Agricultural courses are becoming increasingly popular among high school students as the focus on food security and sustainable farming practices is stronger than ever today. Both students and parents are keen to know all about agricultural courses after Class 12th and their professional scope. And if you are reading this, you must be one of them.
Now, for starters, know that a student can pursue various types of agriculture degrees and diploma courses, including agronomy, horticulture, animal husbandry, and soil science. Some of these undergraduate courses will provide more hands-on training than others, but all will be focused on helping students to become skilled for agricultural careers, be it as producers, farmers, agronomists or in other farming-specific job roles. Some specialised courses provide practical industry exposure, entrepreneurship training with mentoring for starting up in the industry, and networking opportunities.
Stay with us if you are interested to learn about after 12th agriculture courses, scopes, admission eligibility and fees.
Why courses in agriculture after 12th can offer lucrative career opportunities?
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Plenty of employment opportunities - Agriculture is the practice of growing food crops, plants, livestock animals and fibre crops. The agriculture sector in India has traditionally accommodated many skilled and unskilled workers, and it is the largest employment generator in the country. However, the scope of employment is changing in India and abroad, from hardcore farming works to new age agricultural job roles. And the significant reason is rapidly changing technological interventions in agriculture. The scope of employment is expanding worldwide to meet the growing demand for foods, clothing and other Agri-derived commodities.
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Diverse job profiles - Agriculture is no longer limited to its core process of ploughing land, sowing seeds, irrigating crops and harvesting final produce. A great many backward and forward integrated activities happen simultaneously to support and augment the primary job of farmers. Agri-skilled professionals are required to effectively and efficiently manage the agricultural production process.
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Significant career growth - Agriculture is a growing industry with an evolving scope of jobs and business opportunities. So, with enough passion and dedication, one can expect tremendous career growth.
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Socially relevant career - As agriculture scientists, technologists and other farming-related professionals, one can contribute to global food security, rural development and sustainable agriculture.
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Opportunity to work with cutting-edge tech - If one likes technology, several agriculture careers can offer them the scope to work with drones, geoinformatics, space technologies and IoT.
Career opportunities after agriculture
Agriculture courses after 12th can prepare a student for diverse career opportunities available in the agriculture industry. It does not necessarily have to be BSc agriculture courses after 12th science; there are opportunities for students from arts and commerce backgrounds in their high secondary education. Let's have a look at career opportunities directly related to agriculture degrees.
Agriculture research scientists
Agricultural research is a broad area covering multiple specialised fields of study, including plant fertilisation, plant science, sustainable resource utilisation, environmental impact management and water management. The primary objective of agricultural research is to innovate effective and efficient farming practices and processes for improving the quality of the produce.
Academic qualification – The agricultural scientist job profile demands a minimum of post-graduation in agricultural science, research knowledge and practical research exposure. So, to begin with, one can pursue BSc agriculture courses after 12th science studies.
Job responsibilities - An entry-level research scientist might need to assist senior scientists in lab work, managing operational aspects of experiments, documenting observations, preparing reports and with research publications.
Estates/farm manager
A farm manager can secure employment in plantations, animal husbandry units (poultry), ranches, extensive farmlands, fish farms, or other organised large-scale agricultural production facilities. A career as a farm manager can be highly lucrative as mechanised, corporate, and large scale farming is steadily gaining foothold in India.
Academic qualification – Since this is a management-oriented job profile, one might need to pursue an agriculture business management degree; this job profile is suitable for students willing to pursue agriculture courses after 12th commerce stream. A standard management graduate with relevant experience in farm operations and supervision can also try for similar job profiles.
Job responsibilities - The key responsibilities of estate managers and farm managers are to monitor staff, farm operations, purchasing supply, budgeting, reporting, ensuring product quality, profit maximisation and cost control.
Agricultural consultant
Large scale farm landowners, farmers, private forest and plantation owners and livestock farms often require independent consultants with specialised and relevant experience in their fields. Subject knowledge, practical experience, and industry reputation for providing effective advice for resolving business pain points are essential for agricultural consulting jobs.
Academic qualification -
It depends on one’s work area; for example, consultants on plant fertilisation and quality control will need to have graduate and postgraduate degrees in agricultural science. One can pursue BSc agriculture courses after 12th science. Research exposure might add more value.
