M.Sc in Agriculture: Course Details, Admission, Fees, Eligibility, Syllabus, Jobs & Salary

About MSc in Agriculture

MSc Agriculture is one of the most sought-after programmes after one completes a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture. The MSc Agriculture course focuses on topics like Biochemistry, Agricultural Machinery, Management aspects of the agricultural sector, Plantation Management, etc.

MSc Agriculture is a two-year postgraduate course that gives an in-depth knowledge of agriculture and various aspects of it. The MSc agriculture course is for the candidates who seek a better insight into the potential of plants in benefiting mankind. It also focuses on agriculture as a human activity. 

Be it the Government sector or the private sector, candidates with a MSc Agriculture degree can find many job roles in both. Job profiles like Agriculture Officer, Production Manager, Farm Managers are a few that the candidate can go for apart from higher studies in the field. 
 

MSc Agriculture Course Highlights

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

Who should do MSc Agriculture?

Students who have done a BSc Agriculture course or a diploma in Agriculture can pursue an MSc Agriculture course to further their studies. Also, students who are interested in the field of agriculture and want to do some innovative research in the domain of agriculture must surely pursue MSc Agriculture course. 

MSc Agriculture offers a number of specializations, like Agronomy, Biotechnology, Agricultural Economics & Farm Management, Plant Physiology, and Entomology. In total, there are 12 disciplines available for the course so you can study in the field of your choice. 

Why choose MSc Agriculture?

MSc Agriculture is a highly prosperous course in India as the country is an agro-based country.  Due to this, agricultural courses have always been in great demand in various universities across India. Here are some of the most important reasons for pursuing an MSc Agriculture degree:

• The students will get to know about the various modern techniques involved in farming that will greatly help in the development of the farming industry.
• Subjects in MSc Agriculture revolve around the scientific study of agriculture. This helps to improve the quality of the yield and also increases the production rate. MSc Agriculture course also provides an integrated understanding of economic and social considerations in the agricultural systems.
• MSc Agriculture graduates will get excellent job offers from various popular countries. Some of the important job areas include Agriculture/Dairy Industries, Fertilizer Industries, and Food Processing Units.
• The average salary earned by an MSc Agriculture fresher is around 3 LPA-4 LPA. The salary will increase with experience.
• The students may also go on to pursue research activities in various fields related to Agriculture.

MSc Agriculture Specializations

MSc Agriculture has a number of specializations like Agronomy, Horticulture, Forestry, Genetics and Plant Breeding, etc. Here are some of the important specializations in MSc agriculture:

• MSc Agronomy

MSc in Agronomy is a postgraduate agriculture course that mainly focuses on providing sustainable agricultural methods for the betterment of the environment as well as for human beings who consume agricultural products. 

• MSc in Horticulture

MSc in Horticulture is another specialization for the agricultural course that deals with the cultivation of plants, management techniques, quality assurance, marketing, etc. The program is designed to produce a deep knowledge of horticultural sciences in students. 

• MSc in Forestry

MSc in Forestry mainly revolves around the different types of forests and forest ecology. You will also be learning about forest inventory models, wood harvesting, and the proper utilization of forest resources. 

• MSc in Genetics and Plant Breeding

MSc in Genetics and Plant Breeding is about various methods of improvement in the quality of production of crops. It teaches students how to apply genetics to protect the environment. Check the top MSc Genetics & Plant Breeding Colleges in India.

How to get Admission in MSc Agriculture?

MSc agriculture admission process is both merit-based and entrance-based. However, the admission process for merit-based and entrance-based admission is conducted separately. The admission process consists of few rules and procedures that are to be followed by the students in order to secure their admission. MSc agriculture admission process is mentioned below:

• Candidates interested in getting admission to MSc agriculture course must check whether they meet the eligibility criteria or not.
• Candidates who are eligible for admission in MSc Agriculture must visit the university website and fill the application form.
• The MSc Agriculture application form contains details such as personal information, academic information, and more.
• Candidates following the entrance based admission are required to register for the MSc Agriculture entrance examination and clear it with the required cutoff whereas students for merit based admission are not required to take the entrance.
• After the university receives all the application forms and scores of the entrance examinations, profile assessment is carried out and students are offered admission in MSc Agriculture as per the merit list.

MSc Agriculture Eligibility Criteria

MSc agriculture eligibility criteria are defined as a set of parameters that must be met by the students in order to be eligible for the admission process. The eligibility criteria for MSc agriculture is based on various factors such as previous academic scores, age limit, nationality, previous courses of study, and more. Candidates are advised to check the MSc Agriculture eligibility criteria before applying since candidates who do not meet the requirements are directly disqualified from admission. Therefore, the following eligibility criteria should be fulfilled:

• The students must complete their graduation in courses like Horticulture, Forestry, or Agriculture from a recognized university to purse MSc Agriculture course.
• The student must also have a minimum of 50% marks in their graduation. Relaxation of marks is given to the SC/ ST/ OBC/ PwD candidates in order to take admission in MSc Agriculture.
• In case of admission based on entrance exams, the candidate must clear the cut-off marks in order to be eligible for admission in MSc agriculture course.

