India has always been an agrarian economy. That is why its primary focus has always been agriculture. Be it allocation of budget or counting immense contribution in GDP rise, scope of Agriculture in India have always remained undaunted. Plowing fields, planting seeds, harvesting crops, and feeding livestock- Sums up Agriculture, right?
Despite such beliefs to the contrary, Agriculture as a field is not just about the traditional roles related to farming and crops. What we fail to realize is that Agriculture jobs in India are on a tremendous rise in modern times, with cutting-edge research and constant innovations taking place, and so is the scope of agriculture as a whole. The focus has now shifted from traditional roles to various other dimensions like Horticulture, Poultry Farming, Pisciculture, Dairy Farming, Agricultural Biotechnology, etc. Agriculture is also being commercialized as proper attention is being paid to the marketing, distribution, and packaging of its output.
Now, if you are curious to explore the career in agriculture that you could take up in future, let me introduce some of them to you.
1. Agricultural Engineering
If you are someone who is keen into in-depth study of agriculture, there is a lot of scope after BSc Agriculture. Most of the farmers in India still work with outdated techniques and equipment on their farms. To cater to this problem, Agricultural Engineering helps in designing, building and bettering farming equipment, machinery & manufacturing processes to increase the efficiency of farming activities. The focus is on 5 main areas i.e. farm equipment, rural structures, soil conservation, drainage & irrigation and rural electricity. Agricultural Engineers also visit work sites to ensure that their equipment and processes are working properly.
Top Institutes for Agricultural Engineering
Some of the top institutes that provide undergraduate courses and help enhance scope of agriculture are:
- Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
- Anand Agricultural University, Gujarat
- Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Chhattisgarh
- Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Pune
- Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad
- College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Punjab
- Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda
- Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Haryana
- BCKV Nadia – Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, West Bengal
- GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Uttarakhand
- Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Maharashtra
Career Opportunities in Agricultural Engineering
As an Agricultural Engineer, you can provide consultancy services to various private and government organizations on machinery to be purchased, structuring of farms, and suggest alternatives to traditional methods and techniques. In companies manufacturing agricultural machinery, you can get the most sophisticated agriculture related jobs which includes working under various departments like Design, Research and Development, Maintenance, etc. As a Rural Practice Surveyor, you can also provide strategic and practical knowledge to farmers or other clients regarding rural land and property. Another exciting area where you could work is developing new techniques for bioenergy production like biofuel from agricultural waste or algae and soil conservation.
Read More: Agricultural Engineering as a Career in India
2. Horticulture
Are you someone who is fond of gardening and dreams of making your own garden with all the exotic plants, flowers, vines and trees? If yes, Horticulture is a field that can help you achieve that dream. Horticulture is the science of growing and cultivating fruits, vegetables, herbs, ornamental trees, and decorative flowers. Horticulturists aim at improving the quality, growth, nutritional value and yield of their produce. Being very close to nature, they have a solemn take on agriculture and agriculture related jobs. Not just this, they also work to maintain nurseries, greenhouses, orchards, and plantations, etc. Due to the rise in the demand for organic food, this sector is quickly picking up.
Top Institutes for Horticulture
Some of the top institutes providing a degree or diploma in Horticulture are:
-
- Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
- Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
- Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar
- Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Pune
- Banaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh
- Aligarh Muslim University, Uttar Pradesh
- University of Calcutta, West Bengal
- Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Uttar Pradesh
- Osmania University, Telangana
Career Opportunities in Horticulture
If you have been wondering what to do after BSc Agriculture, a degree in horticulture can open avenues for careers like becoming a Floriculturist (cultivating flowers), Olericulturist (cultivating vegetables), Landscaping (designing & maintaining commercial or residential gardens and parks), Viticulturist (cultivating grapes), Pomologist (cultivating fruits), etc. You can also get into the research field as a Horticulture Scientist and contribute to the development of new and better methods of cultivation. You can also start your own horticulture business or nursery and grow flowers, fruits, vegetables, etc. for commercial purposes.
Read More: Horticulture as a Career in India
3. Dairy Technology
Although not directly falling under purview and scope of agriculture, Dairy Technology is a field mainly concerned with the production and processing of milk. Professionals in this field manage the production of milk, including its collection and storage, and oversee its processing to make the milk fit for consumption. They also focus on activities like the packaging, storage and distribution of milk and its by-products, and ensure that nutritional and quality standards are met.
