Agriculture courses cover a wide range of scientific and technical topics, including Plant Science, Horticulture, Dairy Technology, Food Science, Forestry, and Agricultural Technology. The primary difference is the focus of each of these fields. Agriculture courses are offered at various educational levels at universities and colleges, including bachelor’s, certificate, diploma, master’s, postgraduate certificate, and PG diploma, in addition to several kinds of PhD degrees. Agriculture course syllabus covers a wide range of technical and scientific topics such as Agricultural Technology, Food Science, Dairy Industry, Food Technology, Plant Science, Horticulture, and Forestry.
Some agricultural courses include Diploma in Agriculture, Horticulture, BSc Fishries, BSc Agriculture, and Agricultural Engineer.
- BSc Agriculture A four-year course that covers agricultural science, farming techniques, equipment, and other related topics. The course also teaches students to effectively implement modern agricultural techniques and equipment in practical applications.
- Diploma in Agriculture: A two-year full-time course that teaches students about agriculture, livestock and crop management, agricultural extension, and agricultural chemistry.
- Diploma in Horticulture: A comprehensive course that equips students with technical and managerial skills.
- Agricultural Engineering: This program teaches students about the various ways to operate the electrical inputs required in agriculture.
- Diploma in Food Processing: A two-year course that involves both theoretical and practical training in food production.
- Diploma in Organic Farming: A course that focuses on the principles and practices of organic farming, which involves the use of natural and organic materials for soil fertility, pest and disease control, and crop management.
Every year, India administers a number of agriculture entrance exams. Students can apply for exams such as ICAR AIEEA, GBPUAT, and CUET in order to be admitted to undergraduate programmes. Aside from these, websites such as Udemy, Coursera, and edX offer a plethora of online agriculture courses. Students can pursue agriculture courses after their 10th and 12th classes; these are usually offered as certificate and diploma programmes. Depending on the course and the organisation, Agriculture Certificate Programmes have different course duration ranging from a few hours to a few months or years.
Students can find well-paying positions in the public and private sectors with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Agriculture. Candidates may be hired as Scientists conducting Agricultural Research, Agricultural Officers, Production Managers, Farm Managers, and so forth. Candidates who are interested in these fields can also choose careers in Teaching, Banking, Insurance, etc. Candidates with a degree in agriculture get a good chance of landing jobs in government agencies like the National Dairy Development Board, Food Corporation of India (FCI), National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), and Staff Selection Commission, as well as in the government sector at UPSC (Indian Forest Services), Staff Selection Commission, and IBPS Specialists Officer (AO). In India, average salary for graduates of agriculture courses ranges from INR 2 to 15 LPA.
Agriculture Courses Highlights
Students can look up quick facts about the Agriculture degree programme. The following are some of the major highlights of the Agriculture course.
| Name of the Course | Agriculture |
|---|---|
| Type of Programmes Offered | UG, PG, Diploma, PG Diploma, PhD |
| Duration |
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| Minimum Eligibility |
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| Entrance Exams |
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| Admission Process | Merit-based: Some colleges take admission on the basis of merit obtained in the qualifying exam.
Entrance based: Some colleges take admission on the basis of a national level, Institute level or a state level entrance exam. |
| Agriculture Course Fee |
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| Average starting salary | INR 2 – 15 LPA |
| Career Options | Soil Engineer, Agriculture Scientist, Food Microbiologist, Soil Surveyor, Horticulturist, etc |
| Major Recruiters | DripTech India Pvt Ltd, Heritage Foods, Fumigation Services, Randstad India Pvt Ltd, etc |
What are the Types of Agriculture Courses?
As highlighted above, there are several different types of agriculture courses and degree types that students can choose from if they wish to study an agriculture course. Being a broad subject including different study areas and specialisations, aspirants will have to determine the field of study they wish to create a career in, as well as the specialisations they plan to focus on too. However, here we will specifically focus on agricultural courses in India, rather than allied courses. Listed below are a few of the Agriculture courses that students can choose from in India.
