BSc Agriculture vs BSc Horticulture: Which is Better, Scope, Admission, Subjects, Jobs

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BSc Agriculture and BSc Horticulture are undergraduate courses, both focusing on the agricultural domain but offering unique specializations and career paths to explore. BSc Horticulture mainly focuses on the Cultivation of seeds, vegetables, plants, fruits, flowers, and herbs, on the other hand, BSc Agriculture focuses on Agriculture economics, Animal husbandry, Environmental ecology, etc.

The admission process for BSc Agriculture and BSc Horticulture is moreover similar as it can be either entrance exam based or merit-based. Some of the entrance exams for BSc Agriculture are SAAT, ICAR, AIEEA, and CGPET, whereas, some of the entrance exams for BSc Horticulture are JNKVV, KAU, OUAT, PAT, and HORTICET.

The future scope for both BSc Agriculture as well as B.Sc Horticulture is wide and positive. Candidates can pursue higher education after completing these undergraduate courses in related fields. For example, after B.Sc in Agriculture, one can pursue MSc Agriculture (Agronomy), MSc Agriculture (Plant breeding and genetics), MSc Agriculture (Plant Pathology), and after B.Sc Horticulture, one can pursue MSc Horticulture fruit science or MSc Horticulture floriculture and landscaping.

There are a variety of job roles for BSc Agriculture graduates such as Sericulturist, Agricultural Engineer, Food Safety Officer, Farmer, etc. Whereas, after BSc Horticulture, one can work as Plant Breeder, Gardener, Product Marketing Manager, etc.

Table of Contents

BSc Agriculture vs BSc Horticulture: Overview
BSc Agriculture vs BSc Horticulture: Admission Process
BSc Agriculture vs BSc Horticulture: Subjects
BSc Agriculture vs BSc Horticulture: Scope

4.1 B.Sc Agriculture Scope

4.2 B.Sc Horticulture Scope

BSc Agriculture vs BSc Horticulture: Future Courses
BSc Agriculture vs BSc Horticulture: Jobs
BSc Agriculture vs BSc Horticulture: FAQs

BSc Agriculture vs BSc Horticulture: Overview

Parameters	BSc Agriculture	BSc Horticulture
Name of the Course	Bachelor of Science in Agriculture	Bachelor of Science in Horticulture
Course Level	Undergraduate	Undergraduate
Curriculum	Agriculture economics, Animal husbandry, Environmental ecology, Nature conservation, forestry, aquaculture soil management, etc.	Cultivation of seeds, vegetables, plants, fruits, flowers, herbs, and gardens. Maintaining nurseries, and greenhouses. Plant Genetics, Growth and diseases, etc.
Duration	3 to 4 years	3 to 4 years
Annual Course fees	INR 40,000 to INR 75,000	INR 30,000 to INR 50,000
Entrance exams	SAAT, ICAR, AIEEA, CGPET, AP EAMCET, BCECE, etc.	JNKVV, KAU, OUAT, PAT, HORTICET, UPCATET, CUET, etc.
Average Salary	3 to 6 LPA	3 to 5 LPA
Job positions	Agriculture scientist, agriculture researcher, crops scientist, agriculture development officer, etc.	Plantation manager, farm or nursery manager, pesticides sale officer, soil scientist technical assistant sales, etc.
Top colleges	Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Guru Nanak Dev University, Bharat Institute of higher education and Research, Indian Agriculture Research Institute, etc.	Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Sher E Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology, University of Calcutta, GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, etc.
Eligibility	Candidates with a minimum of 55% in the 10+2 examination with PCMB or PCB or PC + vocational subject which is related to agriculture	Students should have secured 55% in the 10+2 examination from a recognized board in the science stream with Biology as a subject.

Check Also: BSc Agriculture Overview

BSc Agriculture vs BSc Horticulture: Admission Process

The admission process for B.Sc Agriculture typically involves submitting an application form, meeting eligibility criteria, and clearing entrance exams or interviews. The process may also include counseling sessions and document verification. The most prominent entrance exam for B.Sc Agriculture is AIEEA.

Admissions into BSc Horticulture can be two ways - merit-based and entrance exam based. In merit-based admission, the selection is made according to the candidate's performance in 10+2. The procedure includes filling out the application form and paying the registration fee. Some colleges organize entrance exams like CUET, CG PAT, HORTICET, and UPCATET.

See Also: BSc Agriculture Eligibility

BSc Agriculture vs BSc Horticulture: Subjects

B.Sc Agriculture and B.Sc Horticulture encompass a variety of subjects that delve into the intricacies of plant science, cultivation techniques, and sustainable practices. The subjects of BSc Agriculture and BSc Horticulture are listed below.

See Also: BSc Agriculture Syllabus

BSc Agriculture	BSc Horticulture
Plant Pathology	Crop physiology
Agricultural economics	Geology
Entomology	Sericulture
Extension education	Apiculture
Plant Genetics and breeding	Commercial floriculture
Agronomy	Post-harvest Technology
Animal Husbandry	Medicinal aromatic plants
Organic farming	Seed research
Dairy science	Floriculture

BSc Agriculture vs BSc Horticulture: Scope

Both B.Sc Agriculture and B.Sc Horticulture offer diverse career prospects in the agricultural sector, with each field focusing on different aspects of plant cultivation, management, and research.

