3. Teaching in a modern college of agriculture
In the past, there was little discussion on the fundamental
objectives of training in agricultural colleges, and the changes
in the economy and society caused only slight adjustments
in the contents and methods of training. Graduates of today's
colleges of agriculture work at a wide spectrum of jobs. They
are farmers and extension officers, foresters and horticulturists,
scientists in research laboratories and functionaries in profoessional
organizations, businessmen and managers in agricultural industries,
food-technologists and government officials, market managers
and development planners. The list could be continued for
a long time. It is noteworthy that few graduates work in agriculture,
while most work on agriculture and its problems and products.
Most of them, in one way or another, are involved in planning
and problem solving or in the implementation of new ideas
and processes. Another important factor for training is the
fact that the requirements of the labour market change simultaneously
with changes in the economy. We do not know what the requirements
will be 25 years from now when today's graduates are at the
peak of their career.
The necessary adjustments in training to meet new requirements
demand answers to three problem areas.
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