What is PhD Agriculture?
PhD Agriculture is a doctorate course in Agriculture. The course may have a duration of 3 years and it is a full-time course.It is a research-based course. In the PhD Agriculture duration, the candidates get to learn how to produce food, fibre and fuel. This course mainly covers areas like plant genetics, plant physiology, soil sciences, crop management, etc. The students come to know about the fundamentals of agriculture and crop production.
In order to be eligible for a PhD Agriculture course, a candidate will have to complete his/her Master’s degree in a related field with a minimum of 55% marks. Every college designs its own eligibility criteria. The admission is either on the basis of the marks acquired by a student in the entrance test or on the basis of their performance in the master degree course.
Some of the top Universities in India that offer a PhD Agriculture course in India are Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu, etc.
The average tuition fee of the PhD Agriculture course is INR 5,000 to INR 2,00,000. The tuition fee greatly depends on the college where you want to get admitted to.
The course offers a number of job profiles to the candidates like farm manager, research scholar, lecturer, etc.The average salary earned by the PhD Agriculture candidates is INR 2 lakh to INR 8 lakhs. Your salary depends on your expertise in the field and your experience
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PhD Agriculture Course Highlights
Tabulated below are some of the highlights of the course.
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Full-form | Doctorate of Philosophy in Agriculture |
| Duration | 3-5 years |
| Eligibility | Postgraduate degree in Agriculture or relevant courses |
| Admission Process | Direct Admission or Entrance test and Interview |
| Course Fee | INR 5,000 to 2,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 2 LPA to INR 8 LPA |
| Job Positions | Lecturer, Agricultural Officer, Researcher, etc. |
| Top Recruiting Areas | Agricultural sectors, fertilizer companies, educational institutes and many more. |
Top PhD Agriculture Colleges
This course is taught in some of the most popular agricultural colleges and universities in India. Here we have listed the best PhD Agriculture colleges in India
| College Name | Admission Process | Average Fee | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi | Entrance test | INR 29,250 | INR 4-5 LPA |
| Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu | Entrance test | INR 80,416 | INR 2 LPA |
| Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur | Entrance test | INR 29,830 | INR 3.2 LPA |
| Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal | Entrance test | INR 67,855 | INR 3 LPA |
| Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana | Entrance test | INR 84,390 | INR 3.7 LPA |
| Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi | Entrance test | INR 7,550 | INR 3.5 LPA |
| Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly | Entrance test | INR 15,900 | INR 3 LPA |
| National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal | Entrance test | INR 17,800 | INR 4 LPA |
| Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology,Pantnagar | Entrance test | INR 53,600 | INR 5 LPA |
| Veterinary College and Research Institute,Chennai | Entrance test | INR 33,325 | INR 3 LPA |
What is the PhD Agriculture Admission Process ?
The admission process for the PhD Agriculture course is quite basic. It is done either on the basis of the candidate’s performance in the admission test or the rank secured by the candidate in the Master degree course.
Most colleges conduct a counselling process prior to admission. After the counselling is done, a merit list is prepared on the basis of which admissions are done. For colleges which conduct an entrance test, there is no specific cut-off. The cut-off for the admission process is determined each year by the respective college or university.
Following are the the steps of direct admission to PhD Agriculture:
Step 1: Fill the application form
The application forms need to be filled up before the deadline. Otherwise, you will not be able to take admission to the college.
Step 2: Admission to the college
After the application forms are submitted, a merit list is prepared on the basis of which admissions are done.
Following are the the steps of PhD Agriculture admission through entrances:
Step 1: Fill the application form
Even if your college conducts an entrance test, you are required to fill up the application form for the entrance test so that you can sit for the test.
Step 2: Appear for the entrance test
The dates for the entrance test are released by the university shortly after the application deadline. The students need to prepare really well for the entrance test to get a good rank.
Step 3: Appear for an interview (optional)
The interview process is completely optional. Only a few colleges conduct an interview for the candidates who have cleared the entrance test. It may either be a personal interview or a technical one.
Step 4: Admission to the college
The candidates who have cleared all the previous stages of the admission process will be allowed to take admission.
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Do I Qualify the PhD Agriculture Eligibility Criteria?
Different PhD Agriculture courses have different eligibility criteria. Let us look at some of the most important PhD Agriculture eligibility criteria for the course:
- A candidate must complete his masters in agriculture or any other relevant discipline with a minimum of 50% marks.
