Agronomists
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Job description
These individuals advise and assist farmers in all aspects of farm management (crops, fertilization, nutrition, pesticides, marketing, farm management and financing, etc.). They are self-employed or work for:
- Private companies
- Institutions
- Government agencies and para-governmental organizations
- Trade unions
- Producer groups
- Research centres
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
- Climatic conditions
- Equipment, machinery, tools
- Vehicle or passenger compartment
- Biological agents
- Odours
- Nontoxic dust
- Humidity
- Uncontrolled ambient temperature
- Hazardous workplaces
- Noise
Main tasks
- Advise farmers.
- Apply the regulatory framework on agricultural activities.
- Prepare and conduct information sessions, consultations, and presentations for farmers and their consultants.
- Conduct research, analyze agricultural data, and draft research reports.
- Collaborate with agronomic research specialists.
- Maintain records of services provided and results achieved.
- Manage agronomy projects.
- Carry out technology transfer.
- Study the content of projects and assess their environmental impact.
- Support clients in their efforts to comply with environmental standards and directives.
Advancement and mobility
- Experience leads to management positions.
- These individuals may specialize in various fields (animal sciences, horticulture, agricultural management, environmental management, etc.).
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
University
Agricultural and forest engineering
Agriculture
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 78.4%
18.9% of graduates pursue further studies
Biological sciences, biology or plant biology
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 31.7%
64.1% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 79.2%
16.9% of graduates pursue further studies
- Bishop's University
- Concordia University
- Université de Montréal
- Université de Sherbrooke
- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
- Université du Québec en Outaouais
- Université du Québec à Montréal
- Université du Québec à Rimouski
- Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
- Université Laval
- McGill University
- Institut national de recherche scientifique
Food sciences and technology
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 58.1%
39.5% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 89.5%
5.3% of graduates pursue further studies
Natural resources or renewable resources
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 75%
25% of graduates pursue further studies
Rural economics
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 68.8%
31.3% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 100%
Also required
- Membership in the Ordre des agronomes du Québec (OAQ [Quebec Order of Agronomists]) to practise the profession and bear the title of Agronomist.
- Since the OAQ does not issue a specialist’s certificate, an Agronomist cannot use the term “specialist” or imply that they are a specialist or specialized in a particular field.
- A diploma equivalence may be granted by the OAQ for diplomas obtained abroad or in other disciplines.
- The OAQ may also admit members who are legally licensed to practise agronomy from organizations in other Canadian provinces.
- The OAQ has entered into a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) to enable engineers who have graduated in France to become members of the OAQ.
Sometimes required
- A Class 5 driver’s licence is usually required.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Information processing
- Data collection
- Science
- Reading comprehension
- Active learning
- Critical thought
- Oral expression
- Solving complex problems
- Active listening
- Written expression
- Judgment and decision-making
- System analysis
- Result evaluation
- Operation analysis
- Teaching
- Learning strategies
- Mathematics
- Quality control analysis
- Coordination
- Time management
Abilities
- Written comprehension
- Oral comprehension
- Speech clarity
- Classification
- Deductive reasoning
- Written expression
- Verbal skills
- Inductive reasoning
- Information organization
- Memorization
- Awareness of issues
- Originality
- Idea generation
- Speech recognition
- Mathematical reasoning
- Processing flexibility
- Selective attention
- Basic numeracy
- Near vision
- Perception speed
Knowledge and attributes
- Autonomy
- Capacity to adapt
- Knowledge of economics and accounting
- Knowledge of customer and personalized services
- Respect standards and regulations
- Capacity for synthesis
- Desire to upgrade one’s competencies
- Sense of observation
- Knowledge of plant and animal production
- Open-mindedness
Interests
- Direct, organize, and manage
- Draft, communicate, and inform
- Work in an office
- Carry out research
- Work in contact with nature and animals
- Assist and advise
- Work outdoors
- Teach or educate
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Enterprising
- People with this profile prefer having responsibilities, influencing others and responding to challenges.
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
Appellation d’emploi liée (à traduire)
Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists (CNP 21112)
Skill type
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
Last update: January 29, 2026