BSc in Agriculture: Course, Career Scope and Salary Prospects || B.Sc. Agriculture

 Want to pursue a course in Agriculture? Find out what is taught in a course in the field of Agriculture and the job opportunities available on completing the course.

Who should pursue BSc Agriculture?

Class 12 Science students with basic interest in the agriculture sector should opt for BSc Agriculture.

Agriculture Course content and duration

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

What do you study in BSc Agriculture?

A BSc in Agriculture equips students with all-round knowledge of sector and normally includes the following:

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

In all the above areas of study, practical sessions related to theoretical knowledge are also built into the course. There are some elective courses, study tours, field trips, in some semesters. These vary from university to university.

What are the job opportunities and salary after graduation in Agriculture course?

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

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

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