BSC Agriculture

About B.Sc – Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture is one of the most popular specialisations of B.Sc. since India has been largely dependent on agriculture for its economy in the past. It is a 4-years programme and offers varied subjects related to different types of agricultural practices and their benefits. Students who seek careers in agriculture practices, agribusiness and agricultural research will find this course very beneficial. The programme comprises various subjects related to different types of farming practices in order to increase productivity and reduce soil erosion and soil pollution. B.Sc. in Agriculture enables the graduates to work in different departments of agriculture ranging from technical aspects to business prospects and from production to sales.

B.Sc Agriculture Course Highlights

Name of the Course          Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) Agriculture
Duration of the Course      03 Years
Eligibility Criteria               Science background students who have completed their 10+2 studies 
                                          from a recognised Board with at least 50% marks are eligible. 
                                          Students should have studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology 
                                          mandatorily at the qualifying exam level

Entrance Exams               BCECE
                                         PAU CET
                                         AP EAMCET
                                         MP PAT
                                         ICAR AIEEA
Admission Process          Both entrance test based and merit-based admission process
Average Course Fee        INR 2 Lakh to INR 3 Lakh
Average Beginning SalaryINR 3 LPA to INR 6 LPA
Usual Job Profiles             Agriculturist
                                          Agriculture Technician
                                          Agriculture Development Officer
                                          Agricultural Research Scientist
                                          Assistant Plantation Manager

B.Sc – Agriculture Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for B.Sc agriculture admission in Indian institutes/universities are mentioned below in pointers – 

• Applicants should have completed their class XIIth studies from a recognised Board
• Applicants should have compulsorily studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology at the qualifying exam level
• Applicants should have at least cleared their respective qualifying exams with 50% aggregate minimum
• Applicants who have studied Mathematics at the qualifying level can also apply provided they have also studied Biology along with the other science stream subjects
• Applicants should not be less than 18 years of age to be eligible for B.Sc agriculture admission

B.Sc Agriculture Admission Process

There are two ways of getting admission into the B.Sc agriculture programme offered by various colleges/universities – 

• Direct Admission – Aspirants should apply for admission via the application form released by the college/university before the last date and admission is done on the basis of the qualifying exam scores obtained by the eligible candidates.
• Entrance Based Admission – Aspirants have to apply for the entrance exams conducted for B.Sc agriculture admission by various reputed agriculture colleges/universities. After the entrance exam is conducted, some colleges/universities conduct an additional counselling round or personal interview round before the final allocation of seats.

B.Sc – Agriculture Syllabus

First Year:

1. Comprehension and Communication Skills in English
2. Production Economics and Farm Management
3. Introduction to Computer Applications
4. Fundamentals of Agribusiness Management
5. Rural Sociology and Constitution of India
6. Principles of Agricultural Economics
7. Plant Biochemistry
8. Agricultural Marketing, Trade and Prices
9. Educational Psychology 
10. Agricultural Finance and Co-operation

Second Year:

1. Principles of Soil and Water Engineering
2. Economic Entomology
3. Energy Sources and their Application in Agriculture
4. Crop Rest and their Management
5. Farm Power and Machinery
6. Sericulture
7. Protected Cultivation Structures and Agro-Processing
8. General Entomology 

Third Year:

1. Dimensions of Agricultural Extension
2. Agricultural Microbiology
3. Entrepreneurship Development and Communication Skills
4. Soil Microbiology
5. Extension Methodologies for Transfer of Agricultural Technologies

Fourth Year:

1. Fundamentals of Statistics
2. Weed Management
3. Field Crops – 1 (Kharif)
4. Irrigation Water Management
5. Introductory Agriculture, Principles of Argonomy and Agricultural Meteorology
6. Practical Crop Production – 1
7. Practical Crop Production – 2
8. Rain-fed Agriculture and Watershed Management
9. Field Crops – 2 (Rabi)
10. Farming System, Organic farming and Sustainable Agriculture
11. Experimental Techniques in Agricultural Research

B.Sc – Agriculture Career Options and Job Prospects

India is an agriculture-based economy and offers various opportunities to B.Sc Agriculture graduates. There are various private sector as well as government sector jobs available for graduates. With organisations like NABARD and ministry of agriculture, there is a lot of scope for lucrative jobs in the field of agricultural science. Skilled individuals are required by private firms that produce agricultural products in order to enhance their production techniques as well as business. With the requirement to come up with sustainable methods of agriculture, there is also a lot of scope for research after pursuing B.Sc. in agriculture. Following are some of the profiles that candidates can pursue after completing this course:

• Agriculture Officer
• Agricultural Research Scientist
• Marketing Executive
• Assistant Plantation Manager
• Agriculture Development Officers
• Agriculturists
• Agriculture Technician
• Business Development Executive
• Rice Breeder
• Junior Agriculture Specialist
• Seed Technologist
• Junior Associate – Research

Salary of a fresh graduate in this field can vary from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 4.5 lakhs depending on the organisation that the individual plans to join. It has been observed that the Government of India pays better salary packages to candidates who have pursued B.Sc. in agriculture as compared to the private firms i.e. Rs. 3.5 lakh to Rs. 4.5 lakh. However, in order to get employment in the government departments, one has to clear the government entrance exams. To enhance the salary scope after pursuing B.Sc. in Agriculture, candidates can pursue MBA in Agribusiness management as this field has a lot of scope in India. Salaries after MBA can vary from Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 15 lakh.

