B.Sc. (Agronomy) is a 4 years full time course divided into 8 semesters, with each semester lasting a period of 6 months. Agronomy is a branch of agriculture focused on plants, particularly food and cash crops. Professionals in this field are concerned with enhancing grain and seed nutrition, as well as increasing the amount and quality of food.
Agronomy and crop science programs emphasize on biology and chemistry, as well as math and statistics. Major course work includes soil chemistry, genetics, entomology, plant physiology, plant breeding and soil fertility. Some programs allow students to select a concentration area, such as plant breeding, agro ecology, turf grass management, seed production or pest management.
Most of the courses are infused with practicality with emphasis on hands on experience and learning by doing. The average annual course fee ranges anywhere between INR 20,000 to 2 lakhs depending upon the institute offering the course.
The average annual starting salary offered in India to successful postgraduates of the course ranges between INR 4 lakhs to 28 lakhs depending upon the candidate’s expertise in the field.
B.Sc. Agronomy: Course Highlights
Listed below are some of the major highlights of the course.
Course Level | Under Graduate |
Duration | 4 years |
Examination Type | Semester System |
Eligibility | 10+2 |
Admission Process | Counselling after taking Entrance Examination |
Course Fee | INR 20,000 to 2 lakhs |
Average Starting Salary | INR 4 lakhs to 28 lakhs |
B.Sc. in Agronomy: What is it all about?
Agronomy involves the science as well as technology that are needed for the growth of plants for the purpose of food, fibres and fuel etc. Agronomy encompasses work in fields such as plant physiology, soil science and plant genetics.
The field of Agriculture makes use of a wide range of techniques as to make their work simpler and easier. With the development of innovative techniques and machinery, the field of agriculture has risen to such a level that not much things affect it as adversely as in the earlier days and the yields of crops are rising too.
B.Sc. Agronomy: Top Institutes
Some of the top institutes offering the course in the country with the corresponding locations and fees charged by the respective colleges are listed below.
COLLEGE NAME | CITY | AVERAGE ANNUAL FEE IN INR |
---|---|---|
Agricultural college and research institute | Thoothukudi | INR 1,05,000 |
Agra university | Agra | INR 25,000 |
MPUAT | Udaipur | INR 26,300 |
Uttaranchal university | Dehradun | INR 38,550 |
Junagadh agricultural university | Gujarat | INR 29,190 |
B.Sc. Agronomy: Eligibility
A candidate shall be eligible for admission to B.Sc. Agronomy, if he or she is physically fit to carry out field work related with agricultural activities.
Students should pass the 10+2 or Intermediate examination in Agriculture or in Science with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or Biology or any other equivalent examination recognized by the University.
Obtained at least 50% marks in aggregate. For Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe candidates, the eligibility will be as per University rules.
Candidates appearing at the respective qualifying examinations shall be eligible to appear at the entrance examination but shall have to provide the proof of passing the said examination as and when called for, prior to their admission.
B.Sc. Agronomy: Admission Process
Admission to the I year of B.Sc. Agronomy course shall be made on merit, computed on the basis of marks obtained by candidates in a competitive examination called Undergraduate Entrance Test for B.Sc. Agronomy, here in-after abbreviated ‘UET-Ag’, to be conducted by the Controller of Examinations, on the date and centres to be announced from time to time.
B.Sc. Agronomy: Syllabus and Course Description
A Semester - wise breakup of the course’s syllabus is tabulated below.
SEMESTER I | SEMESTER II |
---|---|
Elements of Agronomy and Agricultural Meteorology | Fundamentals of Soil Science |
Introductory Agriculture | Introduction to Plant Pathology |
English Language Usage Essentials | Plant Physiology |
Understanding Self for Effectiveness | Introduction to Communication Skills |
Environmental Studies | Individual Society and Nation |
Fundamentals of Agribusiness Management | Basic Biotechnology |
Introduction to Biology | Food Chemistry |
Introduction to Food Technology | Fundamentals of Statistics |
SEMESTER III | SEMESTER IV |
Field Crop Production – I | Agricultural Extension Management |
Introductory Entomology | Basic Genetics |
Production Technology of Fruit Crops | Biotechnology and Patent Law |
Soil Fertility Management | Diversified Agriculture and Farm Enterprises |
Effective Written Communication | Field Crop Production - II |
Problem Solving and Creative Thinking | Production Technology of Vegetables and Flowers |
Agro Forestry Systems | Rained Agriculture and Watershed Management |
Basic Food Microbiology | - |
SEMESTER V | SEMESTER VI |
Crop Improvement Principles and Practices | Integrated Nutrient Management |
Integrated Farming System and Sustainable Agriculture | Livestock Production and Management |
Integrated Pest Management | Manures, Fertilisers and Agrochemicals |
Post-Harvest Technology and Value Addition | Rural Finance and Banking |
Production Economics and Farm Management | Seed Production Technology |
- | Weed Management |
SEMESTER VII | SEMESTER VIII |
Crop Modelling | IT in Communication and Diffusion of Agricultural Innovations |
Food Retail and Supply Chain Management | - |
Irrigation Systems | - |
Mechanization of Small Farms | - |
Research Methodology | - |
Warehousing Management | - |
B.Sc. Agronomy: Career Prospects
The job as well as career opportunities available for students who have accomplished their education in B.Sc. Agronomy are quite high. When one is talking about education, the best choice is to pursue the Master of Science in agronomy course. The master’s degree in this field will enable students get more knowledge about the subject. In addition to this, this will enhance their opportunities to get good jobs.
There are quite a few government as well as private bodies that recruit skilled candidates of this field. Banks, insurance companies and the Animal industry etc. take in professionals from the field of agriculture.
Some of the popular professional avenues open to such graduates are listed below with the corresponding salaries offered for the respective positions.
JOB POSITION | JOB DESCRIPTION | AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY IN INR |
---|---|---|
Agronomy officer | Agronomy officers are plant and soil scientists who study and try to improve on the process of growing farm crops. They help farmers use their land more effectively and suggest methods to increase yields. Agronomists also aid in solving or preventing problems with soil and crops. | INR 6,00,000 |
Subject matter specialist | Subject matter specialist is responsible for Training of beekeeping, Mushroom rising, vermin composting, making of bio gas unit which changes the decision of farmers. Demonstration of new technology improves the productivity at farmer’s field. On farm trial decreases farmers problem. Seed production help farmers, increases seed replacement rate. | INR 6,04,000 |
Corporate agronomist | Corporate agronomists are concerned with the health and well-being of crops used for food production, fuel, and land reclamation. Agronomists conduct experiments to develop the best methods for increasing the quality and crop production. | INR 4,00,000 |
Rice breeder | Rice breeders selects parental material to generate genetic variability for variety development, the most relevant breeding achievements, rice breeding methods used around the world, how biotechnology has been integrated into breeding programs, genetic seed production strategy, and elements related to the world’s capacity to carry out rice breeding programs. | INR 18,00,000 |
Soil scientist | Soil scientists examine different soils from a diverse range of terrains and geographical locations in order to study their physical composition and chemical properties. | INR 14,00,000 |
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