Summing up Agriculture means plowing fields, planting seeds, harvesting crops, dairy farming and feeding livestock, right?
Agriculture is a field that is not just limited to traditional roles of farming and crops. We fail to understand that Agriculture has grown tremendously in modern times revolutionizing Indian agriculture with cutting-edge research and continuous innovations taking place, and so has its scope. The focus has now shifted from traditional roles to various other aspects like Horticulture, Poultry Farming, Pisciculture, Dairy Farming, Agricultural Biotechnology, Food Sciences and Technologies . Agricultural Engineering etc. Agriculture is also seen in commercialized sector as proper attention is being paid to planning, organizing, directing and handling of agricultural produce in such a way as to satisfy the farmer, producer and the consumer.
Check these 8 upcoming careers in agriculture that are expected to boom in future :
1. Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural Engineering focuses on design, construction and improvement of farming equipment and machinery.Agricultural engineers combine technology with farming. For example, they design new and improved farming equipment that help farmers to work more efficiently, or perform new tasks. They also do planning ,designing and building agricultural infrastructure such as dams, water reservoirs, warehouses, and other structures. They may also help engineers to provide solutions for pollution control at large farms, developing new forms of biofuels from non-food resources like algae and agricultural waste. Such fuels could economically and sustainably replace gasoline without harming the food supply.
Top Institutes for Agricultural Engineering
- Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Pune
- Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad
- Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
- Anand Agricultural University, Gujarat
- Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Chhattisgarh
2. Horticulture
Horticulture is the art and science of growing and cultivating fruits, vegetables, herbs, ornamental trees, and decorative flowers. Horticulturists aim at improving the quality, growth, nutritional value and yield of their produce. Horticultural workers perform various gardening duties in nurseries, parks and botanical gardens. They work under the guidance and direction of a supervisor and may advance to a supervisory position after several years of on-the-job experience. Horticulture workers may obtain an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree for the purpose of advancing their careers. Due to the rise in the demand for organic food, this sector is quickly picking up.
Some of the top institutes providing B.Sc in Horticulture are:
- Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar
- Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Pune
- Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
- Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad
- Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
3. Dairy Technology
Dairy Technology is a field mainly connected with technology of production and processing of milk and its products. This field involves the usage of “Technology” in processing, storage, packaging, distribution and transportation of the dairy products like milk, ice-cream, curd etc by implying the science of biochemistry, bacteriology, nutrition to the milk and milk products. Professionals in this field manage the production of milk, including its collection and storage, and oversee its processing to make the milk fit for consumption. They also focus on activities like packaging, storage and distribution of milk and its by-products, and ensure that nutritional and quality standards are met.
Colleges providing B.Tech in Dairy Technology are:
- Sri Venkateshwara Veterinary University, Tirupati
- Karnataka Veterinary Animal & Fisheries Science University, Bidar
- Chhattisgarh Kamdhenu University, Raipur
- Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Dairy Science and Technology, Patna
4. Poultry Farming
It involves raising domestic birds like chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese for the purpose of farming meat or eggs for food. Majority of the poultry farms are involved in raising chickens due to their wide consumption both for eggs and meat. The main benefit of poultry farming is, it doesn’t require high capital to invest and doesn’t require a big space. Individuals in this field have to manage a range of diverse activities like shed management, feed supply, nutritional standards of the produce, transportation of the products, etc.
Some of the top colleges offering B.V.Sc in Animal Husbandry are:
- Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh
- Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi
- Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar
- The College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner
- Sri Venkateshwara Veterinary University, Tirupati
5. Fisheries Science
This area of study deals with understanding the principles of cultivation and harvesting of fish on a commercial basis in freshwater, brackish (saline) water or any marine environment. It is a multidisciplinary science, which includes limnology, oceanography, freshwater biology, marine biology, conservation, ecology, population dynamics, economics and discipline of managing and understanding fisheries to provide an integrated picture of fisheries. It also focuses on studying the life, habits and breeding of various species of fish. Thus fisheries scientists face an exciting but demanding future.
Some of the institutes that provide B.F.Sc in Fisheries Science are:
- Karnataka Veterinary Animal & Fisheries Science University, Bidar
- Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Kochi
- Maharashtra Animal & Fisheries University, Nagpur
- Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Nagapattinam
- West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata
6. Agronomy
It is the branch of agricultural science and technology that deals with the study of crops and the soil in which they grow. Agronomists develop methods that help in improving the usage of soil and gradual increase in the production of crops. They conduct research in various areas like restoration of soil fertility, preparation of good seedbeds, correct dates of sowing, proper methods of conservation, management of soil moisture, proper methods to control weeds and insects, plant genetics, plant physiology, meteorology, and soil science.
Some of the top institutes providing B.Sc in Agronomy/Agriculture are:
- Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Pune
- Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
- Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad
- Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
7. Agricultural Economics
Agricultural economics is the study of the allocating, distributing, and utilizing the resources used, along with the products produced, by farming. It focuses on maximizing the crop yield and maintains a good soil ecosystem. Professionals in this field work on predicting market trends, monitoring trade (import and export) patterns, consumer preferences and production methods for agricultural goods, they also work with agricultural data and statistics. They can also teach and conduct research at colleges and universities for undergraduate or graduate students in agricultural economics.
Some of the top institutes providing B.Sc in Agricultural Economics are:
- Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur
- Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur
- Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
8. Agri-Business Management
Transformation of agriculture into abusiness aspects has created a demand for professional management, manufacture and distribution of farming equipments and supplies, storage, processing & promotion of food, fibre and associated agricultural products. Professionals in this field are build link between farm and non-farm sectors for effective and smooth movement of supplies.
Some of the top colleges for B.Sc in Agri-Business Management are:
- Agricultural College & Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
- Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Maharashtra
- Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj College of Agri-Business Management, Maharashtra
- Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Agricultural Business Management, Pune
