BSc Agriculture Scope in India

“A very small percentage of our students opt for an agricultural major, only because they don’t realise its potential.”

There’s a perception among youth that Agriculture doesn’t offer quality job opportunities.

Read on to understand why this is a strong misconception.

Many of us wonder, why take BSc Agriculture? It’s unfamiliar because being a primary fundamental source of livelihood for the majority of Indians, it remains the last preference among students choosing a career option in this field.

BSc in Agriculture is a broad-based education course with great potential. It deals with things like rural development, food production, animal rearing, rural economy, horticulture, animal rearing, and, environmental health, etc. Other industries may suffer downsizing but agriculture can never fall prey because “food” is the primary necessity for all living life. Feeding the world will never suffer a withdrawal or a slowdown. In fact, the advancement in technology, research, and innovation has increased the scope of agriculture in a big way.

As a student, if your interest lies in the agriculture sector, then you must be interested to know the expanse and prospect future of a BSc in Agriculture Science in India. You have plenty of options available after completing your B.Sc. Agriculture in India. Options start with MBA/PGDM, Masters in Science, higher studies options of Masters in Agricultural Sciences and even get scholarships.

Furthermore, one can join the banking sector by appearing in IBPS exams. Competitive exams such as FCI, UPSC, and other government jobs abound after BSc in Agriculture. Government and private companies also offer jobs, many of who appear for campus placements too. Options go on to broadcasting in the agricultural sector, teaching, research, state government jobs and insurance sector jobs, Further, If you aspire to go for higher studies, pursue a Masters in Agriculture Science through various agriculture entrance exams like UPCATET, ICAR PG, CMAFFU, and several others. Colleges and universities conduct entrance exams once a year to enroll aspiring candidates in the PG courses. Many institutes offer agricultural courses in India. ICAR is the regulating organisation. It has recorded 4 deemed universities, 65 institutions, 14 national research centers, 6 national bureaus, and 13 directorates/project directorates.

Agriculture Course Overview

In India, BSc Agriculture is a 4-year undergraduate professional course administered by various government and private universities. The demand for graduates with a degree in agriculture is progressing every day in India and abroad. Course fees are also considerably lower in comparison to other professional degrees courses while remunerating with good jobs and a better package offer.

A student pursuing a BSc in Agriculture course will study a broad variety of subjects including agronomy, soil sciences, horticulture (fruit science & vegetable), plant breeding and genetics, entomology, plant pathology, animal sciences, extension education, plant biochemistry, agriculture economics, basics of biotechnology, etc. The syllabus is as per the guidelines of ICAR (Indian Council of Agriculture Research) and is designed to train students to understand ways of growing crop production in a sustainable manner and to implement overall knowledge related to agriculture and related disciplines.

Aim of BSc Agriculture:

Granting subject-related knowledge along with acquiring a connection between effective solutions and theory.
Encourage personal growth among pupils and boost their self-confidence, which will give them further opportunities to be an essential part of the agro-industry.
Assigning the agriculture-related matters interesting through scientific and experimental evidence.
Strengthen problem-solving skills through practical applications and research.

Academic – Scope & Opportunities

It’s likely possible to pursue a postgraduate degree programme in agriculture-related subjects that will expand the scope such as specializing in agronomy, soil sciences, horticulture, plant breeding and genetics, biotechnology, entomology, plant pathology, extension education, animal sciences, plant biochemistry, agriculture economics, etc.

MSc in different Agriculture programs is a 2-year course that can be functioned up by a candidate who holds a BSc degree with demanded qualifying marks in agriculture/ horticulture/ forestry from a recognized university.

Obtaining a master’s degree from an Indian university or abroad will expose more job avenues in the agriculture sphere.

Who should pursue BSc in Agriculture?

Students who completed their Class 12 in science stream with a basic interest in the field of agriculture should opt for B.SC Agriculture.

