Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is required by agricultural professionals to navigate innovations that are rebuilding the agriculture sector. It helps them remain skilled, knowledgeable and competent in the industry.
“Agriculture is our wisest pursuit because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.” Thomas Jefferson
Key takeaways
CPD standards differ across countries, with each region setting specific training and certification requirements.
Tailored CPD programmes ensure readiness for challenges like climate change and technology adoption, such as vertical farming and blockchain transparency.
CPD equips professionals with advanced AgriTech tools and eco-friendly practices, fostering innovation and addressing global agricultural challenges.
CPD keeps professionals updated on evolving laws and standards, ensuring compliance, improving operational efficiency, and building market trust.
Global Variations in Agricultural CPD Requirements
Agricultural professionals must continually develop their skills and knowledge to keep pace with the industry changes. CPD standards set by professional bodies worldwide ensure that they remain equipped to address challenges and advancements. These standards differ globally, as various organisations and countries have specific requirements for professional development, which may vary based on regional or organisational guidelines. Here are a few examples of how CPD requirements vary for agricultural professionals in different countries:
| Country | Organisation | CPD Requirements | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
British Institute of Agricultural Consultants (BIAC) |
80 CPD hours (20 structured + 60 unstructured) |
Annually |
|
United States |
American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) |
40 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) |
Every 2 years |
|
Australia |
Australian Institute of Agriculture (AIA) |
60 CPD points over three years |
Every 3 years |
|
Philippines |
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) |
45 CPD credit units |
Every 3 years |
|
South Africa |
South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) |
30 CPD credits |
Every 2 years |
These standards, varying by country and organisation, emphasise the importance of ongoing learning and development to maintain professional competence and contribute to the growth and innovation within the agricultural sector.
How is CPD Helping Agriculture Professionals?
CPD helps agricultural professionals enhance their skills, expand their knowledge, and foster industry progress. Through targeted training, individuals improve their competencies, contributing to the overall advancement of the agricultural industry. Following are the ways CPD help agricultural professionals:
Technical Knowledge
CPD equips professionals with essential technical knowledge, which is critical for implementing effective and sustainable practices in the agricultural industry. Personalised development of agricultural professionals enhance their skills to handle challenges effectively and drives innovation in the profession.
- Soil Health: CPD sessions focusing on soil health provide professionals with knowledge about soil compositions, mineral content, soil needs and conservation techniques. With these sessions, professionals learn how to run soil tests to identify deficiencies and strategise crop production effectively.
Example: Professional development training on cover cropping can significantly improve soil quality. Utilising cover cropping methods, farmers reduced soil erosion by 90%, and reduced sediment loading and pathogen loading by 75% and 60% respectively. - Crop Management: CPD helps individuals stay updated on the latest technologies in crop management, which is crucial for meeting the demands of a growing population. Training in areas like precision agriculture, biotechnology, and data-driven decision-making equips agricultural experts with the skills needed to manage crops effectively and efficiently.
Example: A farmer attending training on how to utilise drone technology for monitoring pest outbreaks and promptly take measures to prevent it from spreading. This will help them in the long run and improve the overall health of the crop. - Livestock Care: CPD programmes keep professionals up-to-date with the latest advancements in veterinary science. These programmes can be personalised to cover modern animal husbandry practices, enhancing overall animal care. By focusing on animal welfare, CPD plays a critical role in disease prevention through the implementation of the latest biosecurity measures.
Example: A CPD session on the latest vaccination protocols helps veterinarians to manage swiftly and administer proper vaccinations and reduce outbreaks. - Biodiversity Management: Sustainable farming practices that preserve ecosystems are vital for effective biodiversity management. CPD programmes focus on promoting biodiversity in agricultural settings by emphasising the importance of habitat conservation. These initiatives not only protect wildlife but also enhance pollination, improving the ecological health and long-term sustainability of farmlands.
Example: Professional development sessions that teach the benefits of planting hedgerows around farmlands. Hedgerows not only boost pollination but also create diverse habitats for wildlife, contributing to a healthier and more resilient ecosystem.
Tailored CPD Programmes
Tailored CPD programmes provide agricultural professionals with specialised training aligned with industry demands and their specific roles. These programmes ensure professionals acquire relevant skills for continuous growth and improvement:
- Climate Change and Agricultural Adaptation:
Training on how climate change affects agriculture and how to adapt to new weather patterns and challenges.
Example: A CPD course that provides practical knowledge on how to adapt farming techniques to mitigate the effects of climate change, such as implementing drought-resistant crops or adjusting planting schedules based on climate forecasts. - Agri-Tourism and Diversification:
Learning how to diversify farm income through agri-tourism or other value-added products.
Example: A CPD programme for farm owners that includes strategies for creating agritourism experiences, such as farm stays, tours, or educational workshops, to increase farm profitability beyond traditional agriculture. - Farm Management and Financial Planning:
Skills development in managing farm operations, budgeting, and financial planning for long-term sustainability.
Example: A CPD programme tailored to farm managers, covering topics like farm cost analysis, risk management, and financial forecasting to improve the profitability and sustainability of farm operations. Livestock Management and Animal Welfare:
Addressing best practices in livestock care, veterinary advancements, and animal welfare regulations.