Top Institutes for Dairy Technology
Some of the top colleges providing a degree or diploma in Dairy Technology are:
- National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal
- Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha
- AD Patel Institute of Technology, Gujarat
- Verghese Kurien Institute of Dairy and Food Technology. Kerala
- Chhattisgarh Kamdhenu University, Raipur
- Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Dairy Science and Technology, Patna
- Sri Venkateshwara Veterinary University, Tirupati
- Karnataka Veterinary Animal & Fisheries Science University, Bidar
Career Opportunities in Dairy Technology
After securing a degree or diploma in Dairy Technology you can work with dairy companies like Amul, Verka, Paras, etc. as a Dairy Supervisor and be in charge of dairy production and supervising the daily operations. Under the exhaustive list of careers in agriculture, Dairy Technology is quite a sought option by agriculture aspirants. Government research institutes like the IARI, also employ professionals as Dairy Scientists to conduct and advance research and development in this field.
Read More: Dairy Technology as a Career in India
Recommended Read: 14 In-Demand Career Options for PCB Students After Class 12th
4. Poultry Farming
It involves raising domestic birds like chickens and ducks for procuring their meat and eggs. Majority of the poultry farms are involved in raising chickens due to their wide consumption both for eggs (Layer chickens) and meat (Broiler chickens). A large chunk of the Indian population depends on livestock for feeding themselves. Thus, this sector further enhances the scope of agriculture. Professionals in this field have to manage a range of diverse activities like shed management, feed supply, nutritional standards of the produce, transportation of the products, etc.
Top Institutes for Poultry Farming
Some of the top colleges offering a degree or diploma in Poultry Farming are:
- Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar
- Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner
- Sri Venkateshwara Veterinary University, Tirupati
- Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh
- Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi
- College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Bikaner
- DUVASU, Uttar Pradesh
- Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Tamil Nadu
- Apex Institute of Veterinary Livestock Development, Rajasthan
- Assam Agricultural University, Assam
- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Uttar Pradesh
Career Opportunities in Poultry Farming
After pursuing this field, You have a preference of securing either an agriculture govt job or a private job in animal husbandry, depending upon your area of interest. You can find jobs in main sectors operating on hatcheries, pharmaceutical companies, feed millers, veterinary hospitals, feed analysis laboratories as a Poultry Farm Manager, Breeder, Hatchery Assistant, Production Technologist, Feeding Technologist, Poultry House Designer, Processing Technologist, etc.
5. Fisheries Science
This area of study deals with understanding the principles of cultivation and harvesting of fish on a commercial basis in freshwater, brackish (saline) water, or any marine environment. It also focuses on studying the life, habits, and breeding of various species of fish. Study in this field helps students to learn all new methods of rearing fish through non-natural means and also how they can be conserved and transported safely. If you have been wondering about the scope of bsc agriculture, Fisheries Science is one big untapped area which can be explored by aspirants of agricultural engineering.
Top Institutes for Fisheries Science
Some of the institutes that provide Diploma or a Degree in Fisheries Science are:
- Karnataka Veterinary Animal & Fisheries Science University, Bidar
- Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Kochi
- Maharashtra Animal & Fisheries University, Nagpur
- Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Nagapattinam
- West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata
- College of Fisheries, Tripura
- Faculty of Fisheries, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir
- Dr MGR Fisheries College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu
- Doon PG College of Agricultural and Allied Sciences, Uttarakhand
- College of Fisheries Science, Gujarat
Career Opportunities in Fisheries Science
Graduates in this field can find agriculture govt jobs with various employers including state and central government departments, academic institutions, and fish farms. Government agencies and industry organizations recruit for positions like Aquaculture Farmer, Shellfish Culturist, Hatchery Technician, Biological Science Technician, Fish Research Assistant, etc.
Read More: Fishery Science as a Career in India
6. Agronomy
It is the branch of agricultural science that deals with the study of crops and the soil in which they grow. Agronomists develop methods that help to improve the use of soil and increase the production of crops. They conduct research in various areas like restoration of soil fertility, preparation of good seedbeds, correct dates of sowing, proper methods of conservation, management of soil moisture and proper methods to control weeds and insects. A lot many people searching for agriculture jobs in India prefer Agronomy as the more lucrative job than the rest.
Top Institutes for Agronomy
Some of the top institutes providing Diploma, Degree or Doctorate in Agronomy are:
- Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Pune
- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
- Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu
- Birsa Agricultural University, Jharkhand
- Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology
- Assam Agricultural University
- Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
- Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad
- Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Career Opportunities in Agronomy
If a career in agriculture interests you, you can opt to become a Plant Scientist or Soil Scientist and work with the research department of the Ministry of Agriculture or Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) to test the fertility of the soil and conditions suitable for plantation. In the production and consulting sector, you would have to provide advice on the purchase and sale of crops and the trading of agricultural goods, etc. The work roles also range from District Sales Manager for seed companies, Crop Consultants for agro-based companies, as well as fertilizer and chemical salespersons.
