BSc Agriculture Salary and Scope in India

What is BSc Agriculture?

BSc Agriculture is a 4-year undergraduate degree program that focuses on research and practices in the agricultural sector, dealing with subjects like genetics, plant pathology, plant breeding, soil science, agricultural microbiology, etc. The government of India recognises BSc in Agriculture as a professional degree in agricultural science. This has made the BSc agriculture salary soar in recent years. This course provides training to implement modern agricultural techniques and technologies in a real-world scenario.

Candidates who want to study the course should have completed their 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) as their main subjects. The admission is based on Merit and Direct Interview or BSc Agriculture Entrance Exams.

Important points to note:

• Fees: INR 2-3 lakhs
• Average BSc Agriculture Salary: INR 4-6 lakhs per annum
• The main location of colleges: Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Telangana

List of BSc Agriculture Salary and Jobs

Often, students have a question about what to do after BSc agriculture. Here are some best jobs that you can do in India.

1. Government Research Institutes

The government of India has taken up more initiatives to improve the country’s primary sector. To aid this, many government research institutes are set up to increase the quality and quantity of agricultural produce, which requires the expertise of BSc Agriculture students. Thus, this is one of the best government jobs after BSc agriculture in India.

• Average Salary: INR 6-8 lakhs per annum.

2. State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)

These are stated government-controlled institutions responsible for agriculture research, training and education. Major aspects of this job as BSc Agriculture students are nutrition physiology, dynamic nutrient processes, and crop improvement.

• Average Salary: INR 10-13 lakhs per annum.

3. Seed Manufacturing Companies

This job is perfect for BSc Agriculture students who want to be involved in planning, coordination, and other management aspects of seed production techniques. This job blends business aspects with the core technical aspects of seed sterilization and production.

• Average BSc Agriculture Salary: INR 3.5 – 5 lakhs per annum.

4. Food Technology Companies

India has become a country for entrepreneurs, and the number of successful start-ups has been observed to be multiplying. Some companies have infused technology into food and cooking techniques to make the outcome a perfect product for the customer.

• Average BSc agriculture salary in India: INR 5 lakhs per annum.

5. Banks

There is job availability for agriculture students in the public banking sector. Almost all government banks have these specialist positions open. The job involves working with the loan department to provide finance for agricultural purposes and other categories under the NABARD scheme.

• Average Salary: INR 4-7 lakhs per annum.

6. Agriculture Fields

BSc Agriculture imparts knowledge to the students so much detail that they can acquire land and use their learning to work in agricultural fields. Today, there is a huge market in India for organic products, which can be a very profitable job.

• Average Earnings: INR 4-5 lakhs per annum per hectare.

7. Fertilizer Manufacturing Firms

Farmers need fertilizers to improve the soil nutrient profile and pesticides to protect the land from unwanted pests, making the agricultural season successful with abundant produce and low wastage. BSc Agriculture students can work with large companies to research, develop and create better fertilizers and pesticides.

• Average Salary: INR 3 lakhs per annum.

8. Food Processing Units

The basic job role of BSc Agriculture in food processing units include quality management, raw material management, process development, and labour and production planning.

• Average Salary: INR 7-12 lakhs per annum.

9. Central & State Government Departments

All food products need certification from the government-established FSSAI, stating that the food is up to the standard and safe to consume as per the instructions. There are other departments too, that require the expertise of BSc Agriculture candidates.

• Average Salary: INR 5-8 lakhs per annum.

10. Schools & Colleges

Agriculture is important to learn and understand in the Indian education system. There are specialised courses devoted to the subject of agriculture. Candidates can choose to become a teacher or professors at universities to deliver the knowledge and experience they have gained over the years.

• Average Salary: INR 8 lakhs per annum.

11. Machinery Industries

We live in a fast-moving world where packaged and cold stored food have become a part of our day-to-day lives, and such products need to undergo a lot of machinery operations. BSc Agriculture candidates can overview the development and working of such machines that do not tamper with the quality and safety of the food products.

• Average Salary: INR 4-5 lakhs per annum.

12. Specialist officer (Agricultural Field Officer)

The main job of an agricultural field officer is to promote and expand the circulation of banks’ financial products in rural areas to increase the capital used in the agricultural sector, which in turn will improve the productivity of the land. They generate leads, carry out revenue reports, and stay associated with RBI, NABARD and RRB.

• Average Salary: INR 3 lakhs per annum.

13. Junior Agricultural Associate

The job role of a junior agricultural associate mainly includes working with small-scale vendors like fruit and vegetable vendor, fish-selling small vendors, etc. They assist in providing various services to them, including financial services.

• India’s average BSc Agri salary is INR 1.8 to 2.3 lakhs per annum.