Job responsibilities
Job profiles vary depending on work areas. Here, we have tried to cover different types of consulting opportunities in agriculture -
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Problem analysis, collection of data, data analysis, and solution-finding related to farm production
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Land valuations
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Advising on legal compliance and new legislations, lobbying and industry networking
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New farm practices training and technology demonstrations
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Agriculture product sales (B2B and B2C)
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Advertising and marketing services
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Industry-specific reporting
Animal breeder/geneticist
Geneticists have research-oriented careers and work on private and government-funded projects to develop a better variety of plants, animals, poultry or fishes. Breeders also train, guide and support livestock owners and producers in following innovative, better yielding breeding practices on farms.
Academic qualification
A research-oriented career requires post-graduation in agricultural genetics. One can also pursue veterinary science, breeding diplomas and gain practical experience.
Job responsibilities
Non-research animal breeders' responsibilities are:
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Monitoring and controlling animals' health and safety
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Breeding-related operations like stimulating male animals, semen collection, injecting semen and incubating eggs
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Gathering information related to animals with higher genetic qualities
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Maintaining logs of semen according to genetic characteristics
Quality assurance
The job profile involves various quality control responsibilities, including farm procurement, farm produce, and food processing units.
Academic qualification
Agricultural science graduation with additional qualifications in quality control (QC), like diplomas and certifications, are necessary. Students from statistical backgrounds can also join the QC career with or without specific agricultural science education.
Job responsibilities
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Inspecting inputs and output samples
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Recording inspection results and reporting
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Checking adherence to industry standards and legal compliance
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Training production team and implementing better quality control practices
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Proposing improvements and ensuring quality excellence
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Updating self-knowledge in new legislation and industry standards
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Regular maintenance and calibration of QC equipment and tools
Land and produce surveyor
Modern innovations in geoinformatics have entirely overhauled surveyor jobs. Farmland surveying is evolving in India with growth in Agri-insurance, weather insurance and large-size private investments in the farm sector. Along with conventional land surveys, agriculture surveyors use geomatic data collected by drones and satellites; use the data to provide a better understanding of input usage, yields, disaster assessment and much more.
Academic qualification
Along with a background in agricultural science (like BSc agriculture courses after 12th science), one needs to pursue any of the following qualifications -
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Earth science
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Cartography
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Geoinformatics
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Estate surveying
Job responsibilities
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Collection, usage and interpretation of GIS data
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Preparation of detailed reports for subsequent uses by management, planners, policymakers, reinsurers and lenders
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Creation and updating of digital maps
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Staying up to date with new and emerging technologies
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Initiating, managing and monitoring survey related projects
Soil testing technician
Soil testing helps farmers to use the correct type of fertilisation, select a suitable variety of crops, and identify causes of plant diseases, decline in production and other related issues. Soil analysis helps individual farmers, large farming companies, and private investors to understand the agricultural potential of a piece of land before going for significant investments.
Academic qualification
For an entry-level soil testing technician’s job, a student can pursue BSc agriculture courses after 12th, degree programmes in biology, botany, ecology or chemistry. Employers also recruit candidates from a science background in 12th standard with relevant diplomas, certifications in soil testing.
Job responsibilities
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Collecting, testing, analysing soil samples
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Documenting test findings and interpreting implications in agriculture
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Reporting and explaining implications to clients/stakeholders
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Maintaining and calibrating testing/lab equipment
Agricultural loan officer
As the name suggests, similar jobs are available in banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFC) providing farm loans. It is a specialised career requiring farm lending specific exposure; however, one doesn’t need to be from an agricultural science background—in fact, it is ideal for commerce and art students interested in an Agri-based career. As an agricultural loan officer, one can benefit from growing agriculture industries and evolving opportunities in Agri finance.
Academic qualification
The above job position requires a graduation degree with Hons in Economics (can be an arts degree also), Accountancy, Finance or Business. Knowledge of agriculture, finance, and credit administration is preferred. It is ideal for students interested in agriculture courses after 12th commerce stream.
Job responsibilities
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Appraising farm loans
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Providing loan-related services
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Marketing and sales of agricultural loans and other financial products
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Building and maintaining effective customer relationships
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Team handling as per business guidelines and company objectives
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Assisting loan customers to repay
Agri-insurance or crop-insurance advisors
Agricultural insurance products are becoming popular among individual farmers, companies engaged in farming activities and food processors. Different types of insurance products suitable for Agri producers exist. Marketing and selling Agri-insurance are quite different from selling personal life insurance though.
Academic qualifications
Ideal qualification involves graduation in Agri-business management or a postgraduate diploma in a similar field with relevant industry exposure. Students of BSc agriculture courses after 12th science can also pursue crop-insurance advising jobs without management education or Agri-management qualification. Commerce graduates can also join the crop-insurance sector.
