Wondering about agriculture courses after 12th in India? Get insights about courses and details on eligibility criteria, various degree and diploma courses, colleges, job profiles, and salary.
Agriculture based courses may sound pretty new, but they have been the foundation of many botany-based courses in India. Agriculture courses were first introduced in 1905 as short-term diploma courses, and now the courses are offered in various streams of study and under several specializations. The growing modernistic approach and a considerable decline in agriculture have forced agriculture studies to be introduced at the grassroots level, which resulted in plenty of agriculture courses after 12th.
Let us get more ideas about some of the top agricultural courses after the 12th and some insights on scopes, admissions, and eligibility.
Table of Contents
- Undergraduate Agriculture Course
- Best Agricultural Colleges in India
- Agriculture Course Eligibility
- Agriculture Entrance Exams in India
- Career in Agriculture After 12th
Also Read: Detailed Guide on Courses after 12th
Undergraduate Agriculture Course
An undergraduate degree in agriculture is offered in both sciences and engineering streams of study. The general duration of agriculture courses after 12th is from 3 to 5 years of study and depends on the stream opted. Some of the top undergraduate courses are discussed below:
- B.Sc Agriculture
- B.Sc. Horticulture
- B.Sc Forestry
- B.Tech in Agriculture Engineering
- Bachelor of Fisheries Science
- B.Sc Plant Pathology
- B.Sc Dairy Science
- B.Sc Food Science
- B.Sc Plant Science
- B.Sc Agricultural Biotechnology
- B.Tech Dairy Technology
B.Sc Agriculture
Students after the completion of 12th in the science stream who have an interest in agriculture can pursue B.Sc in Agriculture. Considering that 70% of India's occupation is Agriculture and the field of study is informative, many career opportunities and qualified professionals are valued in this sector. Bachelor of Science in Agriculture is an undergraduate course offered by several colleges. A B.Sc course offers a theoretical study of in-depth agro-science concepts and topics underuse of modern scientific equipment and various techniques in agriculture, soil science, water management, poultry management, etc. After completing the agriculture courses after 12th, students can pursue their M.Sc or careers in the public and public sectors.
B.Sc Agriculture Course Insights:
- Full-Form: Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
- Course Duration: 4 Years
- Eligibility: The students must have completed the HSC exam (12th) in the science stream. Should have a minimum of 40-50% in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology subjects (PCB). Aspirants must have appeared for State level Entrance Exam or other relevant exams.
- Course Fees: INR 1 - 2 LPA
- Subjects Pursued: Plant Biochemistry, Principles of Soil and Water Engineering, Fundamentals of Entomology, and much more.
- Average Salary: INR 6 LPA
Read more about B.Sc Agriculture
B.Sc. Horticulture
B.Sc. Horticulture is an agriculture program that deals with the cultivation of plants, studying cultivation, preservation, and the genetics of plants. Students should apply their knowledge in this field of study, increasing productivity and yield. Horticulture science provides a basic understanding of the cultivation of crops and techniques to enhance plant growth and gardening. The applied concepts of Biochemistry, Biology and Genetic Engineering are used in B.Sc. Horticulture to study more on botanical science and seeds. Upon completing the agriculture courses after 12th, graduates can opt for M.Sc in Horticulture or Agricultural Sciences based on their interests.
B.Sc Horticulture Course Insights:
- Full-Form: Bachelor of Science in Horticulture
- Course Duration: 4 Years
- Eligibility: The students must have completed the HSC exam (12th) in the science stream. Should have a minimum of 40-50% in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology subjects (PCB). Aspirants must have appeared for State level Entrance Exam or other relevant exams.
- Course Fees: INR 50,000 - 2 LPA
- Subjects Pursued: Plant Biochemistry, Plant Biotechnology, Medicinal & Aromatic Plants, and much more.
- Average Salary: INR 4 LPA
Read more about B.Sc Horticulture
B.Sc Forestry
B.Sc Forestry is a Bachelor's degree program that offers the study of plantation and wildlife management. The main of the course is to provide knowledge on the conservation and management of forest resources, develop forest and forest resources, and be updated on the latest technologies used in the field of forestry. A B.Sc in Forestry course offers knowledge on both botanical aspects of forest and zoological aspects of forestry. Graduates of these agriculture courses after 12th have plenty of job streams and higher studies scopes, as they can opt for any botanical or zoological studies.
