Agriculture Syllabus & Subjects 2024

Agriculture course syllabus covers a wide range of technical and scientific topics such as Agricultural Technology, Food Science, Dairy Industry, Food Technology, Plant Science, Horticulture, and Forestry. Other than regular educational institutions, there are numerous agriculture courses available online through websites such as Udemy, Coursera, edX, and others. Agriculture courses are available to students after the 12th and 10th classes in the form of certificate and diploma courses, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Agriculture courses cover the following agriculture course subjects:

• Basics of Agricultural Economics 
• Basics of Agronomy 
• Basics of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology
• The Basics of Soil Science
• Ethics and Human Values
• Introduction to Forestry 
• Intellectual Property Rights 
• Organic Farming Principles

Agriculture subjects are professional degrees recognised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in the field of agricultural science. The purpose of the agriculture course subjects is to prepare students to use contemporary agricultural methods and technologies in practical situations. Practicals are a crucial component of the Agriculture course syllabus. Agriculture Officer, Agricultural Research Scientist, Agriculture Development Officer, Assistant Plantation Manager, Agricultural Officer, Seed Officer, etc. are among the careers in agriculture that are popular after graduation.

Also Read: Diploma Courses in Agriculture After Class 10th

Students can look up quick facts about the Agriculture degree programme. The following are some of the major highlights of the Agriculture course. 

As highlighted above, there are several different types of agriculture courses and degree types that students can choose from if they wish to study an agriculture course. Being a broad subject including different study areas and specialisations, aspirants will have to determine the field of study they wish to create a career in, as well as the specialisations they plan to focus on too. However, here we will specifically focus on agricultural courses in India, rather than allied courses. Listed below are a few of the Agriculture courses that students can choose from in India.

• Certificate/Diploma Agriculture Courses: The first level of education available in the field of agriculture is certificate or diploma courses. Several universities across the nation offer a variety of certificates/diplomas in agriculture courses. It should be noted that the courses will be distinguished by the specialisation of agriculture offered by the institution. Such courses often take anywhere between 6-18 months to complete and earn the certificate/diploma.
• Bachelor Courses in Agriculture: The more full-fledged agricultural courses start from the bachelor level, primarily with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in a specific specialisation or branch of agriculture. BSc degrees often take up to 3 years to complete and are often the minimum requirement for an entry-level job in established agricultural organisations and companies.
• Masters Courses in Agriculture: Similar to bachelor's degree courses, universities and colleges across the nation and the globe offer a range of Master's courses in agriculture. Similar to UG courses, aspirants will also need to select a particular specialisation or branch of agriculture to pursue as their master's degree programme.
• PG Diploma/Certificate Courses in Agriculture: Similar to UG certificate and diploma courses, PG Diploma/Certificate courses also offer an entry point into the agricultural industry, but graduates of the course stand in between Bachelor degree holders and Masters degree holders in terms of qualifications and skills.
• Doctorate Courses in Agriculture: The final level of education available in Agriculture are doctorate programmes in agriculture wherein candidates actively participate in evaluating current agricultural practices and suggest or innovate new agricultural practices for the benefit of the industry and society at large.

To find out the different types of agricultural courses you can apply to, in India, check out the following information on the different types of agriculture courses available in the country. It should be noted that each degree programme will entail different eligibility criteria and entrance requirements. Therefore, candidates are advised to thoroughly study the admission processes and requirements for their desired courses.

Since the advancements in science and technology, the agriculture sector has experienced tremendous growth over time. The number of candidates willing to enroll in agriculture courses has also grown significantly over time. A variety of colleges offer the courses in certificate, diploma, and full-time degree modes due to the popularity of the programme. Candidates can review the Agriculture course syllabus for the desired agriculture course below:

Certificate Agriculture Courses Syllabus

Agriculture Certificate programmes are available in both online and offline modes. They typically range in duration from a few hours to a few months. Certificate courses keep students up to date with evolving technology and resources. 

The agriculture subjects for Certificate Agriculture Course Syllabus have been provided below:

• Agriculture, Economics, and Nature
• Agriculture for Administrators
• Bio Organic Farming & Gardening

Cookery Practical, Bakery and Pastries Theory, Bakery and Pastries Practical, Larder Practical, Hygiene, Equipment, Maintenance and Services, Costing, Communication etc. are some of the other Agriculture course subjects.

Diploma Course Agriculture Syllabus

The agriculture subjects and agriculture syllabus in the Diploma in Agriculture are designed to teach students about Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Management, Natural Resources, Livestock Production, Soil Conditions, and Operation Of Agricultural Machinery such as Crop Harvesters and Other Agricultural Machinery.

