MSc Agriculture is a postgraduate course of 2 years, taught in a number of recognized universities in the country. Some of the top institutes include the University of Calcutta, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Punjab Agricultural University.
The course mainly revolves around agricultural studies and various scientific processes that are involved in agriculture. In order to be eligible for the course, the students must have a BSc degree in subjects like Agriculture, Horticulture, or Forestry from a recognized university.
MSc Agriculture offers a number of specializations, like Agronomy, Biotechnology, Agricultural Economics & Farm Management, Plant Physiology, and Entomology. In total, there are 12 disciplines available for the course.
MSc Agriculture admission may either be a direct one or on the basis of the marks scored by the candidate in the entrance test. However, most colleges/ universities conduct an entrance test on the basis on which the students are admitted.
2.1 Eligibility
2.2 Entrance Exams
2.3 How to prepare for Entrance Exams?
2.4 How to get admission in a good college?
6.1 MSc Agronomy
6.2 Msc Horticulture
6.3 MSc Forestry
6.4 MSc Genetics and Plant Breeding
9.1 Salary Trends
9.2 Future Scope
MSc Agriculture Course Highlights
| Course level | Postgraduate |
| Full-form | Master of Science in Agriculture |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Eligibility | Completed graduation in Agriculture, Horticulture, or Forestry from a recognized institute with a minimum of 50% marks. |
| Admission Process | Entrance test and marks secured in graduation. |
| Course fees | INR 50,000 - INR 150,000 |
| Average salary | INR 1 LPA - INR 2.5 LPA |
| Job positions | Corporate Sales Manager, Research Scientist, Lecturer/Professor, Field Officer, Breeder, Agronomist, Farm Manager |
| Top Recruiters | Coromandel Fertilizers, Buhler India, Monsanto India, Bayer Crop Science, etc |
MSc Agriculture Admission Process
The admission to MSc Agriculture is done based on the marks acquired by the students in their graduation and entrance test.
The admission forms are released in the month of May/June. So, once the student has decided which college they would like to apply for, they are required to fill up the application form. After that, the date of the entrance test is declared and if the candidate clears the admission test, he/she will be eligible for admission. The entire admission process has three basic steps.
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Step 1: Fill the application form
Filling up the application form is the primary step of the admission process. The admission forms are released in both online as well as offline mode. The students will have to fill up the application form minutely and pay the application fee.
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Step 2: Appear for the entrance test
If the students fulfill all the eligibility criteria, he/she will be called for the admission test. MSc Agriculture admission test is mostly based on the topics covered in graduation. The cut-off for the admission test is decided by the college authorities. If the candidate performs well in the admission test and clears the cut-off, he /she will be called for further admission procedure.
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Step 3: Admission to the MSc Agriculture colleges
The final step is taking admission to the college. The shortlisted candidates will be called for admission. The candidates will have to submit all their required documents and take admission in a college of their choice.
MSc Agriculture Eligibility
In order to be eligible for the MSc Agriculture course, the following eligibility criteria should be fulfilled:
- The students must complete their graduation in courses like Horticulture, Forestry, or Agriculture from a recognized university.
- The student must also have a minimum of 50% marks in their graduation. Relaxation of marks is given to the SC/ ST/ OBC/ PwD candidates.
MSc Agriculture Entrance Exams
Appearing for the entrance test is mandatory for most MSc Agriculture colleges and universities. The universities conduct their own entrance test for admission to the various colleges operating under them. The date of examination is released after the last date of application.
The dates for all the entrance examinations have been deferred for the current academic year due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Here, we have listed some of the common entrance tests for admission to the MSc in Agriculture course:
- AGRICET: AGRICET is the common entrance test conducted by Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University for admission to the M.sc in Agriculture course. The application forms are available online from May/ June and the exam is held in July.
- ICAR AIEEA: ICAR is the all India entrance examination for admission to the Agriculture courses of the country. The examination forms are released in the month of February and the examination is held in April.
- MCAER PG CET: The Maharashtra Council of Agriculture Education & Research conducts an entrance test for admission to the various postgraduate courses of Maharashtra colleges and MSc Agriculture is one of them. The examination is held in March and the application forms are released in January.
- CUCET: CUCET (Central university common entrance test) is a national-level test conducted for admissions into the various central universities available across India.
- PAU MET: Punjab Agricultural University admits its MSc students every year through the PAU MET exam. The exam is conducted in the month of June and application forms are released in April.
| Entrance Exams | Registration | Exam Dates |
|---|---|---|
| CUET PG | April 2023 | June 1 – 10, 2023 |
| BITSAT | February 2023 | June 2023 |
| NEST | February 2023 | June 2023 |
| IIT JAM | September 07 – October 11, 2023 | February 12, 2023 |
| DUET | April 2023 | July 2023 |
| TISS NET | December 14 – January 15, 2023 | January 28 – February 28, 2023 |
How to prepare for the MSc Agriculture entrance exam?