14. Rural Development Officer

A rural development officer is responsible for handling and overseeing rural development schemes such as farming schemes, schemes for specially-abled, old age pension, MNREGA, and health and medical facilities.

• Average Salary of BSc agriculture in India: INR 3-6 lakhs per annum.

15. Field Officer

A field officer is associated with rural and semi-urban banks and is important in providing and extending financial services for developing rural areas primarily dependent on agriculture and related activities for survival.

• Average Salary: INR 3-4 lakhs per annum.

16. Agricultural Officer

Agricultural officers’ work is to ensure high-quality crops are grown by farmers. They ensure that all agricultural operations and commodities comply with centre and state legislation.

• India’s average BSc ag salary is INR 3-5 lakhs per annum.

You can also view on blog on BSc Courses that have huge potential.

Competitive Exams after BSc Agriculture

1. UPSC-IFSC (Indian Forest Services) Exam

UPSC exam is one of the world’s most prestigious and difficult civil service exams. A candidate can choose from a wide variety of profiles, one of which is Indian Forest Services. Around 10 lakh students apply for the UPSC exam, and only a few hundred are selected for this particular profile. The exam has three stages- Preliminary exam, Mains exam and Interview. This has contributed largely to increasing India’s BSc agriculture scope and salary.

2. IBPS SO Exam

BSc Agriculture graduates can give IBPS SO exam and select among various profiles at the staff selection commission. The profiles offered to the candidates are highly technical and specialised. Some of the profiles include Agriculture officers, Scientific assistants and Lab assistants.

3. State Forest Exam

The state government conducts this exam, and there are differences in the rules, regulations, dates and questions asked in this exam in various states. Graduates can apply for various profiles in managing state forests, state agricultural banks and other government-controlled rural and agricultural development departments.

4. UGC-NET Exam

The national testing agency conducts the UGC-NET exam to determine the eligibility of various BSc Agriculture candidates for the profiles of assistant professor and Junior Research Fellowship award in Indian universities and colleges.

5. NABARD Grade A Exam

NABARD stands for National bank for agriculture and rural development. The Grade A exam is for candidates who want to work with such banks as an assistant manager responsible for aiding the work of the bank manager and overviewing the entire purpose of the establishment of the bank. They are also responsible for maintaining records and expanding the provision of financial services for rural and agricultural development.

Employment Areas in Agriculture

In this section of our article, we have discussed job opportunities after BSc agriculture.

1. Agribusiness and Agripreneurship

This is an entrepreneurial field for the BSc Agriculture candidates where the expertise in the relevant field is combined with establishing a business. This has recently proven to be one of the best job opportunities in BSc agriculture as the market for organic farming has expanded.

2. Agriculture Economics

Economics is a wide field involving applying economics theory to increase the production capacity and distribution of food and fibre products.

3. Farm Management

Farm management involves making and implementing decisions in operating a farm to generate maximum production and profit. This field draws on BSc Agriculture and market study for information on prices, agricultural policy, markets, and leasing and credit policies.

4. Quality Assurance

Quality assurance is an important aspect throughout the food chain and distribution channel for companies making any kind of food product. This involves procedures and methods used to test the quality of a product that meets the standards.

5. Food Technology

Food technology involves the application of BSc Agricultural food science to select, preserve, process, pack, distribute, and use safe food. Some important aspects are analytical chemistry, biotechnology, nutrition, and food safety management.

6. Food Processing Units

Food processing units include all the techniques to convert raw materials into consumable products. These units are integral to practices of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, and fisheries.

7. Seed Technology Firms

Companies conduct a lot of research to develop high-quality seeds through sterilization and other scientific methods to gain quality produce and maximum profits. These involve processing, testing, and conserving food and agricultural seeds. This makes it one of the most attractive careers after BSc agriculture.

8. Agricultural Banks

Specialist banks are set up to aid the financial needs of farmers and others working in related industries. They provide cheap loans and employ BSc agriculture candidates to overview the technical aspects of providing services to procure tractors, land, seeds and other agriculture-related products.

BSc Agriculture Salary and Jobs Abroad

1. Agricultural Engineer

Agricultural Engineers are responsible for making the engineering designs and plans for an agricultural project. They usually partner with an agriculturist with more farming and agricultural science expertise.

2. Business Development Executive

Business Development Executives are responsible for selling the product in the market. Food is a primary product and needs less work to create demand. Still, some food items are not considered a necessity but fall under the luxury category of food, for example, avocado. These are extremely expensive, and BDEs plan, execute, meet targets, and maintain sales records.

