Career opportunities in Agriculture
Agriculture is one of the profitable industries in India and at the global level. Agriculture sector offers an interesting career opportunities with many outlets for graduates. Farming provides the way into government departments of agriculture, with plenty of opportunity to take up a career on the commercial side. The future career opportunities for Agricultural students are food safety and quality, renewable energy, environmental issues, business management, and other areas.
Agricultural science is an extensive subject combining with several separate branches of learning or fields of expertise that includes the parts of exact, natural, economic and social sciences that are used in the practice and understanding of agriculture. The international trade in food and related agricultural products is enormous and increasing all the time.
Career opportunities in Agriculture and agricultural-related fields, including farming, aquaculture and commercial fishing, forest production and management, Agri Science, agricultural services, food and beverage, pet and animal services, veterinary medicine, and education and communications.
There is a wide range of career opportunities and challenges for the next generation of agricultural graduates from universities and colleges which specialize in the agricultural and land-based industries.
Since the agricultural industry is a very different industry from that of the past so it needs skilled professionals with new ideas, new ways of learning and new ways of producing. Graduates need to be well trained, skilled, knowledgeable, dynamic thinkers, who are confident and job ready.
Qualifications to these posts vary from graduate to post graduate. Central and State Agriculture Departments offer posts of Block Agricultural officers, District Agriculture Officers and District Horticultural Officers etc. Apart from the conventional courses such as B.Sc in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and home science, the university is now offering technology oriented courses – B.Tech in food process engineering, energy and environmental engineering bio-technology, and bioinformatics.
Agriculture graduates can compete for posts like Block Development Officers (BDOs), Forest mangers and other posts advertised by Public Service Commissions of different states in both public as well as private sector, as an agricultural journalist, radio reporter, extension specialist or subject matter specialist. Opportunities also exist in Tea Gardens, call centers and community centers in the villagers.
Agriculture employs about 64% of the work force for different activities. Agriculture graduates are offered jobs in Agro-industries, public and private sector banks, state and central government departments offer job opportunities to agriculture graduates. Agriculture Assistant and Agriculture Field Officers are recruited by different banks to help them disburse loan to farmers and small entrepreneurs.
Research Assistants are hired by research units of ICAR, SAU’s and different multi-national companies (MNC’s) involved in manufacturing of seed, insecticides, pesticides and fungicides. ICAR recruits Scientific staff conducting an all India level test. Service is known as Agricultural Research Service (ARS).
Agriculturists with doctorate can apply for professorship in colleges and universities. And acquiring an MBA or PGDM after graduation may help in getting a job in MNC’s.