Course content and duration

It is a 4-year undergraduate bachelors degree program, which generally comprises agriculture science, use of modern scientific equipment and techniques in agriculture, land surveying, water resource management, soil science, animal and poultry management, basics of biotechnology etc. The main object of the program is to encourage students to improve agriculture productivity, maintain products and contribute to the future development of the sector through research projects.

What do you study in BSc Agriculture?

A B.Sc in Agriculture Science provides students with an all-round understanding of the sector and normally includes the following:

Agronomy: Basics of Agronomy, Sustainable Agriculture. Kharif and Rabi Crop, Crop Protection, Irrigation Techniques, Weed Management, Water Resource Management, Organic Farming,
Plant Genetics: Botany, Basics of Genetics, Basics of Biotechnology, Plant Breeding, Seed Technology,
Soil Science: Introduction to Soil Science, Fertilizers, Agricultural Chemistry, Soil Fertility, Soil Chemistry,
Entomology: Management, Pest Management, Beneficial Insects and Grain Storage
Agricultural Economics: Farm Management, Market prices, Trade prices, Marketing, Finance, Agribusiness Management.
Agriculture Engineering: Environment Science and Engineering, Agriculture Machinery, Power and Tools, Harvest Technology, Renewable Energy.
Agricultural Meteorology: Climate patterns, Weather forecasting, Climatic hazards on Agriculture, Climatic Zones, Plant Pathology: Crop Diseases, Nematology.
Horticulture: Fruit Crops, Flower production, Medicinal Plants, Aromatic Plants, Spices, Plantation Crops.
Agricultural Extension: Entrepreneurship Development program. Dimensions of Agricultural Extension, Extension Methodologies,

Careers Scope & Opportunities for Agriculture Graduates

There is loads of government as well as private-sector jobs available for BSc Agriculture graduates. They can be delegated as Research Officer, Operations Manager and Farm Manager with State agriculture departments, Quality Assurance Officer, Agriculture Officer, Agriculture Loan Officer (in Banks), Production Manager,

In the private sector, agriculture science bachelors may find jobs as managers at plantations, as officers at fertilizer manufacturing firms, food processing units, agriculture machinery industries, agricultural products marketing firms, etc. The average opening salary of these officers is usually between Rs 5 to 6 lakh per annum (including incentive). And as you gain years of experience, the scope for better payment is immense.

After completing a BSc in Agriculture, one may also go for MSc in Agriculture and take up a teaching job, or even go for a PhD and build a career in Agricultural Research.

BSc Agriculture graduates candidates have ample job opportunities in the government as well as the private sector. They can be hired as Block Development Officers (BDO), Agriculture Development Officers (ADO). Employment opportunities are available as:

Agriculture Research Scientist	Subject Matter Specialist in different Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
Extension Officer	Field Officer
Agriculture Officer	Farm Manager
Plantation Manager	Research Officer
Officer in Quality Assurance in Related Fields	Agriculture Loan Officer in Banks
Production Manager	Operations Manager in Fertilizer Units
Business Development Manager	Food Processing Units in Government
Agri-Preneurship	Seed Technologies Firm

After continuing BSc, those who want to study further can also opt for an MSc programme from various government and private universities that offer a scope of teaching, research, or pursuing a PhD.

The Future Trends in Agriculture

The agriculture sector is becoming more renovated, scientific and technology-oriented. Shifting farm structures, resource management strategies, changing demographics in the food production system, growing biotechnology strategies are playing a major role in the food production and management systems. Specialization in cultivation and agriculture opens up a world of opportunities for students who have elected to pursue knowledge in this field.

Conclusion

There is sufficient scope abound for applicants after BSc Agriculture in Science. The objective of education in this field is to permit or allow individuals that eventually leads to the collective improvement of society as a whole. Agriculture is one of the basic fields on which humanity survives, it is demanded that bright young minds shed their inhibitions, critically analyse their options, and join this field.

BSc Agriculture Scope & Opportunities in India