3. Agriculture Development Officers (ADO)

These people are responsible for studying, monitoring and improving the productivity of agricultural land for more and better produce. They use various scientific methods and products to ensure a better soil nutrient profile and higher quality seeds. They also monitor the amount and variety of fertilizers and pesticides used on various land areas.

4. Agricultural Scientist

Agricultural scientists study living organisms. They analyse the relationships of plants and animals to their environment. They conduct various research in laboratories and fields. Then, they are responsible for applying the results to tasks such as increasing crop and animal yields.

5. Landscaping Manager

Landscaping managers are specialists in the study of land. They are called for in many different scenarios. Suppose one wants to build a home or a tall building on a piece of land; they are called to test if the land can safely keep the structure. They are also responsible for monitoring the work that the labours put into levelling the ground and maintaining the sanity of land for agricultural purposes.

6. Crop Trial Officer

A crop trial officer can have various job responsibilities. Some of them are-

• Identifying and testing the weeds, pests and diseases suffered on a farm.
• Designing, monitoring and conducting tests on plants for better produce.
• Identification of the crop type suitable to grow on a particular land.

Further Studies after BSc Agriculture

If you are wondering, ‘What can I do after BSc agriculture?’ or ‘after BSc Agriculture what can I do?’ Here are a few courses to uplift your career after BSc agriculture in the industry.

1. MBA in Agriculture

MBA in Agriculture is a business administration course specialising in applying administrative principles and techniques in agro-based business and rural economic development.

Colleges offering MBA in Agriculture:

• IIM, Ahmedabad
• IIT, Lucknow
• Amity University, Noida

2. Master’s in Agricultural Engineering

Master’s in Agricultural Engineering focuses on designing, planning, supervising and general managing all systems connected to agriculture. Major aspects studied include microbiology, crop engineering, seed manufacturing and other mechanical systems associated with agriculture, horticulture and fishery.

Colleges offering this course:

• IIT, Madras
• IIT, Kharagpur
• IISc, Bangalore

3. Master’s in Environmental Agrobiology

Master’s in Environmental Agrobiology is a one-year PG program that includes the latest developments in scientific, technical and methodological aspects of areas related to environmental agrobiology. The syllabus consists of a final project, which must be completed by forming a research group attached to a public or private entity in the sector.

Colleges offering this course:

• Delhi University
• Pune University
• Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University, Gurgaon

4. MSc in Agriculture

MSc Agriculture is a two-year full-time master’s degree programme that deals with the science of agriculture and various practices involved in agriculture, horticulture and fishery.

Colleges offering this course:

• LPU, Jalandhar
• BHU, Varanasi
• AMU, Aligarh

5. Master’s in Agroecology

Master’s in Agroecology includes topics such as sustainability in agricultural methods, agroecosystem management, agro-economics, and the future of organic farming. They help to protect, restore and improve agriculture and food systems during climatic shocks and stressors.

Colleges offering this course:

• Calcutta University
• Aligarh University
• Amity University, Noida

6. Master of Food Science and Agribusiness

This course focuses on studying the fundamentals of science disciplines involved with food production and human nutrition. It also involves cross-discipline aspects, including global trade and consumer perspectives.

Colleges offering Master of Food Science and Agribusiness in India-

• IIM, Ahmedabad
• IIT, Lucknow
• BHU, Varanasi

7. MBA in Agribusiness

MBA in Agribusiness is a full-time PG programme. It involves the application of business models to an agricultural idea and works to maximise profits. The role of agribusiness would be to ensure the quality of product, efficiency of the production unit or farm, and setting realistic business goals.

Major universities providing this course in India-

• IIM, Ahmedabad
• FMS BHU
• Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 Which job has the highest salary in BSc agriculture?

Ans. An agricultural officer receives an average salary of INR 9 lakhs per annum, and an ICAR scientist receives INR 7 lakhs per annum. These are two of the most highly paid BSc Agriculture jobs. Our article lists many other job opportunities for BSc agriculture students.

Q.2 What is the salary for a BSc in agriculture per month in India?

Ans. Different profiles have different pay scales, and most jobs depend on the candidate’s experience. However, a fresher in this industry can expect an average monthly salary of INR 28,000/- to INR 45,000/-.

Q.3 Can I get a job after a BSc in agriculture?

Ans. Yes, one can get a job after BSc in agriculture. In recent times, India’s agricultural sector has recognized a requirement for a new revolution, like the era of the Green Revolution. Thus, the government is making jobs in this sector more available, and private companies have seen this as an opportunity in the market. There are plenty of job opportunities in this field.

Q.4 Is a BSc in agriculture a good career?

Ans. Yes, the pay scale of jobs after BSc Agriculture is increasing daily, and the vacancy in the jobs associated with this sector has multiplied over the years. This makes BSc Agriculture a good career for future aspirants.

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