Agriculture forms the backbone of the Indian economy. As the agriculture sector is growing in the country the demand for trained professionals in the field is also increasing. So does the demand for Agriculture colleges in India.
Candidates can pursue graduation or post-graduation degree courses within the field of agriculture from various agriculture colleges, after which they will secure jobs in both the govt and personal sectors. A graduate/ post-graduate during this field can get appointed as an Agricultural Research Scientist, Agriculture Officer, Production Manager, Farm Manager, etc. Interested students also can choose jobs within the field of teaching, banking, and insurance.
What is ICAR?
(Indian Council for Agriculture Research)ICAR is an autonomous organization that falls under the ambit of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. The council is liable for the coordination and management of research and education in agriculture colleges within the field of agriculture in India.
ICAR is the regulating body. It has listed 4 deemed universities, 65 agriculture colleges, 14 national research centers, 6 national bureaus, and 13 directorates/project directorates.
Top Colleges for Agriculture in India — ICAR Colleges Ranking
If you’re eying a successful career within the field of agriculture, it’s important that you simply enroll during a reputed university so as to realize maximum benefits within the form of good faculty and campus facilities. Therefore, given below are the top 10 agricultural colleges in India as per the rankings released by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in 2018.
1)
| ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute Karnal | ICAR Deemed Universities | 1 |
2)
| Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana | State Agricultural Universities | 2 |
| Â ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute New Delhi | ICAR Deemed Universities | 3 |
4)
| ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute Izatnagar | ICAR Deemed Universities | 4 |
5)
| G B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology Pantnagar | State Agricultural Universities | 5 |
6)
| Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University Hisar | State Agricultural Universities | 6 |
7)
| Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Ludhiana | State Agricultural Universities | 7 |
8)
| Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Coimbatore | State Agricultural Universities | 8 |
9)
| University of Agricultural Sciences Dharwad Dharwad | State Agricultural Universities | 9 |
10)
| Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University Hyderabad | State Agricultural Universities | 10 |
Agricultural Education Courses in India
Agriculture is one of the highly evolving industries in India. It is an industry that continuously requires highly skilled and proficient individuals.
 With multiple choices in courses in the agricultural field today, students in India have a variety of options to pick from. They can opt for a long-term course, a short-term course, or a distance learning course.
 Also a bit like other courses a student can choose Undergraduate courses, Postgraduate courses, Postgraduate (PG) Diploma courses, Postgraduate (PG) certificate courses, or Ph.D. programs in agriculture colleges.
Below mentioned are lists of Agriculture courses in agriculture colleges in India a student can apply for-
UG Courses in Agriculture 2020
Check out the list of Undergraduate (UG) courses in agriculture colleges:
| Course | Duration |
| B.E. Or B.Tech in Agricultural Engineering | 4 Years |
| B.E. Or B.Tech in Agricultural Information Technology | 4 Years |
| B.E. Or B.Tech in Dairy Technology | 4 Years |
| B.E. Or B.Tech in Agriculture and Dairy Technology | 4 Years |
| B.E. Or B.Tech Agricultural and Food Engineering | 4 Years |
| B.Sc. in Agriculture | 3 Years |
| B.Sc. in Dairy Science | 3 Years |
| B.Sc. in Plant Science | 3 Years |
| B.Sc. in Agricultural Biotechnology | 3 Years |
| B.Sc. in Agriculture and Food Science | 3 Years |
| B.Sc. in Horticulture | 3 Years |
| B.Sc. in Fisheries Science | 3 Years |
| B.Sc. in Plant Pathology | 3 Years |
| B.Sc. in Forestry | 3 Years |
| BBA in Agriculture Management | 4 Years |
Eligibility for UG Courses in Agriculture colleges
Below mentioned is the eligibility for Undergraduate (UG) Courses in Agriculture
Eligibility for B.Tech/B.E. in Agriculture colleges
The minimum eligibility for B.Tech and B.E. in Agriculture is passing class 12 in Biology, Maths, and Chemistry stream.
