BSc Agriculture vs BSc Horticulture - Which is the Best Option after Class 12th?
In agriculture field BSc Agriculture and BSc Horticulture are two of the most important courses that the candidates can pursue. These courses have different career prospects, job roles and salary. Check the detailed comparison between BSc Agriculture and BSc Horticulture here.
BSc Agriculture and BSc Horticulture are two major courses in the field of Agriculture. Even though the career prospects for the two courses are different, many students often get confused between the two, specifically when it comes to choosing the best course after Class 12th. In these two courses, the scope for getting employment in the government sector is high subject to the eligibility and performance in the recruitment exams. On the other hand, private companies that deal with the production of seeds, fertilizers etc also hire BSc Agriculture/ Horticulture graduates. The Job roles and positions of both BSc Agriculture and BSc Horticulture graduates can be different.
What is BSc Agriculture?
BSc Agriculture is a Bachelor’s Degree course that chiefly deals with food production, farming, and practices associated with irrigation, cultivation, and farming. The course offers in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of cultivation science, its basics, innovative techniques to improve soil fertility, etc. The technical know-how in food production, water resource management, poultry management, and livestock maintenance are also developed during this course. An agriculture graduate can explore diversified fields after pursuing BSc in Agriculture. The degree awarded to an agriculture student is well recognized and well accepted all over the nation as well as in international universities. Most importantly, it unveils an employment arena that never gets affected by the recession, and jobs are more secured here than the other agriculture-related fields.
What is BSc Horticulture?
B.sc Horticulture focuses on the education of cultivating fruits, flowers, vegetables, tea, etc. During the course, students get learning about the theoretical and technical studies of cultivation, horticulture, postharvest management, processing and storage of fruits, vegetables, aromatic plants, crops plantation, etc. The degree of BSc Horticulture is only recognized by Indian Universities and government organizations. Though it has good career opportunities, they are limited to the cultivation of vegetables, fruits etc and the techniques required to help them to thrive. If you are interested in studying the techniques of cultivating vegetables, fruits, flowers, tea etc, then BSc Horticulture is the best course after Class 12th.
If you are confused about which is better BSc Agriculture or BSc Horticulture then this article will help you to come to a conclusion. In order to help you understand the basic to major differences between the two courses, i.e., BSc Agriculture and BSc Horticulture, we have listed the same in the table below along with details on career prospects, job roles, top colleges, salary details etc.
Comparison between BSc Agriculture and BSc Horticulture
Following is the comparison between BSc Agriculture and BSc Horticulture course based on various parameters:
Parameter | BSc Agriculture | BSc Horticulture |
Overview |
|
|
Duration | 3- 4years (Candidates who have completed their Diploma in Agriculture can study a three-year B.Sc Agriculture course) | 3- 4 years (Candidates who have completed their Diploma in Horticulture can study a three-year B.Sc Horticulture course) |
Eligibility | Class 12th passed in PCB or PCMB with minimum 55% marks | Class 12th passed in PCB or PCMB with minimum 55% marks |
List of Entrance Exams | ICAR AIEEA, TS EAMCET, NEET (UG), KCET, MP PAT, BCECE | |
Admission Process | Entrance Exam or Centralised Counselling Process | Entrance Exam or Centralised Counselling Process |
Average Fees | Rs 8000 to 1.20 lakh Per Annum | Rs 8000 to 1.20 lakh Per Annum |
Job roles | Agronomist, Agriculturist, Plant Breeder, Entomologist | |
Top Recruiters | IARI, NABARD, Agricultural Economics Research Centre, Agrosky Agrilink Private Limited, Heritage Food Limited | National Horticulture Board, Institute of Horticulture Technology, NAFED, Paryavaran Mitra |
Starting salary | Rs. 1.80 to Rs. 2.50 Lacs Per Annum | Rs 1.80 to Rs. 2.40 Lacs Per Annum |
Top Colleges |
Also Read: Higher education after BSc Agriculture
BSc Agriculture vs BSc Horticulture: Higher Education Opportunities
By looking at the aspects of higher education opportunities, a student can decide which course to go for.
A BSc agriculture graduate can proceed to higher education by pursuing MSc in Genetics, Plant Entomology, Plant Pathology, Agricultural Economics, Horticulture, Soil Sciences, Agricultural Economics, Food Science, MBA in Agribusiness, etc.
On the other hand, after completing BSc in Horticulture, a graduate can go for M.sc Horticulture.
Reasons to Pursue BSc Agriculture
Following are some of the reasons to pursue a BSc Agriculture course after Class 12th:
Since India is an agrarian country, BSc Agriculture offers job opportunities for qualified professionals who improvise the agriculture sector of the country.
There are career opportunities as an Agronomist, Agriculturist, Plant breeder, Entomologist etc in both government and private sectors.
BSc Agriculture programme trains students to get acquainted with various aspects of agriculture and its related topics. They are trained to work in the agricultural industry or farming.
BSc Agriculture programme is defined to train students to understand the agricultural process and improve agriculture productivity and find solutions to improve the quality of agriculture production.
Reasons to Pursue BSc Horticulture
Following are some of the reasons to pursue a BSc Horticulture course after Class 12th:
BSc Horticulture is a good course to opt for students who wish to study some special technique and cultivation of plants like vegetables, fruits, flowers etc.
There are numbers of job opportunities after the completion of B.Sc Horticulture. A candidate can pursue job roles as a horticulturist, floriculturist, pomologist, etc.
BSc Horticulture programme trains students on special techniques and methods for cultivating df specific plants.
Candidates can learn about the plants that are used for consumption, medicinal purposes, and aesthetic purpose.
BSc Agriculture vs Horticulture: Which is the Best Option after Class12th?
By this time, you might have got an idea on which is the suitable course for you. As two courses have decent career prospects, you can choose the right course that suits your career aspirations and interests. Avoid choosing the course just because of peer pressure.
If a candidate is more driven towards farming and cultivation of food crops then he can pursue a BSc Agriculture course. On the other hand, if He/ She is interested in making a career in specific plant cultivation like fruit, flowers, tea etc and other plants that have medicinal or aesthetic value then B.Sc Horticulture would be a good option.
We hope that the above comparison and explanation helped in choosing the most relevant course after Class 12th. For the latest updates on B.Sc Agriculture/ Horticulture admission, stay tuned to CollegeDekho!
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FAQs
What is the starting salary of a candidate with a B.Sc Agriculture degree?
A candidate can expect a starting salary of Rs 1.8 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakhs for admission in the B.Sc Agriculture course.
What would be the average fee of B.Sc Agriculture?
The average fee for the course of B.Sc Agriculture would be between Rs 40000
What is the eligibility criterion for B.Sc Horticulture?
The aspirants of B.Sc Horticulture must have completed Class XII with PCB or PCMB with minimum 55% marks.
Can you please suggest us the name of the entrance exams for B.SC Agriculture?
The aspirants of B.Sc Agriculture can write any of the following entrance examinations provided they have eligibility criteria
- ICAR AIEEA
- TS EAMCET
- NEET UG
- KCET
- MP PAT
- BCECE
Does B.Sc Horticulture come under Agricultural stream?
Yes certainly, B.Sc Horticulture, which is under graduate program, falls under Agriculture stream.