B.Sc Forestry Course Insights
- Full-Form: Bachelor of Science in Forestry
- Course Duration: 4 Years
- Eligibility: The students must have completed the HSC exam (12th) in the science stream. Should have a minimum of 50% in PCB or PCMB. Aspirants must have appeared for any state-level or university-level entrance exam or other relevant exams.
- Course Fees: INR 50,000 - 3 LPA
- Subjects Pursued: Tribology and Anthropology, Dendrology, Plantation Forestry, and much more.
- Average Salary: INR 3.6 LPA
Read more about B.Sc Forestry
B.Tech in Agriculture Engineering
The branch of engineering deals with the study of agricultural practices in food processing and food production, considering Agriculture as the backbone of our country's economy. The scope for B.Tech Agriculture Engineering is always in demand due to developments in agro machinery and processing techniques that enhance yield rates by a considerable margin. B.Tech in Agriculture Engineering offers plenty of job opportunities for graduates in food processing, machinery manufacturing, and crop research industries. Graduates can opt for higher education agriculture courses after 12th like M.Sc in any agricultural specialization subject.
B.Tech Agriculture Engineering Course Insights
- Full-Form: Bachelor of Technology in Agriculture Engineering
- Course Duration: 4 Years
- Eligibility: The students must have completed the HSC exam (12th) in the science stream, preferably PCMB or PCB. Should have a minimum of 50% aggregate in all subjects. Aspirants must have appeared for any national-level or university-level engineering entrance exam or other relevant exams.
- Course Fees: INR 50,000 - 2 LPA
- Subjects Pursued: Soil And Water Conservation Structure, Crop Production Technology, Watershed Hydrology, Tractor Systems And Control, and much more.
- Average Salary: INR 5 - 7 LPA
Read more about B.Tech Agriculture Engineering
Bachelor of Fisheries Science
Agriculture is a vast field of study, and fisheries are also an integral part of agriculture in delta regions. Aspirants can take up the B.F.Sc course after 12th that offers a study of fundamental fish farming and essential knowledge on fish breeds. The course involves the study of the management of fisheries. Also, it draws sub-disciplines of aquaculture, including fish breeding, genetics, biotechnology, aquatic resources, treatment of aquatic animals, fish processing, and many more. The graduates taking these agriculture courses after 12th are employed by government organizations and private fish farming organizations. Graduates of this course can opt for M.F.Sc upon completion.
B.F.Sc Course Insights
- Full-Form: Bachelor of Fisheries Science
- Course Duration: 4 Years
- Eligibility: The students must have completed 10+2 board exams in the science stream with a minimum of 50% aggregate.
- Course Fees: INR 30,000 - 1 LPA
- Subjects Pursued: Principles of Aquaculture, Taxonomy in Finfish, Extension Education in Fisheries, Biotechnology & Bioinformatics in Fisheries, Finfish Breeding, and much more.
- Average Salary: INR 4 LPA
Read more about B.F.Sc
B.Sc Plant Pathology
B.Sc in plant pathology is a specialization course in Agriculture Science and Technology for undergraduates. Plant pathology involves agricultural science studying the fungi, bacteria, viruses, nematodes, and other microorganisms that cause plant diseases. It is one of the best agriculture courses after 12th.
Course insights:
- Full-Form: Bachelor of Science Plant Pathology
- Course Duration: 3 Years
- Eligibility: The students must have completed the HSC exam (12th) in the science stream, preferably PCMB or PCB. Should have a minimum of 50% aggregate in all subjects. Aspirants must have appeared for any national-level or university-level engineering entrance exam or other relevant exams
- Course Fees: INR 60,000 - 1 LPA
- Subjects Pursued: Physiology, Mycology, Virology and Bacteriology, Bryophytes and Pteridophytes, Cell Biology and Molecular Biology, Plant Anatomy, Applied Embryology, and Economic Botany. Plant Physiology, Plant Biotechnology, etc.
