BSc Agriculture

BSc Agriculture is a 4-year undergraduate course that mainly focuses on research perspective and practices in Agricultural Science. Bachelor of Science in Agriculture is a popular course that covers/ includes various disciplines such as Genetics and Plant Breeding, Plant Pathology, Agricultural Microbiology, Soil Science, etc. BSc Agriculture course is a professional degree in the field of agricultural science recognized by the Government of India. BSc Agriculture Syllabus is designed in such a way that it trains the students to implement modern agricultural techniques and technologies in the real-world scenario. BSc Agriculture syllabus is evenly distributed over 8 semesters covering all important topics. BSc Agriculture Subjects include Plant Biochemistry, Soil Science, Agronomy, Crop Physiology, Genetics, Entomology, Horticulture, Agricultural Economics, etc.

BSc Agriculture course is very demanding and the students who wish to study this course must have completed Class 12 or equivalent examination from a recognised board with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as their main subjects. BSc Agriculture admission is granted to the students on the basis of merit cum interview as well as through BSc Agriculture Entrance Exams.

For admission, the students should aim for prestigious BSc agriculture colleges like Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Punjab Agriculture University, etc. The BSc Agriculture fees range between INR 25K – 70K. However, the average fee for BSc Agriculture varies from college to college and is higher in private colleges as compared to government colleges. BSc Agriculture Jobs are available for the candidates for different job profiles such as Agriculture Officer, Agricultural Research Scientist, Business Development Executive, Assistant Plantation Manager, Marketing Executive etc. BSc Agriculture salary immediately after completing the course starts from INR 3.40 – 5.20 LPA for different profiles.

Some of the major highlights of the BSc Agriculture course are as follows:

Also Read: BSc Agriculture Admissions 2023: Check Dates, Entrance Exams, Merit List, Counselling Process, Eligibility & Top Colleges 

Students with a BSc in Agriculture have a variety of career options. They could pursue an MSc or a Masters in Agricultural Sciences degree. There is also the readily available option of pursuing an MBA/PGDM programme.

• There are also opportunities for government jobs with IBPS, UPSC, FCI, and others. Because they have graduated, the student is qualified to take competitive exams for government jobs
• Masters in Agriculture can also be obtained by taking one of several agricultural entrance exams, such as ICAR PG, UPCATET, CMAFFU, and others
• Colleges and universities hold entrance exams once a year to select prospective students for PG courses
• Many colleges in India offer Agricultural courses. ICAR is in charge of it. It lists 65 organisations, 14 National research centres, 6 National bureaus, 13 directorates/project directors, and 4 deemed universities

The BSc Agriculture eligibility criteria are as follows:

• The candidate should have completed their 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology
• The student should be at least 17 years old, there is no upper age limit
• Students should have a minimum score of 50% in their higher secondary school examination or any equivalent examination
• Students must qualify the required BSc Agriculture entrance exam as some universities conduct their own entrance examinations

BSc Agriculture course curriculum is inclusive of class lessons, lab sessions, field trips, cattle training, practical training, etc. There are subjects such as Soil Microbiology, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Plant Pathology, Statistical Methods, Post Harvest Technology, etc. that are included in the BSc Agriculture syllabus. 

The entire BSc Agriculture course curriculum is divided into 4 years with each year having 2 semesters. A semester wise breakup of this undergraduate agricultural science course is mentioned below:

The BSc Agriculture course also offers a number of elective subjects that a student can choose in the 5th and 6th semesters. List of these elective subjects are provided below:

• Agribusiness Management
• Commercial Plant Breeding
• Landscaping
• Protected Cultivation
• Agricultural Journalism
• Weed Management
• Hi-Tech Horticulture
• Agrochemicals
• Protected Cultivation
• Food Safety and Standards

Each institute has its own unique admissions process. On the basis of merit and a personal interview, some colleges offer direct admission to BSc Agriculture programmes. In addition, some colleges admit interested students by holding entrance exams at the national, state, or university levels.

• For Direct Admission

To be taken into consideration for the admissions process, students must submit their college applications, whether online or offline, before the application deadline.

• For Admission Based on an Entrance Exam

The registration form for one of the numerous BSc Agriculture Entrance Examinations, such as the KCET or KEAM, which offers admission into colleges in Karnataka or Kerala, respectively, must be filled out by students. Following the various rounds of counselling sessions, which typically include Group Discussion and Personal Interviews, admission is granted based on performance on these exams.

