The agriculture sector is very crucial to any nation not only because it is the primary source of food production, but it also provides raw materials for various other industries. Furthermore, the agricultural sector in India employs a large number of people. And, pursuing agriculture courses can help students gear up for a professional career in the agriculture and allied sectors.
By learning concepts such as production, marketing and technology under agriculture courses, students can work in horticulture, sericulture, forestry and other related areas. Agriculture, as a sector, is evolving and while studying a related subject, students will get a hands-on experience by working with industry experts.
Aspirants who wish to pursue agriculture courses at the undergraduate level have multiple options to choose from such as, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSc Agri), Bachelor of Engineering in Agriculture (BE Agri) and B Tech (Agriculture Engineering). Students can also explore other courses such as BSc (Sericulture), B Tech (Agricultural Information Technology), BSc (Agribusiness Management), and B Tech (Energy and Environmental Engineering).
Also, graduates in agricultural science can further pursue postgraduate and PhD courses to advance their knowledge in the field. Agriculture courses such as MSc Agriculture, MSc Agronomy or Entomology and M Tech in Agricultural Engineering are few postgraduate programs available in India.
Agriculture courses also prepare students on natural resources, which cover topics such as forestry, soils and the wildlife. The objective of teaching natural resources to students is to make them learn about power sources, such as electric motors and combustion engines, as well as government regulations and programs that relate to the natural resource conservation. Moreover, students learn about the effects that current power sources have on the agriculture industry and what it means for the future of natural resources and power.
An agriculture degree teaches students the practice of farming both at the micro level as well as at a wider level, which will help students to explore the ethical and environmental solutions to feeding a global population that continues to expand. Agronomy focuses on a particular plant and soil sciences, working with business in order to find methods, which may lead to increased yields and foster sustainable farming.
Pass outs of the undergraduate agriculture courses can serve as block development officer, agricultural research scientist, lecturer, dairy consultant, and others, in the public sector.
The private agriculture sector offers jobs, including loan and insurance officer, agriculture researcher, food processing officer, a technical expert in water management, agronomy subject matter expert, a technical expert (horticulture), and plantation manager for tea, coffee and spices.
Students after completing postgraduate agriculture courses can work as a marketing assistant, horticulturist, production supervisor, quality supervisor, zonal manager crop nutrition, product and application support personnel, and senior field assistant. Also, pass outs of MSc Agriculture can serve as a senior research fellow at different universities.
An agriculture enthusiast with an eye for detail, organisation skills, and interest in latest updates in the agriculture and allied sectors, would do well in this industry. The skill set required to succeed in this field includes an eagerness to learn, good communication skills, willingness to travel, and if required, working outdoors.
Students who want to enrol for BSc Agriculture, BE Agriculture or B Tech (Agriculture Engineering) must pass their 10+2 examination in Science (Physics, Chemistry and/ or Mathematics/ Biology/ Agriculture) with at least 50 percent or above aggregate marks.
Candidates interested in UG agriculture courses can either seek direct admission to an institution/ university based on the marks scored in the qualifying exam or appear in a common entrance test conducted at the national/ state/ university level.
Examination: Here are a few common entrance tests (CETs), which are held for students seeking admission to undergraduate agriculture courses.
ICAR (AIEEA): The Indian Council of Agricultural Research conducts All India Entrance Examination for Admission (AIEEA) for students who are seeking admission to undergraduate agriculture courses. The entrance exam is conducted during the month of May every year. Students can access important information and other related details on the ICAR website - www.icar.org.in
Engineering Agricultural and Medical Common Entrance Test (EAMCET): EAMCET is an entrance exam conducted by the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kakinada (JNTUK). The university conducts the test on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education. Students who wish to secure admission to agriculture courses offered by colleges within the state of Andhra Pradesh must appear in this exam. Students can find EAMCET details by clicking the link below-
Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET): Students in the state of Karnataka should undertake KCET exam to secure admission to agriculture courses such as B Tech and BSc in the state-run colleges. To get more information on KCET, click on the link below-
Kerala Engineering, Agriculture, and Medical Test (KEAM): Students desiring to seek admission to colleges offering professional agriculture courses under the aegis of the state of Kerala are required to appear in the KEAM test, which is conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations. Students can find the information on how to apply, exam date and exam fees here-
Chhattisgarh Pre-Agriculture Test (CG PAT) and Pre-Engineering Test (CG PET): The Chhattisgarh Professional Examination Board of the Chhattisgarh government conducts common entrance test for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate agriculture courses.
Students interested in agriculture courses, such as BSc and B Tech (Agriculture) can appear for Pre-agriculture Test (PAT) and Pre-Engineering Test (PET), respectively. Candidates are enrolled in the respective courses based on the merit list prepared by the board.
Once the results of common entrance test are declared, students are called for a counselling session after which the admission to BE (Agriculture) and B Tech (Agricultural Engineering) is given.