- The student must have at least 50% marks in higher secondary and bachelor degree courses.
- If the college organizes an entrance test, the cut-off for the entrance test will have to be cleared.
- In case there is an interview round, the student must perform really well in the interview.
What are the Top PhD Agriculture Entrance Exams?
Entrance to the PhD Agriculture colleges is mostly done on the basis of the marks acquired in the admission test. The admission test is conducted once a year and the results of the test will determine whether a candidate will be able to become a part of that particular college.
This year, because of the COVID-19 crisis, all examinations have been rescheduled. Here are some of the most popular entrance tests for the PhD Agriculture candidates:
- UGC NET Exam 2021: The UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) is the common entrance examination for all the Ph.D. candidates. The examination may vary according to the stream opted by the candidate.
- AAU VET 2021: Assam Agricultural University Veterinary Entrance Test is the examination conducted by Assam Agricultural University. The syllabus for the examination is determined each year by the university itself.
- UGC CSIR NET 2021: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – National Eligibility Test is the test for the post of Junior Research Fellowship. The test is conducted in offline mode and the candidates can sit for the test twice a year.
- OUAT 2021: OUAT is the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology entrance examination. The examination is mostly conducted every year in the month of June. The question paper for the examination has four different sections.
| Entrance Test | Mode of Examination | Total Time | Date of Application | Date of Examination |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UGC NET 2020 | Online | 3 hours | Closed | To be announced |
| AAU VET 2020 | Offline | 2 hours | September 06, 2020 | Cancelled |
| CSIR UGC NET 2020 | Online | 3 hours | Closed | Expected in Mid November 2020 |
| OUAT 2020 | Offline | 2 hours | Closed | To be announced |
Check: PhD Agriculture Entrance Exams
How to Prepare for the PhD Agriculture Entrance Test?
Previously, there used to be no entrance tests for Ph.D. courses. However, over the last few years, certain colleges and universities started conducting their own entrance tests. So, here we have listed some of the important preparation tips for you:
- Get to know the latest syllabus for the examination. The syllabus may change every year. So, you must make it a point to get a fresh copy of the syllabus. You can easily download the syllabus from the website of the university.
- You must know the format of the examination. Knowing the examination format will keep you ahead of others. The pattern may differ from university to university. In most cases, the question paper is divided into two parts: one part contains subjective questions while the other part contains objective questions.
- Give more importance to the sections which are important from the examination point of view. For that, you need to make a list of all the topics that are important from the examination point of view and give special attention to those sections.
- The key to acquiring a really good score in the examination is revision. The more you revise, the better will you be able to score in the examination. You must start your revision at least 2 months before the date of the examination.
- Look through the questions from the sample papers and the previous year’s question papers. This will keep you well accustomed to the type of questions that you might face in the examination. Few links to the PhD Agriculture entrance test’s sample papers and previous year’s question papers have been listed below:
- Read books by popular authors. This will definitely help you to score really good marks in the entrance tests. A lot of books are available that are specially meant for PhD Agriculture entrance tests.
A lot of books are available in the market for the PhD Agriculture course. These books will help you to perform well in your entrances. Some of these books have been listed below:
| Name of the Book | Name of the Author |
|---|---|
| A Competitive Book of Agriculture for UPSC, PSCs ARS/SRF/JRF, Pre PG & Ph.D. Entrance | Nem Raj Sunda |
| Quality Agriculture: Conversations about Regenerative Agronomy with Innovative Scientists and Growers | John Kempf |
| Urban Agriculture | Mohamed Samer |
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How to Get Admission in a Good PhD Agriculture College?
As you already know, our country has a number of PhD Agriculture colleges. So, you must be really confused regarding which college is best for you. Here we are with a few useful tips that will help you to get admitted to a good college:
- You must have a really good score in your undergraduate and graduate courses. This will play a major role in fulfilling the eligibility criteria. At least 50% of marks are required in your Bachelor and Master degree course.
- Next, you need to score well in the entrance test. A good rank in the entrance test will help you to get admitted to one of the top PhD Agriculture colleges or universities in India.
- You will have to start preparing for the entrance test well in advance. Revise the important chapters and get to know the syllabus well. Also, learn all the important keywords and terminology. This will help you a lot in solving the MCQs.
- You must be very particular about filling up the application form. Make no mistake while filling the important details. Also, make it a point to submit the application form before the deadlines.
