CLASSROOM CONCERN: Professor Jim Pratley talks to students about the importance of the agricultural industry. 191012RCB03
A VISITING university professor yesterday outlined the future of agronomy and agricultural studies for Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School students.
Armidale’s agronomy conference had, just the day before, led a discussion on why students opting to study agronomy had hit the lowest level in 15 years.
Professor Jim Pratley, from Charles Sturt University’s Wagga Wagga campus, met 20 students studying agriculture at the school’s new Trade Training Centre.
Professor Pratley canvassed a range of issues, from how NSW agricultural study could meet the needs of the industry to what the impediments were to its success.
Professor Pratley said about 3000 students would start an agricultural course at university but only 700 would graduate.