M.Sc. Agriculture course, scope, career and salary details

Last Updated on August 10, 2023 by Vishnu Nambiar

In this article, we will have an in-depth analysis of the M.Sc. Agriculture course. It is a PG course that B.Sc. Agriculture graduates or other graduates from relevant courses may pursue after their Bachelor’s program. In this article, I have provided information such as basic course details, course duration, important subjects present, eligibility criteria, scope, and job opportunities.

Students who have an interest in the field of Agriculture, Plant Biotechnology and Biochemistry, Livestock breeding and management, etc may pursue this PG course after their Bachelor’s Program. It is one of the best PG courses that students may do after completing a B.Sc. Agriculture. Some related courses are- M.E./M.Tech. Agricultural Engineering and Agricultural Information Technology.

M.Sc. Agriculture: Basic course details

It is a 2 years long Post Graduate Level program. The 2 years duration is divided into 4 semesters, with each semester lasting a period of 6 months. During each semester, students will have to face separate sets of theoretical subjects as well as practical sessions associated with those subjects. Apart from theoretical subjects and practical sessions, seminars and Research work/project also plays an important role in M.Sc. Agriculture program. Based on the choice of subjects, students may specialize in disciplines within the sector of Agriculture Science.

Talking about the course, M.Sc. Agriculture focuses on topics such as Plant Biology, Plantation management, Agricultural machinery, Biochemistry, Marketing and Management aspects of the Agriculture sector, etc. In short, it uses concepts of science and biology to improve agricultural productivity. It also focuses on managerial aspects related to this sector. Some topics in M.Sc. program are the same as in the B.Sc. program, but the study material is more advanced and detailed.

To get a better idea about the course structure and nature of the course, let us take a look at a list of some of the important subjects present in the M.Sc. Agriculture program.

M.Sc. Agriculture: Important subjects present

Only important subjects present in the M.Sc. program have been listed. This has been done so that readers may get a basic idea about what the course structure is actually like!

• Biochemistry.
• Microbiology.
• Plant Physiology.
• Plant Biology.
• Molecular Biology.
• Biotechnology.
• Plant Breeding.
• Plant Genetics.
• Seed Technology.
• Agricultural Meteorology.
• Agronomy.
• Soil Science and Engineering.
• Nematology.
• Plant Pathology.
• Agricultural Economics.
• Agricultural Extensions.
• Statistics.
• Fruit and Vegetable Science.
• Floriculture.
• Plantation Management.
• Medicinal Plants.
• Ornamental Plants.
• Spices.
• Harvest Technology and Practices.
• Marketing and Management.

Those were some important subjects present in M.Sc. Agriculture program. Apart from theoretical classes, practical hands-on sessions are also present in the case of these subjects. Also, seminars and research work play an integral role throughout the course.

You may also check –

• Agriculture courses after 12th.
• B.E. or B.Tech. in Agriculture.

It is evident from the above list of subjects that the course has elements of Biology, Physical Science, and Management in it.

Eligibility Criteria

Since this is a PG course, Bachelor’s Degree is required to pursue this course. Bachelor’s Degree in B.Sc. Agriculture or similar relevant courses is required to be considered eligible to pursue this course.

Scope, Job opportunities, and Salary details

Lots of Government, as well as Private job opportunities, are present in front of Graduates. Talking about Government jobs, State Agriculture Departments recruit Graduates to fill up Officer level posts. Government Colleges also hire M.Sc. folks to work as Lecturers. Government Banks also hire them to fill up Officer level posts (that primarily deal with Agriculture related loans).

Talking about Private Sector jobs, graduates may find jobs as Managers at Plantations, as Officers at Fertilizer Manufacturing firms, Agriculture Machinery Industries, Agricultural Products Marketing firms, Food Processing firms, etc. One may also work as a Lecturer in Private Colleges. Starting salary is generally between 2.5- 5 Lakh Rupees per year.

Some well-known job posts available in front of Graduates are-

• Research Officer.
• Quality Assurance Officer.
• Agriculture Officer.
• Agriculture Loan Officer (in Banks).
• Production Manager.
• Operations Manager.
• Farm Manager.
• Lecturers.
• Sales Officer.

One may also work as an independent consultant after gaining work experience in the above-mentioned fields. One may even go for Ph.D. and build a career in the Research sector associated with the field of Agriculture.

Vishnu Nambiar

I am Vishnu Nambiar a career and educational blogger from India. I am also a full time educational consultant having more than 12 years of experience in the educational sector.

I share articles related to courses, colleges, careers, exam tips and more here.