Top Agriculture Courses After 12th - Overview, Fees, Eligibility Criteria, Duration & Career Opportunities

  •  Content Creator : Gurleen
  • 13-02-2024

Dreaming of a career as an agriculturist? Checking a list of trending courses in one of the most prominent fields of economy? Then, you have landed on the right blog as it provides the details of all the top-notch agriculture courses after 12th class. These courses will lead your career towards a brighter future with a secured job role in the public as well as private sectors. Also, you will get to know about leading institutions that offer various agriculture courses on different levels along with fees, duration, eligibility criteria and career opportunities. 

Introducing Agriculture Courses After 12th Class 

Agriculture is one of the most prominent fields of the economy and various students opt for this field for their career development due to its pivotal role in driving overall economic growth and increasing productivity across various sectors. There are many courses available that the students can pursue after completing their 12th class. 

Below are the further details of the trending agriculture courses: 

  1. Diploma Courses in Agriculture After 12th Grade

After completing the 12th grade, students have the opportunity to enrol in diploma courses in agriculture. These diploma programs offer a more focused and practical approach to agricultural education. Here are some details about diploma courses in agriculture:

Diploma Courses in Agriculture 

Courses 

Duration 

Average Annual Fees(Estimated)

Diploma in Agriculture 

2 years 

INR 90,000 - INR 1.22 lakh

Diploma in Horticulture

2 years 

INR30,000 - INR 75,000

Diploma in Food Processing 

1 year and 6 months

INR 50,000 - INR7 lakh

Eligibility Criteria to Enrol in Diploma Courses After 12th: 

  • Candidates must have completed their 12th-grade education from a recognised board or institution.
  • Generally, candidates are required to pass their 12th grade in the science stream, with subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics being preferred.
  1. Undergraduate Courses in Agriculture After 12th Grade 

There are several undergraduate or bachelor’s degree courses that students can pursue after completing their 12th class. The aspirants can choose any of them to start their career in this dynamic and growing field. Here is a list of these trending courses. 

Trending Bachelor’s Courses in Agriculture 

Courses 

Duration 

Average Annual Fees(Estimated)

BSc Agriculture

4 years 

INR20,000 - INR1 lakh 

BSc Agricultural Biotechnology

4 years

INR20,000 - INR1 lakh

BSc in Fisheries

4 years

INR50,000 - INR80,000

BSc in Agricultural Economics and Farm Management

3-4 years 

INR30,000 - INR1 lakh

BSc Soil and Water Management

3-4 years

INR25,000 - INR80,000

BSc Agriculture and Food Business

3-4 years

INR20,000 - INR 1 lakh

BSc in Animal Husbandry

3-4 years

INR25,000 - INR80,000

BSc in Forestry

4 years 

INR30,000 - INR1 lakh

BSc in Genetics Plant Breeding

3 years 

INR25,000 - INR80,000

BSc in Food Science and Nutrition

3 years 

INR30,000 - INR1 lakh

BSc in Horticulture

3 years 

INR40,000 - INR60,000

BSc Agricultural Biotechnology

3 years

INR25,000 - INR1 lakh

BSc Plant Science

3 years

INR35,000 - INR1 lakh

BSc Plant Pathology

3 years

INR15,000 - INR80,000

BSc Fisheries Science

3 years

INR25,000 - INR1 lakh

BSc Food Science

3 years

INR30,000 - INR1 lakh

BSc Dairy Science

3 years

INR20,000 - INR1 lakh

BE/B.Tech. Agricultural Engineering

4 years 

INR50,000 - INR2 lakh

BE/BTech in Agricultural Science

4 years 

INR40,000 - INR2.50 lakh

BE/BTech in Horticultural Science

4 years 

INR60,000 - INR2.50 lakh

BE/BTech Agriculture and Dairy Technology

4 years 

INR50,000 - INR2.50 lakh

BE/BTech Dairy Technology

4 years 

INR60,000 - INR2.50 lakh

BE/BTech Agricultural and Food Engineering

4 years 

INR70,000 - INR3 lakh

Eligibility Criteria to Enrol in Bachelor’s Courses After 12th: 

  • For admission to the bachelor’s program, students must have passed the Class 12 or equivalent examination. 
  • They should have completed their higher secondary education with Science stream subjects including Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology. 
  • A minimum aggregate score of 50% in the higher secondary examination or its equivalent is required for eligibility.
  1. Postgraduate Courses in Agriculture 

Postgraduate courses in agriculture, offered by universities and colleges in India, are becoming more popular due to the increasing demand for specialised knowledge and skills in the agricultural sector. Here are some trending postgraduate courses in agriculture:

Trending Master’s Courses in Agriculture 

Courses 

Duration 

Average Annual Fees(Estimated)

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Agriculture

2 years 

INR2 lakh - INR4 lakh 

Master of Technology (M.Tech.) in Agricultural Engineering

2 years

INR 3.6 lakh - INR 9.6 lakh

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Agribusiness Management

2 years

INR 2 lakh - INR 10 lakh

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Agricultural Biotechnology

2 years

INR 1 lakh- INR 2 lakh

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Horticulture

2 years

INR 1 lakh- INR 2 lakh

Master of Veterinary Science in Animal Husbandry

2 years

INR2 lakh to INR 4 lakh

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Agricultural Economics

2 years

INR 1 lakh to INR 2 lakh

Master of Science in Food Science & Technology

2 years

INR 1 lakh to INR 2 lakh

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry

2 years

INR 3 lakh to INR 6 lakh

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Plant Pathology

2 years

INR 1.20 lakh to INR 2.40 lakh

Eligibility Criteria to Enrol in Master’s Courses After graduation: 

  • Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or a related field from a recognised university or institution.
  • Some universities may require candidates to have obtained a minimum percentage in their Bachelor’s degree program, typically ranging from 50% to 60% depending on the institution and specific course requirements.
  1. Doctoral/Ph.D. Courses in Agriculture 

Doctoral or PhD courses in agriculture are advanced academic programs designed for students who wish to pursue in-depth research and scholarly work in various fields related to agriculture, agribusiness and agricultural sciences. These programs prepare the students for careers in academia, research institutions, government agencies and industry. Here are some key aspects of doctoral/Ph.D. courses in agriculture:

Trending Doctoral/Ph.D. courses  in Agriculture 

Courses 

Duration 

Average Annual Fees(Estimated)

Ph.D Agriculture

3 years 

INR2.40 lakh

Ph.D Agricultural Economics

3 years

INR 2.00 lakh 

Ph.D Entomology

3 years

INR 2 lakh - INR 3 lakh

Ph.D Agronomy

3 years

INR 2 lakh - INR 4 lakh

Ph.D Plant Pathology

3 years

INR 2 lakh - INR 3 lakh

Ph.D Agricultural Microbiology

3 years

INR2 lakh to INR 4 lakh

Ph.D Agriculture Sciences

3 years

INR 2 lakh - INR 3 lakh

Ph.D Agricultural Biotechnology

3 years

INR2 lakh to INR 4 lakh

Ph.D Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry

3-5 years

INR 3 lakh to INR 6 lakh

Ph.D Agricultural Economics and Statistics

4-6 years

INR 2.25 lakh - INR 4.25 lakh

Ph.D Genetics and Plant Breeding

3 years

INR 2.00 lakh - INR 2.40 lakh

Ph.D Agricultural Botany

3 years

INR 2.00 lakh - INR 4.80 lakh

Ph.D Pesticides and Agrochemicals

3-5 years

INR 2 lakh - INR 3 lakh

Eligibility Criteria to Enrol in Doctoral Courses After Post Graduation: 

  • Candidates must have completed a Master’s degree in a relevant field from a recognised university or institution. The field of study should be closely related to the doctoral program they wish to pursue.
  • Moreover, the candidates may be required to submit a research proposal outlining their proposed research topic, objectives, methodology and expected outcomes. The research proposal is typically evaluated as part of the admission process to assess the candidate’s research aptitude and suitability for the doctoral program.
  • Also, the aspirants must gain a minimum of 55% marks in the master’s degree to enrol in a doctoral programme. 
  1. Certificate Courses in Agriculture  

Candidates can also pursue certification courses or training in agriculture, which helps to improve their skills and provides an added advantage during recruitment in leading sectors.

Certification Courses in Agriculture 

Courses 

Duration 

Average Annual Fees

Certificate in Organic Farming

6 months to 2 years

INR5100 

Certificate in Food Safety

6 months

INR 2600

Certificate in Production Technology for Bio-pesticides & Bio-fertilizers

6 months

INR9800

Post-Graduate Certificate in Agriculture Policy (PGCAP)

6 months to 2 years

INR3600

There are other certifications also available that the students can pursue through online learning platforms such as Coursera, edX, Udemy and so forth. 

Top Institutions Offering Agriculture Courses 

In India, several prestigious institutions offer agriculture courses at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. Here are some of the top institutions renowned for their agriculture programs:

  1. Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi
  2. National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal
  3. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Institutes
  4. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore
  5. Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana
  6. University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore
  7. Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat
  8. Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University
  9. Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences 
  10. Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar

Apart from this, many local colleges and universities are there that offer trending agricultural courses on levels. 

Career Opportunities in the Field of Agriculture 

The field of agriculture offers a wide range of career opportunities across various sectors. Here are some job roles in the field of agriculture:

  • Agronomist
  • Horticulturist
  • Agricultural Engineer
  • Animal Scientist
  • Food Scientist
  • Agricultural Economist
  • Farm Manager
  • Agricultural Extension Officer
  • Seed Technologist
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Agribusiness Manager
  • Crop Consultant
  • Research Scientist
  • Rural Development Officer

With advancements in technology, sustainability and global food security, the demand for skilled professionals in agriculture continues to grow, offering rewarding and fulfilling career paths for individuals passionate about contributing to the agricultural sector.

Conclusion 

The agriculture courses after 12th grade present a wide array of opportunities for students keen on delving into careers such as farming, agribusiness, agricultural science and related domains. Various students opt for this field as it plays a prominent role in driving the overall economic growth of the nation as well as makes significant contributions to employment, food security and sustainable development. Furthermore, agriculture offers a wide range of career opportunities, from crop cultivation to livestock management, ensuring a stable and promising future for aspirants. For more information related to courses in agriculture, follow Guide Me Career to stay updated