Summary
You can go for a BSc or a BTech in Agriculture
You’ll need to study Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Biology at the Plus-Two level
If you like lab work, data analysis and using technology, Agricultural Science has opportunities galore. Thanks to the tech revolution, this is one of the fastest-growing sectors that has diverse roles on offer with a wide range of expertise.
What is Agricultural Science
Agricultural Science is a multidisciplinary field with a focus on food production and processing. It is concerned with technologies for soil and crop cultivation, harvesting, and the processing of plant and animal products for our consumption and use.
Since increasing production and improving the quality of crops is the focus, this field uses the knowledge of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Economics and Stats.
Specialisations under Agricultural Science:
- Agriculture
- Horticulture
- Fisheries
- Forestry
- Seed Technology
- Dairy Technology
- Food Technology
- Agricultural Biotechnology
- Food Nutrition and Dietetics
- Agronomy
- Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
- Sericulture
- Community Science
- Plant Breeding and Genetics
- Aquatic Ecology
Of these, Dairy Technology, Community Science and Aquaculture are the hottest at the moment. Agricultural Biotechnology and Food Nutrition and Dietetics are also popular choices.
Why study Agricultural Science
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Combined study areas: This interdisciplinary field provides access to other specialised domains like management, technology, food sustainability, plants, flowers and soil.
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Job opportunities: About 40% of the global population work in the agriculture sector. The current focus on food sustainability in the face of climate change is opening up newer job prospects.
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Chance to work in different environments: You can work either indoors or outdoors, depending on your area of specialisation. Or it can even be a combination of both.
Job prospects
Agritech startups are using technology to build farmer platforms, agri marketplaces and a rural network to completely transform the Indian agricultural landscape. They recruit a large number of experts from different fields like Genetics, Biotechnology and Soil Science.
Agricultural and horticultural consultants are also in demand in public and private sectors for advising farmers on farm management, crop rotation, soil conservation, livestock breeding and use of advanced machinery.
Landscape designers and estate managers are recruited to take care of different state and national parks, biosphere reserves, sanctuaries and botanical gardens.
Students of Agriculture can also work as a woodland manager, wildlife biologist or a bioresource engineer.
How to go for higher studies
To go for a BSc or BTech in Agriculture, you need to study Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology in Class XI-XII. There are different state-level entrance exams and a national-level entrance exam that you can sit for undergraduate studies.
National-level entrance exam
The National Testing Agency (NTA) oversees the entrance test of the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR). It holds the ICAR-AIEEA for admission to BSc and MSc courses at different agricultural universities affiliated with ICAR.
State-level entrance exams
Some states conduct separate entrance exams through which students can get admission to agricultural universities in those states. Some of these exams are:
- Kerala Engineering, Agriculture and Medical (KEAM) is a state-level entrance test conducted by the Commissioner of Entrance Examination, government of Kerala.
- Madhya Pradesh Pre-Agriculture Test (MP PAT) is organised by the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board.
Some public and private universities also conduct their own entrance tests, like the University of Allahabad, Aligarh Muslim University and Lovely Professional University.
Courses offered by universities in India
Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, West Bengal
- BTech (Agriculture)
- BSc (Agriculture)
- BSc (Horticulture)
- MSc (under Agriculture) is available for subjects like Agronomy, Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, Plant Pathology, Seed Science & Technology, Agricultural Statistics, Agricultural Meteorology & Physics, and Agricultural Chemicals
- MSc (under Horticulture) is available for subjects like Fruit Science, Vegetable Science, Floriculture & Landscape Architecture, Plantation Spices (medicinal) and Aromatic Plants, Post-harvest & Technology of Horticultural Crops
- PhD in a variety of subjects.
Check out the courses here.
Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Uttar Pradesh
- BSc (Agriculture)
- BTech (Food Technology and Dairy Technology)
- MSc in Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Entomology, Agricultural Extension & Communication, Genetics & Plant Breeding, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Plant Physiology, Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Dairy Technology, Food Technology
- MSc in Agroforestry, Soil Science—Soil and Water Conservation, Plant Biotechnology
- MBA in Agri-Business Management
- MTech in Agricultural Engineering (Soil and Water Conservation Engineering)
- PhD in Agricultural Statistics, Post-harvest & Bioprocessing Engineering, Soil & Water Conservation Engineering
Check out the courses here.
Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Visha Vidyalaya, Madhya Pradesh
- BSc (Agriculture)
- BSc (Hon) Forestry
- BTech (Agriculture)
- MSc (Agriculture)
- MSc (Forestry)
- MTech (Agriculture)
- PhD (Agriculture and Agricultural Engineering)
- Diploma and certificate courses
Check out the courses here.
Other universities where you can study Agricultural Science:
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
- ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar
- ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai
- ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal
- Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
- Agriculture University, Kota
- Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi
Last updated on 24 Oct 2021
