Agricultural technicians collect and conduct experiments and tests on agriculture and aquaculture specimens. They provide support to scientists and farmers and also analyse and report on conditions in the collected specimens' environments.

Tasks

Tasks include -
(a) Preparing materials and equipment for experiments, tests and analyses;
(b) Collecting and preparing specimens such as soils, plant or animal cells, tissues or parts or animal organs for experiments, tests and analyses;
(c) Assisting with and performing experiments, tests and analyses applying methods and techniques such as microscopy, histochemistry, chromatography, electrophoresis and spectroscopy;
(d) Identifying pathogenic micro-organisms and insects, parasites, fungi and weeds harmful to crops and livestock, and assisting in devising methods of control;
(e) Analysing produce to set and maintain standards of quality;
(f) Conducting or supervising operational programmes such as fish hatchery, greenhouse and livestock production programmes;
(g) Analysing samples of seeds for quality, purity and germination rating;
(h) Collecting data and estimating quantities and costs of materials and labour required for projects;
(i) Organizing maintenance and repairs of research equipment.