Linkages to Career Pathways and Employment

Occupational category -1

Agriculture, Food and Natural resources
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources careers cluster or occupational category are vocational and science-based occupational fields, which are in high demand in Uganda. For instance, Agriculture forms 80% of economic activities, and yet the professional knowledge is lacking in more than 80% of the population engaged in agriculture related activities; both formally and informally.

Careers in this cluster are therefore related to agriculture, production, management, and operations; the environment like soil conservation, protection of water sources and aquatics, management of habitats for birds and wildlife (ecology).

It also includes animal science, forestry, horticulture and wildlife management and research.

Examples of career pathways in this cluster include agriculture extension worker, soil scientist, veterinary officers/doctors, gardener, florist, farm supervisor, dairy technologist, wildlife manager, botanist, zoologist and agricultural engineer.

Government is implementing a deliberate policy on modernizing agriculture and strengthening environmental, natural resources and wildlife protection.

There are established strategies like Plan for Modernization of Agriculture (PMA) and National Agriculture Advisory Services (NMOs), which offer additional employment opportunities in the fields of Agriculture extension workers and advisors throughout the country.

There are also the Uganda Wildlife Authority, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) , National Forestry Authority (NFA) and the trans-boundaries, intergovernmental initiatives like the Nile Basin Initiative and the Lake Victoria Basin Initiative. There is also deliberate policy on mechanizing agriculture, promoting agricultural produce processing (food processing) so as to add value to the products.

There are other programmes for environmental management and natural resources management like the minerals, fishing, natural forests and woodland.

There are also training and employment opportunities in the fields of survey, mapping and forestry, which are the critical areas where manpower is much needed.

Appropriate Subject Combinations at 'A' Level:

PCB/ Agric., PCB/Fine Art, PCB/M, BC/F&N BCM/ Agric., BAG, BCG

Subjects at 'O' Level
Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture, Home Economics, Mathematics, Geography, Fine Art, Technical Drawing

Courses and Career Development Prospects

· Bachelor of Agriculture

· Agriculture Engineering

· Catering and Hotel

· Conservation Biology

· Food Science and Technology

· Nutrition and Dietetics

· Meteorology work

· Survey

· Agro-Forestry

· Animal Husbandry/Animal Production Technology

· Pastry and Bakery

· Bio-mass Energy

· Wood Science

· Horticulture

· Fisheries and aquaculture

· Forestry

· Bsc. Ethnobotany

· Bachelor of Education (Agriculture)

· Diploma in Food Processing Technology

· Agriculture and Rural Innovation

· Ordinary Diploma in Water Engineering