Job responsibilities
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Promoting the benefits of different Agri-insurance products
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Guiding farmers to choose the right insurance
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Policy documentation for insurance purchase and insurance claim processing
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Training and team building for business growth
Agricultural industry journalists
It is an up-and-coming career that gets ignored often. One can start working as a reporter in the agriculture sector without any technical background in agricultural science. However, a BSc or BTech will be helpful. Bachelors in Rural Studies often take this route and gain valuable exposure to the sector. One can build rapport with farmer societies, NGOs working in the farming sector and network with industry stakeholders. In the beginning, Agri-journalism might not be very lucrative from the point of view of remuneration; but it will gradually offer excellent future opportunities.
Academic qualification
BSc or BTech is not an essential to cover the agriculture sector as a journalist. One needs to have a flair for interacting with people, reporting, presenting stories and writing. However, diplomas and certifications in Agri-business can help understand the sector better.
Job responsibilities
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Interaction with farmers, farmer cooperatives, business and government bodies
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Staying updated about new developments
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Interviewing stakeholders
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Reporting new incidents
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Writing newspaper and magazine articles
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Video reporting skills for TV journalists
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Building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders
Government-sponsored Agri-universities in India
Many UGA-approved universities offer agriculture science, Agri-business management and other agriculture courses after 12th standard. The regulatory authority of agriculture-related technical education - ICAR or Indian Council of Agricultural Research - recognises 3 central universities, 4 deemed universities and 63 state-sponsored universities for offering technical agriculture courses, including BSc, MSc and research programmes. The highest number (seven) of such universities is Uttar Pradesh (UP).
The complete list of ICAR recognised universities are,
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Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur
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Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University, Venkataramannagudem, Tadepalligudem
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Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati
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Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat
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Bihar Agricultural University, Bhagalpur
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Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna
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Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University, Samastipur
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Chhattisgarh Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya, Durg
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Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur
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Indian Agricultural Research Institute
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Anand Agricultural University, Anand
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Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh
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Kamdhenu University, Gandhinagar
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Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari
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Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Banaskantha
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Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar
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Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar
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Maharana Pratap Horticultural University, Karnal
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National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal
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Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur
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Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan
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Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Jammu
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Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar
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Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke
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Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar
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University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shimoga
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University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
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University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad
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University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur
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University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot
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Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur
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Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kochi
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Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad
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Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur
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Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur
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Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Gwalior
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Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai
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Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli
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Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola
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Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur
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Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri
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Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani
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Central Agricultural University, Imphal
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Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar
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Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
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Agriculture University, Jodhpur, Jodhpur
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Agriculture University, Kota, Kota
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Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur
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Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner
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Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner
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Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner
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Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
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Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Nagapattinam
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Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Madhavaram, Chennai
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PV Narasimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University, Hyderabad
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Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad
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Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, Hyderabad
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Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda
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Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur
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Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly
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Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Faizabad
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Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi
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Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut
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UP Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go-Ansundhan Sansthan, Mathura
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G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar
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Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Uttarakhand University of Horticulture & Forestry, Pauri Garhwal
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Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Kalyani
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Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Cooch Behar
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West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata
Private UGC-recognised and accredited universities offering agriculture courses
The prominent private universities offering undergraduate agriculture courses after 12th are,
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Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab
BSc (H) in Agriculture
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Seacom Skills University, Birbhum, West Bengal
BSc (H) in Agriculture
Integrated B.Sc. (Agriculture) + MBA (Agribusiness)
BSc (H) in Agriculture
BBA in Agri-business management
BTech in Agriculture Technology
BSc (H) in Agriculture
Medi-Caps University, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
BSc (H) in Agriculture
Higher education agriculture courses after 12th
Some of the standard, UGC and AICTE approved agriculture courses that one can pursue after 12th standard, are:
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BSc (H) in Agriculture
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BSc in Animal Husbandry
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BSc in Agriculture Economics and Farm Management.
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BSc in Fisheries
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BSc in Forestry
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BSc Soil and water management
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BSc in Crop Physiology
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BSc in Genetic Plant Breeding
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BSc in Horticulture
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BSc Food Technology
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Integrated B.Sc. (Agriculture) + MBA (Agribusiness)
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BBA in Agri-business management
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BTech in Agriculture Technology
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BA in Rural Development Studies
Subjects covered in agriculture courses
Here is a detailed look at the subjects taught based on the degree pursued.
