Will AI Replace Agricultural Technicians?

Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Collect animal or crop samples.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Examine animals or crop specimens to determine the presence of diseases or other problems.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Set up laboratory or field equipment as required for site testing.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Supervise or train agricultural technicians or farm laborers.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Conduct studies of nitrogen or alternative fertilizer application methods, quantities, or timing to ensure satisfaction of crop needs and minimization of leaching, runoff, or denitrification.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Prepare laboratory samples for analysis, following proper protocols to ensure that they will be stored, prepared, and disposed of efficiently and effectively.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Measure or weigh ingredients used in laboratory testing.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Perform tests on seeds to evaluate seed viability.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Prepare data summaries, reports, or analyses that include results, charts, or graphs to document research findings and results.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Perform laboratory or field testing, using spectrometers, nitrogen determination apparatus, air samplers, centrifuges, or potential hydrogen (pH) meters to perform tests.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Supervise pest or weed control operations, including locating and identifying pests or weeds, selecting chemicals and application methods, or scheduling application.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Devise cultural methods or environmental controls for plants for which guidelines are sketchy or nonexistent.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Conduct insect or plant disease surveys.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Perform general nursery duties, such as propagating standard varieties of plant materials, collecting and germinating seeds, maintaining cuttings of plants, or controlling environmental conditions.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Record environmental data from field samples of soil, air, water, or pests to monitor the effectiveness of integrated pest management (IPM) practices.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Determine the germination rates of seeds planted in specified areas.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Transplant trees, vegetables, or horticultural plants.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Prepare culture media, following standard procedures.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Respond to general inquiries or requests from the public.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Prepare or present agricultural demonstrations.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Assess comparative soil erosion from various planting or tillage systems, such as conservation tillage with mulch or ridge till systems, no-till systems, or conventional tillage systems with or without moldboard plows.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.