What crops does an agronomist grow?

The Moscow International Education Fair was held in the capital of Russia from 18 to 21 April. The largest educational forum in the country was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Olga Golodets, who assessed the projects and developments of the Timiryazev Academy specialists. The main agricultural university of the country presented three stands at VDNKh at once, telling about all areas of the university's activities. RSAU-Moscow Agricultural Academy named after K.A.Timiryazev is not only the largest educational base for training personnel for the agro-industrial complex, but also a powerful research center, leading developments in various fields.

- Timiryazevka was, is and will be the leader of agrarian education in the country, - Olga Golodets emphasized during a meeting with the rector of the RSAU-Moscow Agricultural Academy Galina Zolina. - If we miss just one day and don't work, it will immediately affect the overall result.

Olga Golodets talked with Timiryazevka specialists and answered students' questions. Photo:

The main stand of Timiryazevka presented the Academy's own products - fruits and vegetables, honey from the Timiryazev apiary, dairy products from the university farm. There are also aquariums with African Claryaceae: the population of these fish is being restored in the ponds of the Timiryazev Academy. Olga Golodets was interested in the Kuchinskaya Jubilee chickens - the pride of the Livestock Development Center, established last year at the Academy. Timiryazevka's specialists managed to preserve the gene pool of birds of this unique breed. The bright red-haired beauties became the highlight of the exhibition and attracted attention with their sleek appearance.

- In our poultry house there are various breeds of geese and chickens, - said the rector of the Timiryazev Academy Galina Zolina. - There are even exotic representatives - quails and guinea fowls, which have recently gained popularity, they are well bred not only by small farmers, but also by large holdings.

The main stand of Timiryazevka presented the Academy's own products - fruits and vegetables, honey and dairy products. Photo:

Galina Zolina presented another stand of Timiryazevka to Olga Golodets - it was located on the site of the Artek International Children's Center. During the days of the salon, the rector of the Timiryazev Academy and the director of "Artek" Alexey Kasprzhak signed a cooperation agreement. During two shifts, the Academy's specialists will conduct educational programs "Young Farmer" and "Young Naturalist" in the camp. To make learning truly exciting and interesting for Artek residents, information will be presented in the form of games, quests, interactive lessons and quizzes.

The third stand of the university told about the scientific developments of the scientists of the Timiryazev Academy. Galina Zolina showed Olga Golodets a closed-loop aquaponics system created by university specialists.

“This installation is a joint development of the Department of Genetics, Biotechnology, Breeding, Seed Production and the Department of Aquaculture and Beekeeping,” said Galina Zolina. - Fish waste products are an excellent fertilizer for plants.Our proposed development cleans the water of industrial aquariums from fish farming waste, turning them into organic products: from the aquarium, a pump pumps water into a multi-tiered hydroponic installation, where plants assimilate nitrogen. Then the water is purified and fed back to the aquarium.

These cucumbers are grown on Timiryazevka's own farm. The Academy uses only those varieties that were bred by university scientists. Photo:

Timiryazevites also demonstrated new robotics, modern 3D design technologies and projects for the use of space technologies in agriculture. Especially for high school students, for example, the academy has developed a program of additional education "Space technologies in agriculture". She teaches students about geographic information technology, remote sensing of the earth and monitoring of agricultural land using unmanned aerial vehicles.

At the stands of the university, innovative developments of the university specialists were demonstrated. Photo:

The academy's specialists reminded the young visitors of the exhibition that agricultural specialties are real professions of the future, so studying at the Timiryazev Academy is not only interesting, but also prestigious. A significant plus is the availability of education: this year the RSAU-Moscow Agricultural Academy offers applicants more than 1,800 budget-funded places.

Studying at the Timiryazev Academy is prestigious and interesting. Many educational programs of the university are designed not only for students, but also for schoolchildren. Photo:

Today, the work of an agronomist is not very popular in our country. And completely in vain. Agronomist is an unusually complex and interesting profession. But the main thing is that this work is constructive. After all, if you summarize all the responsibilities of an agronomist, then his task is to feed the world's population, which is only growing year after year. Agronomists know when and how to plant crops, how and how to fertilize, when to harvest, how to preserve the harvest and how to maximize it.

History of the profession

The word "agronomist" comes from the Greek words "agros" and "nomos", which means "field" and "law". The work of an agronomist has always been respected. The labor of these people helped to survive in difficult conditions at that time.

This profession existed even before the advent of writing. Then knowledge was passed from father to son. Even in ancient states such as Egypt, China, India and Rome, people possessed many techniques to improve yields, knew how to properly cultivate the land and grow crops. The agronomist was a person very respected by everyone. There is also evidence that the ancient Slavs already had knowledge of agronomy.

Who is an agronomist?

The agronomist is the most important agricultural specialist. It is his task to develop new methods to increase yields, cultivate species, and develop new agricultural plants that were not previously characteristic of this area. In one person, an agronomist is a breeder and a foreman in agricultural work.

