By this time, you will have probably discerned my utter bias in developing our competencies in areas which we do not have much competition and I felt that we are strong. You may probably be aware my reservation in confronting other engineers in areas which I believe we have thematic overlap and my desire to work around this competition for own advantage.
Let me discuss the global evolution of agricultural engineering into a much wider biological systems engineering. For some, it is quite alarming. Does this mean we need to learn new approaches, tools, skills and competencies in order to cope with these new trends?
Sadly (for some), yes. But these new areas are where the paths of least resistance are. Instead of devoting our energy and effort in equipping ourselves in areas where we have competition, why don't we strengthen our ranks to "new areas"? Our current curriculum reflects these trends to a certain degree but sometimes are received by college professors in varying degrees of enthusiasm leading to half-baked lectures. The board exam also did not reflect these trends and are still locked in traditional agricultural engineering major subjects. So why professors spend time in lecturing these new trends when at the end of the day, it will not be included in the board exams? I mean there is a lot potential in learning these new areas particularly for work but since the ultimate measure of performance is the board exam, colleges shy away from these areas.
Here are few areas and opportunity scenarios that an agricultural engineer can do and got paid for it:
1) Bioenergy and biomass engineering- this is an area where we will harness the energy biological products. An AE can design small-scale portable biogas digester that really works! An agricultural engineer can also work with the Solid Waste Management (SWM) programs in the LGUs specializing in compost engineering (designing the right compost recipe).
2) Soil bioengineering - we have great potential in this area. Ever heard of the geotextile coco fibers for erosion control? Agricultural engineers are in the forefront of this but oftentimes are not included in the curriculum package in our soil and water conservation engineering. But this technology is emerging in the Philippines. If only we could popularized this as an AE practice.
3) Urban agriculture support - Here we talk about hydroponics and pot growing. But do we have this in a course? like designing turnkey systems for installations? Congressmen are aware of this. They even purchase fertilizers for urban areas. I must presume these are for urban agriculture projects. We can ask Jocjoc
4) Aquacultural engineering - aside from fishpond design, one can extend the urban agricultural system and turn it into aquaponics systems.
5) Microclimate control - we are the engineering profession who has knowledge in physiology and environmental requirements of both plants and animals. We can design or at least install turnkey systems for greenhouses, biosecured animal production systems.
These are some of the biosystems engineering areas that one AE can work on and can be an entrepreneur. Of course there are other areas (e.g. ecological engineering, biosensors, food processing, etc). which might still on the infancy stage in so far as Philippine arena is concerned.
The few examples I have outlined above can be a venue for income of an entrepreneurial AE. However, the motivation is not there since they are not included in the mainstream major subjects or in the exam. An immediate concern of an AE student is to pass the board. If these potential areas are not included or given less emphasis, why bother learning them.
For me both the Board and the colleges should seriously look at these potential areas.
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