What exactly is ‘AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING’?
Lorraine Njeri
Enabling Environment Development | Climate Action & Clean Energy Access for African Cities | Environmental Graduate Engineer GE-IBK
NB: by the end of this article, you might not have a specific answer, but rather a clearer understanding of this discipline; since it is an agglomerate of various fields.
?
As the name suggests these are two merged fields; Agricultural Engineering and Biosystems Engineering.
Individually; Agricultural Engineering focuses on agriculture, farm production, machinery,land-use planning, etc.
???????????????????? ; Whilst Biosystems Engineering focuses on the sustainable interactions of all living organisms with the existing natural resources.
Meaning ABE professionals not only cater to agricultural production, but to the ecosystem that sustains agriculture; this includes environmental engineering, climate science, water resource management, and renewable energy among many others.
My definition would be; ABE engineers innovate solutions within the climate and environment (ecology) to sustain agricultural production, that meets the needs of the present while preserving the planet's resources for future generations."
The primary aim of ABE is to cause the land to produce more abundantly and at the same time to protect it from deterioration and misuse. (as per my first year’s introductory lecture EBE 2101 by Prof. Eng Gareth Kituu)
We are all aware of the pressure of population growth on the planet’s natural resources.
Therefore, ABE professionals work to preserve natural resources, biodiversity, and environmental quality and to push for more greener solutions.
Think of it this way;
?
An ABE professional focuses on the bigger scope of ensuring the ecological sustainability of existing natural resources for the needs of mankind.
?A biosystem engineer applies their discipline in ensuring the integration of safer eco-friendly/ greener alternatives in agricultural and environmental innovations. This can either be through waste management, building safer field equipments,?? bio-based energy, eco-friendly aquaculture, food quality preservation, air pollution control,soil conservation,integrated water resource management etc
领英推荐
As I mentioned in the disclaimer, it is hard to give a one-off answer as to What exactly is AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING?
Unfortunately, and fortunately, ABE professionals are jacks of all trades.
Meaning we are flexible enough to pick any niche and grow but this also means a lot of confusion for the employer because they can not quite decipher your particular line of expertise and contributions.
Lastly and most importantly, this article may be biased; as I am speaking from my experience as an Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer who majored in Soil, Water and Environmental Engineering (SWEE).
For those pursuing ABE at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), in your 4th-5th year it is mandatory to specialize in either:
1.?????? Soil, Water and Environmental Engineering (SWEE).
2.?????? Biomechanical and Processing Engineering (BPE). ?
Therefore, some of my classmates who pursued BPE as their major, may describe ABE differently with a greater inclination towards machinery mechanics, power, and plant operations among many other shared areas of expertise.
?
~~THE END~~
Feel free to share your thoughts, questions, disputes, and additions.
NB: Part two of this article covers the units taught and the course outline of the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering program."
?
?
?
?
--
4 个月one of the many problems in this field is the lack of JOB specially in Ethiopia. anyone with a job please contact me.
G.E Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.
1 年This are great insights, well deciphered with clarity on this Nobal Profession.
Registered Professional Engineer | Engineers Board of Kenya| Products & Service Engineer | Projects Engineer | Water and Energy Engineer|Design Engineer
1 年Lorraine Njeri I did Agricultural Engineering at Egerton University , where we covered units on Irrigation & Drainage , Farm Machinery & Mechanization , Soil & Water Engineering , Agro processing Engineering , Water Resources Engineering , Renewable Energy, Rural Electrification & Agricultural Structures. At first I did not like the course , so as many of other classmates due to the name 'Agricultural ' . Most of them opted for more attractive courses such as Instrumental & Control Engineering , Water & Environmental Engineering & Manufacturing Engineering. I thank God I didn't do a course transfer after I visited a yoghurt processing plant in my first year and got a better understanding of the course. After graduation , I can say that is the best decision I have ever made in my journey career . In Kenya , Agricultural Engineers are few compared to other engineering disciples so not many know about it. On a lighter note ??, I think you need to redefine the definition of Agricultural Engineering ????.. In my view, Agrucultural Engineering is the mother of Biosystems , Biomechanical , Soil , Water and Environmental Engineering .. Just like Civil Engineering to Structural Engineering . Nice article Lorraine Njeri ...
Water, Irrigation & Renewable Energy Expert. Currently intensively indulged in innovative Non-Revenue Water Management and Smart Water Metering Solutions
1 年Lorraine Njeri precisely put!