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Crop Technician

Combining scientific research with new technology to grow crops that are healthier and of high quality

How this role makes a difference

The land is where food production starts and it needs to be taken care of to produce healthy crops. As they grow, crops also need to be nurtured to protect them from weeds, diseases, harsh weather conditions, and hungry birds, insects and other animals.

Understanding how to build up resistance to all these things and improve the quality of crops involves research into how to establish strong seedlings, manage their growth, and harvest the final crop. You could be the technician who helps to grow successful crops to put tasty and nutritious food on people’s tables.

The kind of work you’ll do

  • Understanding different species of crops and their stages of growth
  • Preparing seed beds/growing areas
  • Following procedures to maximise growth potential
  • Controlling pests, weeds, and diseases
  • Caring and tending to crops
  • Managing accurate records
  • Operating and taking care of machinery
  • Experimenting with new growing approaches
Useful skills
Instructing others
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Critical thinking
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Precise
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the role

An interest in learning about plants and how they grow.

A preference for working outdoors and willingness to work in diverse weather conditions.

A responsible approach to working independently.

The ability to capture information clearly and accurately when you produce reports and records.

A willingness to try new techniques, ask questions and implement what you’ve learned.

The confidence to operate machinery and tools and instruct others on how to use them.

A natural ability to look at problems logically and consider all possibilities before deciding on the best way forward.

You could also be right for this role if you have any of the following interests:

- nature and animals

- science

- sustainability

£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per year *
£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per month *

Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities

Once you’ve gained experience in seed production, you could move on to leading a team and taking responsibility for crop management.

You could also become an independent grower, a researcher, or offer your skills as a consultant to other growers.

How to get into this role

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:  

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

The agriculture industry needs to be innovative and technologically advanced, combining scientific research and high-tech machinery with lots of outdoor work. As well as optimising crop yields, you will also need to consider the surrounding environment, to make sure growing practices maintain or improve the land.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Arable Technician
Horticulture Operative

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Luke Dewing

Crop Technician

Luke Dewing
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