A Diploma in Agriculture helps in gaining adequate skills required for the professional world. Students can easily download the Diploma in Agriculture syllabus by downloading it online in PDF format from the website of the educational institute. The Diploma in Agriculture course syllabus is as follows for each semester:

Course of Bachelor of Agriculture Syllabus

The BSc Agriculture course of study lasts for four years, or eight semesters. Aspirants can canvass, provoke, challenge, and question people, places, things, and structures as part of the BSc Agriculture syllabus, which aids in the conceptualization and validation of ideas.

Both core and elective agriculture subjects are offered on the BSc Agriculture course syllabus. The BSc Agriculture syllabus is broken down into semesters as follows:

MSc Agriculture Course Syllabus 

The MSc Agriculture syllabus is divided into four semesters. It covers advanced farming techniques and the scientific study of agriculture, as well as a wide range of electives such as Economics, Environmental Science, Horticulture, Statistics, and so on for further skill development. The course does not require an internship, but it does require extensive study and research throughout the duration of the course.

The MSc Agriculture syllabus may differ slightly depending on the university or college. The MSc Agriculture course is divided into two parts: a compulsory set of courses covering all foundation areas in agriculture and an elective set of courses aimed at developing job-specific skills and knowledge. The following are the semester-wise MSc Agriculture Syllabus:

Doctorate Agriculture Courses Syllabus 

PhD Agriculture syllabus contains a wealth of knowledge about Agriculture, allowing students to play an important role in the economy. Agriculture is important, and its percentage is decreasing, so this course trains professionals who can help the country by contributing to the production of food, fiber, and fuel.

The PhD in Agriculture programme lasts three years and is divided into six semesters. The PhD in Agriculture subjects are very different from other courses, and they provide more in-depth knowledge of the specialisation. The course syllabus covers all aspects of agriculture, both minor and major.

There are numerous agriculture subjects that are classified semester by semester. The PhD Agriculture Course syllabus includes topics such as Agronomy Principles, Farm Management and Operation, Fundamentals of Soil Science, Food Animal Production, Agribusiness, Crop Management, Animal Diseases, and more. In terms of course content consistency, the PhD Agriculture syllabus does not change and remains the same year after year. Here is the semester-wise PhD Agriculture syllabus:

Following is a list of agriculture course subjects for various types of agricultural courses:

Certificate Agriculture Courses Subjects

The list of Certificate Agriculture Courses subjects has been listed below:

Horticulture, Field Crop Production, Agronomy, Agriculture, Economic Botany, Soil Science, Environmental Science, Food Processing, Organic Farming, Seed Technology, Animal Husbandry, Harvesting Technology, and others are some of the Certificate Agriculture Courses subjects.

Diploma in Agriculture Course Subjects

A Diploma in Agriculture subjects entails the study and learning of agricultural science in order to assist farmers in growing better crops and developing tools to aid them in cropping and harvesting. Diploma Agriculture course subjects are among the most prestigious in agriculture.  Some of them are as follows:

• Management of Fertility and Soils
• Fruit Production and Propagation
• Agronomy of Field Crops Irrigation and Weed Management
• Crop Pests and Their Control
• Agriculture for Profit

The following agriculture course subjects are required for all students to study as part of the core Diploma in Agriculture subjects list:

• Agronomy
• Agricultural Economics
• Entomology
• Soil Science
• Plants Breeding
• Agricultural Engineering
• Genetics

The following elective subjects are required for all students to study as part of the elective Diploma in Agriculture subjects list:

• Soils and Fertility Management
• Fruit Culture and Propagation
• Irrigation and Weed Management
• Agronomy of Field Crops
• Crop Pests and their Management
• Commercial Agriculture

Also Read: Maharashtra BSc Agriculture Admission 2024

BSc Agriculture Subjects

The BSc agriculture course syllabus is planned and organised to help students learn in-depth information about the agricultural science topics. Seminar paper submissions, project work, dissertations, summer internships, etc. are the part of teaching methodology and learning process. Here are a few BSc Agriculture Subjects:

• Agricultural Economics Fundamentals
• Agronomy Fundamentals
• Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology Fundamentals
• Soil Science Fundamentals
• Ethics and Human Values
• The Basics of Forestry
• Rights to Intellectual Property
• Organic Farming Principles

Here is the list of core BSc Agriculture Subjects:

• Agricultural Economics Fundamentals
• Fundamentals of Agronomy, Plant Biochemistry, and Biotechnology
• Soil Science Fundamentals
• Ethics and Human Values
• Introduction to Forestry Intellectual Property Rights Organic Farming Principles Crop Improvement

Here is the list of elective BSc Agriculture Subjects:

• Agri-Business Administration
• Crop Development and Food Security
• Horticultural Integrated Crop Management
• Commercial Beekeeping Training in Agro-industrial Sector
• Technology in Mushroom Cultivation
• Production of Seeds and Technology
• Testing of Soil, Plants, Water, and Seeds Floriculture, and Landscape Design
• Scheme of Assessment for BSc Agriculture

MSc Agriculture Course Subjects

The MSc Agriculture subjects taught in the course are mostly the same across all colleges, but they differ depending on the course module of the institution. The overall agriculture subjects are usually similar but are presented in a different order depending on the teaching method. The agriculture course syllabus as a whole gives them a unique perspective on agriculture and plant science.