Also Read: List of Top Private Colleges for BSc Agriculture 

Here is a list of some of the most popular BSc Agriculture entrance exams in India. Students can take these exams online if they want get admission to various colleges across the country for a BSc in agriculture. 

• CUET
• Rajasthan JET
• TS EAMCET Agriculture
• AP EAPCET Agriculture
• MP PAT
• UPCATET
• BCECE Agriculture
• CG PAT
• MHT CET
• KCET
• TJEE
• HORTICET

There are different requirements for BSc Agriculture candidates to sit for the entrance exam at various colleges/universities. The general format for these examinations is as follows.

• Exams can be taken offline and online
• There are both objective and subjective questions
• The college sets the curriculum. Some Physics, Chemistry, and Math questions will be followed by questions on Numerical Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability, Reading Comprehension, and so on on the BSc in Agriculture entrance exams
• There is usually a time limit of 120-180 minutes

Here is the list of top ranked  BSc Agriculture Colleges in India tabulated below along with their location and average annual fees:

BSc Agriculture Best Colleges 

The BSc Agriculture programme is a professional program where students are trained to use modern agricultural techniques and technologies in the real world. The BSc Agriculture course is taught in almost all the top colleges and universities of India and abroad. The BSc Agricultural syllabus and subjects are designed across 8 semesters to provide students with complete understanding of theoretical as well as practical concepts. The students can check the list of top BSc Agriculture colleges at both private and government level as mentioned

Top Government Colleges for BSc Agriculture

There are many BSc Agriculture government colleges that are available for doing this course. The candidates can check the top popular government colleges that offer BSc Agriculture as mentioned in the table below. The list of colleges and their average fee structures are mentioned in Alphabetical order and have nothing to do with the ranking of the colleges. 

Top Private Colleges for BSc Agriculture

The list of private colleges offering BSc Agriculture is also limitless. The fee structures of private colleges are also very high. Candidates can check the top popular private colleges that offer BSc Agriculture mentioned in the table below.

Agriculture is a field that requires someone who is patient, pays attention to small details, and has excellent observational skills. Only those with a genuine passion for agriculture should pursue this field, as it is extremely demanding, and only the best will survive. Some of the skills required for a BSc Agriculture degree are listed below:

• Forward Planning
• Initiative
• Flexibility
• Good communication
• Analytical skills
• Commercial awareness
• IT skills
• Marketing & Sales Skills

Top BSc Agriculture colleges in the world are mentioned below along with their QS Rankings and BSc Agriculture fees:

Graduates from the programme can find employment in both the public and private sectors. Agriculture is becoming more and more important, which is leading to more job opportunities. In so many agricultural departments, extension services, research organisations, commercial farming, etc. There are numerous research projects and teaching assignments related to agriculture today. These professionals are paid an average annual salary that ranges from INR 2 to 8 LPA. It might be greater in the public sector.

After receiving a BSc in Agriculture, the position of Government of India Agricultural Officer (Agronomist) is among the most esteemed positions in the public sector. Other occupations related to the profile include:

• Agriculture Officer
• Assistant Plantation Manager
• Agricultural Research Scientist
• Business Development Executive
• Marketing Executive

Agriculture is regarded as the country’s backbone, therefore taking this degree will give you plenty of opportunities to conduct research and use current technologies for successful growth and higher crop yield. BSc Agriculture graduates can work in a variety of government, private, and public institutions, research centers, and agriculture firms. Following is a list of some of the most prevalent job fields after completing this course.

BSc Agriculture Job Description

Here are some of the most sought-after job profiles:

Bank Jobs After BSc Agriculture

Banking and Insurance sectors are also filled with lucrative high-paying opportunities for BSc Agriculture graduates. Given below are the most popular bank jobs you can do after BSc Agriculture:

• Specialist officer (Agricultural Field Officer)
• Junior Agricultural Associate
• Field Officer
• Probationary Officer
• Rural Development Officer
• Agricultural Officer

UPSC- IFS (Indian Forest Services) 

Many UPSC aspirants overlook this sector. It is one of the best jobs offered to BSc Agriculture graduates with a degree in Agriculture or related fields after they clear one of the most renowned UPSC exam. Candidates who qualify the written exams and the interview are appointed as a Deputy Forest Inspector, Assistant Inspector, Officer, etc. UPSC IFS offers a competitive pay fixed by the seventh central pay commission and is a lucrative and prestigious career path.