Some of the popular Indian colleges offering agriculture courses are:
1. Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Chhattisgarh
2. Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
3. University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Karnataka
4. Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Telangana
5. Punjab Agricultural University, Punjab
6. Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Maharashtra
8. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
BSc, B Tech, and BE in agriculture are 4-year courses, which are spread over either eight semesters throughout the course duration or two semesters per year.
|
Course/Delivery Type |
Fee Structure (INR) |
Duration (years) |
|
BSc Agriculture (Full-time) |
51,500 approx for four years |
4 |
|
B Tech/BE Agriculture (Full-time) |
53,000 approx for four years |
4 |
Though, most colleges offer full-time undergraduate agriculture courses, IGNOU, Karnataka State Open University, Global Open University and Annamalai University provide students with the option to complete a BSc in agriculture through distance learning mode too.
Master’s level agriculture courses involve the study of agriculture at an advanced level with a focus on how to improve agricultural productivity, effective implementation of technology and how to bring about sustainable agricultural development. Also, PG level courses require students to learn theoretical concepts, attend practical sessions, participate in seminars and work on research projects.
To be eligible for admission to MSc (Agriculture), a student must be a BSc degree holder in Agriculture/ Horticulture/ Forestry or have completed a similar degree program, with a minimum of 50 percent or above marks from a recognised university.
Students are given admission to MSc agriculture courses based on their CET results, counselling session and scores at the UG level.
Some of the common entrance tests conducted for postgraduate agriculture courses include:
ICAR (AIEEA PG): Indian Council of Agricultural Research conducts All India Entrance Examination for Admission. The exam is conducted during the month of May every year, and additional information is available on the ICAR website.
Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV): IGKV CET is a common entrance test conducted by IGKV, which is located in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. IGKV CET is conducted to assess the merit of students who are seeking admission in their postgraduate agriculture courses. Both, written and verbal assessment scores are taken into consideration. Students can submit their CET applications on the IGKV website - www.igkvmis.cg.nic.in
Maharashtra Council of Agricultural Education and Research (MCAER CET): MCAER conducts CET for students seeking admission to agriculture courses offered by colleges aided by the Maharashtra state government. Candidates can fill MCAER CET application form online on their website www.mcaer.org
Below mentioned are the popular colleges that provide admission to MSc Agriculture on the basis of CET score:
1. Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Andhra Pradesh
2. Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
3. Kerala Agriculture University, Thrissur, Kerala
4. Kissan Post Graduate College, Uttar Pradesh
5. Mahatma Phule Agriculture University, Maharashtra
Candidates are given admission in the MSc Agriculture program based on the merit list prepared by the university/college. This is followed by a counselling session after which the selected candidates have to pay the fee and formalise their admission.
|
Course/Delivery Type |
Fee Structure (INR) |
Duration (years) |
|
M Sc Agriculture (Full-time) |
50,000-1 Lac approx for two years |
2 |
An agriculture sector plays an important role in the overall economic development of the economy. Since India is an agrarian economy, therefore opting for a career in agriculture courses, like BSc Agriculture will allow students to have in-depth knowledge of the related fields, such as horticulture, agronomy, and principles of agriculture biotechnology. Agriculture classes prepare students for a variety of careers, including ranching, farming, agriculture science or horticulture management. For instance, the study of horticulture helps to gain knowledge about the plant cultivation. Horticulture students also learn about the plant genetics and diseases.
The subject of agronomy taught in agriculture courses involves the study of soil, crop production and field crops. Moreover, those pursuing specialization in Agriculture Biotechnology get an understanding of concepts, including plant biotechnology, scope and the importance of the crop improvement and pollen culture.
A degree in Agricultural biotechnology can make students skilled in using biotechnology in crops, livestock, fisheries and forestry. After completing the course, students can help in developing new methods and advancements in providing pest control that may be less harmful to our environment. Students enrolled in this agriculture course can become agricultural biotechnologists and can work to develop high yielding, disease resistant plants, flowers and vegetables with longer shelf life.
An undergraduate degree in Agriculture Meteorology may help students to work as agriculture meteorologists both in public as well as in private sectors. They can work as a Scientist, Professor, Research Official, Subject Matter Specialists and other related fields in government sector. The course allows them to develop weather based effective farm operations.
Although a BSc degree in Biochemistry and Agricultural Chemistry may be helpful for all students, however, it may be more advantageous for students belonging to agrarian families as such agriculture course may teach them how to preserve or increase the fertility of the soil and maintaining or improving the agricultural yield. Moreover, the course may help them to know how to improve the quality of soil.
Students opting for Crop Physiology can gain a broad scientific background in many aspects of the plant science after completion of their degree. The course will help students to find rewarding jobs in the crop production, plant biotechnology and food industries, environmental management, publishing, commerce and teaching.
A Master’s degree in agriculture course teaches students everything from horticulture basics to how to run a farming business. Students enrolled in a postgraduate agriculture degree may take up more advanced positions such as agricultural and food science technician after completion of their degree. An agriculture degree will help students to gain knowledge and proficiency in organic production practices, Certification process and marketing of organically raised agricultural products. Since horticulture and agriculture have been commercialised, therefore students pursuing a postgraduate degree in agriculture may have a wide variety of options for paid jobs as well as private enterprise. An agriculture degree will provide students with necessary skills they need to work in the production of food and fibre not only in India but in other countries too.