Careers in agriculture (continued)
MICROBIOLOGY
Microbiology is the study of micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses and protista that can only be seen with a microscope. We can call them “the unseen multitudes!” All living organisms have the metabolic ways to grow, reproduce and maintain themselves. A single bacterial cell, under the best conditions, can produce in less than a day more than a billion descendants. Viruses are not alive, they need a living host to survive. Today we define a virus as a noncellular infectious agent. Protista are dominated by eukaryotic organisms that are single celled. Different protista differ in their characteristics and nutrition.
What does a microbiologist do?
A microbiologist works mostly in a laboratory or a place where a microscope can be installed. It can be anywhere in the field of nutrition, agriculture, medicine, ecology, pharmacology, cosmetics, marine life or any place where animals and plants or people live. Identification is by means of DNA karyotyping.
Characteristics needed to become a microbiologist
Such a person must have a keen interest to work in a laboratory, an inquiring mind and good concentration; must be accurate and exploring. He or she must have a love for botany, zoology (biology), genetics and, in general, for living and very small things. The candidate must be self-motivated and mechanically inclined.
Career opportunities in Microbiology
| Qualification | Duration | Institution | Entry Requirement |
| BSc (Agric) Microbiology | Four years (full time) | Most Universities and Universities of Technology | Matric exemption (not for Universities of Technology). Average 50% for Mathematics; 50% for Physical Science; Biology passed |
Job opportunities
- national ARC centres
- DALRRD and provincial departments of agriculture
- food industries
- wine cellars
- lecturing / teaching
- private companies
Visit the website of the South African Society for Microbiology at www.sasm.org.za.
PLANT PATHOLOGY
Plant Pathology is defined as the study of the organisms and environmental conditions that cause disease in plants, the mechanisms by which these factors cause disease, the interactions between these causal agents and the plant (effects on plant growth, yield and quality), and the methods of managing or controlling plant disease. It also interfaces knowledge from other scientific study fields such as mycology, microbiology, virology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, etc.
Plant pathologists are scientists concerned with the understanding of the dynamic processes involved in plant health. Their work is more research orientated.
Career opportunities in Plant Pathology
| Qualification | Duration | Institution | Entry Requirement |
| BSc Agric in Plant Pathology | Three years (full time) | Universities offering agricultural degrees | Mathematics and Physical Level 4 (50-59%) |
Job opportunities
- research: DALRRD and provincial departments of agriculture
- ARC
- agrochemical companies
- seed companies
- fertiliser companies
- university academics
- farming and nurseries
- pharmaceutical representative
- private company
- private consultant
Take a look at https://saspp.co.za website for the Southern African Society for Plant Pathology.
PASTURE / GRASSLAND SCIENCE
Pasture/Grassland Science deals with all aspects of the conservation, improvement and utilisation of natural and established pastures.
The pasture/grassland scientist answers questions such as how often, how severe and at what time of the year should grazing plants be defoliated, how many animals can be kept on a certain pasture and why is it necessary to put up fences and make camps.
Career opportunities in Pasture / Grassland Science
| Qualification | Duration | Institution | Entry Requirement |
| BSc (Agric) Grassland/ pasture; National Diploma in Nature Conservation | Three years (full time) | Most Universities, Universities of Technology | Mathematics, Agricultural Science and/or Biology Level 4 (50-59%) |
Job opportunities
- DALRRD and provincial departments of agriculture
- SANParks – various sections of nature conservation
- fertiliser and seed companies
Read about the Grassland Society of South Africa (GSSA) at https://grassland.org.za.
SOIL SCIENCE
Soil scientists specialise in the development of soil, profile differentiation and morphology. Also concerned with soil fertility, classification and chemistry. The various divisions with focus areas of specialisation comprise the following:
- Soil survey and analyses – Scientists study soils by means of profile pit observations or by drilling with mechanical augers and then do physical and chemical laboratory analyses. The results obtained (also compiled as maps and aerial photographs) are used as vital information for infrastructural planning (urban planning, regional planning, roads, pipelines, power lines, etc.) and agricultural management purposes.
- Soil physicists and hydrologists study and research problems relating to water and soil interactions, soil-air permeability, formation of ploughsoles, etc.
- Soil chemists and fertility specialists are concerned with soil nutrients availability and deficiencies using specialised techniques for the purpose of compiling the most effective fertilisation programmes.
- Soil biologists – the focus here is on transformations brought about by micro-organisms.