Here is the list of Core Master of Agriculture Course Subjects:

• Agronomy
• Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry
• Plant Breeding & Genetics
• Forestry
• Plant Physiology
• Entomology
   

Here is the list of Elective Master of Agriculture Course Subjects:

• Economics
• Plant Pathology
• Biochemistry and Plant Physiology
• Statistics
• Plant Breeding and Genetics
• Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry

Also Read: BSc Agriculture Admissions 2024 

Doctorate Agriculture Courses Subjects

The PhD Agriculture Course syllabus is determined by the specialisation chosen by the student. Core agriculture subjects are those that teach students how to conduct productive and ethical research. The electives are optional subjects that students choose based on their specialisation; however, due to the course's flexibility, there are no such subjects in the course. 

Here are few topics covered in the Doctorate Agriculture Courses Subjects:

• Principles Of Agronomy
• Farm Management And Operation
• Fundamentals Of Soil Science
• Food Animal Production.
• Agribusiness
• Crop Management
• Animal Diseases

Here is the list of Core PhD Agriculture Courses:

• Advanced Agricultural Marketing And Price Analysis
• Agricultural Meteorology
• Agricultural Chemistry
• Environmental Economics
• Agricultural Physics
• Advanced Host Plant Resistance
• Food And Nutrition
• Insect Behavior

These agriculture subjects are available for specialisation during the various agriculture courses programme:

• Agronomy 
• Horticulture
• Plant pathology
• Entomology
• Soil Science 
• Food Technology 
• Agricultural Economics 
• Home Science 
• Fisheries, Forestry, and Veterinary Science 

Agriculture Programs Distance Education aims to educate students on the fundamentals of agriculture and related disciplines. Students who enroll in this agriculture course will learn about the essential and fundamental concepts that they will need in their future careers.

The distance agriculture course syllabus is listed below for interested candidates:

Distance Learning Agriculture Course Subjects

There are two types of agriculture subjects for the agriculture courses: core subjects and electives. Projects, internships, dissertations, and other assignments are all necessary for the Agriculture course syllabus or disciplines. They are all a part of how the syllabus is organised. The curriculum for the agricultural course syllabus is designed to ensure that students thoroughly research each subject. 

The following is a list of some Agriculture course subjects:

The application process for agriculture courses varies from college to college. When it comes to admissions, some colleges favour written exams and personal interviews, but others rely on entrance exam results followed by counselling sessions.

KEAM, MHT CET, CUET, AP EAMCET, TS EAMCET etc. are a few popular entrance exams. A separate section on agriculture is included in the syllabus for the entrance exams for agriculture, along with sections on Biology, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. Not all entrance exams include a section on agriculture; the CGPAT is one exam that does.

The majority of entrance exams for Agriculture courses admissions cover the following subjects:

Also Read: Top Colleges in DU Based on NIRF Ranking 2024

Reference books are essential for a student's ability to learn. An aspirant's comprehension of the subject improves as they read more reference materials. Several well-liked reference books for agriculture course syllabus are listed below:

Agriculture Course Structure

The agricultural course syllabus emphasises developing a holistic understanding of agriculture. A combination of theoretical and practical knowledge is taught in the course structure, which also includes projects, group discussions, research papers, and internships. The benefits of selecting electives is another. The course outline consists of:

• Core and Elective Subjects
• (IV - VI) Semesters
• Projects
• Research Papers
• Surveys
• Seminars
• Practicals
• Thesis Writing

Teaching Approaches and Methods for Agriculture Courses

For agriculture, the teaching methods can differ greatly. It combines teaching in the classroom with applying knowledge in the real world through case study projects. This method of instruction aids in developing a thorough understanding of agriculture. Students can comprehend the world of Genomics, Artificial Modelling, etc. through this methodology. Colleges may use the following methods and techniques of instruction:

• Discussions
• Field Trips
• Practical Learnings
• Problem-based
• Projects
• E-learning
• Co-curricular Activities

Lastly, agriculture courses place a strong emphasis on projects. Projects help test theoretical concepts in a realistic setting because the design field is primarily practical.