Preparation is the key to success. So, if you wish to succeed in the MSc Agriculture entrance tests, then here are a few points that you should definitely keep in mind:
- In order to secure a very good score in the entrance test, the students must navigate to the official website of the university and get a copy of the official syllabus for the examination. This will give them a clear idea about the examination.
- The students should go through each and every topic mentioned in the syllabus thoroughly. They should also cover all the important topics from their graduation course.
- Revision is very important. You need to revise all the important topics prior to the date of your examination. Also, you should start your preparations at least 3 months from the date of the examination.
How to get admission in a good college?
There are a lot of MSc in Agriculture colleges in India which makes it quite difficult to select a good college. We have mentioned a few ways through which you can get admission to a good college:
- You must have scores above average in your graduation. This will make sure that you fulfill the eligibility criteria. In order to be eligible for the course, you must have a minimum of 50% in your graduation.
- You should also be well prepared for the entrance test. You need to clear the cut-off of the entrance test in order to get admitted to a college of your choice.
- You should have a clear idea of all the dates related to the admission procedure. This includes the date of submission of the application form, date of entrance test, etc.
Also, do all your research before taking admission to a particular college. You must know what the current students and alumni are saying about the college. Knowing the placement scenario is also important.
MSc Agriculture: What is it about?
- Agriculture is a very important segment of the Indian economy. The ever increasing demand for food requires advanced techniques to be implemented in the field of agriculture.
- MSc Agriculture deals with various advanced farming techniques and the scientific study of agriculture.
- The course will help the students to master various latest technologies that will help in the development of the farming industry.
- The course has specialization in 12 different disciplines. Some of these disciplines include Agronomy, Biotechnology, Agricultural Economics & Farm Management, Plant Physiology, Entomology, and Extension Education.
- It is an extremely prosperous course for the students and has excellent career opportunities in various fields related to agriculture.
Know More About Agriculture Course
Why Study a Master of Science in Agriculture?
MSc Agriculture is a highly prosperous course. India is an agro-based country because of which the agricultural courses have always been in great demand. Here we have listed some of the most important reasons for pursuing an MSc course in Agriculture:
- The students will get to know about the various modern techniques involved in farming. This will greatly help in the development of the farming industry.
- The subject revolves around the scientific study of agriculture. This will help to improve the quality of the yield and will also increase the production rate. The course also provides an integrated understanding of economic and social considerations in the agricultural systems.
- The students will get excellent job offers from various popular countries. Some of the important job areas include Agriculture/Dairy Industries, Fertilizer Industries, and Food Processing Units.
- The average salary earned by a fresher is around 1 LPA-2.5 LPA. The salary will increase with experience.
- The students may also go on to pursue research activities in various fields related to Agriculture.
Course Comparison
MSc Agriculture has been compared with MBA in Agri-Business in the table below. Comparisons are made on the basis of qualification, eligibility, admission process, course fees, salary, job options, recruiting companies, and colleges offering these programs.
| Parameters | MSc in Agriculture | MBA in Agri-Business |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | Master of Science in Agriculture | Master of Business Administration in Agri-business |
| Course overview | Master of Science in Agriculture mainly centers around various advanced techniques of farming and the scientific study of agriculture. | Master of Business Administration in Agri-business deals with the application of administrative principles in agro-based industries. |
| Eligibility | BSc in Agriculture, Horticulture, or Forestry with minimum 50% marks. | Minimum 50% score in graduation in any stream |
| Admission Process | Based on marks scored in graduation and entrance test | Entrance test like CAT, GMAT |
| Average fee | INR 50,000- INR 1,50,000 | INR 85,000- INR 7,00,000 |
| Average Salary | 1 LPA- 2.5 LPA | 3 LPA- 3.5 LPA |
| Colleges | University of Calcutta, Kolkata, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Chandigarh University | Symbiosis Institute of International Business, University of Lucknow, Lovely Professional University, Amity University, IMTS, KIIT School of Rural Management |
| Job Areas | Agriculture/Dairy Industries, Academic Institutions, Fertilizer industries, Food Processing Units, Agricultural Products Marketing firms | Banking and Finance sectors, various management sectors in the agricultural process. |
| Top Job Profiles | Corporate Sales Manager, Research Scientist, Lecturer/Professor, Field Officer. | Rural development officer, Relationship manager, Banking Executive, Finance manager. |
MSc Agriculture Specializations
MSc in Agriculture has a number of specializations like Agronomy, Horticulture, Forestry, Genetics and Plant Breeding, etc. Here we have mentioned some of the important specializations:
MSc Agronomy
M.Sc in Agronomy is a postgraduate agriculture course that mainly focuses on providing sustainable agricultural methods for the betterment of the environment as well as for human beings who consume agricultural products. Check the top MSc Agronomy Colleges in India.