Subjects covered in BSc (Hons) in Agriculture
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Agronomy: Basics of agronomy, crops and crop protection, weeds and weed management, irrigation technologies, water resource and its management, organic farming techniques, sustainable development in agriculture
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Plant Genetics: Botany, genetics, breeding, seeds, biotechnology
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Soil Science: Soil and its compositions, varieties of soil, soil and its fertility, soil-related chemistry, use of fertilisers, agrochemistry
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Entomology: Pest management, insect varieties, beneficial insects, storage and management of grains and seeds
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Agricultural Economics: Market prices, trade prices, finance, marketing management, Agri-business management, farm management
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Agriculture Engineering: Agriculture equipment, machineries, power tools, harvesting techniques, environmental studies and engineering, usage of renewable energy in agriculture
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Agricultural Meteorology: Climate patterns, climatic disasters, hazards on agriculture, climatic zones, weather forecasting
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Plant Pathology: Plant diseases, nematology
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Horticulture: Fruit crops, aromatic plants, medicinal plants, spices, flower production, plantations
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Agricultural Extension: What is agricultural extension, dimensions, methodologies of Agri extension, entrepreneurship development and mentoring
Subjects covered in BBA in Agri-management
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Agro-techniques of principal crops and agro-meteorology
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Production management
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Biotechnology principles
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Agricultural economics
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Structural dynamics of Indian agriculture
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Introduction of Agri-business management
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Sustainable Agri-business
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Farming system
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Environmental science
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Farm machinery
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Integrated farm management
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Dimensions of agricultural extension
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Harvesting technologies
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Consumer behaviour
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Communication skills
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Information technology and its application in Agri-business
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Operational management
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Rural and retail marketing
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Agricultural marketing
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Managerial accounting
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Taxation
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Legal and legislation practices
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Agro-processing management
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Market survey and data analysis
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Report writing
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Agrotourism business
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Quality control
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Marketing and trading practices
Subjects cover in BA (H) in Rural Studies
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Rural economy & social problems in India
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Concepts and dimensions of rural development
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Communication skills specific to rural development
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Voluntary sector in rural development
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Crop management & different Agri production technologies
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Plant disease management & pest control
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Organic farming
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Soil and its fertility management
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Rainwater harvesting
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Water resource management and conservation
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Introduction to gardening and nursery development
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Cattle husbandry, animal farm and poultry management
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Dairy farm management
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Rural entrepreneurship and managing small businesses
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Rural marketing
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Access to rural credit, formation of self-help group and women empowerment groups
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Introduction to accounting and financial management
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Property laws
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Energy usage
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Health, hygiene, sanitation
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Developing and managing human resources for rural enterprises
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Consumer and organisational behaviour
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NGO forming, operations and management
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Resource collection and utilisation for NGO initiatives
Agriculture courses after 12th eligibility
The eligibility criteria for different courses are listed below:
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BSc agriculture courses require 10+2 with Physics + Chemistry + Mathematics (PCM) or Physics + Chemistry + Biology (PCB) or Agriculture science in Higher secondary.
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BTech agricultural technology (BTech) requires 10+2 with Physics + Chemistry + Mathematics (PCM); some universities accept 10+2 with PCB.
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BBA in Agri-business Management courses accept students from science, commerce and arts backgrounds in 10+2.
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BA in Rural Development Studies courses accept 10+2 from all subject streams.
A minimum 50% mark is necessary for entrance to most undergraduate agriculture courses after 12th, with minor differences based on quotas and reservations.
Entrance exams and procedures
Entrance procedures vary with university and courses. However, the primary entrance process includes,
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Merit-based screening
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Entrance examination
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Personal interview round
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Group discussion
Duration of undergraduate agriculture courses after 12th
As per the UGC and AICTE guidelines and university prospectus:
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BSc (H) in Agriculture course duration is 4 years (8 semesters)
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BA Rural Development Studies course duration is 3 years
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BBA in Agri-management course duration is 3 years
Agriculture courses after 12th fees
The fee structure can vary widely, depending on courses, the scope of fieldwork, laboratory work and projects. BSc and BTech courses with extensive field and lab work cost significantly more than classwork-based courses like BA in Rural Studies. BBA in Agri-business courses might cost more for an industry-oriented, career-ready curriculum.
Final verdict
Passing class 12th exams is a significant milestone in the lives of many Indian students as it's the time when they must choose what they want to do in life. And their options are almost limitless. One of the best options is to pursue agriculture courses.
If one is interested in pursuing agricultural courses after 12th standard, the first step is to determine what type of undergraduate courses they are suitable for and what sort of career they will be able to launch after course completion. Post that, shortlisting colleges and universities and speaking to student counsellors or advisors can help one to zero in on the best course of action.