- Average Salary: INR 5 LPA
B.Sc Dairy Science
Dairy Technology, also known as Bachelor of Science in Dairy Technology, is another agriculture courses after 12th. It is an Agriculture Science and Technology course offered at the undergraduate level. Dairy technology is a branch of science that deals with preparing milk and milk products.
Course insights:
- Full-Form: Bachelor of Science in Dairy Science
- Course Duration: 4 Years
- Eligibility: The students must have completed the HSC exam (12th) in the science stream, preferably PCMB or PCB. Should have a minimum of 50% aggregate in all subjects. Aspirants must have appeared for any national-level or university-level engineering entrance exam or other relevant exams
- Course Fees: INR 50,000 - 4 LPA
- Subjects Pursued: Indian dairy Farming, Milk and Physiology of Lactation, Farm Animal Management, Animal Nutrition, Animal Genetics and Reproduction, Milk Processing Technology, Animal Breeding, Indigenous Milk Products studies, Forage Production Feeds, and Feeding, Western Dairy Products studies, Sheep, Goat, Poultry, and Pig Farming.
- Average Salary: INR 2 - 5 LPA
B.Sc Food Science
The Bachelor of Science in Food Sciences is a food technology major that studies the nature of foods and the changes that occur in them due to handling and processing. The agriculture courses after 12th also includes research into all technical aspects of food, such as harvesting or slaughtering, cooking, and consumption.
Course insights:
- Full-Form: Bachelor of Science in Food Science
- Course Duration: 4 Years
- Eligibility: The students must have completed the HSC exam (12th) in the science stream, preferably PCMB or PCB. Should have a minimum of 50% aggregate in all subjects. Aspirants must have appeared for any national-level or university-level engineering entrance exam or other relevant exams.
- Course Fees: INR 50,000 - 2 LPA
- Subjects Pursued: Introduction to Food Science, Basic Nutrition, Basic Principles of Food Engineering, Biochemistry, Food Microbiology, Food Preservation, Food Informatics, Food Engineering, etc.
- Average Salary: 4 LPA
B.Sc Plant Science
B.Sc in Plant science encompasses a wide range of biological disciplines, including genetics, molecular and cellular biology, and complete organisms, specializing in studies of flora. Agriculture courses after 12th focuses on understanding how plants operate at all sizes, from molecular to global perspectives.
Course insights:
- Full-Form: Bachelor of Science in Plant Science
- Course Duration: 4 Years
- Eligibility: The students must have completed 12th in the science stream, preferably PCMB or PCB. Should have a minimum of 50% aggregate in all subjects.
- Course Fees: INR 50,000 - 2 LPA
- Subjects Pursued: Physiology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Plant Anatomy, Applied Embryology, Plant Physiology, Plant Biotechnology, etc.
- Average Salary: INR 4 LPA
B.Sc Agricultural Biotechnology
B.Sc in Agricultural biotechnology studies to understand the manipulation of organisms' genetic makeup to increase agricultural product output. It assists in the production of numerous crops kinds and other items to enhance human life as a whole.
Course insights:
- Full-Form: Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Biotechnology
- Course Duration: 3 years
- Eligibility: The students must have completed 12th in the science stream, preferably PCB. They should have a minimum of 50% aggregate in all subjects.
- Course Fees: INR 3-4 LPA
- Subjects Pursued: Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Plant Physiology, Mathematics, Immunology, Molecular Biology, etc.
- Average Salary: INR 5 - 8 LPA
B.Tech Dairy Technology
B.Tech Dairy Technology is a specialization course in dairy and dairy farming. It involves all areas of dairy production and transportation. As part of this curriculum, students will be trained in the manufacturing, processing, and quality control of dairy-related products. It is a popular agriculture courses after 12th.
Course insights:
- Full-Form: Bachelor of Engineering in Dairy Technology
- Course Duration: 4 Years
- Eligibility: The students must have HSC in the science stream, preferably in biology. Should have a minimum of 50% aggregate in all subjects. Aspirants must have appeared for any national-level or university-level engineering entrance exam or other relevant exams.