Eligibility for B.Sc. in Agriculture colleges
The minimum eligibility for B.Sc. in Agriculture is passing class 12 in Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Maths. Also, the minimum age limit to apply for B.Sc. in Agriculture is 18 and there is no upper age limit for the same.
Eligibility for BBA in Agriculture colleges
The basic eligibility for aspiring candidates for BBA in Agriculture is passing class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as the main subjects.
PG Courses in Agriculture Colleges 2020
Check out the complete list of PG courses in the field of Agriculture here:
| Course | Duration |
| M.E. Or M.Tech in Agricultural Engineering | 2 Years |
| M.E. Or M.Tech in Agricultural Information Technology | 2 Years |
| M.E. Or M.Tech in Dairy Technology | 2 Years |
| M.E. Or M.Tech in Agriculture and Dairy Technology | 2 Years |
| M.E. Or M.Tech Agricultural and Food Engineering | 2 Years |
| M.Sc. in Agriculture | 2 Years |
| M.Sc. in Dairy Science | 2 Years |
| M.Sc. in Plant Science | 2 Years |
| M.Sc. in Agricultural Biotechnology | 2 Years |
| M.Sc. in Agriculture and Food Science | 2 Years |
| M.Sc. in Horticulture | 2 Years |
| M.Sc. in Fisheries Science | 2 Years |
| M.Sc. in Plant Pathology | 2 Years |
| M.Sc. in Forestry | 2 Years |
| MBA in Agriculture Management | 2 Years |
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Eligibility for PG Courses in Agriculture colleges
Below mentioned is the eligibility for postgraduate courses in Agriculture colleges.
Eligibility for M.Tech/M.E. in Agriculture colleges.
The basic eligibility is qualifying B.Tech/B.E. in relevant discipline.
Eligibility for M.Sc. in Agriculture colleges.
The minimum eligibility for M.Sc. in Agriculture is a relevant bachelor’s degree.
Eligibility for MBA in Agriculture colleges.
The basic eligibility is a bachelor’s degree in any stream.
PG Diploma Courses in Agriculture Colleges
Students with a valid bachelor’s degree can go for PG Diploma courses in Agriculture as well. Given below is a list of courses they can choose from.
- Â PG Diploma in Agriculture
- Â PG Diploma in Dairy Technology
- Â PG Diploma in Horticulture
- Â PG Diploma in Floriculture
- Â PG Diploma in Food Processing
- Â Advanced Diploma in Plant Biology
- Â Advanced Diploma in Plant Pathology
- Â Advanced Diploma in Fisheries Science
- Â Advanced Diploma in Fertilizer Technology
Eligibility for PG Diploma Courses in Agriculture colleges.
Anyone with a relevant bachelor’s degree is eligible for PG Diploma courses.Â
Certificate Courses in Agriculture Colleges
There are some PG certificate courses in India that can be considered after completing an undergraduate course. Some of them are listed below.
- Â PG Certificate in Horticulture
- Â PG Certificate in Beekeeping
- Â PG Certificate in Floriculture
- Â PG Certificate in Aquaculture
- Â PG Certificate in Fish Farming
- Â PG Certificate in Fruit Production
- Â PG Certificate in Farm Management
- Â PG Certificate in Fertilizer Technology
Eligibility for PG Certificate Courses in Agriculture colleges
The basic eligibility for a PG certificate is a bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
The scope of Agriculture is immense. It involves knowledge of technology, science, and the environment. The courses in India as discussed above are a student’s gateway to a bright future in the agricultural sphere.
PG Certificate Courses in Agriculture Colleges
There are some PG certificate courses in India that can be considered after completing an undergraduate course. Some of them are listed below.
