AGROINDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING: HISTORY AND WHAT IT STUDIES (OBJECT OF STUDY) - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The agro - industrial engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the production, conservation, processing and marketing of agricultural and forestry products.

It uses knowledge of the natural sciences, physics, biochemistry, biotechnology, economics and mathematics to apply industrial processes to raw materials derived from the field and fishing.

Agroindustrial engineering participates in the development of new products and technological solutions for the sector. Source: pixabay.com

With these procedures, these can be transformed into food or other important products such as paper, fabrics, wood or leather.

Agroindustrial engineering intervenes in agricultural, livestock, fishing, forestry and food activities. This last group includes the fruit, meat, dairy, wine and bakery industries, among others.

On the other hand, this discipline also participates in the design and construction of agro-industrial structures and machinery, such as barns, stables, silos, internal combustion engines and ovens.

Similarly, agro-industrial engineering intervenes in the creation and development of new products and innovative technological solutions aimed at improving production. In addition, it is in charge of managing the quality, environmental impact, safety and hygiene of industrial processes in the sector.

History

Since ancient times, humans have had the need to store food and make clothing. In the past, meat was salted and kept on ice to make it last longer, while hides and leather were used to make clothes.

Before the industrial revolution, farmers and ranchers concentrated most of the stages of their businesses. In this way, they themselves cultivated the land and raised their animals and, when the town fair was held, they brought their products there and sold them.

These production processes were limited since they were carried out almost entirely manually.

However, with the appearance of machinery, mass production and large markets, these operations became more sophisticated and the needs for conservation, transportation and marketing grew.

In 1903 the first Agricultural engineering curriculum was established at Iowa State University in the United States. Shortly thereafter, in 1907, the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers was founded.

Over the years, the production and transformation processes of products derived from agriculture and livestock continued to evolve significantly, driven by new technologies.

Agribusiness concept

In the 1950s, economists Ray Goldberg and John Davis incorporated the concept of agribusiness into the economic literature.

They defined this as “the sum of the total of the operations involved in manufacturing and in the distribution of agricultural production; production operations in the field, in the storage, processing, and distribution of agricultural commodities and the manufactures made with them ”.

This idea was expanded by the French school led by Louis Malassis, who introduced the notion of an agro-industrial model that is part of a global socioeconomic system.

Today the agro-industrial sector is divided into two large groups: the traditional and the modern. The first stands out for the conservation of raw materials almost unchanged and for the little use of technology.

The second, on the other hand, is one that incorporates industrial transformation and the use of the latest technological innovations into its processes. The latter is where engineering intervenes the most.

What does agro-industrial engineering study?

The object of study of agroindustrial engineering includes the entire process of production, conservation, transformation and commercialization of agricultural, fishing and forestry products.

This includes a wide range of issues ranging from analysis of soil topography, climatology, atmospheric sciences and control of soil erosion, to management and conservation of water for irrigation and animal feed.

Other matters that concern agro-industrial engineering are the industrial processes applied to raw materials derived from agriculture, the management of their waste and the environmental impact.

Also the sowing and harvesting of crops, the composition of food, its control, manufacture and sale.

On the other hand, within its field of study are also included the conservation processes and the evaluation of the tools and machinery used by the sector.

Subjects and science

The study of industrial engineering includes a large number of knowledge of different subjects.

These include natural sciences, physics, biochemistry, biotechnology, biology, economics, mathematics, management, accounting, statistics, and foreign trade.

What does an agro-industrial engineer do?

An agro-industrial engineer manages and controls the industrial processes of the agricultural sector. Source: pixabay.com

An agro-industrial engineer is in charge of implementing, managing and controlling the industrial processes developed to transform and elaborate products and by-products of the sector.

It also deals with the design, creation and inspection of the structures, machinery, tools and facilities used in these jobs.

Another of its tasks is the analysis and evaluation of operations, seeking to implement improvements and quality management systems related to productivity, reduction of environmental impact, safety and hygiene.

The industrial engineer also studies and examines the possible uses of new technologies and their application in this market. This includes the development of new products, new solutions and innovations to improve processes and help optimize production.

Field of action and job opportunities

The agro-industrial engineer can work in agricultural, livestock, fishing, forestry and food activities.

This category includes canning, refrigerant, meat, wine, beer, fruit, dairy, leather and footwear companies and mills.

On the other hand, they can also work in service provider companies, such as transporters, exporters and logistics.

Another option is to become an advisor to producers, entrepreneurs, and government agencies on matters related to regulation, technical standards, and quality controls, among other aspects.

Finally, this professional can dedicate himself to research and the creation of technological developments in public and private entities, or to teaching in universities and other educational institutions.

References

1. Davis, John and Goldberg, Ray (1957). A Concept of Agribusiness. Harvard University Press.
2. Malassis, Lous (1976). The Rural World: Education and Development. Routledge Library Editions: Development.
3. Universidad Privada del Norte. Agroindustrial engineering. Peru. Available at: upn.edu.pe
4. National Autonomous University of Mexico. History of Industrial Engineering. Mexico. Available at: ingenieria.unam.mx
5. Agroindustrial Engineering, Wikipedia. Available at: wikipedia.org