19, Aug 2011

Agriculture —India’s number one occupation—contributes to 20% of the country’s GDP (gross domestic product) and is widely acknowledged as the backbone of our economy. Also, giant leaps in technology have worked much in favor of this field, thus increasing  India’s agricultural productivity and quality and thereby exports. As a result, there is an increasing demand for professionally qualified people in this sector. Educational institutes and universities across the country have responded by launching several degree programs in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries science for improving agricultural standards in our country.

Now let us look at the different higher study options available in the field of agriculture:

B.Sc. Agriculture
• A four-year professional course.
• Plus Two students who have studied science subjects including physics, chemistry, and biology can apply.
• Selection is made through an entrance examination.

M.Sc. Agriculture
• Undergraduates in agriculture are eligible to apply for this course.
• Specialization areas include agronomy, agricultural entomology, agricultural extension, plant breeding and genetics, plant pathology, soil science and agricultural chemistry, agricultural economics, agricultural meteorology, plant physiology, agricultural statistics, horticulture, and home science.

Seed Science
• Some agricultural universities in the country offer both postgraduate and doctoral courses in seed science and technology.
• Graduates in agriculture are eligible for admission.
• Some of the universities offering courses in seed science are Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Haryana; Acharya NG Ranga  Agricultural University, Hyderabad; Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore.

Agri Biotechnology
• M.Sc. agri-biotechnology courses are offered by some agricultural universities including the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore.
• Selection is based on the all-India level combined biotechnology entrance test conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.  
• The College of Agriculture, Vellaynai, Thiruvananthapuram, under Kerala Agricultural University, offers a five-year integrated M.Sc. biotechnology course for Plus Two students in science subjects. The selection is based on an entrance test conducted by the Kerala Agriculture University.

Meteorology
• Agricultural meteorology deals with the influences of weather on crop and animal husbandry.
• The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (Coimbatore) and  GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (Uttar Pradesh) are two of the universities that offer master’s degree and doctoral-level professional programs in agricultural meteorology.
• The selection is based on entrance tests conducted by the respective universities.
• Agricultural meteorologists can find job opportunities in academic fields as well as in research and development organizations.

Agribusiness Management
• Another suitable higher study option for graduates in agriculture is MBA/ PG diploma-level agribusiness management.
• The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) at Ahmedabad and Lucknow are among the few institutes that offer a two-year PG program in agribusiness management.
• The program, with a strong focus on the food and agricultural market, is specially designed to transform young men and women into competent professional managers for agriculture, food and food processing, agribusiness, rural and allied sectors.
• Professional degree holders and Master’s degree holders in agriculture or related disciplines can apply.
• Selection to the program is on the basis of IIM- CAT score.

Job opportunities

Fresh graduates in this field can work in agro-industries, food-processing units, dairy fields, breeding centers, and other such places. Self-employment is also possible in this sector as you can open your own unit in farming, plantation, fishery, mining, cattle rearing, poultry farming, among others. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and State Public Service Commission recruit postgraduates to the post of agricultural extension officer, rural development officer, field officer, agricultural credit officers, agricultural probationary officer, plant protection officer, soil conservation officer, seed production officers, agricultural assistants, farm superintendents or technical assistants. The Reserve Bank of India, State Bank of India and the nationalized banks also recruit postgraduates in agriculture and allied areas as field officers, rural development officers, and agricultural and probationary officers. Master’s and Ph.D. degree holders are eligible to seek teaching posts in the academic field too.