- Course Fees: INR 2- 5 LPA
- Subjects Pursued: Dairy technology, physical chemistry of milk, dairy microbiology, dairy engineering, etc.
- Average Salary: INR 3 - 8LPA
Also Read: Private Agriculture Colleges in India- Fees and Admission details
Best Agricultural Colleges in India
Listed below are the top agricultural colleges in India which students can consider for agriculture courses after 12th:
- Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
- Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, [ANGRAU] Hyderabad
- Jawaharlal Nehru Institute, [JNU] New Delhi
- Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, [CIAE] Bhopal
- Punjab Agricultural University, [PAU] Ludhiana
- Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi
- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, [IVRR] Bareilly
- Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar
- National Dairy Research Institute, [NDRI] Karnal
- Anbil Dharmalingam Agriculture College and Research Institute, [ADAC&RI] Tiruchirappalli
Also Read: Government Agriculture Colleges in India 2024
Agriculture Course Eligibility
There are different requirements for different agricultural streams and levels. The admission process is done through the eligibility criteria set by the university under the guidance of ICAR. The basic eligibility criteria to pursue agriculture courses after 12th is that students should've cleared class 10 with a minimum aggregate of over 50% from any board. Some of the other eligibility criteria include:
- Diploma agriculture courses -The minimum eligibility for the diploma course is completing class 10th with a minimum aggregate score of 50% from a recognized board. Students must have completed an agriculture degree from an ICAR-accredited university for a PG diploma, with a minimum of 50% aggregate.
- Graduate Agriculture Courses- For admissions into undergraduate courses, students must clear 10+2 exams, preferably from a science background, with an aggregate of 50%. Students must also clear any university-level or state-level ICAR examinations for admission into premier universities.
- Post-Graduation- It is required for a student to be a graduate or to have completed a course in agriculture or biology-oriented domain. Post-graduation courses are designed to give the students a better understanding of agriculture concepts, and the students must have prior knowledge of the course.
- Doctorate Level Course- It is the highest level of certificate one can achieve in this field and can be taken up by postgraduate students with a minimum of 50% aggregate score in their PG degree. This level, of course, focuses on practical application rather than theoretical study.
Also Read: Agriculture Courses After 10th: Eligibility, Job Scope, Top Colleges
Agricultural Entrance Exams in India
All courses in India have some entrance examinations for admissions. The agriculture entrance exams are held at the university, state, and national levels. Exams are a vital part of the admission process as they help find suitable candidates for the course via merit. A few of the entrance exams for agriculture courses after 12th are:
- AGRICET
- Indira Gandhi Agricultural University CET
- AIEEA UG (Undergraduate), AIEEA PG (Post-graduate) conducted by ICAR
- CG Pre-Agriculture Test (PAT)
- UAS, UHS, UAHS PG Common Admission
- GB Pant University Admissions (GBPUAT)
- MP Pre-Agriculture Test (PAT)
- MCAER Common Entrance Test
- Uttar Pradesh Combined Agricultural and Technology Entrance Test (UPCATET)
- Rajasthan Joint Entrance Test (JET)
- Punjab Agricultural University Entrance Exam
- The Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology
Also Read: BCECE Agriculture College List
Career in Agriculture After 12th
Agriculture is a very diverse field of study and opens up plenty of job opportunities for course graduates at any level. Around 60% of Indians work in agriculture, making it a primary sector of employment and revenue. The profession of an agriculturist is very profitable, and the opportunities available are also surplus. Students can start working upon completing their agriculture courses after 12th. Apart from conventional farming, students can work in various areas of agriculture, like agro-tech, food processing, research, botany, etc.
Nowadays, research and development have gained huge demand in agriculture because of improving technology. Agriculture has demanded more technology to meet the growing food demands as the population continues to grow across the globe. Graduates have a good scope in horticulture research and agro-tech industries, even if they are not into traditional agriculture. Some of the popular job designations and employment opportunities for agriculture graduates are given below:
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Also Read: Top Agriculture Colleges in Andhra Pradesh accepting AP EAMCET 2024
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