- Â PG Certificate in Horticulture
- Â PG Certificate in Bee Keeping
- Â PG Certificate in Floriculture
- Â PG Certificate in Aquaculture
- Â PG Certificate in Fish Farming
- Â PG Certificate in Fruit Production
- Â PG Certificate in Farm Management
- Â PG Certificate in Fertilizer Technology
Eligibility for PG Certificate Courses in Agriculture colleges
The basic eligibility for a PG certificate is a bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
E-Krishishiksha – Bsc online agriculture study
Under the financial support of NAIP, all the e-Course contents available on this website have been developed by subject matter specialists of the respective disciplines at State Agricultural Universities in India and Deemed Universities of ICAR, New Delhi. The course material is prepared as per ICAR approved syllabus for the benefit of undergraduate students already enrolled in Indian Agricultural Universities.
| SNo | Online e-Courses | To Download Offline e-Courses |
| 1 | B.Sc.(Agriculture) | |
| 2 | B.V.Sc.(Veterinary & AH) | |
| 3 | B.F.Sc.(Fisheries Science) | |
| 4 | B.Tech. (Dairy Technology) | |
| 5 | B.Sc.(Home Science) | |
| 6 | B.Tech.(Agricultural Engineering) | |
| 7 | B. Sc. (Horticulture) |
 The scope of Agriculture is immense. It involves knowledge of technology, science, and the environment. The courses in India as discussed above are a student’s gateway to a bright future in the agricultural sphere.
How can I apply for the entrance exam in agriculture colleges?
Students can’t get direct admission to government universities/ colleges without an entrance exam.
The candidates will have to either appear for the ICAR AIEEA/ state-level exam. … However, the ICAR AIEEA score is valid for only 15% of seats in agriculture universities or participating institutes.
ICAR 2021 Admission Process for agriculture colleges
- Step 1: Fill ICAR AIEEA Application Form. Candidates can submit the AIEEA application form for both UG and PG admissions in agriculture colleges in the online mode only. …
- Step 3: Give AIEEA UG/AIEEA PG Exam for agriculture college. AIEEA entrance exam is of 2½ hours duration. …
- Step 4: Check ICAR AIEEA Result. …
- Step 5: Appear for Counselling.
Best countries to study agriculture
- Â Â The USA.
- Â Â The UK.
- Â Â Canada.
- Â Â Fiji.
- Â Â Australia.
- Â Â Lebanon.
- Â Â Finland.
Is agriculture a good career in India?
According to the OECD Global Report, the country which pays the highest salary in the world is Luxembourg, where a worker gets an average salary of Rs. 40 lacs per year. After this country, the USA is on the second spot which pays Rs. 37.85 lacs per year.
As a student, if your interest lies in the agriculture sector, then you must be curious to know the scope and future of BSc Agriculture Science in India. You can do many things after completing B.Sc. Agriculture in India.Â
Options start with higher studies options of Masters in Agricultural Sciences, Masters in Science, MBA/PGDM, and even get scholarships.
Highest Paying Jobs Agriculture Industry
Professions in agribusiness offer many open doors for graduates studying agriculture. It is an exceptionally adaptable field that gives positions in a broad scope of workplaces. For agriculture alumni who are searching for the best-paying professions in this field, the accompanying career options might be of intrigue. Not exclusively, these responsibilities pay very well; however, as a rule, candidates need just a four-year college education in agriculture to acquire an entry-level position.
Some of the highest paying agriculture jobs are:
1. Biochemist
Average annual salary: INR 390,000
Biochemistry is a part of science that manages the investigation of science and science of living beings to profit humanity. In the field of horticulture, the biochemist attempted to create up the fast developing, high yielding; bug and drought spell safe varieties. Rural ventures employ natural chemists to assess, create and find the market items to improve the creation of agricultural items which enhance the creatures and human wellbeing.
2. Food Scientist
Average annual salary: INR 750,000
If you’ve at any time wondered who’s responsible for making the dietary data imprinted on the rear of your pack of chips, well, you’ve gotten it: it’s nourishment researchers. They didn’t put it there to cause you to feel awful about the amount of calories you only ate; food scientists accumulate this data to ensure security and to decide to what extent prepared things can be protected. They regularly work with different researchers to make sure that the nourishment delivered within the country is safe for utilization. In case you are the sort who must recognize what precisely they’re placing in their bodies, at that time this might appear to be a dream career option for you.
