Introduction
India is a primarily agrarian country with a majority of its population still engaged in agriculture. Among the younger population too, there is a renewed passion for agriculture. Students are taking up agriculture courses at both the bachelor's and master's levels and working at different positions for the betterment of agriculture.
Several top-ranking colleges and universities offer B.Sc. and M.Sc in Agriculture. One such university is the Mansarovar Global University (MGU) in Bhopal. This private university is a top agriculture college in Bhopal.
As stated above, agriculture degree holders can work in various capacities. Elaborated below are the top ten job profiles in Agriculture.
Also Read: Rise of Young Blood in Agriculture
Job Options After B.Sc. Agriculture Degree
Agricultural ENGINEER : -
Agricultural Engineering is a field that combines the principles of engineering with agricultural processes. The field combines all disciplines of engineering such as Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and the will to create better agricultural methods and equipment. An agricultural engineer would typically work in several areas like aquaculture, farming, forestry, and more. All new types of machinery and equipment are designed and tested by the agriculture engineer. The engineer is also responsible for teaching farmers about the new processes and equipment. The average salary for this post is INR 4-5 LPA.
PRIVATE SECTOR JOBS : -
While agriculture falls largely under the ambit of the Central Government, there are many private-sector jobs too. There are companies that manufacture agriculture equipment, machinery, seeds, etc. These companies require graduates with a related degree in different roles like Sales, Operations, Marketing, Production, etc. Additionally, an individual with a B.Sc. in agriculture degree can also work in education. Teaching undergraduate-level students in an agriculture class at private institutes is a viable choice. For teachers, the average salary is INR 3-5 LPA.
PUBLIC SECTOR JOBS : -
Farming and agriculture in India are largely under government management. As such, there are a large number of jobs in the public sector for Agriculture. Government departments dedicated to farming and agriculture hire people annually for different job titles. These jobs may be on-field jobs as well as administrative roles. Generally, one has to take up a national level entrance test, secure a rank and then attend a personal interview round. Available job posts are advertised on major job portals and candidates can apply to them online, based on the eligibility criteria and admission process.
BANK JOBS : -
Agriculture and banking are closely tied. Not just for farmers and agriculturists but also for agriculture degree holders. In financial institutes specifically designed to meet the financial needs of farmers such as NABARD, there are many jobs available. Even top public and private banks have agriculture departments that require people with an Agriculture degree to work for them. Some job profiles in this category include Probationary Officer, Revenue Division Officer, Agricultural Assistant, Rural Development Officer, Agricultural Associate, and more. The average salary is INR 4-6 LPA.
CIVIL SERVICES JOBS : -
There are also several government jobs that are also available for Agriculture graduates. Candidates have to take up examinations and then attend interview rounds. Some of the popular examinations are the UPSC, Indian Forest Services Exam, IBPS SO Exam, State Forest Exam, and UGC NET. The examination eligibility criteria and syllabus of all the exams would be different. After clearing all rounds, one can work as Deputy Forest Inspector, Assistant Inspector, Agriculture Field Officer in different departments, Scientific Assistant, Technical Officers, Managers, and so on,
AGRICULTURAL FOOD SCIENTIST : -
An Agricultural Food Scientist works on conducting research and experiments to improve existing agricultural practices. Their work also extends to animal farming. They study soils, seeds, etc., and work on how to process them, package them, and deliver them in the best possible way. Their findings are summarised in a report form and communicated to the whole agricultural world. Thereafter, with more tests, the findings are adopted. Food Scientists perform their duties with an aim to improve the nutritional value of the food items while also making them safe to consume. In India, this role earns around INR 2-3 LPA.
AGRICULTURAL MANAGER : -
An Agricultural Manager supervises the production of crops including the planting, growth, and harvesting of crops. The work is done in relation to the condition of the soil, the livestock, weather, and market conditions, etc. They would also take part in buying farming equipment and machinery, taking care of sales, and monitoring the finances. In addition, hiring and taking care of the farmhands is also done by the manager. In short, all functions at the farm from the start to the finish are managed by the Agricultural Manager. This role earns an average salary of INR 4-5 LPA.
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST : -
Agricultural Research Scientists are research profiles where the people working are specialists in Agriculture. Unlike Agricultural Food Scientist, the work of Agricultural Research Scientist extends beyond food items. The research scientist works on farming methods and different farming techniques so that production can be increased. Agricultural Research Scientists also work with animals. In this regard, work involves looking after the animal’s health and welfare so that they can contribute more to products. This role earns an average salary of INR 4-9 LPA.
SEED TECHNOLOGIST : -
A Seed Technologist is also known as a Seed Scientist. Their job duty is to work on existing seeds and also to create new and robust seeds. They germinate seeds, plant them, grow them, perform tests and report on what to change and what not to. All work is done in a controlled environment while making sure that national rules and regulations are being followed. Additional responsibilities include taking part in training and educational workshops for farmers and also creating coursework for the same. On average, Seed Scientists earn INR 2 - 4 LPA.
PROJECT ASSOCIATE : -
Project Associate roles in Agriculture are present generally in the public sector. State Government departments for agriculture hire people in this role to look over different agricultural projects. Project Associates manage the planning, build-up, construction, and maintenance of projects. They are involved from the start to the finish. People in these roles can work in a full-time mode with organizations or can work on a project-to-project basis. The salary for this role depends largely on the hiring organization. For instance, at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Project Associates earn from INR 2-4 LPA.These were some of the most exponential professional avenues for students studying agriculture. Every pathway has something beneficial to offer; what works for you is dependent on the interest and expectations.