Read More: Agronomy as a Career in India
7. Agricultural Economics
Amongst the exhaustive list of careers in agriculture, Agricultural Economist is probably the most analytical and demanding profession. It involves the application of the principles of Economics to the agricultural industry. Professionals in this field are engaged in predicting market trends, monitoring trade (import and export) patterns, consumer preferences and production methods for agricultural goods. They also analyze the demand and supply of various agro products and help in determining their price. You can choose your own area of expertise in this field, like crop and livestock sciences, policy analysis, credit analysis, international trade, agribusiness, etc.
Top Institutes for Agricultural Economics
Some of the top institutes providing diploma or degree in Agricultural Economics are:
- Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur
- Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Odisha
- Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur
- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
- Punjab Agricultural University, College of Agriculture Engineering & Technology, Punjab
Career Opportunities in Agricultural Economics
Agriculture jobs in India for Agricultural Economists range from working in agricultural banks as Credit Analysts or Agricultural Loan Officers in approving loans to farmers. You could also work as a writer for magazines, trade journals or newspapers, and publish articles relating to agricultural research, how the agricultural market works, trends in demand and supply of various agricultural goods, their price behavior, etc. You can also pursue your PhD and become a lecturer in this field. Apart from this, Agricultural Economists also work with the government to collect and analyze agricultural data and statistics to identify trends and make predictions for the agricultural market.
8. Agri-Business Management
There is a lot of scope after BSc agriculture and agri-business management is one of the top-shot fields which interests management aspirants. This field essentially involves the management of all the business aspects related to agriculture. It includes handling activities relating to the manufacture and distribution of farm equipment and supplies; processing, storage & promotion of food, fibre and related agricultural products, etc. Professionals in this field are required to build a link between the farm and non-farm sectors for smooth movement of supplies.
Top Institutes for Agri-Business Management
Some of the top colleges for pursuing Diploma or Degree in Agri-Business Management are:
- IIM Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- IIM Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi
- Manage Hyderabad, Telangana
- Agricultural College & Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
- BHU Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Maharashtra
- Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj College of Agri-Business Management, Maharashtra
- Aligarh Muslim University, Uttar Pradesh
- Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Agricultural Business Management, Pune
Career Opportunities in Agri-Business Management
After choosing agri-business management as a career in agriculture , you could explore careers in agribusiness firms, agricultural marketing agencies, food processing companies and retail industries. You could work as an Agribusiness Marketing Coordinator and be responsible for handling the marketing and sales of agro-products. You could also be a Quality Controller to ensure that the quality of the products purchased and produced is according to standards. Business Planning Manager, Business Development Executive, and Agricultural Analyst are also some of the job roles in this field.
9. Agricultural Biotechnology
Amongst all agriculture jobs in India, this field alone involves deeper and organic understanding and applying a combination of scientific techniques like genetic engineering, molecular diagnostics, vaccines and tissue culture to modify plants, animals and microorganisms. It allows breeders to make improvements to crops and livestock by identifying and modifying certain genes. It is also used for increasing milk production, preventing and treating animal diseases, and developing better ways of processing food.
Top Institutes for Agricultural Biotechnology
Some of the top institutes for pursuing a degree or diploma in Agricultural Biotechnology are:
- Indian Institute of Biotechnology, Jharkhand
- University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
- Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Maharashtra
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Bihar
- Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology, and Sciences, Uttar Pradesh
- Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Uttar Pradesh
- Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Maharashtra
- Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
Career Opportunities in Agricultural Biotechnology
If you are looking for a good scope after BSc Agriculture and are keen in a deeper understanding of biotechnology, this field can provide you with career opportunities in pharmaceutical or chemical companies and agro-based manufacturing companies. The main profile could be as a Product Development Scientist, who is engaged in supervising and controlling the activities relating to manufacturing products like seeds, pesticides, insecticides etc. You can also work in the research and development department of such companies or institutes like IARI and contribute in coming up with new processes for improving existing agro products or developing new and better quality goods.
Read More: Agricultural Biotechnology as a Career in India
Young aspirants who are keen to pursue a career in Agriculture and are looking for agriculture jobs in India should consider these options as these are some upcoming fields and would have a lot of scope in future given the fact that India’s economy is still primarily dominated by the agriculture sector.
So which of these fields excites you the most? Share with us in the comments!