- Certificate/Diploma Agriculture Courses: The first level of education available in the field of agriculture is certificate or diploma courses. Several universities across the nation offer a variety of certificates/diplomas in agriculture courses. It should be noted that the courses will be distinguished by the specialisation of agriculture offered by the institution. Such courses often take anywhere between 6-18 months to complete and earn the certificate/diploma.
- Bachelor Courses in Agriculture: The more full-fledged agricultural courses start from the bachelor level, primarily with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in a specific specialisation or branch of agriculture. BSc degrees often take up to 3 years to complete and are often the minimum requirement for an entry-level job in established agricultural organisations and companies.
- Masters Courses in Agriculture: Similar to bachelor’s degree courses, universities and colleges across the nation and the globe offer a range of Master’s courses in agriculture. Similar to UG courses, aspirants will also need to select a particular specialisation or branch of agriculture to pursue as their master’s degree programme.
- PG Diploma/Certificate Courses in Agriculture: Similar to UG certificate and diploma courses, PG Diploma/Certificate courses also offer an entry point into the agricultural industry, but graduates of the course stand in between Bachelor degree holders and Masters degree holders in terms of qualifications and skills.
- Doctorate Courses in Agriculture: The final level of education available in Agriculture are doctorate programmes in agriculture wherein candidates actively participate in evaluating current agricultural practices and suggest or innovate new agricultural practices for the benefit of the industry and society at large.
To find out the different types of agricultural courses you can apply to, in India, check out the following information on the different types of agriculture courses available in the country. It should be noted that each degree programme will entail different eligibility criteria and entrance requirements. Therefore, candidates are advised to thoroughly study the admission processes and requirements for their desired courses.
Why Choose Agriculture Courses?
The demand for Agriculture courses has been increasing for many years. Over the years it has increased a lot. It is one of the most popular courses after completing class 12 from science stream. The reason for choosing Agriculture courses is the enhanced growth and career opportunities after doing Agriculture courses. There are various benefits of doing an Agriculture course. The candidates can check the main benefits of choosing the Agriculture course mentioned below.
- Endless opportunities – The agricultural industry offers a diverse and interesting range of career opportunities with a vast array of quality employers. Although, there’s a misconception that the agricultural sector is just for people who want to run or work on a farm and that there’s little or no money there, the misconception is gradually changing. This means there are a huge number of opportunities further up – and down – the supply chain too.
- Agriculture is everywhere – Agriculture isn’t only limited to rural areas. Many job seekers assume agriculture careers entail working on farms with crops and animals. However, there are many job opportunities that don’t involve getting your hands dirty. For example, manufacturers, suppliers, and other agriculture companies occupy the cities.
- Growing industry – The agriculture industry is growing at an incredibly rapid pace and so does the demand for qualified candidates. The job market is booming, which presents a unique opportunity for college graduates to find work quickly, pursue different areas of expertise to discover the niche that best suits them, and ultimately, grow their careers much faster than they might in other industries.
- Technology – Technology is everywhere, even on farms and fields. Since advancements in technology are continuously evolving to improve productivity, more technology-savvy candidates are needed. If you’re interested in helping to feed the world and have an interest in technology, then agriculture is the perfect space for you to find a meaningful job that will allow you to help shape the future of the industry.
- Competitive salary – In the current agriculture job market, employers are struggling to find high-quality talent. The shortage in labor has forced employers to keep their salaries competitive in order to attract the highest quality candidates and retain their top employees. This means you’ll likely discover a significant difference in salary for an agriculture job compared to that of the same job in another industry.
- Job security – Agriculture isn’t going anywhere any time soon. And with the constant demand for qualified candidates across many areas of the industry, you can feel secure in knowing that you’ll always be able to find the next opportunity.
Agriculture Courses Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for agriculture courses may differ depending on the type of course chosen. The following is a list of eligibility requirements for various types:
| Course Level | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Diploma courses in Agriculture | Completed 10th or 12th in case of diploma and graduation in any discipline in case of pg diploma |
| Certificate courses in Agriculture | Completed 10th or 12th from a recognized board |
| Undergraduate courses in Agriculture | Completed 10+2 with science from a recognized board and with a minimum of 45-50% marks in aggregate |
| Postgraduate courses in Agriculture | Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline with at least 50% marks from a recognized university |
| Doctorate courses in Agriculture | Master’s degree in relevant discipline with at least 50% marks from a recognized university |
Skills Required for Agriculture Courses
Only candidates with a genuine interest in agriculture should pursue this profession, as it is extremely demanding and only the best will survive. Agriculture courses require the following skills:
- Forward Planning
- Initiative
- Flexibility
- Good Communication
- Analytical Skills
- Commercial Awareness
- IT Skills
- Marketing & Sales Skills
Agriculture Courses Fees in India
The agricultural course fees vary depending on the agriculture course chosen by candidates. However, the course fee for agriculture courses ranges from INR 2000 to INR 3,00,000. Other factors affecting course fees include government and private institutions, facilities, locations, course types, and so on.
The respective course fees for various agriculture courses are listed below:
| Agriculture Courses | Fees |
|---|---|
| BE/BTech | INR 1 – 5 LPA |
| BSc | INR 2 – 3 LPA |
| BBA | INR 1 – 2 LPA |
| ME/MTech | INR 20k – 75k |
| MSc | INR 5k – 5 LPA |
| Diploma | INR 5k – 1 LPA |
| PG Diploma | INR 15k – 50k PA |
| PhD | INR 10k – 2 LPA |
Career Options After Agriculture Courses
There is a growing need for qualified agricultural experts as the field of agriculture advances over time. To communicate information about newly developed agricultural technologies and the evolving trends in crop variety, knowledgeable and skilled specialists are required in the field. This is crucial since most people in the agriculture industry lack the knowledge or credentials necessary to become knowledgeable about the newest innovations. In addition to the possibility of self-employment, the agricultural course offers career opportunities in a variety of industries. An agriculture degree opens up a person’s world to many opportunities.
Agriculture has various scope these days and Agriculture students have ample of job opportunities after completing Agriculture courses. The following table gives various job options along with average annual salary available for students who completed Agriculture courses.
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Scientist | It deals with the research on plants and animals and is an important branch of science because it deals with the increase in the productivity of the farm and agriculture-related industries. They are responsible for the research and development in production techniques such as irrigation, food production, food preservation, and reducing the effect of pests and animals. Four major demanding areas for Agricultural Scientists are Food Science, Plant Science, Animal Science, and Soil Science. | INR 2-4 LPA |
| Agricultural Engineer | It is a part of the technical department which deals with solving issues related to machinery used for agriculture purpose, power supplies, environmental issues, storage, processing and growth of the crops. | INR 2.5-4 LPA |
| Crop Specialist | They use their knowledge of different agriculture techniques to help the farmers cultivate more products. They meet farmers every day and guide them with the technical advancements, agricultural techniques, new varieties of crops, and picking the right seed which is suitable for their conditions. Guide the farmer on how to prevent the crops from pests and crop disease. | INR 3-5 LPA |
| Agronomist | The job of the agronomist is to find ways to maximize the production from a given acreage of soil. They also perform experiments to determine and maximize plant nutrients and soil health. Agronomists should specialize in crop production, soil control, and soil management. | INR 4-6 LPA |
| Food Researcher | The main job of the food researcher is to study the deterioration and processing of foods by using microbiology, engineering, and chemistry. With the content of the food, they determine their nutrients. | INR 2.73-5.5 LPA |
Bank Jobs After Agriculture Courses
For graduates of agriculture, the banking and insurance industries also offer a wealth of profitable, well-paying opportunities. The most sought-after bank positions following an agriculture degree are listed below:
- Specialist officer (Agricultural Field Officer)
- Junior Agricultural Associate
- Field Officer
- Probationary Officer
- Rural Development Officer
- Agricultural Officer
UPSC- IFS (Indian Forest Services)
This industry is often ignored by UPSC candidates. Following their passing one of the most prestigious UPSC exams, it is one of the best jobs available to BSc Agriculture graduates with a degree in agriculture or related fields. Deputy Forest Inspectors, Assistant Inspectors, Officers, and other positions are filled by candidates who pass the written tests and the interview. A profitable and distinguished career path, UPSC IFS offers competitive pay set by the seventh central pay commission.
