his is even similar to what I had told you earlier. BSc.Agriculture is an undergraduate course of 4-year duration which can be opted by students who had completed the 12th or 10th standard. The candidate must pass the 10+2 in science group.

The admission procedure to agricultural universities differs from state to state. For example, admission to agriculture college in Kerala is on the ranking by the KEAM entrance exam. More than 16,000 students are joining BSc Agri each year.

There are many private and government agricultural colleges in India. All agricultural students have to learn the following subjects:

• Agronomy.
• Genetics of Plants.
• Soil Science.
• Agriculture Engineering.
• Agriculture Economics.
• Agricultural Meteorology.
• Pathology of Plants.
• Agricultural Extension.
• Horticulture.
• Animal Husbandry.
• Plant Breeding.
• Statistics.
• Food Technology.

In all these subjects there will be both practical and theoretical sessions. There are colleges that provide internships, study tours, and more in many western countries.

Before 1998 BSc Agriculture was known as BSc (Ag. and AH), here AH stands for Animal Husbandry. After 1998, the Animal Husbandry part was included in BVSc or Veterinary Science.

If you wish to take admission to top agriculture colleges in India, then you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Must have passed 12th standard with at least 50% marks.
• Must have done 12th in science stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
• Must be at least 17 years of age by 31st December of the year of admission.

The admission to BSc agriculture can be done in mainly two ways. One is through the entrance exam conducted by ICAR or any other state authority. The next option is that you can take admission directly through management quota depending on the 12th standard marks.

To get the information regarding exams you can check the official website of ICAR or the respective state authority website.

Some entrance exams conducted by different state authorities are:

• EAMCET – This exam is conducted by agricultural universities and colleges in Andhra Pradesh.
• PAU – This exam is conducted by Punjab Agriculture University.
• KEAM – This exam is conducted by agricultural colleges in Kerala.
• IGVK CET – This exam is conducted by Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya.

There are many agricultural colleges in India, who provide admissions on the basis of 12th marks.

There are many job opportunities available for agricultural students in the private and government sector. There are many opportunities in state government as agricultural officers, agricultural researchers, etc.

In private sectors or companies, agricultural students are recruited as plantation managers, higher officers at fertilizer production units, agricultural engineering units, agricultural marketing companies, food production companies, etc.

In the government sector, you can expect a salary ranging from Rs.35,000 to Rs.60,000 depending on the posts. The major benefits in government sectors are the pension schemes and other exclusive benefits.

In private companies, you will be able to earn around Rs.2.5 lakhs to Rs.5 lakh/year depending on the companies. When you join any agricultural college, see whether they give you excellent placements in private sectors.

Your salary will surely increase with your experience and efficiency. You can also read my detailed post about salary after BSc agriculture in India.

Scope

The majority of students who are opting for BSc Agriculture are targeting government jobs as an agricultural officer(AO). You can also work in private companies which come under fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, agricultural research, plant genetics, agricultural machine manufacturing companies, etc.

After your graduation, you can also pursue postgraduation in the agriculture field. I would prefer it mainly to be in the teaching, research, and technical field. You can also work in plantations as the plantation manager in the private sector.

Salary in plantations differs from crop to crop. There are many plantations like tea plantations, coffee plantations, rubber plantations, etc. The majority of tea, coffee, and rubber plantations are located in Kerala. Here I had tried my best to give information regarding the scope of BSc agriculture in India.

Here I will give you a brief idea about the syllabus of BSc Agriculture. There are few departments which I had listed below and there are subjects or chapters under that you have to learn.

Basic Sciences

In this, you have to learn subjects like Environmental sciences, Analytic Chemistry, Information Technology Fundamentals, Mathematics, and Plant Biochemistry.

Agronomy

Basics and principles of agronomy, agronomy of field crops, production of crops, agricultural heritage, agricultural meteorology, soil science, etc.

Agricultural Economics

Basics of Agricultural Economics, Basics of Agricultural Business Management, Financing of agriculture.

