Agribusiness recruitment benefits from increasing appeal of agriculture

The recent upturn in farm returns, especially in much of the arable sector, is bringing increased applications for jobs from people who turned their back on the industry in the past decade, according to agribusiness recruitment specialists Hunter Chase Consultants.

Over the past 10 years or more, as companies in the supply industry have merged and reduced head count there have been many people who have taken new career paths outside agriculture, says Hunter Chase director Brian Hutchison.

Now, we are seeing renewed interest in the industry. Several of our recent recruitment drives have seen people with good agricultural credentials looking to return to the farming world.

It is good news. However, there have been considerable changes, especially in areas such as agronomy, and employers are being advised to balance experience against the need for re-training.

As agriculture gears up to meet the challenges of food security and so-called sustainable intensification agribusiness will need more people and often people with experience and expertise. This turning of the tide will help tide the industry over until the increased ranks of students enter the work force, says Mr Hutchison