Diploma in Agriculture

Diploma in Agriculture is a two years long course that imparts knowledge about various forms of agriculture, livestock and crop management, agricultural extension, agricultural chemistry and more. Diploma in Agriculture is for candidates interested in agriculture and related research fields. The course curriculum is divided into four semesters. Candidates must have passed the 10th class or equivalent examination from a recognised board with a minimum overall aggregate score of 50% to be eligible for the course. Soils and Fertility Management, Principles of Agronomy, Plant Pathology, Principles of Genetics, and other topics are covered in the Diploma in Agriculture curriculum. Admission to the Diploma in Agriculture is primarily based on marks obtained in the 10th or other equivalent intermediate examinations. However, some colleges offer admission based on an entrance examination. TS POLYCET, AP Agriculture Polytechnic Admission, and other entrance exams are available.

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, and others are among the top colleges that offer the Diploma in Agriculture course. In India, the average Diploma in Agriculture course fee ranges between INR 5000 and INR 100,000. Working professionals who want to work in agriculture can enroll in the Distance Diploma in Agriculture programme. The average Diploma in Agriculture Distance Mode course fee ranges between INR 10,000 and INR 40,000.

Students who complete this course will be able to work in a variety of private and public sectors as an Agricultural Engineer, Business Manager, Research Associate, Agricultural Inspector, Agricultural Ecologist, Lecturer, and so on. The average starting salary for an Agriculture Diploma holder ranges between INR 2,00,000 and 10,00,000 per year, with the number of years of work experience and knowledge in the field increasing with the number of years of work experience and knowledge in the field.

Check out some of the Diploma in Agriculture course highlights from the table provided below:

There are plenty of reasons to study Diploma in Agriculture. The nation wants professionals who possess good agricultural knowledge and could do something for the betterment of the farmers of the country. Most of the students prefer studying Diploma in Agriculture course because of the following reasons:

• More Opportunities: The Diploma in Agriculture opens a pool of opportunities in various fields especially in the agricultural sector. For example, candidates after completion of course can get an opportunity to work in various sectors of agriculture that includes horticulture, pisciculture, agronomy, agriculture economy and many more. The agriculture sector is expected to grow by 12 % till 2026, creating job opportunities for the Diploma holder in Agriculture.
• Chance to an early career: The candidates who undertake Diploma in Agriculture course or UG diploma course get a chance to study a specialized course at an early stage soon after the completion of Class 10. It allows them to start an early career and help them gain valuable experience before they come back to complete their graduation. Candidates can pursue a degree programme after the completion of UG diploma programme with good knowledge and skills about the course.
• Those who complete the Diploma in Agriculture course can directly get a job in the relevant field based on their skills, knowledge and calibers.
• Competitive salary: The course offers a handsome salary package ranging from INR 2,00,000 to 10,00,000 or higher. According to the website payscale agriculture specialists in India can earn a salary of INR 558,000 per annum, thus making the diploma in agriculture one of the most profitable courses in the country.
• Chance to work with the MNCs: Diploma in Agriculture course opens up various career opportunities in front of students. Students can choose to work in top-notch companies. Top companies such as ITC, Britannia, Godrej Agrovet, Rallis India Limited, and many more hire Diploma in Agriculture candidates or professionals. Apart from this, yet another option for students is to pursue higher education.
• Research opportunities: Diploma in Agriculture course allows the aspirants to work in various research related to agriculture and its related field.

Any individual who is keenly interested in the development, research, and study of various aspects of and relating to agriculture should register for a diploma in agriculture course. The diploma in agriculture course can be done after 10th grade known as polytechnic and after graduation. Thus, one can pursue a diploma in agriculture both at undergraduate (UG) and post-graduation (PG) level.

People who study the field of agriculture are called Agriculturists. After successful completion of a diploma in agriculture, it will be safe for one to call themselves an Agriculturist. In-depth subject knowledge makes students a subject matter expert (SME) in Agriculture as the course exposes the student to exceptional aspects and areas relating to the art, method, science of agriculture.

Diploma in Agriculture offers specializations in various fields such as:

• Food Processing – In Diploma in Agriculture specialization, students are made to learn about several Food processing procedures, different machinery units involved in mega production, different techniques, etc.
• Seed Technology – The candidates are made to learn several techniques regarding seed, the measures for quality, organic farming procedures, advantages of organic farming, improvements in seed planting techniques, etc while studying Diploma in Agriculture.
• Animal Husbandry – Diploma in Agriculture course offers study about various aspects of agriculture and covers several sub concepts regarding agriculture, harvesting, farming, etc. so that farming and agriculture techniques can be improved.
• Organic Farming – This concept has become very famous nowadays as it helps one to do farming without using fertilizers and pesticides. The candidates are made to learn about chemical free farming through Diploma in Agriculture specialization course.