Agricultural Extention

Dimensions and Basics of Agricultural Extension, Rural Sociology, Educational Psychology,  Agricultural Technology, etc.

Agricultural Engineering

Agro-processing, Development of Agriculture Equipment, Soil and Water Engineering, Energy Resource Application, etc.

Agricultural Entomology

Basics of Entomology, Pests, and Insects in Fields and their Management, Pests in Horticulture, etc.

Here I will tell you in the departments in an agriculture course. The major departments are:

• Agronomy: Agronomy is the branch of agricultural sciences which deals with the study of crops and soils in which the plants grow.
• Soil Science: This is the department which deals with the study with nature, formation, ecology, and classification of soil.
• Horticulture: The study of garden cultivation and management.
• Agriculture Botany and Plant Breeding: Plant breeding is the science of changing the characteristics of plants to get the desired variety of plants.
• Entomology: Entomology is the study of insects and their relationship with the environment, humans, and other organisms.
• Plant Pathology: It is the scientific study of diseases in plants caused by pathogens and environmental conditions.
• Plantation Crops.
• Agricultural Extension: It is the application of scientific research and knowledge through farmer education.
• Agricultural Economics: It is the application of economic theory into the production and distribution of food and materials.
• Agricultural Statistics: It is involved in the collection, processing, analysis of statical data that can help in the development of the current agricultural situation.
• Agricultural Engineering: It is a part of engineering which deals with designing, construction, and improvement of the current farming or agricultural equipment.
• Animal Husbandry: It is the branch of agricultural science concerned with the growth of animals raised for meat, milk, eggs, fibers, etc.
• Rural Home Science.
• Physical Education.

Let me make things clear here about the fees for BSc Agri. There are two types of colleges for doing BSc agriculture course, one os ICAR colleges and other is UGC approved colleges.

There is a huge difference in fees in both the colleges. This only matters if you are going to take BSc agriculture admission through management quota.

UGC colleges will charge you an annual fee of Rs.40,000 to Rs.75,000 depending on the colleges. If you want to join any private ICAR colleges in India then you have to pay fees around Rs.50,000 to Rs.1 lakh/year. Apart from tuition fees, you will have to pay development fees more than Rs.5 lakh for ICAR recognized colleges.

Apart from the tuition fee, you will have to pay extra for the hostel, food, library, examination, etc.

You can also read my exclusive post about BSc agriculture fee structure.

As I told you earlier, you can work in both the private and government sectors.

• You can join any public sector bank as an agricultural officer.
• Assistant Agricultural Officer.
• You can also join any fertilizer, pesticide or related firms as production and marketing departments.
• You can also do research after your MSc in Agriculture.
• You can clear the NET exam and join in any agricultural department as a researcher.
• Join as an assistant professor in any agricultural college or university.
• Join in FCI or Food Corporation of India.
• Join as an officer in the quarantine of airports or seaports.
• Indian Agricultural Research Center.
• National Dairy Development Board.
• ICAR.
• State Farm Corporations.
• National Seeds Corporation of India.

Few private companies who recruit agricultural graduates are:

• Mahindra Agri Solutions.
• Cadbury Ltd.
• National Agro Industries.
• Jain Irrigations.
• Rasi Seeds.
• Rallies India Limited.
• Phalada Agro.
• Plantations – Tea, Coffee, Rubber, etc.

The main designations in the private and government sectors are:

• Agricultural Officer.
• Assistant Agricultural Officer.
• Agricultural Loan Officer in Banks.
• Agriculturists.
• Quality Assurance Officer.
• Plantation Manager.
• Research Officer.
• Operations manager.
• Agriculture Technician.
• Business Development Executive.
• Marketing Officer.
• Assistant Professor in colleges or universities.
• Rice Breeder.

You can also contact me via phone or WhatsApp on +81-7907887585 for any kind of urger queries. To know more about my career counseling service you can check my about page.