MSc in Horticulture
MSc in Horticulture is another specialization for the agricultural course that deals with the cultivation of plants, management techniques, quality assurance, marketing, etc. The program is designed to produce a deep knowledge of horticultural sciences to the students. Check the top MSc Horticulture Colleges in India.
MSc in Forestry
MSc in Forestry mainly revolves around the different types of forests and forest ecology. You will also be able to learn about forest inventory models, wood harvesting, and the proper utilization of the forest resources. Check the top MSc Forestry Colleges in India.
MSc in Genetics and Plant Breeding
M.Sc in Genetics and Plant Breeding is concerned about various methods of improvement in the quality of production of crops. It teaches students how to apply genetics to protect the environment. Check the top MSc Genetics & Plant Breeding Colleges in India.
Average fees and salary data of the MSc Agriculture specialization courses.
| Specialization | Total Average Fee | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| MSc Agronomy | INR 6,000-1,00,000 | INR 1-6 LPA |
| MSc in Horticulture | INR 3,000-80,000 | INR 5-7 LPA |
| MSc in Forestry | INR 16,000-1,50,000 | INR 4.5-6 LPA |
| MSc in Genetics and Plant Breeding | INR 2,00,000-6,00,000 | INR 3-10 LPA |
MSc Agriculture Colleges
Here, we have mentioned some of the top Master of Science in Agriculture Colleges of India based on the NIRF ranking, along with average fees and average salary offered.
| Name of the College | City | Average Total Fees |
|---|---|---|
| University of Calcutta | Kolkata | INR 26,000 |
| Tamil Nadu Agriculture University | Chennai | INR 90,000 |
| Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana | Ludhiana | INR 147,000 |
| Cochin University of Science and Technology | Cochin | INR 37,000 |
| Anand Agriculture University | Gujarat | INR 40,000 |
| Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Science University | Chennai | INR 66,000 |
| Chandigarh University | Chandigarh | INR 192,000 |
| Junagadh Agriculture University | Junagadh | INR 80,000 |
| Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University, Guntur | Guntur | INR 60,000 |
| Shivaji University | Kolhapur | INR 3,500 |
College Comparison
A proper comparison among some of the top colleges has been mentioned below. The comparisons have been done based on ranking, eligibility, admission process, fees, average CTC, and top recruiting companies.
| College/ University Name | University of Calcutta | Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University, Guntur | Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | The University of Calcutta is one of the best and oldest universities in the country. It offers B.Tech, B.Sc., M.Tech, M.Sc., MBA, and Ph.D.courses to the students. | ANGRAU is a very popular University for courses like Agricultural Sciences, Engineering, Home Science, etc. The University has a national rank of 219. It also offers polytechnic courses to the students. | Punjab Agricultural University has a number of departments and it offers various undergraduate and graduate courses to the students. The college also offers research facilities. |
| Location | Kolkata | Hyderabad | Ludhiana |
| NIRF Ranking | 12 | 151 - 200 | 75 |
| Average Fees | INR 26,000 | INR 60,000 | INR 1,47,000 |
| Eligibility | Minimum 55% in graduation | Minimum 50% in graduation | Minimum 60% in graduation |
| Admission Process | Entrance Test | AGRICET | PAU MET |
| Average CTC | INR 4 LPA | INR 3.6 LPA | INR 3.5 LPA |
| Top Recruiting Company | Asian Paints, Emami Limited, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank. | Nagarjuna Agrichem Ltd. Agrocel Industries Ltd., Rallis India Coromandel International Ltd., EID Parry India Ltd. | Nestle India, AMUL, Bonn Nutrients, Punjab National Bank, etc. |
MSc Agriculture Syllabus
The syllabus for M.Sc. Agriculture may differ from college to college. However, the main topics will remain the same. These are some of the main topics of the course:
| Agronomy | Biotechnology |
| Agricultural Economics & Farm Management | Plant Physiology |
| Entomology | Extension Education |
| Horticulture | Plant Breeding & Genetics |
| Plant Pathology | Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry |
| Forestry | Food Science & Technology |
MSc Agriculture Job Prospects and Career Options
- After completion of the M.Sc. in Agriculture, a student may go on to pursue research in various fields related to education.
- The students may also go for an M.Phil. There are numerous colleges that offer M.Phil and Ph.D. courses to the MSc Agriculture students.