Students who wish to pursue a Diploma in Agriculture course must fulfill the following eligibility criteria.

• The candidate must have passed Class 10.
• The candidate must have a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.
• 5% relaxation in marks will be given to candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer), differently abled, and other categories on the submission of supported documents.

However, in the case of Diploma in Agriculture admission through the entrance examination, there are some minor changes in the eligibility criteria:

• Candidates who have scored 35 % in their class 10 board examination are eligible to appear for the entrance examination.
• The candidates must complete 15 years of education to be eligible for admission to the Diploma in Agriculture Course.

Diploma in Agriculture Admission course will be done based on the candidate's performance in the qualifying examination i.e. Class 10 exams. In merit-based selection, marks obtained by a candidate in the qualifying examinations are considered for offering admission into the course. The various steps involved in the admission process are given below.

• The admission process to the Diploma in Agriculture course is either entrance based or merit-based.
• Since most colleges enroll students on the basis of merit, candidates are advised to attain high percentages in the class 10 board exams.
• Participation and certification in various extra-curricular activities such as clubs, sports, and NGO volunteering can be a deciding factor to the list of merits.
• In the case of entrance-based selection, it is very important to perform well and score above the qualifying marks in the entrance test in order to get admission in a good college.
• One must be well aware of the latest exam pattern. One must also know the weightage assigned to each section in the exam and prepare accordingly.
• One must start preparing for the entrance exam a year before as this gives ample time for learning and revision. Do keep your target institute in mind.

There are only a selected number of colleges that conduct an entrance test for admission to the Diploma in Agriculture course. The examination mostly has a duration of 2 to 3 hours during which the students are required to attempt objective-type questions. Diploma in Agriculture examination’s details are released by the colleges every year. Some entrance exams are mentioned below for admission in Diploma in Agriculture: 

• ICAR AIEEEA
• BCECE 
• JCECE 
• KCET 
• BVP CET
• OUAT 
• TS POLYCET 
• AP POLYCET

Diploma in Agriculture and BSc Agriculture are two different courses offered in the field of Agriculture. Some of the key differences and similarities between these two courses are mentioned in the table below.

Diploma in Agriculture courses are offered by many top colleges and universities across the country. Some of the best Diploma in Agriculture colleges in India offering this course have been mentioned below with the Diploma in Agriculture fees as well.

Most Diploma in Agriculture abroad programs emphasize hands-on experiences, with field research training and opportunities to work with locals who can introduce you to their traditional farming practices, conservation efforts, and land-production goals and tactics. On the more forward-thinking side of things, some Diploma in Agriculture degree courses offers the chance to work at state-of-the-art research facilities, where companies and scientists work on creating and applying new systems and technologies. No matter if you focus on the past, present, or future, studying Diploma in Agriculture degree abroad will give you a new perspective on food production, including exposure to the challenges facing agriculturalists in other countries. 

The basic eligibility requirement you need to fulfill to apply for a Diploma in Agriculture degree is to have completed 10+2 from a recognized board with the minimum marks specified by the university. Further, for those planning to study this diploma abroad, the criteria for submitting English Language proficiency scores such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc. will also need to be fulfilled along with lucrative SOP and LORs.

The length of a Diploma in Agriculture degree depends on which country you choose for your studies. In the UK, most undergraduate degrees take three years to complete while in the U.S., programs typically take four years. In Canada and Australia, degrees can take either three or four years depending on the course and institution.

Many Diploma in Agriculture degree courses also offer work placements for a few months or even up to a year to give students experience within the industry to gain professional contacts and knowledge of agriculture in practice. These placements can be overseas or within your study destination.

There are numerous universities and institutes in India as well as abroad that offer a varied range of diploma in Agriculture courses. To help you further in your research, we have listed down some of the prominent Diploma in Agriculture colleges abroad and their prospective course offerings:

The USA is a perfect destination for you if you are looking to learn the scientific aspects of this field. Many universities in the United States of America offer diploma in Agriculture degree courses. Also, educational institutes of this country are globally recognized. The benefit of studying a diploma in Agriculture program in the USA includes that students can study any level of education in Agriculture. The country is also great for exposure and getting equipped with advanced techniques.