- Have a very clear idea about the course curriculum and the subjects offered in the course. Select a college which offers you the subjects of your choice.
- Consult with the students who are currently pursuing a PhD Agriculture course. They might be able to help you out by providing you with appropriate information and details regarding the course.
What is PhD Agriculture all about?
India is an agro-based country and Agricultural courses are very popular in India. Let us see what the PhD Agriculture course is all about.
- The course covers all the fundamentals of Agriculture. It includes topics like soil design, introductory crops, fertilizers, water quality, pest identification and many more.
- The students will be able to master various scientific methods of agriculture. They are also taught various ways by means of which they will be able to develop their own techniques of agriculture.
- The course is research-based. It's ideal for those students who possess the scientific ability to solve the various issues related to agriculture which the farmers face from time to time.
- Throughout the duration of the course, the candidates get to perform numerous case studies. They deal with various real-life problems and find solutions to all those problems.
- The PhD Agriculture course has numerous similar courses. Some of the similar courses include Ph.D. in Forestry, Ph.D. in Horticulture, Ph.D. in Agronomy and many more.
Why Study PhD Agriculture ?
A PhD Agriculture is quite a prosperous course. Here we have mentioned some of the important reasons regarding why you should pursue this course:
- The Agriculture course has a practical approach. It will allow the students to deal with various practical problems and come up with relevant solutions to those problems. They may come up with new approaches to solve the problems.
- After completing the course, the students will be able to successfully develop new techniques and methods of agriculture. The candidates may also come up with new farming techniques that would improve agricultural yield.
- The PhD Agriculture students get a wide variety of career opportunities. They may work at sectors like agro-based companies, fertilizer industries, etc. They may also work in food processing farms and educational institutions.
- The students may work as a professor or a lecturer at various schools and colleges. They may also open up their own labs and carry out research activities on various agricultural procedures.
- The PhD Agriculture students may initially earn a stipend of INR 30,000 to INR 40,000 during their Ph.D. course. Later, they may earn a salary of INR 2 LPA to INR 8 LPA. This salary largely depends on the post that you have been appointed for.
PhD Agriculture vs PhD Agronomy
The PhD Agriculture and PhD Agronomy course has a similar course curriculum. Here, we have compared between these two courses:
| Parameters | PhD Agriculture | PhD Agronomy |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy in Agriculture | Doctor of Philosophy in Agronomy |
| Course Overview | PhD Agriculture is a research-based course. It mainly deals with the different techniques of agriculture and crop production. | PhD Agriculture focuses on the various fundamentals of agronomy. The candidates also learn about introductory crops and soil designs. |
| Eligibility | Masters in Agriculture or relevant course with a minimum of 50% marks. | Masters in Agronomy or relevant course with a minimum of 50% marks. |
| Admission Process | Direct admission or entrance test and interview | Direct admission or entrance test and interview |
| Average Fee | INR 5,000 to INR 2,00,000 | INR 5,000 to INR 1,50,000 |
| Average Salary | 2 LPA to 8 LPA | 1 LPA to 6 LPA |
| Colleges | Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur. | Bihar Agricultural University, Bhagalpur, College of Postgraduate Studies, Shillong, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur. |
| Recruitment sectors | Fertilizer companies, agricultural companies, colleges, universities, etc. | Food processing companies, agricultural sectors, manure industries, organic farming, etc. |
| Top Job Profiles | Researcher, Manager, Agricultural Officer, etc. | Farm Manager, Research Associate, Agronomist, Lecturer. |
Source: Payscale
PhD Agriculture:College Comparison
PhD Agriculture is taught in numerous top institutes of the country. Here, we have compared the 3 top PhD Agriculture colleges.
| Parameters | Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi | Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu | Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi is one of the top agricultural institutes of the country. It offers a wide variety of agricultural courses to the students. | Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu is a very popular agricultural university of the country. The college operates under the University of Madras. | Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur offers courses in Engineering, Agricultural Sciences, Home Science, etc. |
| Location | New Delhi | Tamil Nadu | Guntur |
| Average Fees | INR 29,250 | INR 80,416 | INR 29,830 |
| Eligibility | Masters in relevant discipline | Masters in relevant discipline | Masters in relevant discipline |
| Admission Process | Direct admission or entrance test and interview | Direct admission or entrance test and interview | Direct admission or entrance test and interview |
| Average CTC | INR 4-5 LPA | INR 2 LPA | INR 3.2 LPA |
| Top Recruiting Company | Central Bank of India | TCS, Banks, Agricultura; Sectors, etc. | Agricultural industries, private and public sectors. |
Sources: Payscale
PhD Agriculture Syllabus
The PhD Agriculture Course may span across 3 to 5 years. During the entire PhD Agriculture course duration, the candidates will have to study various courses related to Agriculture. Along with that, the PhD Agriculture syllabus also includes courses in basic sciences.
