Nurture the passion to grow

Parveen Jain

Agriculture being a key sector of the Indian economy not only boosts the GDP and export earnings, but also provides employment to more than half of the workforce of the country. A good crop always boosts planned economic development of the country by creating a better business climate for the transport system, manufacturing, industries, internal trade etc. Agricultural science is a broad multi-disciplinary field of biology that encompasses parts of natural sciences, economics and social sciences that are used in the practice and understanding of agriculture.

Admission pattern depends on the type of institute you are applying for. Class XII score and performance in the entrance exam are some of the criteria for admission for this course. KEAM, EAMCET are a few entrance exams conducted for admission to the BSc course.

Agricultural universities are the main institutions offering this course. However, there are certain private universities and colleges that are offering this course. There are 42 State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), one Central Agricultural University (CAU), five Deemed Universities (DUs) and general general Central Universities with agriculture faculty in India. These institutions provide admission at UG level in 11 disciplines.

There are multiple fields which a student can choose according to his interest and aptitude. Some of these include:   

Agricultural engineering

Agricultural engineering uses scientific principles and technology to solve problems related to sustainable agricultural production. Agricultural engineers perform tasks such as planning, supervising and managing the building of dairy effluent schemes, irrigation, drainage, flood and water control systems, perform environmental impact assessments and interpret research results and implement relevant practices.

Food Processing

Food processing industry is of great significance for India's development as it links two pillars of economy i.e. industry and agriculture. According to a study by McKinsey and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the turnover of the total Indian food market is about Rs 250,000 crore. The major thrust areas include: Canning, Dairy and Food Processing, Specialty Processing, Packaging, Frozen Food/Refrigeration and Thermo Processing, Fruits & Vegetables, Fisheries, Milk & Milk Products, Meat & Poultry, Alcoholic Beverages & Soft Drinks and Grains and Health food.

Horticulture

It is the field that involves cultivation of plants, vegetables, flowers, fruits, herbs, shrubs, bushes, ornamental trees and landscaping for gardens, maintaining nurseries, green houses, gardens, orchards and plantations but also includes floriculture or cultivation of flowers.

Forestry

With ever-growing importance with regards to issues like global warming, deforestation, global climatic change, water scarcity and natural disasters, etc, forestry has emerged as an important discipline of study.  A course in this field involves the study of geology, horticulture, forest economics, forest engineering, tree physiology, forest laws and policies, forest menstruations etc.

Aquaculture

With approximately three-quarters of the Earth's surface covered with water, aqua science has emerged as an important subject. Broadly speaking aqua science is the multi-disciplinary study of Earth's interrelated processes (atmosphere, oceans, and land surface) and their relationship to different changes in the Earth system.

Dairy Farming

For over many decades, dairy farming has been an active source of employment to millions of Indians. Of late, this sector has shown significant development and now has helped India become the second biggest producer of milk and value-added milk products in the world. In India, the dairy sector has been mainly developed through co-operatives in many parts of the Indian states.

Plant Pathology

Plant pathology is a branch of agricultural science that deals with the study of fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes and other microbes that cause diseases of plants. The branch focuses on understanding how hosts, pathogens and environments interact to cause plant diseases and on understanding how to control plant diseases. A plant pathologist is a person who specialises in plant health much similar to a physician who specialises in human health or a veterinarian in animal health.

Environmental Engineering

Environmental engineering is a budding branch of study in engineering that makes use of the tools and techniques of science and engineering disciplines to improve the environment (air, water, and/or land resources), check pollution and to provide healthy water, air, and land for human habitation and for other organisms.

Poultry Farming

Poultry farming is the commercial raising of chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese for their meat and eggs. In India, poultry farming has emerged as a highly structured and market -oriented business. 

Dairy Technology & Management

Dairy management is a diversified field consisting of many tasks, tools and principles from the discipline of management sciences. It draws help from these disciplines to better manage the whole process of dairy farming. India is the second largest milk producer in the world and the white revolution has established dairy industry as an important pillar of the Indian economy.

Sericulture

Sericulture is the craft and technology of breading silk worms for the production of raw silk yarn. It includes all activities related to their breeding such as mulberry cultivation and post-cocoon technology. This art requires technical expertise to breed silkworms.

Apiculture

It is the management and study of honeybees. Honey bees are natural source of a precious product — honey, as a nutritious item for human consumption since ancient times and is used in many ayurvedic medicines as a drug vehicle.

—  The writer is HoD, University Institute of Agriculture Sciences, Chandigarh University, Gharuan

---

BSc Agriculture

One of the most common courses in this field is BSc agriculture. This course includes a variety of subjects related to agriculture process. The different subjects that students are acquainted with include plant biochemistry, agronomy, water management, soil science, land surveying, control of pests and crop patterns etc. Students looking for BSc courses can choose from the following: Agriculture and Food Business (4-year); Crop Physiology (3-year); Horticulture;  Genetic Plant Breeding; Fisheries; Soil and Water Management.