- Some of these colleges include Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal, and many more.
- The students may also look for jobs in various sectors like Agriculture/Dairy Industries, Academic Institutions, Fertilizer industries, Food Processing Units, Agricultural Products Marketing firms, etc.
- Some of the top recruiters are Monsanto India, Bayer Crop Science, Coromandel Fertilizers, Buhler India.
Here, we have listed some of the popular MSc Agriculture job profiles along with their description and average salary.
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate Sales Manager | The main task of the corporate sales manager is to take care of the sale of products like fertilizers, hybrid crop seeds, and other equipment to the farmers. | INR 6.3 LPA |
| Research Scientist | A research scientist is mainly responsible for developing advanced technologies, hybrid crop seeds, and better equipment for the farmers. | INR 5 LPA |
| Lecturer/Professor | A lecturer imparts knowledge to the students about various advancements that have been made in the field of agriculture. This profession is meant for students who wish to pursue a career in education. | INR 4.9 LPA |
| Field Officer | A field officer works with the farmers and takes care of the Backward Integration Programme. | INR 3 LPA |
| Breeder | A breeder carries out breeding programs to develop superior quality seeds. | INR 3 LPA |
| Agronomist | An agronomist takes care of multiple tasks like Soil mapping, Product Training, Fertilizer Consumption Pattern, Cropping schedule, Handling Technical Queries, Farmers Education, etc. | INR 6.5 LPA |
| Farm Manager | A farm manager takes care of the management and maintenance of the farm. He also looks after the cultivating, harvesting and spraying of the crops. | INR 3.5 LPA |
MSc Agriculture Salary Trends
Here, we have graphically represented the salary trend of some of the popular job profiles of freshly passed MSc in Agriculture students:
MSc Agriculture Future Scope
- MSc Agriculture graduates can opt for a career in education and teach at various educational institutes. He/She may also pursue a Ph.D. in a specialization of his/her choice.
- The students may also seek jobs in various government and private sectors. There are numerous companies that offer high paid jobs to the MSc in Agriculture students.
- In order to seek jobs in government sectors, the students will have to appear for various entrance tests. They will sit for UPSC as well.
- The government banks also look for MSc in Agriculture students for jobs related to giving agricultural loans to the farmers.
MSc Agriculture FAQs
Ques. What is the best career option after Msc agriculture?
Ans. There is numerous scope in this field. The students can go for M.Phil or Ph.D. He/She can also look for jobs in various sectors.
Ques. What should be my expected job profile after completing my M.Sc in Agriculture?
Ans. The common job profiles are Corporate Sales Manager, Research Scientist, Lecturer/Professor, Field Officer, etc.
Ques. What are the different specializations for M.Sc. in Agriculture?
Ans. M.Sc. in Agriculture has a number of specializations like Agronomy, Horticulture, Forestry, Genetics and Plant Breeding, etc.
Ques. Do I have to sit for an entrance test for the M.Sc. in Agriculture course?
Ans. Yes, most colleges and universities organize entrance tests for admission to the different M.Sc Agriculture colleges of India.
Ques. What is the best MSc agriculture course?
Ans. Your choice will depend on your field of interest. There are multiple subjects to choose from in your MSc in Agriculture courses like Agronomy, Biotechnology, Agricultural Economics & Farm Management, Plant Physiology, and Entomology.
Ques. What should be my average annual salary after completion of M.Sc in Agriculture course?
Ans. The average salary is anything between 1 LPA- 2.5 LPA.
Ques. What are the eligibility criteria for MSc in Agriculture?
Ans. You require a minimum of 50% in BSc. Also, it is preferred that you have a BSc in Agriculture, Horticulture, or Forestry.
Ques. Which college is best for MSc agriculture?
Ans. Some of the best colleges are the University of Calcutta, Kolkata, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Chandigarh University.
Ques. What is the average tuition fee for M.Sc in Agriculture?
Ans. The average tuition fee is between INR 50,000 to INR 1,50,000
Ques. Can I seek government jobs after my MSc in Agriculture?
Ans. Yes, you can definitely seek jobs in the government sector. You can apply for jobs as a professor in government colleges. You can also look for jobs in government banks.
Ques. Which option is better after BSc agriculture either MSC agriculture or MBA in agribusiness?
Ans. It depends on your field of interest. If you want to go for the research or teaching segment, then MSc in Agriculture is the course for you. However, if you wish to venture into management, then go for an MBA.
Ques. Has the entrance test dates for the MSc in Agriculture courses been deferred due to COVID-19?
Ans. Yes, all examination dates have been deferred due to the present situation of the country. You can check the official website for the latest updates.
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