Obligations of an agronomist

As the plants grow, the agronomist can, by external signs, determine whether the plant is sick, whether pests have attacked it, whether it has enough of all the nutrients, and if not, which ones are lacking. The agronomist monitors changes in the soil and takes measures to enrich it with fertilizers.

An agronomist must be well educated, since without special knowledge it is impossible to determine exactly how such factors as precipitation, air temperature, soil composition, the presence of mineral fertilizers in it, the time of planting and harvesting, affect the harvest. Such a specialist has a very interesting job. The agronomist is testing new species, new conditions and methods of cultivating the land. He plans agricultural work that takes place all year round.This is the perfect job for those who love nature and love to experiment with plants and watch them grow. In addition, it is the responsibility of the agronomist to develop the best fertilizer formulations for a given area and for specific crops. He also controls the process of growing seeds and ensures the creation and proper storage of the sowing fund.

An agronomist is a researcher who analyzes pest control methods, develops and implements new ones. It is the agronomist who decides what and where to sow. The decision is made on the basis of observations of the average annual temperature and humidity. The geographical position of the terrain and the characteristics of the soil are taken into account. In case of failure, bad harvest, the agronomist must find out what is the reason in order to take into account all the mistakes made in future work.

Features of the profession

Along with the skills of a good manager, an agronomist must also be well versed in natural processes, have a good knowledge of biology, chemistry, and be able to adequately respond to rapidly changing conditions. And the main thing is to love nature, there is no other way. An agronomist must constantly study, subscribe to professional periodicals, and improve his profession. After all, the chemical industry and mechanical engineering do not stand still. In large farms, the agronomist is the number one figure.

An agronomist cannot be an allergic person, since this is not an office job, and you will have to constantly be in the field, where you will be in contact with pollen, dust, chemicals. Also, this work is not suitable for those who "crumble" by getting their feet wet or standing in the wind for a while. The work is physically hard, the working day is irregular. In addition, in our country, agronomists often earn little. The salary of an agronomist in Russia is from 10 thousand to 30 thousand rubles. Some financial support from the state in the form of prizes or grants is possible, but even this will not make an agronomist a wealthy person. But the demand for such specialists was and will always be, under any government, during any crisis. There is no place for a white collar, but the results of work are visible, there is a feeling of the importance of their work.

How to become an agronomist

Specialists-agronomists are trained both by universities and technical schools and colleges, and it cannot be said with certainty that the first option is better. Already the student practice of an agronomist can show which of the students is good for what. Sometimes a college graduate, hardworking and in love with his work, turns out to be not a worse, if not a better specialist than a university graduate. In addition, you can limit yourself to courses of agronomists if you have already acquired a related specialty: biologist, veterinarian, livestock technician.

Specialties: plant growing, cereals and oilseeds, potato growing, vegetable growing, horticulture, floriculture, mycelium and mushroom growing

Specializations: cereals, horticultural crops, melons and gourds, potato growing, fodder and oilseeds, etc.

Required education (level of education, type of educational institution):

Secondary specialized (agricultural technician) - any agronomic college, or agricultural (agro-technical, agro-industrial) college (technical school).

Higher education (agronomist) - any agricultural (agro-industrial) institute (academy), or university (institute, academy).

Specific abilities required for successful mastering of the profession:

No special abilities are required. However, it is advisable to be able to withstand workloads and love the land, plants, and also not be prone to allergies to pollen from field and garden plants.

Major subjects of the school curriculum and additional education:

Biology, geography, chemistry, physics,, Latin *, physical education, life safety *, Russian language and literature

The nature and content of work in this profession

1. Field: work in agrotechnical complexes, in farms and agro-industrial holdings, or in private horticultural enterprises - management of the work process of preparing agricultural land for introduction into crop rotation and sowing operations, control of the development of sown areas, development of an algorithm for feeding and organizing irrigation, as well as management of harvesting campaigns , planning of lands for "fallow", often selection work in the fields, or in gardens; in horticultural farms, work is associated with the cultivation of fruit and berry crops;
2. Laboratory and production: work in nurseries and seed farms, associated with the selection of the best specimens of plants for agricultural or pharmaceutical purposes, as well as with the selection of the most productive seeds, with the breeding of new hybrids and varieties of cereals, fruits and vegetables, oilseeds, fodder (for animal husbandry) crops;

3. Scientific: work in a research institution in the agricultural sector - the search for new directions for the development of plant growing and methods of combating pests and plant diseases.

Its obvious advantages:

A noble cause is akin to that of ordinary farmers, vegetable growers, procurers and everyone who feeds the country; stable nature of work, high demand for the profession in rural areas, life in nature, the ability to grow your own garden and create an exemplary subsidiary farm.

