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Publish 28th December, 2023
By Publisher Raisoni
If you ask any aspiring student what he would like to be in future? A typical answer to this question would be a physician, chartered accountant, software engineer, lawyer, politician, investment banker, actor, professor, bureaucrat….the list goes on and on. But a farmer doesn’t find a place on this list. When considering career options in India, young students generally shy away from choosing agriculture as a career, which is strange on the fact that India is predominantly an agricultural nation. For the youth of India, pursuing a career in Agriculture-courses means living a rustic life with very few future options.
However, over the last decade, this perception has completely changed. Agriculture plays a critical role in transforming a country’s economy. It plays a vital role in generating rural employment, eradicating poverty and reducing rural-urban disparity. Economists speculate that in the coming years there will be three to four times more jobs created in agriculture and allied sector. It can even be a gold mine for students with an entrepreneurial mindset.
In Maharashtra, a BSc in agriculture is 4 years (8-semester) integrated course. During the tenure of the course, students get acquainted with modern scientific equipment used in agriculture, basic concepts of soil, various land surveying techniques, different methods of water management and conservation, best management practices of livestock and poultry, basics of biotechnology etc. This 4 years degree course equips students with enough knowledge and skills that are required to manage an agricultural farm business or to gain employment in any government or private sector.
Some of the top colleges from where you can pursue BSc agriculture in Maharashtra are Dr, Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), Akola, Rashtra Sant Tukadoji Maharaj, Nagpur University (RTMNU), Nagpur, College of Agriculture, Nagpur, Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU), Nashik, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, (MPKV), Pune, Shivaji University (SUK), Kolhapur, Raisoni Group of Institution, Nagpur just to name a few.
BSc agriculture course is very comprehensive with huge potential. The practical sessions, on-field training, lab lesions, cattle training, marketing and management turns students into competent agriculturist. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose it as a career:
With agriculture becoming more diverse, the demand for trained agriculture professionals has increased manifolds. From farm management to agriculture marketing, to food processing, to dairy management, to universities and research institutions there is a huge requirement for trained agriculture professionals in these sectors to meet the challenges thrown by rapid technological development taking place in these fields.
Studying for a BSc in Agriculture doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket. The average tuition fees for BSc agriculture are much less than compared other professional courses like engineering, medical or hotel management. Besides this, if you are pursuing this course from government universities/colleges, then there are scholarships to finance your education.
Agriculture and allied sector not only remained insulated from economic slowdown or pandemic but has registered better growth than other sectors. Other industries have faced the problem of downsizing during a pandemic but the agriculture sector remained aloof from lay-offs, pay cuts and forced resignations. There will never be a downturn or slow down when it comes to feeding the world population.
Agriculture and its allied sector have thrown open a huge number of opportunities for young people with entrepreneurial mindsets. There are many untapped areas in agriculture where Agriculture- Entrepreneur can try their hand and earn a handsome income out of it. Some of these areas are organic farming, bio-fertilizers, vermicomposting, developing greenhouse concept, herbal plantation, packaging of agro-products and establishing cold storage just to name a few.
To get admission to these colleges the candidate must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:
Maharashtra Council of Agricultural Education and Research (MCAER) has entrusted the responsibility of conducting admission to BSc agriculture in Maharashtra to Pune-based IT company Kalp Technologies Private Limited (KTPL). The KTPL on behalf of MCAER conducts an online common entrance test popularly known as MHT-CET for admission to various agricultural colleges located in Maharashtra. Candidates who have scored qualifying marks in the MHT-CET exam are eligible to apply for BSc agriculture courses in various Government, Government aided, unaided private Colleges, and Agriculture Universities of Maharashtra.
In addition to this, students seeking admission in colleges/universities of Maharashtra must fulfil the following residential conditions laid down by article 5 of Maharashtra Agricultural Universities (Krishi Vidyapeeth) Act 1983
Admission to all the colleges will be solely based on merit. The merit list of all qualified candidates will be displayed on the official website of MCAER.
There are plenty of Top BSc Agriculture colleges that offers BSc agriculture course. Some of the best agriculture colleges from where you can pursue a BSc in Agriculture are GH Raisoni Univeristy Saikheda, Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh, Krishi Vidyapeeth, etc.
There are several colleges/universities in MP that offers MSc agriculture course along with other technical and professional courses. G.H. Raisoni University, Saikheda is one of top MSc Agriculture University in Madhya Pradesh from where you can pursue an MSc agriculture course. This two-year postgraduate course is offered under the school of agricultural science and undertakes various research and educational activities during the tenure of the course. The institute incorporates the latest methodology in teaching, research and field trips to make learning more effective and efficient.
Some of the popular specializations offered by this university under the domain of MSc Agriculture are MSc in Agriculture economy, MSc in agriculture horticulture, MSc in agriculture plant pathology, MSc in agriculture entomology and MSc in agriculture extension and communication. Admission to these courses is done based on the CET (common entrance test) conducted by the G.H. Raisoni University every year.
Today, agriculture has become more diverse and inclusive, opening several avenues of employment. Trained agriculture professionals are in high demand in various central and state government agricultural departments. Besides this, irrigation industries, banking, insurance companies, NGOs and KPOs, food processing units, agricultural warehouses, research institutions and universities are some other areas where BSc agriculture graduates are highly valued.
In today’s era, a career in agriculture is as lucrative as any other, if not more. In the government sector, the remuneration for fresh BSc agriculture graduates is fixed and it ranges from 5 to 7 lakh per annum whereas in the private sector a fresher can earn anywhere between 6 to 8 lakh per annum.