Career opportunities in Soil Science
| Qualification | Duration | Institution | Entry Requirement |
| BSc (Agric) Soil Science – for a career as a soil scientist | Four years (full time) | Most Universities, Universities of Technology | Mathematics and Physical Science Level 4 (50-59%) |
| National Diploma: Soil Science – for a career as a soil technician | Three years (full time) | Most Universities of Technology | (As above) |
Job opportunities
- agricultural co-operatives and agribusinesses
- manufacturers of fertilisers
- DALRRD and provincial departments of agriculture
- ARC
- universities
Read about the Soil Science Society of South Africa (SSSA) at https://soils.org.za.
STATISTICS
Statisticians generate, collate, verify, maintain and disseminate statistical information on the agricultural sector, including the monitoring and projection of trends in agriculture, food security and food utilisation.
Career opportunities in Statistics
| Qualification | Duration | Institution | Entry Requirement |
| BSc (Agric) Economics or BCom (Agric Economics) | Four years (full time) | Most Universities | Mathematics, Agricultural Science or Economics / Business Economics |
Job opportunities
- DALRRD and provincial departments of agriculture
- South African National Parks (SANParks)
- commercial banks and other financial institutions
- academic institutions
VETERINARY
Science Veterinarians provide services to farmers. Pet owners, breeders, animal welfare organisation, game reserves, zoos, etc. At government level they are involved in regulatory services, i.e. diagnostic services, control of diseases, prevention of disease introduction into the country and eradication of diseases. They are also concerned with small and large animal practice and the conducting of research.
Attributes to match the career
A keen interest in the medical field with a special and dedicated love for animals, which means enjoying to play and care for them are attributes essential to this choice of career. You also need to be physically strong.
Career opportunities in Veterinary Science
| Qualification | Duration | Institution | Entry Requirement |
| Diploma Veterinary Nursing – for a career as veterinary nurse | Two years (full time) | University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science | Mathematics and Physical Science with a minimum pass mark of Level 4 (50-59%) |
Job opportunities
- veterinary clinics, dairies, kennels
- universities
- pharmaceutical firms and other industries
- surgical instrument marketing firms
- animal research centres
- zoological gardens
- animal welfare societies
| Qualification | Duration | Institution | Entry Requirement |
| BSc Animal Health – for a career as an Animal Health Scientist | Four years (full time) | North-West University, University of Pretoria and others | Mathematics, Physical Science, Biology and Agricultural Science as recommended subjects |
| Diploma in Animal Health – for career as Animal Health technician | Three years | North-West University (full time); UNISA (minimum three years distance learning) | Senior Certificate: Maths, Biology and Agricultural Science as recommended subjects |
Job opportunities
- state veterinary services
- industry: feeds, medicines etc
- laboratory animal science
- veterinary public health
- research
- academia
- zoological gardens
- animal welfare societies
- wildlife ranching and conservation
- marine biology
- animal production sectors
| Qualification | Duration | Institution | Entry Requirement |
| National Diploma Veterinary Technology – for a career as a veterinary technologist | Three years: four semester formal training, two semesters of suitable experiential training | Universities of Technology | Senior certificate / any equivalent qualification: Level 4 (50-59%) for Mathematics, Physical Science and Biology |
| BTech Veterinary Technology – for a career as a veterinary technologist | Two years on block study | Universities of Technology | National Diploma in Veterinary Technology or an equivalent qualification |
Job opportunities
- state veterinary services
- laboratory animal science
- research
- academia
Take a look at www.saaha.co.za, website of the South African Animal Health Association (SAAHA). See also the “Professions” option at https://savc.org.za (South African Veterinary Council). Find other animal health bodies on the “Animal health” page.
| Qualification | Duration | Institution | Entry Requirement |
| Certificate: Poultry Meat Examination – for a career as a Poultry Meat Examiner | Co-operative training / in-service training / 30 days with minimum 15 000 slaughtered chickens | Universities of Technology | Minimum Grade 10 with at least one of these subjects: Mathematics, Biology, Science or Agricultural Science. Experience will be considered if you do not comply with these requirements. |
| Certificate: Poultry Meat – for a career as a Poultry Meat Inspector | 20 days in-service training. Self study with the completion of applicable assignments | Universities of Technology | Certificate in Poultry Meat Examiners / equivalent manager, supervisor or quality control certificate with applicable experience. A complete curriculum vitae with registration. |
Job opportunities
- poultry meat industry / poultry meat inspector
- poultry abattoirs
- state veterinary regulatory services
| Qualification | Duration | Institution | Entry Requirement |
| Certificate: Red Meat Examination – for a career as a red meat examiner | Theory and practical theory: minimum 30 hours tuition co-operative training / in-service training 80 days divided as: 30 days bovine; 30 days pigs (minimum 3 000 pigs). 20 days sheep (minimum 2 000 sheep) | Universities of Technology | Minimum Grade 10 with at least one of these subjects: Mathematics, Biology, Science or Agricultural Science. Experience will be considered if you do not comply with these requirements. |
Job opportunities
- red meat industry
- red meat abattoirs
- state veterinary regulatory services
| Qualification | Duration | Institution | Entry Requirement |
| National Diploma Environmental Health – for career as a meat inspector | Three years – the last three months are co-operative training. | Universities of Technology | Senior certificate / equivalent qualification with Level 3 (40-49%) Mathematics and Physical Science |
| BTech Environmental Health – for career as a meat inspector | Two years on block study | Universities of Technology | National Diploma Environmental Health or equivalent qualification |
Job opportunities
- environmental health officer
- health advisor
- air pollution control officer
- meat inspector
- occupational hygienist
- private consultant
Find out more at www.rmaa.co.za, website of the Red Meat Abattoir Association (RMAA), and www.sapoultry.co.za, website of the South African Poultry Association.