Degree                                Bachelors
Full Form                             Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
Duration                               Course Duration of Bachelor of Science [B.Sc] (Agriculture) is 4 Years.
Age                                      The maximum age limit is 22
Minimum Percentage           50% – 60% in 10+2 from recognised board
Subjects Required               Physics, Chemistry and Biology
Average Fees Incurred        The average B.Sc course fee ranges from INR 52,000 – 1 lakh per annum
Similar Options of Study      B.Sc (Sericulture)
Average Salary Offered       The average B.Sc Agriculture salary is INR 6.74 lakhs per annum
Employment Roles              Scientist, Asst. Scientific Officer, Business Development Executive,
                                            Senior Product Manager, Executive Assistant, Area Sales Manager,Manager,
                                            Business Operations Manager etc.
Placement Opportunities     Rallis India Ltd, Syngenta, Institute of Banking Personnel Selection
                                            Ministry of New and Renewable Energy [MNRE] New Delhi,Deendayal Research

                                            Institute,NABARD,HPCL Biofuel Limited,NHRDF etc.

                                           

Aditya Education trust’s Aditya College of Agriculture,

Telgaon Road, Beed-431 122. (Affiliated to VNMKV, BSc (Agriculture) Seats-180)Private Colleges for BSc Agriculture affiliated to State Agriculture Universities (ICAR)

• Chhatrapati Shivaji College of Agriculture, Kirlos, Sindhudurg Navnagar Vikas Pradhikaran, Sindhudurgnagari, Oros, Tal. Kudal Dist.Sindhudurg 416 812 (Affiliated to Dr.BSKKV, BSc (Agriculture) Seats-90)
• College of Agriculture, Achloli, Tal. Mahad Dist.Raigad (Affiliated to Dr.BSKKV, BSc (Agriculture) Seats-60)
• College of Agriculture, Akluj Tal.Malshiras, Dist.Solapur-413101 (MPKV)120
• College of Agriculture, Alani (Gadpati) Tal. Dist. Osmanabad (Affiliated to VNMKV, BSc (Agriculture) Seats-60)
• College of Agriculture, Amkheda Tal. Malegaon Dist.Washim (Affiliated to Dr.PDKV, BSc (Agriculture) Seats-60)
• College of Agriculture, At Post. Darwha, Dist.Yavatma 445 202. (Affiliated to Dr.PDKV, BSc (Agriculture) Seats-120)
• College of Agriculture, Babhulgaon, Tal. Yevla, Dist.Nashik (Affiliated to MPKV, BSc (Agriculture) Seats-60)
• College of Agriculture, Bhanashiwra, Tal. Newasa Dist. Ahmednagar (Affiliated to MPKV, BSc (Agriculture) Seats-60)
• College of Agriculture, Dondaicha, Tal. Sindkhed, Dist. Dhule 425 408 (Affiliated to MPKV, BSc (Agriculture) Seats-120)
• College of Agriculture, Ghargaon, Tal.Shrigonda Dist.Ahmednagar (Affiliated to MPKV, BSc (Agriculture) Seats-60)
• College of Agriculture, Jalod Road, Near Railway Crossing, Amalner, Dist.Jalgaon 425 401. (Affiliated to MPKV, BSc (Agriculture) Seats-60)
• College of Agriculture, Khandala, Tal. Vaijapur, Dist. Aurangabad 423 703 (Affiliated to VNMKV, BSc (Agriculture) Seats-120)
• College of Agriculture, Konghara, Post. Pimpri, Tal. Kelapur Dist. Yavatmal (Affiliated to Dr.PDKV, BSc (Agriculture) Seats-60)
• College of Agriculture, Mahajan Complex, Nanded Naka, Nanded Road, At.post &Tal.Udgir, Dist.Latur- 413517 (Affiliated to VNMKV, BSc (Agriculture) Seats-120)
• College of Agriculture, Naigaon Bazar Tal.Naigaon Dist.Nanded 431 709 (Affiliated to VNMKV, BSc (Agriculture) Seats-120)
• College of Agriculture, Pathri, Dist.Parbhni 431 503 (Affiliated to VNMKV, BSc (Agriculture) Seats-120)
• College of Agriculture, Rangnath Maharaj Vishranti Math, Nava, Tal. Dist. Jalna (Affiliated to VNMKV, BSc (Agriculture) Seats-60)
• College of Agriculture, Risod, Dist. Washim 11271 (Affiliated to Dr.PDKV, BSc (Agriculture) Seats-120)
• College of Agriculture, Saralgaon Tal.Murbad Dist.Thane 421 401 (Affiliated to Dr.BSKKV, BSc (Agriculture) Seats-120)