Agriculture
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 has grown tremendously in modern times, with cutting-edge research and constant innovations taking place, and so has its scope. 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 careers that you could venture into in the field of Agriculture, let me introduce some of them to you.
Agricultural Engineering
Most of the farmers still work with outdated techniques and equipment on their farms.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.
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 method and techniques. In companies manufacturing agricultural machinery, you can work 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.
Horticulture
Are you someone who is fond of gardening and dream 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. 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.
Career Opportunities in Horticulture
With a degree in this field, you can explore 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.
Dairy Technology
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.
Career Opportunities in Dairy Technology
After pursuing a B.Tech 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. You could also work to make strategic alliances, partnerships with other businesses and joint ventures in order to expand business. Government research institutes like the IARI, also employ professionals as Dairy Scientists to conduct and advance research and development in this field.
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). Individuals 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.
Career Opportunities in Poultry Farming
After pursuing this field, you can find jobs in 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.
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.
Career Opportunities in Fisheries Science
Graduates in this field can find career opportunities 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.
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.
Career Opportunities in Agronomy
You can become a Plant Scientist or Soil Scientist and work with the research department of 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.
Agricultural Economics
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.
Career Opportunities in Agricultural Economics
Career prospects 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 behaviour, 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.
Agri-Business Management
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.
Career Opportunities in Agri-Business Management
After pursuing this field, 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.
Agricultural Biotechnology
This field involves understanding and applying a combination of scientific techniques like genetic engineering, molecular diagnostics, vaccines and tissue culture to modify plants, animals and micro-organisms. 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.
Career Opportunities in Agricultural 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.
Young aspirants who are keen to pursue a career in Agriculture 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.
Scope
There are abundant opportunities arising day by day for those who have done the various programmes in agriculture. These professionals can hunt for jobs in the Government sector or in privates concerns. Putting together all the activities like scientific knowledge, technique, selling and accounting, the professionals in agriculture could earn much excellent remuneration. They can work as soil testers in construction companies. There are more openings for these passed outs in agri-business, banks, farming, research activities and so on. On getting employed in the agricultural sector, they can expect good scale of pay.
Courses in Agriculture
Diploma in Horticultural Nursery Management
Diploma in Mushroom Technology
Diploma in Biopesticides Technology & Biofertilizer Production
Diploma in Seed Production Technology
Diploma in Agriculture Marketing
B.E. / B Tech in Agricultural Engineering
B.Sc. Agriculture
M.Sc Agriculture
M.Tech. Agriculture (Post Harvest Engineering & Technology)
Postgraduate Programs in Agriculture
Post Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Marketing Management
Post Graduate Diploma in Aquaculture
Post Graduate Diploma in Dairy Technology
Post Graduate Diploma in Plant Protection
Doctorate Programs in Agriculture
Post Doctoral Programs
MBA Agricultural Management
Career Prospects
