B.Sc Agriculture course is an undergraduate programme in the stream of agriculture. Unlike regular B.Sc. courses, this programme is of four-year duration. This is because the course is considered as a professional degree programme per the Government of India. With the increasing focus on agricultural practices in the country, the demand for trained professionals in this area has also been increasing. In fact, agriculture employs nearly half of the Indian population. Thus, the craze for courses in agriculture has also been on a rise among students.
While the B.Sc Agriculture course is offered on a full-time basis in most institutions, it is also available as a distance learning option in a bunch of institutions. The course fee for this programme usually varies from INR 1 lakh to INR 5 lakhs, depending on the course and institution offering it. The course focuses on agricultural science and technology. It trains students in effective agricultural practices, farming techniques, animal and poultry management, biotechnology, and horticulture. The course offers theoretical and practical knowledge of what improves agricultural productivity.
Whether students want to perform agricultural research or become scientists, they need to be passionate about agriculture before they plan to pursue the B.Sc Agriculture course. However, there are some other qualities or skills necessary to complete the course and carve a career in this field successfully. Such skills include the following:
Good Scientific Knowledge
Basic Knowledge of Agriculture and Farming
Focused Mind and High Concentration Level
Analytical Ability
Research Aptitude
Teamwork Skills
Great Physical Stamina and Patience
Good Observation
Effective Communication
Planning and Organising Skills
Presentation Skills
There are several agricultural universities and institutions in India offering the B.Sc Agriculture course. Interested students can explore the courses available at the reputed government and private institutions and make a good choice. We give you a list of some top institutions and universities that are recognised by bodies like UGC, AIU, AICTE, or ICAR. These institutions offer the best of B.Sc. agriculture courses. Check out a few here:
University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru
Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar
Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur
G B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Uttarakhand
Rai University, Ahmedabad
Parul University, Vadodara
Doon Business School, Dehradun
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
Sathyabama University, Chennai
The field of agriculture is vast, and so are the job opportunities in this domain. Starting from farming to taking the produce to consumers, there are many types of industries and organisations playing a role in the agricultural sector. Therefore, students finishing the B.Sc Agriculture course can find various lucrative job options with such industries and organisations. They can even work with central and state government departments and ministries, as well as research institutes and agri-finance corporations.
After B.Sc. in Agriculture, students can become honed professionals who can take up job positions like agriculture portfolio manager, agriculture officer, research analyst, and actuarial analyst. Further, they can occupy positions like agronomist, programme manager, and farming consultant. Students can also go on becoming agricultural lecturers if they are interested in teaching others about agricultural practices and operations. Dairy farms, fertiliser firms, FMCG companies and food processing companies can offer some great job opportunities to professionals in the field of agriculture.
With such a vast scope of careers, there are more options in nationalised and rural banks, agricultural universities, agro industries, and agricultural science centres. There is no dearth of jobs in agricultural service organisations. Many students may also like to work as agricultural managers, supervisors or inspectors in food processing units and breeding centres. While there are nice opportunities with NGOs, students can also start their own agriculture-related businesses after completing the B.Sc Agriculture course.
While a few eligibility criteria for seeking admission in the B.Sc Agriculture course may vary by institution, some of the basic criteria demanded by all institutions are the following:
The candidate must have passed the 10+2 or Intermediate exam in science stream. The essential subjects of class 12th are Physics, Chemistry, Biology and/or Mathematics. Some state universities may also admit candidates who have done their Intermediate in agricultural stream or candidates with a different combination of subjects. The qualifying exam must be taken from a recognised board.
The candidate should possess at least 50% to 60% marks in the 10+2 qualifying exam. The percentage of marks may differ by institution and candidate category.
The candidate must appear for the entrance exam conducted by the institution or university to which he/she applies. The merit of an entrance exam usually determines the entry of candidates into the B.Sc Agriculture course. However, the applicant must ensure to know about the exam that will be considered by a particular institution. A few institutions may admit candidates directly based on the merit of class 12 performance.
The B.Sc Agriculture course is a specialised course. There are no other specialisations available under the course. However, the course provides a deep understanding and knowledge of all aspects of agricultural science. Students can learn about agricultural techniques and equipment, as well as soil science, land surveying, and water resource management. It is basically a detailed study of not only agriculture but also of forestry, home science, horticulture, fisheries, and veterinary science.
The course not only offers theoretical knowledge of such domains to students but it also provides practical opportunities to understand the agricultural practices to their core. Those pursuing the B.Sc Agriculture course learn about rural sociology, plant biochemistry, and principles of agricultural economics. They also get the knowledge of areas like agricultural finance, farm management, agricultural trade and marketing, energy applications, agricultural microbiology, organic farming, and agricultural engineering.