MSc Agriculture Entrance Exams

Various colleges in India conduct their own entrance examinations for admission to MSc agriculture. However, there are a few popular entrance examinations conducted at a national level for admission to MSc agriculture. Candidates can check the most popular entrance examinations for MSc agriculture course mentioned below:

• AGRICET:  AGRICET is the common entrance test conducted by Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University for admission to the MSc Agriculture course. The application forms are available online from May/June and the exam is held in July.
• ICAR AIEEA: ICAR is an all-India entrance examination for admission to the Agriculture courses of the country. The examination forms are released in the month of February and the examination is held in April.
• MCAER PG CET: The Maharashtra Council of Agriculture Education & Research conducts an entrance test for admission to the various postgraduate courses of Maharashtra colleges and MSc Agriculture is one of them. The examination is held in March and the application forms are released in January.
• CUCET: CUCET (Central university common entrance test) is a national-level test conducted for admissions into the various central universities under MSc Agriculture course available across India. 
• PAU MET: Punjab Agricultural University admits MSc agriculture students every year through the PAU MET exam. The exam is conducted in the month of June and application forms are released in April.

Difference Between MSc Agriculture and MBA in Agri-Business

Students can choose to pursue MBA Agri-business as well for their higher studies. There are a few key differences between MSc Agriculture and MBA in Agri-Business that are mentioned in the table below. Comparisons in MSc Agriculture and MBA Agri-Business are made on the basis of qualification, eligibility, admission process, course fees, salary, job options, recruiting companies, and colleges offering these programs.

Top MSc Agriculture Colleges in India

MSc Agriculture course helps students develop analytical and critical thinking skills for producing original insights in science and thinking/communication. There are plenty of colleges/universities in India that offer an MSc Agriculture degree. These colleges are situated in various states of India, mainly in those where agriculture is practiced and have open stretches of land to have some practical experience. Here, we have mentioned some of the best MSc Agriculture Colleges of India based on the NIRF ranking, along with their MSc Agriculture fees.

Study MSc Agriculture Abroad

Today, Agriculture has evolved multi-folds. Evaluating plants, techniques and also innovating new types of machinery and methods to boost the potentiality of agriculture are just some of the developments in the modern-day agricultural landscape. Education of agriculture discipline is offered on Bachelors, Masters, and Post-Graduation levels. The context taught in all the echelons is different from one another. MSc Agriculture is generally chosen in a large ratio by individuals with interest in this discipline.

MSc Agriculture aims to educate students with knowledge that helps them improve, innovate and develop the field. MSc Agriculture post-graduation degree is recommended to those with keen interest in agriculture, its methodologies and. MSc Agriculture is the most preferred course at the post-graduate level of education. The duration of MSc agriculture course is 2 years but some universities offer 1-year courses as well. Universities abroad recommend full-time MSc agriculture course to students although some universities also offer part-time courses. Individuals must be well aware of science and botany in order to understand the pedagogy offered in this subject.

Countries like the United States, Australia, and Singapore, are some of the best countries to consider if you want to study MSc agriculture. You’ll notice that these countries have an established agricultural field and with this, you’ll surely get a strong background in agriculture.

Though the MSc Agriculture eligibility criteria will vary from one university to another, here are some of the general qualifications you need to have in order to pursue an MSc Agriculture course:

• Bachelor’s degree like BSc Agriculture or its variant from a recognized college/university with minimum marks as stipulated by the concerned university is required to purse MSc Agriculture.
• Valid English proficiency test scores like that of IELTS/TOEFL
• While some universities mandatorily require GRE scores, the others don’t.
• Work experience may also be an entry requisite for pursuing MSc Agriculture, however, not mandatory.
• Apart from this, SOP, LORs, transcripts, and updated CV/resume are also required.

MSc Agriculture Abroad Top Colleges

Now that you are familiar with the basic details pertaining to the MSc Agriculture course, let’s take a quick glance at some of the popular universities offering MSc Agriculture abroad.

• University of Hull
• University of British Columbia 
• The University of Queensland
• University of Glasgow 
• University of Nottingham
• The University of Western Australia
• Lincoln University
• University of Canterbury 
• The University of Adelaide 
• Macquarie University
• Swinburne University of Technology
• Curtin University
• The University of Otago 
• The Australian National University

What is MSc Agriculture Course Fees?

The MSc agriculture fee structure is different for every college. The average fee structure for MSc agriculture degree is between Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 4 lakh for the entire course. The fee structure for MSc agriculture course is decided on the basis of the types of facilities provided by the university such as lodging, food, industrial training, and more.

