Have you ever considered a career in agriculture? Agriculture courses are a popular choice for students looking to enter one of India's largest industries. With its vast scope and diverse opportunities, the agriculture sector is an excellent field for young professionals seeking rewarding careers.
In this article, we will explore some of the best agriculture courses to choose after 12th grade that can set you on an exciting career path. We'll also discuss career opportunities and growth prospects in the industry.
Agriculture: An Economic Mainstay
Agriculture plays a pivotal role in India's economy, employing more than half of the population. It encompasses a wide range of activities such as farming, horticulture, animal husbandry, aquaculture, and forestry. With such diversity, there are numerous career paths available within the sector.
Whether you're fresh out of school or already working in the field, this guide has something for everyone looking to pursue agriculture as a profession.
Bachelor's Degree Courses in Agriculture
Agriculture courses are typically undergraduate programmes that enable students to develop knowledge and skills in agriculture in a systematic manner. If you're interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree, the following courses are worth exploring:
B.Sc. Agriculture
B.Sc. Agriculture is one of the most popular agriculture courses in India. It is a four-year programme that covers topics such as soil science, genetics, agronomy, and agricultural economics.
Eligibility: Admission requirements vary from one university to another, but most require candidates to have completed 10+2 with PCB (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology).
Fees: ₹50,000-₹2 lakhs
Career prospects: Job roles include agriculturist, food scientist, soil conservationist, and farm manager, with salaries ranging between ₹3-6 lakhs per year.
B.Tech. Agriculture Engineering
B.Tech Agriculture Engineering is an engineering discipline that focuses on the application of engineering principles to agriculture production and processing methods. This programme spans four years and covers topics such as irrigation management systems and farm machinery design.
Eligibility: Candidates must complete their 10+2 education with the PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) group along with other entrance exams like JEE-Main, etc.
Fees: ₹50,000-₹2 lakhs
Career prospects: Job roles include crop production engineers, irrigation engineers, or food processing technologists, with salaries ranging between ₹4-6 lakhs per year.
Master's Degree Courses in Agriculture
If you're looking for postgraduate options after your undergraduate degree or seeking higher education qualifications immediately after your 12th-grade studies, then there are two distance learning master's degree courses specifically designed for agriculture aspirants.
M.Sc. Agriculture
M.Sc. Agriculture is a two-year postgraduate programme designed for students who wish to specialise in agriculture-related fields like Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Breeding, Soil science, etc. Students can pursue the course either through distance learning or regular classroom study.
Eligibility: Admission requirements vary from one university to another.
Fees: ₹50,000-₹60,000
Career prospects: Job roles include agricultural consultants, agriculture economists, and lecturers, with salaries ranging up to ₹7-8 lakhs p.a.
MBA Agribusiness Management
MBA Agribusiness Management is a postgraduate degree programme that prepares students for senior management roles in agriculture-related businesses such as food processing corporations, agri-marketing companies, and logistics firms.
It is a two-year course that provides insights into concepts related to business development and management through case studies and live projects.
Eligibility: The admission requirement for the programme usually involves entrance exams like the CAT, MAT, XAT, etc., followed by group discussion and personal interview rounds.
Fees: ₹5-10 lakhs
Career prospects: Job roles such as agricultural product manager and marketing manager in agro-based industries with salary packages ranging between ₹6-15 lakhs per annum.
Certification Courses
Certification courses are an excellent way to acquire specialised skills in your chosen field of study without investing much more time and money than full-time undergraduate or postgraduate programmes.
Postgraduate Diploma in Agrochemicals and Pest Management
This certification course trains students on how to prevent pest infestations and improve crop yields through the effective use of agrochemicals. It's a one-year diploma course that can be pursued via distance learning or regular classroom study.
Eligibility: Candidates must have completed their 12th standard (10+2) education in the science stream with a minimum of 50% marks.
Fees: ₹20,000-₹70,000
Career prospects: Job profiles such as Agrochemical sales representative, pest management consultant, or research analyst earn between ₹3-4 lakhs p.a.
Certificate Course in Organic Farming
The certificate course in organic farming is designed to teach students about organic farming techniques and sustainable agriculture practices. It's a six-month certification course that can be pursued only through distance learning.
Eligibility: Candidates must have completed their 12th standard (10+2) education in any stream.
Fees: ₹15,000-₹35,000
Career prospects: Job roles include organic farmer or consultant, with salary packages starting at ₹2-3 lakhs p.a.
Also read - B.Sc. Agriculture Salary: Factors, Growth, and Future Trends
Upskilling Opportunities
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is a public-private partnership that provides skill training programmes across various sectors of the economy, including Agriculture courses.
Some of the agriculture-related courses offered by NSDC include:
- Agricultural Marketing Specialist
- Dairy Farmer Entrepreneur
- Warehouse Manager
- Irrigation Technician
These courses are primarily focused on job-specific skill enhancement and are available through recognised centres accredited by the NSDC throughout India.
Career Opportunities and Growth in Agriculture
As an agricultural graduate or postgraduate degree holder, you can find employment opportunities in government agencies like FCI, NABARD, etc., private sector companies such as Godrej Agrovet Ltd., ITC Ltd., etc., or work independently as agronomists, soil conservationists, and agri-entrepreneurs.
The agriculture industry is currently experiencing a growth rate of 5–8% per year and is expected to generate millions of employment opportunities in the coming years.
Watch Out For Industry Trends
Indian Agriculture is moving towards being more data-driven, technology-enabled, and environmentally sustainable. With the rise of agricultural start-ups, there is an increasing need for skilled graduates who can spearhead the implementation of emerging technologies such as precision agriculture, agri-drones, and machine learning.
With the government's focus on modernising agriculture through various schemes like PM-KISAN, Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, etc., there are enormous prospects for agricultural graduates.
Whether you're looking to start a career or progress further in the agriculture industry, there are plenty of agriculture course options. We hope this article has provided helpful insights into the various paths available, and WIZR looks forward to assisting you on your academic journey.
FAQs
1. Which specialisation has the best prospect in agriculture?
Several specialisations are gaining popularity because of their increasing demand in today's market. However, Agronomy currently has some of the most promising job prospects.
2. Can I switch from botany to agriculture?
Yes, several universities offer courses or programmes that allow students with Botany degrees to train further in Agriculture.
3. Which countries offer jobs to agriculture graduates?
Some countries offering lucrative job opportunities include Canada, Australia, and Germany.
4. Which are the higher-paying jobs in agriculture?
Higher-paying jobs in the Agriculture domain include those of agricultural economist, Food scientist, and Agricultural Engineer.
5: Why do private companies hire agriculture graduates?
Agriculture students possess a diverse set of skills that are in high demand across several industries. This makes them attractive candidates for private companies seeking professionals with expertise in sustainability, environmental practises, and supply chain management.