---

Agriculture Economics and Farm Management

This is a four-year UG course. Agriculture economics is an inter-disciplinary field that combines the micro as well as macroeconomic principles towards solving agriculture problems. The minimum eligibility for the course is Class XII (science stream). 

---

BSc Animal Husbandry

BSc in Animal Husbandry is among popular courses in this field. This field is basically concerned with breeding, feeding and nurturing domestic animals, especially farm animals like pigs, sheep, cattle, horses, etc.  It is a four-year full-time course that covers areas like animal breeding, physiology, nutrition, livestock production etc. It is being offered by many well known colleges in India. It is one of the most popular courses in the agriculture/farming sector.  

---

Scope 

Agriculture and Food Processing are among the sectors in which the government has allowed 100 per cent FDI. As a result international food chains and food processing companies are now investing heavily in India. More than 42 mega food parks are currently being developed in which Indian and international food processing companies are setting-up their plants. Out of these as many as nine food parks are already operational. The other allied industry that is all set to grow is the agriculture tools and fertiliser industry, which will offer direct employment to agriculture science graduates and post-graduates. It is expected that by 2025 there will be demand of 2.1 million agriculture science professionals in different areas of the sector. 

---

Diploma Courses in Agriculture and Allied Practices

• Diploma in Agriculture
• Diploma in Food Processing
• Post Graduate Diploma in Fishery Science
• Post Graduate Diploma Pulp & Paper Technology
• Postgraduate Diploma in Regulations in Agricultural Biotechnology
• Certificate Courses in Agriculture and Allied Practices
• Agriculture and Allied Practices
• Certificate course in Bio-fertilizer Production
• Certificate course in Food & Beverage Service
• Certificate Course in Food Production
• Certificate Course In Mushroom Spawn Production and Cultivation
• Certificate course in Seed Technology
• Certificate in Agriculture Science
• Certificate in Food Safety (CFS)
• Certification Course in Fruit and Vegetable Processing Technology
• Dairy Technology and Management
• Diploma in Fishery Management cum Fish Breeding
• Diploma In Production Of Value Added Products From Cereals, Pulses And Oilseeds (DPVCPO)
• Forestry and Wild Life
• Horticulture
• Plant Pathology
• Poultry and Dairy Farming

---

Region’s best

Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Agriculture & Forestry, Solan 

Estd.: 1985 

http://www.yspuniversity.ac.in/ 

Himachal Pradesh Krishi 

Vishwavidyalaya, Palampur

Estd.: 1978

www.hillagric.ac.in/ 

Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana

Estd.: 1962

http://web.pau.edu/ 

Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 

Estd.: 1970

hau.ac.in

NDRI, Karnal

Estd: 1955 (shifted to Karnal)

http://www.ndri.res.in

Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University

Estd.: 2005

www.gadvasu.in/

Amritsar College of Engineering and Technology, Amritsar

Estd.: 2002

 http://www.acetamritsar.ac.in/

Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar

Estd.: 1982

http://www.skuastkashmir.ac.in/

G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar

Estd.: 1960

http://www.gbpuat.ac.in

Chandigarh University, Gharaun

Estd.: 2012

http://www.cuchd.in/agricultural-science/

Chitkara University, Banur

Estd.: 2010

https://www.chitkara.edu.in

Baba Farid College, Bathinda

Estd.: 2005

http://www.bfcbti.com

DAV University , Jalandhar

Estd.: 2013

https://www.davuniversity.org/

Govt. Mohindra College

Estd.: 1875

http://govtmohindracollege.in/

---

Agriculture as a career  — what’s in it for you

• Agricultural technology is more diverse now than ever before and is advancing fast. Therefore with more focus on agriculture, the government is creating new jobs in allied sectors as well. Basic knowledge and skill set of farming, quality assurance about seeds, agronomical package and crop growth practices, field lay-out, sowing pattern and crop protection knowledge, amalgamation of hard & smart working style and communication skills can open avenues in various sectors. 
• Agriculture graduates can be appointed as Research Officer, Quality Assurance Officer, Agriculture Scientists, Agribusiness Consultant, Agriculture Economist, Agribusiness Specialist, Agricultural Appraiser, Agriculture Officer, Agriculture Loan Officer (in Banks), Production Manager, Seed Certification Manager, Operations Manager, Farm Manager and Executive Officers with State agriculture departments such as IFFCO. 
• In the private sector, agri science graduates may find jobs as  plantation managers, officers at fertiliser manufacturing firms, agri machinery industries, agri products marketing firms, food processing units, breeders in various agri-input industries, contract farming, organic farming, tissue culture and floriculture etc. 
• Start-ups with niche technology and new business models are working to solve problems in Indian agriculture and its marketing. Opting for own start-up can get good money. One can create self-help group (co-operatives) for empowerment. Additionally, cold storage, hygienic food packaging and efficient modern retail to reduce waste can improve output and rural incomes.