Check Also: BSc Agriculture Salary

BSc Agriculture

India is replete with opportunities for students who are pursuing BSc in agriculture as their major. Millions of vacancies arise every year in the public sector as well as the private sector such as the agriculture industry, corporate houses, NGOs, etc.
After completing B.Sc Agriculture, students may pursue higher studies or get themselves recruited for experience and skill development in the practical field. One can appear for several government exams to secure a job in the public sector such as UPSC-IFS, IBPS SO exam, SSC exams, FCI exams, ICAR exams, etc.
In the private sector, one can seek employment in Warehousing and food corporations, estates and tea gardens, agro-industry sector, Farm corporations, National seed corporations or may even start his/ her business as an entrepreneur in agriculture product shops, or agriculture product manufacturing industries, etc.
The students may go for a Master’s degree or a doctorate degree in a specific specialization in the agriculture arena. MBA in Agribusiness Management is suitable for those who are more interested in the corporate sector rather than fieldwork.

See Also:

BSc Agriculture vs B Pharmacy	Bsc Agriculture Vs Bsc Food Technology	BSc Agriculture Fees

BSc Horticulture

B.Sc Horticulture provides opportunities in industries like agri biotech companies, agronomy, extensions services, fertilizer manufacturers state, forestry departments, and boards like spice rubber plantation, landscaping, ornamental plants or flowers businesses, horticulture department, dairy consultancies, etc.
A horticulture graduate can work as a supervisor forest, conservation worker, professor in Horticulture Sciences, plantation expert, Horticulture officer, farm manager, etc.
B.Sc Horticulture graduates have the option to pursue an M.Sc in Horticulture as well.

Check Also: Horticulture Courses

BSc Agriculture vs BSc Horticulture: Future Courses

Both B.Sc Agriculture and B.Sc Horticulture offer various future courses to explore, providing opportunities for specialization and growth in the agricultural field. Some of these courses are listed below.

BSc Agriculture	BSc Horticulture
MSc Agriculture (Agronomy)	MSc Horticulture fruit science
MSc Agriculture (Plant breeding and genetics)	MSc Horticulture floriculture and landscaping
MSc Agriculture (Plant Pathology)	MSc horticulture (post-harvest management)
MSc Agriculture (Agricultural Economics)	-
MSc Agriculture (Entomology)	-
MBA in Agribusiness Management	-

Check Also:

MSc Agriculture	MSc Horticulture

BSc Agriculture vs BSc Horticulture: Jobs

Both B.Sc Agriculture and B.Sc Horticulture offer a wide range of job opportunities. Graduates can explore careers in farming, agricultural research, crop management, agribusiness, agricultural consulting, and government agricultural departments, among other related fields. Some of the job roles for B.Sc Agriculture and B.Sc Horticulture graduates are listed below.

See Also: BSc Agriculture Jobs

B.Sc Agriculture Jobs	Annual Salary (INR)	B.Sc Horticulture Jobs	Annual Salary (INR)
Sericulturist	2,00,000 to 3,00,000	Plant Breeder	3,50,000
Agricultural Engineer	5,00,000	Product Marketing Manager	5,00,000
Farmer	2,00,000 to 3,00,000	Agricultural Researcher	4,50,000
Food Safety Officer	3,00,000 to 4,50,000	Teacher	3,00,000
Food Technologist	4,50,000	Farming Educators	4,50,000

BSc Agriculture vs BSc Horticulture: FAQs

Ques. Is Bsc agriculture and BSc Horticulture the same?

Ans. While both the courses have many similar subjects yet agriculture deals with crop cultivation and growth in crop efficiency and advancement along with animal farming on a large scale to supply and maintain the food chain. On the other hand, Horticulture involves the breeding of only flower fruits, vegetables, crops, and nuts on both small and large scales. We can say that BSc Horticulture is a sub-branch of agricultural science.

Ques. Which is better: bsc horticulture or bsc agriculture?

Ans. Bsc agriculture is a broader course involving various fields which increases employment opportunities and skill development. However, BSc Horticulture is limited to only the study and breeding of plants therefore it depends on the aspirant's interest in career choice.

Ques. Is Bsc agriculture good for IAS?

Ans. Yes, agriculture is a good scoring subject for the IAS examination.

Ques. Which is the highest package in agriculture?

Ans. The highest package after BSc agriculture is that of an agricultural officer ranging between 5 to 9 lakhs annually depending upon the experience, personal knowledge, expertise, and skill.

Ques. Is maths necessary for bsc agriculture and bsc horticulture?

Ans. No. Maths is not a necessary subject to pursue BSc in Agriculture. Although one must have basic mathematical skills or else it will be tough for them to complete their course successfully.

Ques. Which country is best for horticulture jobs?

Ans. Peru and Spain provide the best recruitment for those who have completed the horticulture course.

Ques. Is Bsc agriculture good for girls?

Ans. Yes, it is. Young ladies can opt for microbiology, plant genetics, or dairy science and may join government Institutions or work on their own and start their own firms.

Ques. Is NEET required for BSc agriculture and BSc horticulture?

Ans. No, it is not necessarily required. The entrance exams for BSc in agriculture and horticulture are ICAR AIEEA, OUAT, PAT, CUET, HORTICET, etc. Also, there are many Institutions that provide admission on a merit basis.

Ques. Is BSc Agriculture in demand?

Ans. Yes it is. With the rapid advancement in Technology and the growth of the population, the need for human resources in the agricultural sector is substantially increasing. From agricultural farms to educational Institutions to food processing units to Financial Institutions and research centers, these graduates are in very high demand.

Ques. Which course is cheaper: BSc agriculture or BSc horticulture?

Ans. The fees of horticulture range between INR 30,000 to INR 50,000 (annually) while that of agriculture is around INR 40000 to INR 80000 (annually). Hence BSc Horticulture is relatively cheaper.