adminThe advent of modern technology and scientific concept is reshaping the agriculture sector of the country. Today, agriculture is an evolving sector in India offering plenty of opportunities in matter of entrepreneurship, academics, and employment. According to the Indian Brand Equity Foundation, an online portal of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, The Indian food processing industry is expected to reach US$ 535 billion by 2025-26.
Since Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is evolving in the country at a good pace and the Government of India is allowing FDI in almost all sectors, therefore agriculture sector is also not untouched from the FDI. According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Indian Food Processing Industry has witnessed some major investments and development as follows:
- In March 2020, the oldest largescale fertilizer manufacturer in the country crossed the one million production and sales mark.
- Nestle India has invested Rs. 700 crore (US$ 100.16 million) in construction of its ninth factory in Gujarat.
- The Ministry of Food Processing has allocated Rs. 1,308.66 crore (US$ 180.26 million) in the Union Budget 2021-22.
The above facts and figures indicating the flourishing future of the agriculture sector in the country. Today, there is a great demand for agricultural professionals, and degree programme in agriculture opens avenues of lucrative careers. B.sc Agriculture is an undergraduate programme of four years in which students study a wide variety of subjects including agronomy, soil sciences, horticulture (fruit science & vegetable), plant breeding and genetics, entomology, plant pathology, animal sciences, extension education, plant biochemistry, agriculture economics, basics of biotechnology, etc.
Syllabus of B.sc Agriculture is as per the guidelines of ICAR (Indian Council of Agriculture Research) that aims to prepare skilled human resources by imparting advanced skills related to agriculture and its allied sectors. Whether academic or employment opportunities, there is no dearth of opportunities after completing B.sc Agriculture. Admission in M. Sc agriculture adds a spark in the academic career, specialization in agronomy, soil sciences, horticulture, plant breeding and genetics, entomology, plant pathology, animal sciences, extension education, plant biochemistry, agriculture economics, biotechnology, etc. open more employment opportunities in the sphere of agriculture.
After completing a degree programme in agriculture, there are plenty of employment opportunities in the government as well as private sectors. An agriculture graduate can be appointed as Research Officer, Quality Assurance Officer, Agriculture Officer, Agriculture Loan Officer (in Banks), Production Manager, Operations Manager in Government organizations.
In the private sector, agriculture science graduates may find employment opportunities as managers at plantations, as officers at fertilizer manufacturing firms, agriculture machinery industries, agricultural products marketing firms, food processing units, etc. The average starting salary in private sectors is generally between Rs 5 to 6 lakh per annum.
Sikkim Professional University
Campus East Sikkim
NH 31-A Tadong, Gangtok
East Sikkim, Pincode – 737102
Phone: +91 7602019500 / 7827973845
Email: contact@spu.ac