One of the options that you have after completing you Class XII is pursuing B.Sc. in Horticulture. It is the science which deals with the science of cultivation of flowers, vegetable, fruits, herbs, shrubs, bushes, ornamental trees and landscaping for gardens greenhouses, gardens, orchards and plantations and also floriculture or cultivation of flowers. There are further some subjects that are studied under the course which deals; such as vegetable science, production harvesting, landscape architecture, plantation crops, floriculture.
The term “horticulture” comprises the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, ornamental flowers, medicinal and aromatic plants and their post-harvest management. Presently our country is next to China in area and production of fruits and vegetable crops and has been contributing 10% of fruits and 14% of vegetable of the total world production. India leads the world in the production of mango, banana, sapota, acid lime and cauliflower while the highest productivity of grape is also recorded here. India occupies the second position in the production of onion and third in cabbage production globally. Fruits such as mango, banana, citrus, guava and apple account for 75 percent of the total fruit production in the country. India produces about 70 different varieties of various vegetables. The horticulture sector constituted nearly 20 percent of agricultural GDP and contributes 4 percent to the national economy. Despite having all the favourable factors, the desired level of development in horticulture has not been achieved because of a number of constraints like low productivity of many fruits and vegetables than international averages. Nonavailability of good planting material, lack of post harvest management and less value addition etc.. As of today, horticulture is considered, one of the fastest growing sectors in agriculture and is a thrust area to stimulate agricultural growth, spurred by the changing domestic food habits towards more nutritious food and increasing overseas demand. The area and production under horticulture crops were 12.77 million hectares and 96.56 million tonnes respectively during 1991-92 after that a huge spurt in horticulture has arisen and it reached to 20.66 million the area and 223.8 mt productions by 2010 (NHB).
Job Opportunities in Horticulture:
Horticulture is the mainstream of agriculture. It is an applied science dealing with fruits, vegetables, and ornamental flowers. It is an extremely diversified field with nearly unlimited career opportunities in a variety of job settings. A large number of jobs require knowledge and training in horticulture. The level of training could be vocational or at the school/college/KVK level. Generally, a good job in horticulture sector requires a degree in this discipline. College level education provides more in-depth knowledge of the field and offers job opportunities at supervisory or managerial levels while post graduation and doctorate level degree provide very good jobs in the field of horticulture to conduct research or impact teaching. Horticulture is a vast subject in the field of agriculture and it is divided into three major branches :
Floriculturist: Floriculture is a branch of Horticulture, which deals with the study of growing and marketing of flowers and foliage plants. Floriculture includes cultivation of flowering and ornamental plants for sale or for use as raw material in cosmetic and perfume industry or in the pharmaceutical sector. The persons associated with this field are called floriculturists. Floriculturists are specialized in planning and designs of exterior/interior landscapes for parks, recreational areas, campuses, industrial sites, institutional grounds, shopping malls, and other large projects. Generally, florists have a sound knowledge of growing cut flowers, bedding plants, and potted plants right from production to post-harvest management. They are not only well acquainted with a design of flower and foliage plant arrangement but also they are well versed in the field of care and sell live or dried floral material. Therefore this personnel is in high demand nowadays in government agencies, landscape architectural firms, and resorts.
Olericulturist: The study of vegetable culture is called as ‘Olericulture’. Those who perform the activities of vegetable growing are known as olericulture. Vegetable growing is an important branch of horticulture. It has an immense scope in a vast country like India. Olericulturist can start their career in industry, research institutes, universities and other organizations at various levels. This personnel is more required presently in the private sector as the vegetable growers have good future, especially in the seed industry.
Pomologist: Pomology is one of the branches of horticulture which focuses on the cultivation, production, postharvest, storage, processing and value addition of fruits plants known as the major source of carbohydrates, vitamins, protein and antioxidants. It is a well-known fact the fruit industry plays a significant role in many countries economy, making pomology especially vital. One of the most critical aspects of pomology is the development of new hybrid fruit cultivators. Generally, pomologists are well acquainted with breeding technology, tissue culture techniques, integrated nutrient management (INM), integrated pest management technique (IPM) and protected cultivation techniques of fruits. They are well versed in the transfer of qualitative and quantitative traits specifically desired traits, such as flavor, and disease-resistance. Pomologists future in the industries, ICAR, State agricultural Universities and in other organizations is bright.
