Agricultural Inspector

This career is for those individuals who enjoy working with nature particularly plants, animals & livestock. A career in agriculture is usually considered a “green job” because it involves direct interaction with natural resources. This job requires dedication, knowledge and passion for this field. Agricultural inspectors should be able to adapt to varying working conditions and have excellent communication skills, both verbal & written, to be able to relay information to others.

In general, an agricultural inspector should possess the following attributes: an understanding & familiarity with agriculture, good observational, concentration and problem solving skills, neutrality and uniformity in judgment along with quality control, up to date knowledge of relevant laws & regulations, and finally, good decision making skills.

Agricultural inspectors are usually employed by the government and are responsible to scrutinize farms and other agricultural entities, ensuring firstly that all products, equipment and sites are officially legal and comply with government regulations. Secondly, they enforce & monitor proper standards of hygiene, sanitation, health & safety. They are also responsible to check the quality of any exported or imported commodities before they leave or enter the country.

Inspection generally covers safety of meat, poultry, eggs, vegetables, fruits & other crops. Products must meet certain standards before they would be deemed acceptable to be marketed to consumers. There are three types of specialized agricultural inspectors: Plant and Quality Control Technicians, Meat Inspectors and Animal Health Technicians.

Plant & quality control technicians are involved in two main things- quality control of plants & seeds, and plant health services which deal with control of plant diseases and pests as well as exports & imports control. Meat inspectors ensure firstly that the animals slaughtered are healthy and that the quality of meat is fit for human consumption.

Secondly, they make sure that the animals are butchered in a hygienic manner and inspect abattoirs for cleanliness. Animal health technicians are responsible to prevent and control animal diseases. They are required to collect samples of animal material, inspect feeding practices and conduct relevant investigations.
In short, the nation relies on agricultural inspectors for its welfare and for protection against food-related diseases.

Specific experience and educational qualifications may vary by employer. Basically there are two ways to qualify as an agricultural inspector. The first way is to earn a bachelor's degree with a major in agricultural science, biology or a closely related field. Alternatively, for some positions, employers may substitute a bachelor’s degree for relevant work or field experience, such as working in a meat-processing plant or farm, which would be highly supportive of your credentials.

Before beginning work, an agricultural inspector will also have to go through a period of training, usually comprising of two years, to become well versed with specific laws, regulations and procedures related to the industry and to receive practical on-the-job exposure. Firstly, inspectors develop their skills by observing experienced inspectors & gaining agricultural knowledge, and then carry out supervised site visits.

Furthermore, it is essential that inspectors be up to date with the legal and technical aspects of the job, for instance by attending short courses & seminars.

In 2008, the median annual salary for an agricultural inspector in the US was $41,000 with an average hourly income of $14.92. In the UK, the annual income ranges from £18,000 to over £35,000 depending on employer.

Government inspector jobs in India pay below average, ranging from Rs. 5000 to Rs. 50,000 per month. Private sector inspectors may expect a better pay.

An

agricultural inspector

usually works from 5 days a week from 9 to 5, perhaps with some overtime depending on the particular job. Although the job is office-based, it involves frequent travel- half the time is spent visiting farms, businesses, companies etc. Since agricultural inspectors are required to examine exports & imports, they visit ports & border crossings as well. Occasionally, there may be overnight stays away from home.

Depending on the level of the inspector, the type of work varies. By visiting premises, an inspector would be checking the environment, buildings & machinery. Agricultural inspectors are also required to investigate any accidents or complaints and write necessary reports & recommendations for corrective actions to be taken. The nature of the job is such that sometimes inspectors will need to be present in court cases to provide evidence & testify in legal proceedings.

Additionally, high level inspectors give guidance and information to farmers on new developments and agricultural techniques. Sometimes, senior inspectors are also required to provide training. Inspectors may also be required to do some manual work for instance lifting of heavy weights to carry out necessary tasks or measuring and weighing commodities to endorse & verify wholesomeness.

Agricultural inspectors may also need to work alongside veterinary physicians to supervise & review medical treatments. Laboratory work encompasses checking levels of chemicals in crops and vegetables and analyzing animal infestations.

Most agricultural inspectors receive benefits like health & dental insurance, sick leave, vacation days & retirement plans. The job is satisfying and fulfilling, because you get to protect others from disease.

Because of the constant interaction with numerous people, frequent traveling and visiting along with office work, there is no monotony in this career and it can prove to be fun and exhilarating.

There are a few disadvantages of being an agricultural inspector. Firstly, there is frequent travel involved and the job may be tiring especially because it is mostly outdoor & manual work.

Inspectors are often exposed to unhygienic & unsanitary conditions including food-related microorganisms & diseases, pollution, extremes of temperature, dust and animal odors. Sometimes they are exposed to loud noise levels from machinery that is disturbing and uncomfortable. Handling various equipment and machinery may also prove to be hazardous.

Employment outlook for agricultural inspectors is estimated to remain stable because it is unlikely that the government, which is the largest employer of these workers, will hire many new inspectors.

However, job prospects should be good as a numerous government inspectors are likely to retire in the coming years. Additionally, if legislation requiring more thorough inspection of the food industry by FDA is passed, the demand for such inspectors may increase significantly.

Once an inspector has several years of experience, he could be promoted to a senior position. Inspectors could also work as consultants in occupational health services, giving advice and offering training. They could also switch to fields like public health or conservation.

Employment is concentrated in agricultural locations of countries. In the US, agricultural states like Nebraska, Texas, Idaho and Iowa employ more inspectors than other states. In India, provinces like Punjab & Tamil Nadu have more promising opportunities.