3. Environmental Engineer
Average annual salary: INR 433,270
Deciding to settle on the career option in environmental engineering is another astounding professional decision for agribusiness majors. Environmental engineers have numerous significant responsibilities, including attempting to enhance things like air and water quality, general wellbeing, and waste removal. Contingent upon where ecological specialists plan to work, one may likewise be in charge of performing internal control and investigating industrial facilities. While a four-year certification is usually required for an entry-level position in this field, a graduate degree can widen one’s business openings.
4. Agricultural Lawyer
Average annual salary: INR 395,000
Agricultural lawyers are in charge of moderating disputes ashore while ensuring that each one government guidelines are clung to. Since there are numerous guidelines encompassing property rules, agrarian legal advisors additionally also got to manage issues concerning farming framework, protection, and property. They likewise handle cases that include labor laws, environmental insurance, and appropriate land use.
5. Agricultural Operations Manager
Average annual salary: INR 778,278
Agricultural operations managers are ordinarily accountable for maintaining huge agribusinesses, for example, grain assembling and factories. Aside from guaranteeing that everyday activities run efficiently, they’re additionally entrusted with directing inventory(stock) and driving staff members. Including having some fundamental knowledge of farming, you ought to likewise have great organization and communication abilities to prevail as an agricultural manager.
6. Animal Geneticist
Average annual salary: INR 4,62,383
Animal geneticists are responsible for finding what makes creatures feeble and what keeps them healthy. By contemplating their hereditary cosmetics, animal geneticists can crossbreed various species to form another variety (or half breed) of creatures that are substantially more versatile as they seem to be a mix of the foremost attractive attributes found within the species they were produced using.
7. Agricultural Engineers
Average annual salary: INR 497,492
Another excellent career option for agriculture majors is to acquire a position as an agricultural engineer. Agrarian specialists work for a broad scope of exercises that will incorporate aquaculture, land farming, forestry, preservation improvement, ecological planning, and biofuel advancement. People who pick this career must have a four-year college education in agriculture. These positions are as of now in moderate interest, as indicated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
8. Agronomy Sales Manager
Average annual salary: INR 446,238
One of the fundamental drivers of the farming business in agronomy sales. These experts are responsible for preparing the team which will attend better places to instruct farmers on the simplest thanks to believing their land and harvests appropriately. Simultaneously, they additionally promote and sell their items which are regular seeds, soil, and manures. If you’re keen on farming and you’re honored with the endowment of selling abilities, at that time, this is often an honest career choice for you.
9. Bioinformatics Scientist
Average annual salary: INR 800,000
Plant and creature life is generally diverse, which is the reason for assembling and refreshing data on every one of them is amazingly troublesome – and that is where bioinformatics scientists come in. With the assistance of innovation and software engineering, bioinformatics researchers can build up a progressively powerful method for understanding biodiversity. Through computerized data mining and integration, different scientists can process the information a lot snappier and more straightforward; this is particularly helpful in the field of plant or crop hereditary qualities which is crucial to the agricultural industry.
10. Agricultural Economist
Average annual salary: INR 828,744
To fill within the position of an agricultural economist, you ought to be found out to wear various caps. In addition to the very fact that they work as scientists and market examiners, on the opposite hand, they’re business guides, advisors, and land appraisers. They manage everything without exception that has got to do with the agrarian market, from creating estimates and inspiring their clients to make a decision about the value of land and foreseeing which harvests to develop. Because of the dimensions of their work, it’s no big surprise why they’re paid boatloads of cash. If you have astounding multitasking skills, this is the best career option you should choose.
To apply for the jobs mentioned above roles, a candidate should have a 3-4 year college education in agriculture colleges to acquire an entry-level position as professions in agribusiness are now offering many open positions for graduates studying agriculture.
Some students of agricultural sciences prefer to become entrepreneurs. They embark upon the journey with a vision to supply unique solutions to the agricultural problems within the world.
In conclusion, there’s abundant scope abound for candidates after BSc from agriculture college. The purpose of education is to empower individuals that ultimately leads to the collective betterment of society as a whole. Agriculture is one of the basic fields on which humanity survives, it is needed that bright young minds shed their inhibitions, critically analyze their options, and join this field.
Note: The average annual salary data taken from various sources like Payscale India, Salary Expert, etc.
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