"Pitfalls", its obvious disadvantages;

The work is nervous, often associated with extreme situations, the working day is ragged, often irregular, while the work is not always adequately paid; a high percentage of dependence of labor results on the weather, the hardships of rural everyday life, a low probability of finding an interesting job in a specialty in a large city

Possible occupational diseases: allergic, respiratory tract - not very likely

Salary fork (in rubles per month)*

In Moscow: mainly in nurseries and botanical gardens, seed enterprises - 20,000 - 40,000 (job search is difficult)

In large regional centers: the same - 15,000 - 20,000 (finding a job without leaving the city is difficult)

In the outback of Russia: 8,000 - 20,000

Whether you become a farmer or not, the profession of an agronomist will still bring you to the field. But in any case, it will not close the road to farmers. It is desirable for a farmer, but not necessary, to have the qualifications of an agronomist: as a last resort, a farmer can consult an agronomist of another agricultural enterprise invited by him. But in order for an agronomist to become a farmer, he will need the knowledge and skills of a pure business executive, and even better, the skills of a machine operator. But if you are not inclined towards entrepreneurship, but are more inclined towards growing crops (it does not matter what - grain, potatoes, sugar beets, melons, etc.), if obtaining loans, paying taxes, selling the grown crops are psychologically difficult for you, then it will be better for you, having received a diploma and qualification of an agronomist of a certain specialization (potato growing, grain growing, vegetable growing, horticulture, etc.), to get a job in some agricultural enterprise. Unlike a farmer, a hired agronomist performs a clearly defined amount of work (he is usually prescribed in the contract in the hectares of land assigned to the agronomist), receiving a salary from the employer for this. The latter can be both a farmer and a director (manager) of a non-farm agricultural enterprise, which, as a rule, differ from farmers' not only bOLarger cultivated areas of fields or the size of livestock complexes, but also a clearer distribution of responsibilities among employees. Farmers for the most part are jack of all trades - it is more profitable and more convenient for them: he himself is at the helm of the combine, and at the 1C accounting program, and at the director's table in his own house.And at non-farm agricultural enterprises, each specialist does his job strictly in accordance with his knowledge and skills. So an agronomist there is only an agronomist, his task is to grow the best possible crop in the field assigned to him. That is, in fact, he has a purely agricultural circle of responsibilities: to understand how best to cultivate the land in a specific place, when, in what time frame, what and how to plant seeds prepared for sowing, which and in what quantity, during which periods of feeding and fertilization enter, in what mode to carry out reclamation, forced irrigation of the sown field, and so on. Pest control is also part of the agronomist's job. Therefore, the agronomist has to read special literature all the time, look for new information about methods of increasing the yield and quality of crops grown, methods and preparations for combating pests, improving soil quality and about much more related to the field, meadows (if the agronomist specializes in fodder crops), even greenhouse facilities. Yes, vegetables in greenhouses and hotbeds are also grown by an agronomist. And the flowers? Indeed, all over the world, growing flowers for sale is a very profitable business. And floriculture is also an agronomic specialty. And if, choosing this profession, you want to succeed in it, then you will have to master a huge amount of knowledge in the field of botany, agriculture, soil science, chemistry. The more specializations you can “absorb” during your studies and industrial practice, the more confident you will feel not only in the labor market (that is, in looking for a job in your specialty), but also directly at the enterprise for which you apply. But to master as many related specializations as possible (say, fodder crops, cereals, medicinal herbs, oilseeds and floriculture) will be required in all seriousness. Many agronomists believe that it is better not to be scattered, but to specialize in one or two areas. On this ahead of time, one can say only one thing: who has what abilities. The future agronomist begins with a good scrupulous study at school. You already know about specialized subjects. But a foreign language is also desirable for an agronomist, since a lot of useful and new information on his work is posted on the Internet and published in foreign publications in English or (less often) in another language.

But immediately get ready for the fact that you just need to fall in love with the work of an agronomist. You should be drawn to the field, to agricultural land. And, of course, it is better for the agronomist to live in the countryside, closer to the fields. Although many modern agronomists live in the city, every day they make a rather long way to their plantations. The "pitfalls" of this profession are hidden depending on the weather. Summer drought is not so bad here, it is quite surmountable today. It is worse when the snow covers the fields not before the perceptible frosts, but after. Excess rains also lead to noticeable crop losses, especially when they start pouring out of a bucket clearly at the wrong time, that is, not in the summer, but during the period of active harvesting (this time is different for each crop and it also depends on the climatic zone, in where the crop is grown). It's a shame when you disappear in the field for days, and because of the weather turmoil, it is completely impossible to harvest the crop. It seems much easier to grow vegetables (say cucumbers and tomatoes) in a greenhouse. But even there, the agronomist will face his own problems. Although, where is today not without problems? A normal specialist (of any industry), as we said, must have a kind of working passion in his soul: no matter what obstacles arise on the way to the goal, they must be overcome. And so that you do not become disillusioned with the profession of an agronomist, when you have already acquired it, we advise you to get to know it actively already during your school years, at least on the school site. Indeed, on it, for sure, trees, bushes, and grasses grow. You can try to grow an original flower garden.If diligent work with land and seeds fascinates you, be an agronomist. Then, after school, feel free to apply to the nearest agrotechnical (agricultural) institute. You can go to college for a start. And the most daring usually try to take the Timiryazev Academy by storm.

By the way, the agronomist works not only in the field and in the vegetable garden, but also in the garden, as well as in the fruit nursery. For urban dwellers, the latter niche in agronomy is more suitable. But here's how someone is lucky to get a job.