Food Corporation of India (FCI) 

BSc Agriculture graduates can work at the prestigious Food Corporation of India. You can take up the online exam conducted by FCI for technical or non-technical positions. The profiles that are mostly offered are Technical Managers, Technical Officers, Assistant Officer, etc. It is a very good organization that pays well to its employees. 

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) 

Falling under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (GoI), ICAR is an ideal organization to work in for those who want to pursue a career in Agriculture. While working at ICAR you can pursue a job profile that deals in research and development. The job profiles usually offer at ICAR includes Technologists, Senior Research Fellows (Agriculture), Junior Research Fellows, etc. It can be a very good career option for BSc Agriculture students. 

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) 

NABARD is a well-known financial institution that recruits several Agricultural experts to work towards the Rural and Agricultural Development of India every year. If BSc agriculture graduates aspire to work in a bank then this is one of the best organizations where you can work as an Assistant Officer, Office Attendant, Agricultural Officer, etc. 

National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)

Headquartered in Anand, Gujarat, NDDB works to strengthen farmer cooperatives and make dairy farming a profitable economic activity for milk producers in rural India. The NDDB implements various income-generating activities for dairy farmers, paving the way for their sustainable livelihood. The NDDB appoints graduates in agriculture for various posts like managers, deputy managers, and farm coordinators. Candidates can check the current vacancies on the NDDB site and apply online.

Also Read: BSc Agriculture vs BSc Horticulture - Which is the Best Option after Class 12th?

There are plenty of jobs in the Government as well as the private sector. For most Government jobs after BSc Agriculture, you would be required to pass certain competitive exams. However, there are plenty of jobs in the private sector as well where you can join without giving any exams. The salary you earn as a fresher after completion of your BSc agriculture degree depends on your job profile, employment type, employment organization, and location. The average monthly pay of an agribusiness manager is INR 27,386 whereas the monthly income of an agronomist is INR 18,094. With experience, the salary of professionals in the agriculture industry increases significantly.

Here are the major government and private jobs after BSc Agriculture along with the salaries offered: 

Also Read: BSc Agriculture Salary 

Agriculture is essential to the food industry. The practise of cultivating grains, fruits, vegetables, and other organic food products is known as agriculture. A BSc in Agriculture degree equips graduates with the knowledge necessary to meet the demands of the agricultural and food industries by using cutting-edge methods, techniques, and technologies to cultivate crops with higher nutritional values. Graduates of BSc programmes in agriculture have a wide range of career options, including those as managers, plant breeders, geneticists, soil scientists, and consultants for the agricultural industry.

Those who are ambitious may choose to pursue postgraduate studies after earning their BSc in agriculture. They can choose to specialise in MSc programmes in forestry, plant pathology, agriculture, horticulture, or other related fields. After finishing a BSc in agriculture, those with a business-oriented approach to the industry may choose to pursue an MBA in agribusiness management. After completing a postgraduate degree in agriculture or a related field, those who want to work as agricultural scientists or in academia must choose between a PhD and an MPhil.

Let's look at a few master's degrees in agriculture and its various specialisations before reading about the major career options:

• MBA in Agriculture
• Master’s in Environmental Agrobiology
• MSc in Agriculture
• MBA in Agribusiness
• MSc in Plant Pathology
• Master’s in Sustainable Agriculture
• MSc in Agricultural Economics
• MScAgric in Genetics
• Master’s in Agricultural Engineering
• Master’s in Agroecology
• Master’s in Plant Science
• Master’s in Agronomy
• Master of Food Science and Agribusiness
• MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding

Graduates from the programme can find employment in both the public and private sectors. Agriculture is becoming more and more important, which is leading to more job opportunities. In many agricultural departments, extension services, research organisations, commercial farming, etc. There are numerous research projects and teaching assignments related to agriculture today. These professionals are paid an average annual salary that ranges from INR 2 to 8 LPA. It might be greater in the public sector. After receiving a BSc in Agriculture, the position of Government of India Agricultural Officer (Agronomist) is one of the most esteemed positions in the public sector.

Benefits of Studying BSc Agriculture

BSc agriculture programme gives students the information and skills necessary to work in the agricultural industry. Horticulture, soil science, plant pathology, animal sciences, entomology, plant genetics, plant biochemistry, agriculture economics, and other subjects are taught to them both theoretically and practically. Students learn how to improve crop production and apply modern agricultural techniques and technologies such as sowing, irrigation, and crop protection from insects and pests.