At present, there are about 32 agricultural Universities in our country where horticultural education and research is being carried out apart from deemed Universities.
Horticulture Course Eligibility
To pursue a Bachelor’s course in Horticulture Sciences, one needs to be a Class XII pass out with the combination of physics, chemistry, and mathematics/ biology/ agriculture. One can apply for either a bachelor’s in Horticulture or Agricultural Science.
In order to pursue a Master’s degree, one must complete his Undergraduate in 60 per cent plus marks. Also, the graduation should be in the in same or related streams. For instance, in order to get admission to MA in Pomology; Floriculture and Landscaping; or Vegetable Crops a B.Sc degree in Agriculture or Horticulture is required.
Horticulture Career Prospects
A lot of students choose the Horticulture studies in India. Since agriculture deals with plant breeding which is late on consumed by human beings so it has a lot of scope in terms of career opportunities. Thanks to modernization it is no longer a study of landowners or of the needy. The course with developments has brought with itself the wide variety of job opportunists in the public and private enterprises.
Although both the private and public sectors offer a good remuneration to its employees but the private sector is better rewarding. A person at the top of his game can be paid lucratively as the industry is growing rapidly and there is great need of good quality plants, flowers, fruits. Also, the advent of technology has brought with itself the need for more sophisticated products which can be less perishable than their counterparts. Also, the export industry is helping build up a number of available jobs.
Horticulturists and Landscapers are employed in resorts, hotels, and in health farms in order to decorate their settings. Postgraduate students can work as supervisors, researcher, distributors, and engineer; or they can also start his/her own business.
Opportunities in Horticulture
There are opportunities in -
- Corporations: Agriculturists from this sector can seek employment in Warehousing Corporation and Food Corporation, State Farm Corporation and National Seed Corporation.
- Estates and tea gardens: There are ample of opportunities in estates and tea gardens which also offer great remuneration.
- Agricultural Engineering: This sector deals with conservation of soil and water, power, agricultural machines, and farm structures. Engineering graduates can venture into this field.
- Agriculture Management: Students possessing knowledge of management and agriculture are the need of this industry and can venture into estates and tea gardens.
- Agro-industry Sector: This sector revolves around dairy processing, meat packaging, grain processing, fats and oils, production, fibers, pesticides and other such products. There is scope for great research in this field and also requires sales and promotion, technologists, scientists, as well as in production
- Services Sector: this field revolves around fertilizers, seeds, and chemicals at the reasonable price and also to provide quality food products.
- Self-employment: Like most other industries graduates can start his/her own business such as agriculture product shops, agri-base industry, etc.
Colleges/ Universities for Horticulture
- Kerala Agricultural University
- University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
- Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth
- University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwar
- Annamalai University
- Allahabad Agricultural Institute, Allahabad
- Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Ananthapur
- Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
- Calcutta University, Kolkata
- Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University
Govt. Jobs / Public Sector:Career
1. Civil Services (IAS/IFS & Allied) This examination is conducted by Union Public Service Commission: B.Sc. Ag/ B.Sc. (Horticulture)/Graduates are also eligible.
2. Scientist: This Examination conducted by the Agriculture Scientist Recruitment Board, ICAR, New Delhi, Eligibility:M.Sc Agr. (Horticulture) or Ph.D. in Horticulture.
3. Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Training Associate in Agricultural Universities and Colleges. Eligibility: M.Sc Agr. (Horticulture) with NET or Ph.D. in Horticulture.
4. Horticulture Officer/ Agriculture Officer: Examinations conducted by State Public Service Commission.Eligibility: M.Sc (Agr) M.Sc. (Horticulture).
5. Assistant Agriculture Officer: Examinations conducted by State Public Service Commission. Eligibility: B.Sc. (Agr) B.Sc. (Horticulture).
6. Technical Assistant/ Training Assistant in SAU, ICAR, DRDO, IARI & CSIR. Eligibility: B.Sc. (Agr) B.Sc. (Horticulture).
7. Horticulture Inspector /Food Inspector / Marketing Inspector/ Agriculture Development Officer in DSSSB/HPSC.Eligibility: B.Sc. (Agr) B.Sc. (Horticulture).
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