THE number of SA-based students studying agriculture has grown nearly 50 per cent in the past five years.
University of Adelaide figures show since 2013, the total number of students enrolled in the Bachelor of Agricultural Science has lifted from 134 to 197.
Department of Agricultural Science head Jason Able said part of this trend of rising numbers could be attributed to the increased interest from people who have grown up in the city, with these making up about 50 per cent of the total intake, compared to those from a rural background.
He said many of those from the city had gone on to move into rural areas when they graduated.
He said the growth in student numbers had been steady since the course was first launched in its present form in 2010, when it had about 30 students enter first-year. This year, there are 58 first-year students.
Dr Able said there had been a shift in the understanding of the diversity of potential careers involved in agriculture.
“In school visits I’ve been to this year you can see a light bulb moment with students that it could involve working with engineers or computer science, which are two disciplines we’re engaging with,” he said.
He said many of last year’s graduates were working in a range of careers, including horticulture and rural finance, as well as traditional consulting, such as agronomy.
He said students were able to work with industry partners during their degree to experience some of the careers available in agriculture, while regular excursions to other regions, such as Far North Qld, allowed them insight into sectors not available in SA, with some students even moving there after graduation.
Dr Able said the statistic of five jobs available in agriculture for every graduate still held true, including in SA.
He said in recent years, the department had also increased its time spent working with teachers and high schools across the state and talking about the potential of agriculture.
“Everyone can play their part in selling the message of agriculture," he said.
Increased job opportunities enticed first-year agricultural science student Piper Tesseyman, Echunga, to change after initially wanting to study commerce.
“I’d set on doing commerce because it seemed like an easy option but when I looked into (agriculture), there were so many job opportunities,” she said.
Ms Tesseyman, along with fellow students Henry Hollams, Sandilands, and Hannah Jennings, Naracoorte, are some of the 58 students entering the University of Adelaide course this year, driven by an interest in agriculture as well as an appreciation for its opportunities.
Each comes from a rural background and had an existing interest in ag, but say the wide range of jobs is part of the appeal.
“We can get jobs in the city as well as the country – having options is a good thing,” Ms Tesseyman said.
Mr Hollams said he is considering agronomy at this stage but said this could change in the course of his degree.
“What is good about the course is we get to look at all aspects (of agriculture) and make a decision based off that,” he said.
All three met through their degree and say that the agriculture community at the university is close-knit with the chance to network and make friends.
They have already had their first taste of agriculture’s practical applications with a visit to Roseworthy Campus.