VITICULTURE
Viticulturists apply plant science principles to manipulate the vine to produce the kind of grapes necessary for the production of different wine types and styles.
Compulsory school subjects: Mathematics, Physical Science, Biology
Career opportunities in Viticulture and Oenology
| Qualification | Duration | Institution | Entry Requirement |
| BSc Agric Viticulture and Oenology – for a career as a viticulturist/oenologist | Four years (full time) | Stellenbosch University | Mathematics and Physical Science Level 5 (60-69%) |
| Higher Certificate in Agriculture – for a career as a viticulturist / oenologist | Two years | Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, Cape Peninsular University of Technology | Senior certificate / equivalent qualification. If students fail a Mathematics evaluation in the advent of the academic year, they will need to register for Mathematics. |
| Diploma in Agriculture: Cellar Technology – for a career as a viticulturist / oenologist | Three years with practicals | Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, Cape Peninsular University of Technology | Mathematics, Biology and Physical Science. Higher Certificate in Agriculture programme, with Viticulture and Wine Science as selected subjects – or equivalent qualification. |
Job opportunities
- entrepreneur manager
- product developer
- technical food marketer
- winemaker
The South African Society for Enology & Viticulture website is www.sasev.org.
WEEDS BIOCONTROL SCIENCE
Work in the field involves searching for natural enemies (either insects or disease-causing organisms such as fungi) of invasive plants (weeds) in the weed’s country of origin and studying the natural enemies in quarantine to determine whether they have potential in controlling the invasive plant, and whether they are host-specific. The host-specific and damaging insects and fungi are released from quarantine and placed onto their target weeds in the field. The release sites are regularly visited to see whether they have become established and are controlling the weed. Biocontrol scientists specialising in aquatic weeds regularly wade in polluted, weed infested rivers or dams, wearing waders, or use boats.
Career opportunities in Weed Biocontrol Science
| Qualification | Duration | Institution | Entry Requirement |
| BSc or BSc (Hons) Entomology | Four years (full time) | Most universities | Mathematics, Physical Science and Biology or Agricultural Science Level 4 (50-59%) |
Job opportunities
- government departments
- ARC centres
- universities: lecturers, researchers
- private consultants
- private companies
See the “Biocontrol” page.
Careers related to agriculture
Find details of the following (and more) in the Water@Work career guidance resource.
AQUACULTURIST
Aquaculture is the cultivation of plants and animals that live in water, including fish, shellfish, waterblommetjies, crustaceans, and even crocodiles. These creatures are harvested for food, pets, aquariums, and for restocking wild populations. Aquaculturists usually work as farmers or technicians. Like farming, stock needs to be cared for all the time, even over weekends and public holidays.
AQUATIC SCIENTIST
As an aquatic scientist, you will study various aspects of inland and marine water environments. These cover the physical (e.g. temperatures, water currents and rates at which water flows); the biological (e.g. plants, animals and microbes that live in water); the chemical (e.g. the organic and inorganic composition of water, water cleansing and water quality) and the ecological (the ways in which organisms interact with their environments).
BIOCHEMIST
Biochemistry is the basis of all the life sciences. As a biochemist, you study the cells of living things such as animals, plants, and micro-organisms, their chemical composition and their metabolic processes. You apply your knowledge in fields such as medicine, veterinary science, agriculture, forestry, horticulture, environmental science, and manufacturing.
BIOLOGIST
In general, biologists study living organisms (i.e. their structure, functions, evolution, distribution, and the way they relate to each another). As a biologist, you research the life cycles of living things (e.g. humans, animals, plants) and how these cycles relate to their environments.