Some of the popular topics of PhD Agriculture syllabus are tabulated below that one will study throughout the duration of the course.
| Advanced Agricultural Marketing And Price Analysis | Natural Resources Management |
| Environmental Economics | Agricultural Meteorology |
| Agricultural Chemistry | Agricultural Physics |
| Food And Nutrition | Advanced Host Plant Resistance |
| Advanced Insecticide Toxicology | Insect Behaviour |
| Doctoral Seminar-i | Doctoral Research |
What after PhD Agriculture?
PhD Agriculture has always been one of the most popular courses for the students of India. This is mainly because of the fact that India is an agro-based country and there are multiple ways to build a career in the field of Agriculture. Our country has a huge number of industries that are totally dependent on the Agricultural sector. As a result, the candidates may seek PhD Agriculture jobs in any of those sectors.
Some of the most popular sectors which provide PhD Agriculture jobs are Agricultural Sectors, Food Processing Industries, Fertilizer companies etc. Some of the professionals end up starting their own farms where they recruit officials
Some of the most popular PhD Agriculture jobs are tabulated below.
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Farm manager | Farm managers take care of agricultural farms. They look after the production and sale of agricultural products. | INR 1 to 2 LPA |
| Research associate | Research associates carry out research activities in various fields related to agriculture. They also perform various advanced experiments. | INR 3 to 4 LPA |
| Agriculture Officer | An agricultural officer deals with various agricultural offices and looks after agricultural farms and productions. | INR 3 to 4 LPA |
| Production Manager | The main work of the production manager is to take care of the production and management of agricultural products. | INR 4 to 5 LPA |
| Lecturer | Lecturers impart knowledge to the students on topics related to agriculture. They may either work in research institutes or conduct their own research. | INR 3 to 4 LPA |
Source: Payscale
What is the Future scope of PhD Agriculture?
The future of the PhD Agriculture students in India is always bright. They need not have to worry about jobs. Given below are few future prospects for the these students:
- The candidates may conduct research in different fields related to agriculture. They may either work at various agricultural labs or conduct their own personal research. They may invest their time discovering new techniques of agriculture and new ways to improve crop production.
- The PhD Agriculture students may also opt for an academic career path. They may teach at various prestigious educational institutes of the country. They are responsible for imparting agriculture-based knowledge to the students.
Lastly, one must note that in order to apply for government jobs, the candidates may have to clear an additional examination.
PhD Agriculture FAQs
Ques. Is it worthwhile to do PhD Agriculture?
Ans. Yes, PhD Agriculture is quite a prosperous subject especially in countries like India. The students get numerous opportunities to build their career.
Ques. What are career options after completing PhD Agriculture?
Ans. You will get a lot of choices. You may either become a professor at a college or work at various reputed concerns. You may even conduct research activities.
Ques. What is the total PhD Agriculture course duration?
Ans. The total PhD Agriculture course duration would be around 3 to 5 years. The timespan is different for different institutes.
Ques. What are the common PhD Agriculture jobs in India?
Ans. The common PhD Agriculture jobs are production manager, agriculture officer, field manager, researcher, lecturer, etc.
Ques. Do I have to sit for an admission test for the PhD Agriculture course?
Ans. Yes, entrance results are required for admission to some of the top PhD Agriculture colleges of India.
Ques. Is an interview compulsory for admission to the PhD Agriculture course?
Ans. Only a few colleges conduct an interview for admission to the PhD Agriculture course.
Ques. What is the eligibility criteria for a PhD Agriculture course?
Ans.You need to complete your Masters in Agriculture or any other relevant discipline with a minimum score of 50%.
Ques. How much money do I need to spend to study PhD Agriculture in India?
Ans.The average tuition fee is between INR 5,000 to INR 2,00,000.
Ques. What are the subjects that I need to cover in my PhD Agriculture syllabus?
Ans.Few of the subjects that are covered in the PhD Agriculture syllabus are Agricultural Physics, Agricultural Chemistry, Food and Nutrition, etc.
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