Agriculture is the backbone of our country, the mainstay of our economy. Ranging from totally different aspects of research and technology to supervisory work to ordinary commercial work, agriculture has a lot to offer.

The industry, constituting more than 70 percent of the jobs in India, provides food to the entire nation and raw materials to numerous industries. 

The diverse climatic, natural conditions of India make it a rich land and a potential exporter of agriculture commodities. The impact of this industry is not just limited to itself, but to the agriculture-dependent industries, as well.

On the one hand, a great monsoon can cause the fields to flourish, whereas, extreme temperatures or draughts or nay another natural calamity can cause a halt to the whole process.

Types of Agriculture Jobs

There are various Agricultural Jobs available in the State or Central Organizations and Departments. Ministry of Agriculture, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Organization under 101 ICAR Institutes and 71 agricultural jobs in Agricultural and Horticultural Departments. 

Plowing fields, harvesting crops, breeding, and maintaining livestock is what usually comes to the minds of people when said the word “Agricultural Jobs.”

Contrary to the belief of people, agriculture is not limited to just farming and feeding livestock; it has so much more to it. Other than the traditional roles in the field, more dimensions have been added to it, such as Horticulture, Agricultural Biotechnology, Dairy Farming, Pisciculture.

Witnessing the growth of Agriculture in modern times, the field is being commercialized as marketing, distributions, and packaging of the output are being brought into the picture. 

Here are some of the jobs one can pursue in the Agriculture Industry.

Agricultural Engineering

Similar to other branches of engineering, this branch uses scientific formulas, principles, and technologies to solve the various problems. 

To formulate systems to protect the yields from damage or rain, setting up an efficient water control system, performing environmental impact assessments, interpreting research results, and implementing relevant practices are some of the major profiles that come under Agricultural Engineering. It also helps in designing, building, and bettering farming equipment, machinery, and manufacturing process. 

Career Opportunities in Agricultural Engineering

As an Agricultural Engineer, one can work in various departments in a company that manufactures agricultural machinery. Or, one can provide consultancy to the government or private organizations on what equipment to be bought, planning the farming patterns, and suggest alternatives to traditional methods. Design, Research, and Development, Maintenance, etc. are a few of the many departments one can work in as an Agricultural Engineer. Another interesting aspect one could work in is to develop new techniques for bioenergy production from waste or algae and soil conservation. 

Horticulture

Horticulture is the branch of Agricultural Science that deals with the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, herbs, ornamental trees, and decorative flowers.

Landscaping for gardens, maintaining nurseries, greenhouses, gardens, orchards, and plantations are some of the other areas of this branch. It has a direct or indirect impact on other agricultural dependent industries and aims at improving the quality, growth, yield, and nutritional value.

Career Opportunities in Horticulture

The career is lucrative since are not only the demands for good plants, fruits, flowers, and vegetables increasing but also the technology is becoming more sophisticated and advance to ensure better results.

One can explore areas like Floriculturalist (cultivating flowers), Olericulturalist (cultivating vegetables), Landscaping (designing and maintaining commercial or residential gardens and parks), Vitisculturist (cultivating grapes), Pomologist (cultivating fruits), etc.

One can also get into the research field as a scientist and help in developing better methods for the operation of this field. Export of these yields is also a growing career option at this time.

Dairy Technology

For over many decades, Dairy Farming has been having been an active source of employment to millions of Indians. It is a field that mainly overlooks the production and processing of milk to form various milk-related products.

It manages the production of milk, its collection, and Storage and also oversees the processing to make it fit for human consumption. Packaging, Storage, and distribution of milk and its products are some of their many responsibilities. 

Career Opportunities in Dairy Technology

Employment exists in both the private and government sectors. The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is a multi-locational organization involved in planning, implementing, financing, and supporting farmer-owned professional agri-business.

Amul, Kelloggs, Paras, Verka are some of the companies one can work at after pursuing B.Tech in Dairy Technology. Supervising daily dairy productions is one of the aspects of this job profile. Government institutes like IARI also employ Dairy Scientists to research to increase the efficiency of this industry. 

Poultry Farming

Raising domestic birds and animals like chicken, turkey, ducks for their meat and eggs are called Poultry Farming. Raising chickens occupies the majority of livestock due to the wide consumption of their meat and eggs.

Managing animals, making sure that their nutrition’s consumption is proper for their produce to be good, and shed management are some of the activities under this type of farming.

Career Opportunities in Poultry Farming

Jobs in hatcheries, veterinary hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, feed millers are available. One can even set up their poultry farm after gaining a certain experience in this field. 

Fisheries Science

Three-quarters of the Earth’s surface is covered with water. This branch of science deals with the principles of cultivation and harvesting of fish on a commercial basis in freshwater, brackish (saline) water, or any other marine environment.

Almost every different species of fish has a different life and breeding pattern. Studying that and thus formulate new methods to rear those fish through natural or non-natural means is what comprises Fisheries Science. Also requires to come up with methods for their conservation and safe transportation.

Career Opportunities in Fisheries Science

Government agencies and industry organizations recruit for positions like Aquaculture Farmer, Shellfish Culturist, Hatchery Technician, Biological Science Technician, Fish Research Assistant, etc.

Agricultural Biotechnology

Agricultural Biotechnology deals with the understanding and application of scientific techniques such as molecular diagnosis, breeding, genetic engineering, tissue cultures, and vaccinations.

These methods allow the yield of the agricultural produce not only to improve its quality. They are disease-free, highly nutritional, and better species. 

Career Opportunities in Agricultural Biotechnology

The main profile could be as a Product Development Scientist, who is engaged in supervising and controlling the activities relating to manufacturing products like seeds, pesticides, insecticides.

Other than that, one can find a job in pharmaceuticals or chemical companies and agro-based manufacturing companies. 

Agri-Business Management

As the name suggests, managing all the business-related aspects of agriculture is called Agri-Business Management. It includes handling activities relating to the manufacture and distribution of farm equipment and supplies, processing, Storage & promotion of food, fiber, and related agricultural products, etc.

Career Opportunities in Agri-Business Management

Agribusiness firms, agricultural marketing agencies, food processing companies, and retail industries are few of the career options one can go ahead with after pursuing Agri-Business Management.

Business Planning Manager, Business Development Executive, and Agricultural Analyst are also some of the job roles in this field. Being a Quality Inspector, one that overlooks the quality of the products according to certain standards is also a job one can pursue. 

Agricultural Economics

The branch that uses the principles of economics to predict the consumer buying patterns, market trends, and monitors the import and export trades is the Agricultural Economics branch.

In addition to all this, they also analyze the demand and supply of various agro products and, therefore, determine their price. Under this field, one can choose their expertise in livestock, policy analysis, international trade, credit analysis, etc.

Career Opportunities in Agricultural Economics

Career prospects for Agricultural Economists range from working in agricultural banks as Credit Analysts or Agricultural Loan Officers in approving loans to farmers.

Apart from working on the field, one can also become a writer for journals or magazines to write about the various consumer patterns, their prices, and the import-export status. Apart from this, Agricultural Economists also work with the government to collect and analyze agricultural data and statistics.

Any young aspirant who wants to pursue a career in the Agricultural Industry should consider these options. These fields are gaining popularity and have a lot of scopes given that Agriculture still contributes a major part to India’s economy.

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