Diploma in Agriculture course covers subjects like Fundamentals of Entomology, Fundamentals of Soil Science, Plant Pathology, Green House Technology, Agricultural Microbiology, and various others. Diploma in Agriculture syllabus is different in every college. However, a few common subjects are being studied in all the colleges/universities.

Diploma in Agriculture is a 2-year diploma program. Each year consists of 2 semesters. The course curriculum incorporates various assignments, presentations and projects. The detailed semester-wise Diploma in Agriculture subjects are given below:

Diploma in Agriculture Subjects Semester I

• Agronomic Principles, Practices, and Meteorology
• Soils and Fertility Management
• Fruit Culture and propagation
• Farm Structures, Machinery and Post Harvest Processing
• Fundamentals of Livestock and Poultry Production
• Computer Application
• Physical Education

Diploma in Agriculture Subjects Semester II

• Irrigation and Weed Management
• Agronomy of Field Crops
• Vegetable Culture
• General and Economic Entomology
• Principles of Plant Pathology
• Energy and Environment
• Food Science and Nutrition

Diploma in Agriculture Subjects Semester III

• Crop production
• Commercial Floriculture and Ornamental Gardening
• Breeding of Field Crops
• Crop Pests and their Management
• Crop Diseases and their Management
• Commercial Agriculture
• Agricultural Economics and Marketing

Diploma in Agriculture Subjects Semester IV

• Dry Farming and Agroforestry
• Spices Plantation and Medicinal Plant Culture
• Seed Production
• Commercial Agriculture
• Extension Methods and Audio-Visual Aids
• Language for Communication

The course fees for Diploma in Agriculture may vary based on the facilities and infrastructure provided by the college. The Diploma in Agriculture fees will also depend on whether you are pursuing it from a private college or government college. If you are looking forward to pursuing a Diploma in Agriculture course from a government university, the tuition fees to be paid are going to be relatively less than the tuition fees as charged by the private universities. The average fee for Diploma in Agriculture is INR 5,000 to 2,00,000 per annum.

In order to successfully complete a diploma in agriculture, it is necessary to possess some specific skills. Having a keen interest in the subject is one of them. Below we have listed a few skill requirements for pursuing a diploma in agriculture.

• Adaptability

This is a skill that is transferable from one domain to another. You need to be able to apply what you learn in a diploma in agriculture degree to real-life situations on the ground – because that could be the difference between a successful and a failed crop. Adaptability is also necessary because both the way things are done in agriculture and what consumers want, are continuously changing. Thus, remaining adaptable ensures you know how to face these new obstacles by adopting new techniques or methods and predicting upcoming challenges.

• Interpersonal skills

Many jobs in agriculture require the ability to work with others and such can be learned while studying Diploma in Agriculture. Supply chain managers, for example, must interact with farmers who produce raw materials and deliver these goods to other clients – who in turn will either send the product to another location for further manufacturing or directly to the consumer.

Being able to build business relationships, negotiate and engage with all the people in the farming chain – from clients and suppliers to government and regulatory bodies – is critical to long-term success.

• Time management and organization skills

Being organized and able to manage your time well will mean that you can more easily deal with a complicated daily set of tasks across various products, clients, and suppliers. For example, a logistics manager needs to ensure that raw materials (often more than one product) are properly transported, stored, and delivered from producer to wholesaler and finally to the consumer.

Even labourers, farmers, and machine operators rely on time management and planning skills to ensure that crops are planted, harvested and sold at the right time, in the right quantities, and using the best methods. Therefore it is important to develop these skills during the Diploma in Agriculture degree.

• Technology

Almost every aspect of agriculture is being driven by technology today – from irrigation to pesticide use, lots of the latest machinery and technologies are used to optimize the work. Technology has improved methods and techniques of cultivation, harvest, storage and transport. This means diploma in agriculture professionals need to embrace technological development in order to benefit from it. While you don't need to purchase every new technological device, it's important to have knowledge of new technological advancements as they relate to agriculture. 

• Management

Even if you work on or own a small farm and have few people to supervise, it is beneficial to have strong management skills. From managing farmhands to business associates, management skills allow you to interact and supervise various parties with greater success and efficiency. These skills can be learnt and developed while pursuing a diploma in agriculture degree.

