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The Miracles of Agricultural Engineering: How to Transform Global Agricultural Productivity?
Agricultural engineering, also known as agricultural and biosystems engineering, combines the fields of mechanical, civil, electrical, food science, environmental, software and chemical engineering to improve the efficiency of farms and agricultural enterprises and ensure natural and renewable resource sustainability. This field is not only the integration of technology, but also an important driver of progress in global agricultural productivity.
Every innovation in agricultural engineering has the potential to completely change farmers' farming methods and product quality.
Historical evolution
The history of agricultural engineering can be traced back to 2000 BC, when large-scale irrigation systems were first introduced in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Since then, these technologies have continued to develop in places such as India and China, forming the core of local agricultural production. With the rise of the Industrial Revolution, traditional agriculture ushered in a major change: the emergence of mechanization made the harvesting and sowing of plants more efficient.
During the Industrial Revolution, the invention of various agricultural machinery, such as the mechanical thresher in 1771 and the steel plow in 1833, laid the foundation for the improvement of agricultural productivity. This period is known as the "Second Agricultural Revolution", as farmers shifted from self-sufficiency to a market-led business model.
From tillage to harvest, every design of agricultural engineers may become a catalyst for improving agricultural productivity.
Branch of Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural engineering involves many subfields, including but not limited to:
- Agricultural machinery
- Agricultural buildings
- Agricultural Surveying
- Aquaculture
- Biomechanics and Human Factors Engineering
- Forest Engineering
- Irrigation
- Land development
- Pesticide Management
- Precision Agriculture
- Soil Management
The role of the agricultural engineer
Agricultural engineers' responsibilities involve planning, supervising and managing a variety of agricultural projects, including dairy waste treatment systems, irrigation and drainage systems, and more. They need to have not only knowledge about agriculture, but also information about environmental impact assessment and product processing techniques. Many agricultural engineers choose to work in academic institutions or government agencies, while some work as consultants for private engineering firms or hold key roles in industry with manufacturers.
Whether in academia, government agencies, or within companies, the influence of agricultural engineers is everywhere.
Global impact
Taking Armenia as an example, the country's agricultural sector accounted for 20% of GDP in 2006 and grew to 25% by 2010. This data shows the potential impact of agricultural engineering on economic growth in different countries. In contrast, agricultural and biosystems engineers in the Philippines have stricter professional certifications, which has led to increased professionalism in this field.
In the UK, agricultural engineers not only design machinery, but also repair and adapt agricultural equipment. In the United States, the Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers has established guiding principles for safety and regulatory standards throughout the agricultural industry since its founding in 1907.
Agricultural engineering is not only a collection of technologies, but also the hope for future global food security.
Future challenges and opportunities
As challenges such as climate change and ecological protection become increasingly severe, agricultural engineers are facing tremendous pressure in dealing with these issues. At the same time, the rise of innovative precision agriculture technology and genetic modification technology has provided new possibilities for improving agricultural productivity. It’s time to rethink how agricultural engineering can continue to promote global sustainable development in this era of rapid change?
Agricultural engineering is not just a combination of science and technology, but is related to the future of global food security and sustainable production. Are we ready to embrace this change and jointly create a better tomorrow?