BOTANIST
Botanists study the biology and ecology of all types of plants. As a botanist, you could use your knowledge in areas such as conservation, management of natural resources, agriculture, forestry, horticulture, medicine, and biotechnology.
ECOLOGIST
Ecologists study the relationships of plants, animals, and their environments, and the ways that all these interact with each other.
ENVIRONMENT ENGINEER
As an environment engineer, you assess and manage the effects of human and other activity on the natural and built-up environment; you conduct environmental impact assessments, manage natural resources, and control pollution.
ENVIRONMENT HEALTH OFFICER
In this career, you develop, regulate, enforce, and monitor laws and regulations that deal with public health, building, and environment management, so as to promote good health, hygiene, and safety.
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND CONTROL
If you become an environmental protection officer, you will look after the environment by monitoring the quality of effluents being discharged from individual plants/processes or larger industrial or manufacturing sites.
ENVIRONMENT SCIENTIST
There are many different kinds of work in environmental science. You can deal with the conservation and management of natural ecosystems in water and on land, habitats, rare or endangered fauna and flora, or nature reserves.
FORESTRY
Find notes at http://snrm.mandela.ac.za/Forestry
GEOGRAPHER
A geographer studies the Earth’s surface, land features, climate, vegetation, and physical conditions. You also look at and analyse the relationships between human activities and the natural and built environment.
- A climatologist is a geographer who studies climates, their phenomena, and causes;
- a geomorphologist studies the geological aspect of the Earth’s land and seafloor surfaces;
- a fluvial geomorphologist studies river formation.
GEOLOGIST
Geology is an earth science, or geoscience, and includes knowledge from fields such as physics, chemistry, biology, and palaeontology.
- Geotechnologists and geotechnicians work closely with geologists.
GEOPHYSICIST
As a geophysicist, you use physics, mathematics, and chemistry to understand and explain the physical features of solid earth, fluid earth, and the upper atmosphere (i.e. the Earth’s surface and interior, and its atmosphere and hydrosphere).
GEOTECHNOLOGIST
As a geotechnologist, you work in a very complex area, studying the crust of the Earth to help locate and extract natural resources such as water, minerals, and metals, and to determine conditions below the surface.
HYDROLOGIST
Hydrologists study water in streams, rivers, and underground. In this career, you evaluate different processes in the water cycle, such as rainfall, evaporation, groundwater, and river flows so as to find out how much water is available and how reliable is the supply.
MICROBIOLOGIST
Find Microbiology under the previous heading. Careers here include: agricultural scientist; aquatic scientist; biologist; botanist; ecologist; entomologist; horticulturist; medical technologist; microbiologist; pharmacist; zoologist; bacteriologist; virologist and mycologist.
ZOOLOGIST
Zoologists are biologists who study animals. In this career, you study the structures, characteristics, functions, ecology, and environments of animals; the evolution of animal forms; and animal anatomy, physiology, embryology, behaviour, diseases, and geographical distribution. You may work as a researcher at a university or research institute, as a laboratory or fieldworker, in a museum, in education, or in wildlife management, conservation, agriculture, and medicine.
Other careers – people and companies listed on this website
Find details of the following (and more) in the Water@Work career guidance resource.
ACCOUNTANT
As an accountant, you will prepare financial statements, budgets, accounting systems, and cash flows so that managers can make sensible business decisions and improve profits.
Accounting careers include chartered accountant, cost accountant, financial accountant, accounting management consultant, financial manager, auditor, credit controller and bookkeeper.
ADMINISTRATOR
Administrators and clerks do all the general office work that helps other professional staff and managers to do their jobs e.g. keeping records, writing up accounts, preparing and typing reports and letters, and filing. You could be in charge of a company’s administration, or you could become an office manager, bookkeeper, cashier, personal assistant, typist or secretary, or receptionist.
BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING AND OFFSHORING (BPO&O)
This industry, which has only been active in South Africa for about a decade, is expected to grow annually by 50 percent for the next four years. It provides an opportunity to create many jobs for unemployed South Africans: all one needs is a basic matric. It includes jobs like call centres.
CARTOGRAPHER
Cartography is the science of making maps, as well as their study as scientific documents and works of art. In particular, it concerns all stages of evaluation, compilation, design and graphic representation required to produce new or revised maps from different forms of basic data, such as aerial photographs, field records, historical manuscripts, other maps, and statistical reports.
The introduction of GIS (geographic information systems) and other computer assisted mapping systems; wireless applications and GPS (global positioning systems) have added new dimensions to cartographic techniques and the use of digital spatial information. Conventional map production techniques are giving way to the application of computer technology.
