BSc Agriculture

BSc Agriculture (Bachelor of Science in Agriculture) is a four-year undergraduate programme that focuses on agricultural science research and practice, including disciplines such as Genetics and Plant Breeding, Agricultural Microbiology, Soil Science, Plant Pathology, and others. It is a professional degree in agricultural science recognised by the Government of India and can be received offline, online, or through distance learning. This course prepare students to apply modern agricultural techniques and technologies in the real world. Interested students should have completed Class 12 with a major in Physics, Chemistry, or Biology. Admission is based on merit and direct interview, or BSc Agriculture Entrance Exams such as CUET, ICAR AIEEA, CG PAT, etc. 

BSc Agriculture Syllabus is spread over 8 semesters. BSc Agriculture Subjects include Agronomy, Crop Physiology, Genetics, Plant Biochemistry, Soil Science, Entomology, Horticulture, Agricultural Economics etc. TNAU, Punjab Agriculture University, Dr. DY Patil College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Chandigarh University, are some top BSc Agriculture Colleges, with course fees ranging from INR 25,000 – INR 70,000. After completing Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, students have a wide range of options, including government jobs and the option of pursuing higher education. BSc Agriculture graduates can work as Agriculture Officer, Assistant Plantation Manager, Agricultural Research Scientist, Business Development Executive, Marketing Executive, and others with a starting salary of INR 3,40,000 – INR 5,20,000. 

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 

After earning a BSc in Agriculture, students have a variety of career options. They might take an MSc course or a Masters in Agricultural Sciences course. There is also the readily accessible option of taking an MBA/PGDM course.

• With IBPS, UPSC, FCI, and others, there are also opportunities for government jobs. The student is qualified to take competitive exams for government jobs because they have graduated
• A Masters in Agriculture can also be pursued through a variety of agricultural entrance exams, including ICAR PG, UPCATET, CMAFFU, and others
• Once a year, entrance exams are held by colleges and universities to select prospective students for PG courses
• In India, many colleges offer courses in agriculture. It is governed by ICAR. It includes a list of 65 organisations, 14 national research centres, 6 national bureaus, 13 directorates/project directorates, and 4 deemed universities

The eligibility criteria for BSc Agriculture 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

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 the list of some of the popular entrance exams for BSc Agriculture admission in India. Students can appear in these exams online to get BSc agriculture admission to various colleges around the country. 

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

For various colleges/universities, there are different requirements for BSc Agriculture candidates to sit for the entrance exam. Here is the general format for these tests.

• Exams can be taken in person or online
• Both objective and subjective questions are included
• Some of the physics, chemistry, and math questions on the BSc in Agriculture entrance exams will be followed by questions on numerical aptitude, logical reasoning, verbal ability, reading comprehension, etc. The curriculum is decided by the college
• There is typically a 120 –180 minute time limit

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

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

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

BSc Agriculture Course Comparison

The BSc Agriculture course covers a wide range of topics, such as Agricultural Management and Principles, to name a few. The table below contrasts other courses with the BSc Agriculture course.

BSc Agriculture vs Diploma in Agriculture

The following is a comparison of the BSc Agriculture and the Diploma in Agriculture:

If you’re interested in livestock management, disease control, water/soil conservation, and crop production you can take agriculture and related programs in colleges around the world. Globally, many universities offer BSc Agriculture and related programs at various levels. With the world’s advancement in technology, BSc agriculture abroad has a modernized approach to teaching. A degree in Agriculture will educate students with knowledge that will help them improve, innovate and develop the field.

You can easily study BSc Agriculture abroad because this field is widely used in our society, several universities worldwide offer diverse programmes and degrees in agriculture. By studying BSc agriculture abroad, you will look from a different perspective towards agriculture, particularly if you study in a country that has a well-developed agriculture ecosystem.

The requirements for studying agriculture and related studies may vary depending on your chosen country and university. The most common requirements are your high school diploma and English language proficiency tests results. 

Best Countries to Study BSc Agriculture Abroad

1. United States
2. Australia
3. Canada
4. Singapore
5. Germany
6. Hong Kong
7. Netherlands

From the above list you can surely choose countries like the United States, Australia, and Singapore because they are some of the best countries to consider if you want to study BSc agriculture. These are well-developed countries with established agricultural fields due to which you’ll surely get a strong background in agriculture.

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.