Food Corporation of India (FCI)
Graduates with a BSc in Agriculture are eligible to work at the esteemed Food Corporation of India. You can register for the FCI online exam for either non-technical or technical roles. The majority of available profiles include Assistant Officers, Technical Managers, and Technical Officers. It’s a great company that gives its workers good wages.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
ICAR, which is a division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (GoI), is a great place for people who wish to work in agriculture to pursue a career. You can pursue a job profile related to research and development while employed at ICAR. Technologists, Senior Research Fellows (Agriculture), Junior Research Fellows, etc. are typical job profiles offered by ICAR. For students pursuing a BSc in Agriculture, it may be a very wise career choice.
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
Renowned financial organisation NABARD hires a number of agricultural specialists each year to contribute to India’s rural and agricultural development. This is one of the best companies for BSc agriculture graduates to work as an assistant officer, office attendant, agricultural officer, etc. if they want to work in banking.
National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
With its main office located in Anand, Gujarat, NDDB strives to support farmer cooperatives and turn dairy farming into a lucrative enterprise for rural Indian milk producers. For dairy farmers, the NDDB implements a range of income-generating activities that set the stage for their sustainable way of life. Graduates in agriculture are appointed by the NDDB to a range of positions, including farm coordinators, managers, and deputy managers. On the NDDB website, candidates can view the open positions and submit an online application.
Top Agriculture Courses Recruiters
In the coming years, there will likely be a significant demand for agriculture courses due to the growing need for food and the importance of sustainable agriculture. Graduates with a degree in agriculture have a wide range of opportunities to work in a variety of fields and businesses, which will allow them to expand their knowledge and expertise and learn new things. A few of the best recruiters for graduates in Agricultural Science are as follows:
- Agrotech Food
- ITC Limited
- Research labs
- Government institutes
After Agriculture Course Salary
Both the public and private sectors of the economy are full of jobs. After completing a course in agriculture, you would typically need to pass competitive exams in order to be considered for government jobs. On the other hand, you can also find many positions in the private sector that don’t require exams to apply for. Your employment type, organisation, location, and job profile all affect how much you make as a fresh graduate with a degree in agriculture. Agronomists earn INR 18,094 per month on average, while agribusiness managers make an average of INR 27,386, each month. Professionals in the agriculture sector earn considerably more money as their experience grows.
Following an agricultural degree, the following are the primary governmental and private jobs along with the corresponding salaries:
| Job Profile | Average Salary | Highest Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Officer | INR 9.5 LPA | INR 15 LPA |
| ICAR Scientist | INR 7.5 LPA | INR 16 LPA |
| Agriculture Analyst | INR 4.5 LPA | INR 6.5 LPA |
| Agriculture Sales Officer | INR 4.90 LPA | INR 10.2 LPA |
| Marketing Executive | INR 3.8 LPA | INR 7 LPA |
| JRF/SRF | INR 2.5 LPA | Varies |
| Research Assistant | INR 3.2 LPA | INR 4.5 LPA |
| Project Associate | INR 4.3 LPA | INR 6.2 LPA |
| Plant Breeder | INR 7.8 LPA | INR 14.5 LPA |
| Animal Breeder | INR 4.1 LPA | INR 12.2 LPA |
| Seed Technologist | INR 3.2 LPA | INR 5.4 LPA |
| Agriculture Technician | INR 3.6 LPA | INR 4.2 LPA |