition:

Agricultural research: This sector has grown leaps and bounds in recent years, with research and development as the key to resolve crop woes and improve yields. It has two basic fields — chemistry and bio efficacy. This interesting field offers new avenues and tests them rigorously to find new solutions. The research further specialises in the domain of insects, weeds and crop diseases.

Students interested in agrochemical research can opt for any of these specialisations. One who wants to pursue a career studying the subject, can go for agriculture science. Agriculture scientists play a key role in the evolving agrochemicals industry by devising new ways and products to improve productivity, development of new agrochemicals and fertilisers.

Agrochemicals marketing: If you have flair in selling, sky is the limit for an agriculture graduate. Marketing of new products is a very large field within the marketing industry that requires special expertise and experience. Marketing of agrochemicals targets both retailers as well as farmers. If you have a degree in marketing, you can polish it further to suit the needs of the agrochemical industry. Having a knack of rural marketing is also important.

Pesticide regulatory specialist: Licensing and registration is an integral part of this industry. If one wishes to stay on the greener side of the law, it is necessary to restrict the chemical composition of the products according to the legal limits and follow due procedure in acquiring a license for production and sale. This is where the role of a pesticide regulatory specialist comes in.

Statutory compliance with respect to the health and environment laws of the nation and state, and new product registration are the main functions of a regulatory specialist. Agrochemical manufacturing companies have dedicated positions for them who make sure their products comply with all norms. The products do not pass unless internal regulatory experts approve them. In the agrochemical field, adhering to such regulations are very important for the collective health of the country.

An agrochemical graduate with in-depth knowledge about agricultural laws and a managerial efficiency to look over legal matters of licensing and registration is ideal for the job.

Quality assurance expert: In the field of agriculture, which provides us with daily sustenance to survive in this world, quality assurance and control is a necessary function. Therefore, at the stage of production as well as on the field, one has to keep the quality of product in check.

Monitoring and reviewing raw material information, detecting environmental changes, and inspecting equipment, materials and crops are part of the job. Quality experts need to be knowledgeable about the agrochemicals and their possible side effects, and also need to possess the personality for a strict supervisory role. On-field presence requirement implies some physical proficiency as well.

Agrochemical formulation scientist: Formulation scientists are involved in the production of agrochemicals as well as the post-production work of transferring technology to the field from the lab. New product development and direct involvement in designing are the exciting opportunities that await a formulation scientist. Since this involves a lot of lab work, people with a previous experience in labs and those who know their way around chemicals are highly recommended. A background in extensive chemical research is a must.

Job roles and pay scale: The popular job roles are in the domain of agriculture finance, sales and marketing, procurement and supply chain, strategy and planning, quality control, farm auditor, and project management. Freshers with a BSc or BTech may start with a monthly salary of Rs 18,000 to 25,000, depending on the job role, skill portfolio and the educational institution. However, upon gaining an experience of 4 – 6 years, one can earn as much as Rs 6 – 15 lakh per annum.

One with Masters or a PhD can prove helpful to the jobseekers. Master degree holders can expect an average starting renumeration of Rs 6 lakh, a year. The pay package may increase with experience. Research professionals within the academic setups can earn in the range of Rs 50,000 to 80,000 per month. The salary brackets are just indicative and may vary from company to company.

With a host of agricultural reforms taking place in India and a robust export scenario coming through, we can hope this sector will bloom in the near future and become of the dependable employers in the country.

The writer is managing director, Insecticides India Limited.