Example: A CPD programme designed for livestock farmers to enhance their understanding of animal nutrition, disease prevention, and welfare standards. This could include training on handling animal health emergencies or complying with new animal welfare legislation.
Regulatory Training
Agriculture operates within a framework of strict laws and standards designed to protect the environment and ensure economic viability. Continuing professional development (CPD) helps professionals stay informed about these regulations.
- Food Safety Standards: Compliance with food safety standards ensures the quality and safety of agricultural products. For example, in the UK, maintaining records of animal feed origins, pesticide usage, and animal health is vital to meet regulatory requirements.
Example: An agriculture consultant trains workers on Food Standards Agency guidelines, enabling smooth audits and building trust with retailers and consumers.
Sustainable Agriculture Practices:
Eco-friendly and climate-smart farming is a need of today’s world. Tailored CPD activities that promote sustainability while following the environmental laws help professionals reduce carbon footprints. This also promotes responsible waste management and the integration of renewable energy resources into farm operations.
Example: Training on solar energy use encourages farmers to install solar panels, cutting energy costs and reducing dependence on non-renewable resources.
Agricultural Challenges
The agricultural industry faces numerous challenges across various sectors, ranging from effective resource management to enhancing production. CPD plays an important role in addressing all the challenges of the industry equipping professionals with skills and knowledge to combat them efficiently.
Climate Change
Climate change is one of the most persistent challenges in agriculture today. Climate change leads to unpredictable weather patterns, affecting the growing seasons. The rising temperature and scarcity of groundwater affect the crop yield and health of livestock. CPD provides trainings on adaptive practices to reduce these effects and improve crop production.
Example: CPD training on water conservation through drip irrigation teaches farmers how to make 90% of water applied to plants efficient, compared to 65%-75% efficiency with sprinkler systems.
Economic Instability
Fluctuation in the global market poses economic challenges with inflations and rising consumer demands. Professional development helps in the prediction of upcoming uncertainty. The training equips professionals with skills and knowledge to optimise the operational costs and diversify the income streams to manage the risk efficiently.
Example: An agriculture consultant learns about crop diversification through CPD session. He advises farmers to plant a mix of high-demand crops, mitigating the impact of market downturns.
Geopolitical Tensions
Geopolitical tension is a challenge for agriculture as it limits the market. This instability in nations leads to disruption in the supply chain and affects trading while increasing costs. Professional trainings keep agriculture contractors updated with global trends and adapts the political instability by finding alternative suppliers. It also highlights the importance of prioritising the local market while reducing imports.
Example: CPD sessions focusing on local sourcing that help in the establishment of a regional supply chain to mitigate the effects of any import restrictions.
Labour Shortage
The labour shortage is a main concern of the agriculture industry today due to urbanisation. It affects crop harvest season and in management of farmland. CPD training on mechanisation, robotics and workforce optimisation helps professionals adapt to labour shortages.
Example: Farm managers implement automated machinery for harvesting following training sessions that focus on reducing reliance on manual labour. This practice enhances efficiency and accelerates the harvesting process.
Food Security
The rise in population demands an increase in production to ensure food security. CPD sessions introduce professionals to techniques such as precision farming, crop diversification, crop rotation, aquaponics and agroforestry methods to overcome food insecurity effectively. Sessions on advanced breeding methods and reducing food waste further support food security initiatives.
Example: Implementation of effective post-harvest storage techniques helps in reducing food waste.
Technological Advancements
The agricultural industry is rapidly evolving with technological development. The introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and drone technology is revolutionising traditional agricultural practices. Continuous professional development builds confidence in professionals to adopt these technologies and become a part of AgriTech.
Example: A CPD session on sensors technology integration helps in livestock tracking, monitoring their health, physical location and log performance. These sensors can identify sick animals which helps farmers in taking preventive measures by separating them from healthy animals.
Sustainability Concerns
Adopting sustainability is a challenge in the agricultural industry. Consumers and governments emphasise green practices by implementing eco-friendly methods such as organic farming, carbon sequestration, and renewable energy solutions.
Example: A CPD activity on crop rotation educates farmers on the soil nutrient balance by growing alternate crops. After a nutrient-consuming crop like corn, a nitrogen-fixing legume like beans can be planted to restore the soil’s balance.
The Future of Agriculture with CPD
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is shaping the future of agriculture by equipping professionals with skills to adopt emerging technologies. Smart farming practices foster sustainability and enhance food security while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving resources.
Vertical farming addresses urbanisation challenges, enabling year-round cultivation with lower transportation costs. Block-chain technology adds transparency, allowing consumers to trace their food’s journey and rewarding farmers for sustainable practices.
To deal with challenges like climate change, food security, and resource conservation, agriculture professionals must embrace CPD on sustainability, adopting advanced technologies, to drive innovation, ensuring a thriving sector and a safeguarded planet for future generations.
Conclusion
There is continuous evolution in the agriculture sector, presenting both challenges and opportunities. Continuing professional development empowers professionals to adapt to these changes effectively. It equips professionals with essential skills and knowledge to handle the innovation and challenges of the industry. CPD empowers agricultural professionals to excel in their roles, overcoming challenges and driving sustainable progress across the industry.