The Diploma in Agriculture course offers real-world information and understanding of farming and agribusiness in agriculture. The curriculum for the Diploma in Agriculture is well-designed, with topics that assist students in learning various aspects of farming and agriculture. As a result, they are able to find employment in both the public and private sectors with competitive pay rates. Opportunities for employment with a diploma in agriculture include those as a researcher, distributor, agriculture consultant, sales officer, and many more.

A diploma in agriculture can choose from a variety of career options in the agricultural sector. Comparatively to other agriculture courses, the scope of the diploma in agriculture has expanded quickly in recent years. The following are a few of the best jobs for recent graduates with an agriculture diploma:

• Agriculturist
• Agri Marketing Associate
• Farm Manager
• Seed Production Executive
• Professor
• Dairy Plant Manager

Areas of Employment for Diploma in Agriculture Course 

Diploma in Agriculture courses offer students interested in agriculture a wide range of options. The salary for a Diploma in Agriculture varied depending on the graduate's skill and knowledge, as well as their experience applying for agricultural positions. The following are some areas of recruitment for the Diploma in Agriculture programme:

• Plantations of Agricultural Plants
• Government Agricultural Enterprises
• Private Agricultural Companies
• Food Manufacturing Companies 
• Fertilizer Manufacturing Companies
• Private Fertilizer Manufacturing Corporations

Career Scope of Diploma in Agriculture

One of the degrees with the widest range of employment possibilities and higher education options available to graduates is a diploma in agriculture. Students will be able to find relevant employment in their field or the best course for further education, depending on their preferences. A diploma in agriculture has many uses, whether a graduate decides to work or pursue further education.

Courses After Diploma in Agriculture

Graduates who have earned a Diploma in Agriculture can continue their education after completing their undergraduate degrees. Graduates with a diploma in agriculture can choose from a variety of options. The options available to graduates of the Diploma in Agriculture programme are as follows:

• BSc in Agriculture
• BSc in Horticulture
• BSc in Plant Pathology
• BSc in Food Science
• BE or BTech in Agriculture and Food Engineering
• BE or BTech in Dairy Technology
• BSc in Plant Science

Career Options after Diploma in Agriculture

Graduates with a diploma in agriculture can find employment in a number of industries right away. One of the courses with the most varied employment prospects for graduates is the diploma in agriculture. Graduates with a diploma in agriculture can choose from the following careers:

Agronomist

An Agronomist is responsible for increasing the productivity of the soil. He/She studies plants and soil for the better productivity of the soil. They also suggest better harvesting techniques, solve harvest problems, help in better cultivation. They help develop more effective and efficient farming practices. They conduct research, take and test samples, and solve complex agricultural problems.

Agricultural Officer

One of India's most coveted and also well-paid government jobs is agricultural officers’ post. A lot of prestige and recognition is attached to this position, and this post is bagged by thousands of students every year especially those with diploma in agriculture degree. The responsibilities of an Agricultural Officer involve taking care of the rules and regulations in the agricultural activities taking place in state and local areas. They need to make sure that the activities comply with the rules and regulations.

Agricultural Engineer

An agriculture engineer is a professional who applies and uses the principles of agriculture and engineering to come up with solutions in the agriculture sector.  An agriculture engineer is also known as a biological engineer. An Agricultural Engineer is responsible for solving problems related to agriculture like types of equipment and their efficiency, any environmental issues, storage-related hindrances, and others.

Agricultural Inspector

An agricultural inspector is someone who works to prevent food-borne diseases and provide healthy food to everyone. Anything that we eat does not come directly to us, especially in the cities. The food goes through numerous departments before finally coming to the consumer. The role of an Agricultural Inspector is to keep a check on the quality of production and ensure that all activities are in accordance with rules and regulations. They are additionally responsible for providing the necessary equipment for the production.

Lastly, Diploma in Agriculture jobs is available in both the public and private sectors with good salary packages. The scope of Diploma in Agriculture degree is available due to practical agriculture knowledge of farming and agribusiness. For graduates who wish to pursue higher education, the Diploma in Agriculture program can also be a good option, and there are also opportunities for career advancement if they choose to teach. Diploma in Agriculture Job opportunities includes Researcher, Distributor, Agriculture Consultant, Agriculture Sales Officer, and many others.

After completion of a diploma in agriculture, students can opt for further education. They can choose to pursue a Postgraduate diploma or a BSc in Agriculture. Some of the other popular degree programs in agriculture science are BTech in Agriculture Engineering and BTech in Agriculture Information Technology.