Required Skillset for MSc Agriculture

Before opting to study with agriculture, the candidates need to implant some basic skills to do well in their careers. MSc agriculture degree programme requires students to possess scientific skills as well as critical thinking ability. MSc agriculture students are required to comprehend MSc agriculture and this requires students to possess different skills that will help them excel as agricultural graduates. MSc Agriculture course provides a career boost for people seeking jobs in agriculture/plant development fields. It opens a variety of career opportunities for aspiring agriculturists at various international agencies. Candidates can check the list of top skills required mentioned below:

• Observation skills
• Critical Thinking skills
• Numerical Skills
• Interest in agriculture and farming
• Analytical skills
• Knowledge of plant biology
• Problem Solving Ability
• Communication skills
• Team Player
• Leadership skills

Course Curriculum for MSc Agriculture

MSc Agriculture course is a two-year program consisting of 4 semesters. It covers Agronomy, Biotechnology, Agricultural Economics & Farm Management, Plant Physiology, Entomology, Extension Education, etc. However, the MSc agriculture curriculum is more or less the same for every university and is designed on the basis of industrial requirements and academic requirements. MSc agriculture syllabus contains core subjects from the field of agriculture and farming. Candidates can find the complete MSc agriculture course curriculum mentioned in the table below:

MSc Agriculture Syllabus

MSc Agriculture syllabus may differ from college to college. However, the main topics will remain the same. These are some of the main topics of the MSc Agriculture course:

MSc Agriculture Scope in India

There is a huge scope for MSc Agriculture and candidates have various options to pursue research or work in various fields related to agriculture. MSc agriculture graduates can choose to pursue an M.Phil degree programme which is quite popular among students. Other than this, candidates can also choose to pursue a doctoral degree and move towards research in agriculture. There are various colleges in India that offer admission to MSc agriculture students in M.Phil and Ph.D. courses. In addition to this, candidates can choose to work in the field of agriculture industry, dairy, academic institutions, fertilizer industries, agriculture products firms, and more.

Another thing worth mentioning is that some companies would offer you further promotion only if you have an MSc Agriculture degree. If you choose to proceed with the government organization, you must know that several State Agricultural Departments present you with favorable opportunities. With the MSc Agriculture degree, you can relish the positions of the Officer level. Several government banks offer jobs to the MSc Agriculture degree holders to handle the loans and other primary deals regarding agriculture. Hence, you can try your luck there as well. The job scopes of an Msc do not limit here. If you are willing to pursue a career as a professor, your MSc degree can help you to achieve that too.    

The opportunities in private companies are pleasing too. After completing the MSc Agriculture degree, you can easily join different renowned plantations in the managerial posts. Not only that, but the candidates can also enjoy the job at Fertilizer Manufacturers firms. You will be glad to know that lectureship in private organizations is also possible. Different private intuitions hire MSc Agriculture degree holders for providing lectures. Thus, you will not face any trouble in searching for a decent job after securing the MSc Agriculture degree. 
 

Career Options and Job Prospects after MSc Agriculture

MSc agriculture graduates have various career options to choose from. Educational institutes offer various different programmes at the research level in the agriculture department along with higher studies. MSc Agriculture graduates can also choose to prepare for government jobs in the agriculture department or private actors. There are plenty of companies dealing in agriculture products and marketing. In order to get government jobs, students will be required to sit through various entrance examinations conducted by the government such as UPSC, State Forest Exam, UGC NET, and more. Some of the top recruiters of MSc agriculture students are Bayer Crop Science, Buhler India, Monsanto India, and Coromandel Fertilisers.

Some of the best jobs for MSc Agriculture graduates are mentioned below: 

Farm Manager: A farm manager is a professional who is responsible for supervising all the activities taking place on a farm or agricultural land. Various companies are in the business of organic farming and require farm managers to oversee all the practices happening on the farmland. The farm manager’s responsibilities include monitoring staff, crops, and livestock, purchasing supplies, preparing budgets and reports, and ensuring maximum profit. 

Agriculture Manager: An agriculture manager is a professional who is responsible for handling all different types of agricultural goods produced in a certain season. An agriculture manager supervises the distribution and supply of agricultural goods along with managing their products. They are also responsible to manage the daily operations of commercial agricultural operations, such as nurseries and large farms, or they may look over farming operations for absentee landowners or farmers in need of management assistance.

Agricultural Scientist: An agricultural scientist is a professional who is responsible for studying different types of crops, agricultural lands, types of techniques and fertilisers being used in the crop production. Agriculture Scientists work in several specialties. Individuals who opt for a career as agricultural scientists focus on how domestic farm animals are used for food. 

A scientist ensures proper functioning of the farmland by inspecting the scientific aspects of crop production. They are also responsible for developing strategies for smart farming using technology, organic farming, and preservation techniques.

Food Inspector: A food inspector is a professional who is responsible for inspecting and supervising different professionals involved in any kind of food or agriculture business. A food inspector ensures that the professionals adhere to all the guidelines specified by the government such as hygiene standards. Quality of crops produced, and more. A food inspector also inspects the food processing entities, manufacturing companies, restaurants and dairy farms to collect samples for investigating the quality of food ingredients and preservatives being used in the food product to be sold in the market. 

Salary Packages for MSc Agriculture Graduates

MSc Agriculture is a course that helps in the specialization in the field of Agriculture. The salary based on MSc Agriculture qualification varies for each sector - government and private and the type of job or even the skills possessed by the aspirant. For a candidate with less than one year of experience, the average salary is around INR 4 lakh to INR 6 lakh per annum. The salary gradually increases with the experience gained in this domain. The MSc Agriculture graduate salary in India is: