Diploma in Agriculture

Diploma in Agriculture is a two-year course that teaches about various aspects of agriculture, including livestock and crop management, agricultural extension, agricultural chemistry, and more. The Diploma in Agriculture is for candidates who are interested in agriculture and related research fields. The Diploma in Agriculture course syllabus is divided into four semesters. The Diploma in Agriculture syllabus and subjects cover topics such as soil and fertility management, agronomy principles, plant pathology, genetic principles, and others. Admission to the Diploma in Agriculture is primarily determined by the marks obtained in the 10th or other equivalent intermediate examination. However, some colleges admit students based on an entrance exam. TS POLYCET, AP Agriculture Polytechnic Admission, and other entrance exams are offered.

 To be eligible for the course, candidates must have passed the 10th class or equivalent examination from a recognised board with a minimum overall aggregate score of 50%. The Diploma in Agriculture course is offered at several top colleges, including Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore, Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana, Anand Agricultural University in Anand, and others. In India, the average Diploma in Agriculture course fee ranges from INR 5K - INR 1L. Working professionals who want to work in agriculture can apply for the Distance Diploma in Agriculture programme. The average Diploma in Agriculture Distance Mode course fee ranges from INR 10K - INR 40K.

Following the course, candidates can opt for Diploma in Agriculture jobs in both the private and public sectors as Agricultural Engineers, Business Managers, Research Associates, Agricultural Inspectors, Agricultural Ecologists, Lecturers, and so on. The average starting salary for an Agriculture Diploma holder ranges between INR 2-10LPA, depending on the number of years of work experience and knowledge in the field.

The following table lists the highlights of the Diploma in Agriculture course:

Diploma in Agriculture can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to start your own agricultural business. You can apply your knowledge to farm management, crop cultivation, and agricultural economics. Here are some other reasons why you might choose a diploma in agriculture:

• Career opportunities: You can work in many different sectors of the industry, including food production firms, government agricultural firms, banks, plantations, and fertilizer manufacturing firms.
• Salary: Diploma holders can expect an initial salary of INR 2 - 10L per year.
• Job security: Agriculture is a stable and essential industry that offers good job security.
• Sustainable farming: Working in agriculture provides the opportunity to connect with nature and promote sustainable farming practices.
• Growth projections: The agricultural sector has one of the highest growth projections, and attitudes towards the industry are changing exponentially for good.
• Chance to work with MNCs: The Diploma in Agriculture course provides students with a variety of career opportunities. Students can choose to work for top-tier companies. Top companies that hire Diploma in Agriculture candidates or professionals include ITC, Britannia, Godrej Agrovet, Rallis India Limited, and many others. Aside from this, students can pursue higher education.
• Research opportunities: The Diploma in Agriculture course enables students to participate in various research projects related to agriculture and related fields.

An online Diploma in Agriculture is a one-year program that provides training for people who want to work in the agricultural industry at a technician or management level. The program's curriculum aims to develop professionals who are well-trained in agricultural tools and technologies. The program can cover many agriculture subjects, including animal husbandry, seed technology, horticulture, and organic farming. Graduates can pursue careers as agricultural officers, farm managers, agricultural technicians, crop consultants, research assistants, or entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector. The average salary ranges from INR 2-10L per annum. However, salaries are often determined by government pay scales and can vary based on the level of the position and years of experience.

Also Read: Best Certificate Courses in India 

Diploma in Agriculture and BSc Agriculture are two different courses offered in the field of Agriculture. Some of the key differences and similarities between these two courses are mentioned in the table below.

Also Read: For more details check Diploma in Agriculture and BSc Agriculture!

Diploma in Agriculture offers specializations in various fields such as:

• Food Processing – In Diploma in Agriculture specialization, students are made to learn about several Food processing procedures, different machinery units involved in mega production, different techniques, etc.
• Seed Technology – The candidates are made to learn several techniques regarding seed, the measures for quality, organic farming procedures, advantages of organic farming, improvements in seed planting techniques, etc while studying Diploma in Agriculture.
• Animal Husbandry – Diploma in Agriculture course offers study about various aspects of agriculture and covers several sub concepts regarding agriculture, harvesting, farming, etc. so that farming and agriculture techniques can be improved.
• Organic Farming – This concept has become very famous nowadays as it helps one to do farming without using fertilizers and pesticides. The candidates are made to learn about chemical free farming through Diploma in Agriculture specialization course.

Also Read: Diploma Courses in Agriculture After Class 10th 

Students who wish to pursue a Diploma in Agriculture course must fulfill the following eligibility criteria.

• The candidate must have passed Class 10.
• The candidate must have a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.
• 5% relaxation in marks will be given to candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer), differently abled, and other categories on the submission of supported documents.

However, in the case of Diploma in Agriculture admission through the entrance examination, there are some minor changes in the eligibility criteria:

• Candidates who have scored 35 % in their class 10 board examination are eligible to appear for the entrance examination.
• The candidates must complete 15 years of education to be eligible for admission to the Diploma in Agriculture Course.

Required Skill Set for Diploma in Agriculture

To successfully complete an agricultural diploma, certain skills are required. Being passionate about the subject is one of them. We've compiled a list of some of the skills needed to pursue Diploma in Agriculture.

• Adaptability
• Time management and organisation
• Interpersonal Skills
• Versed with technology
• Learning ability
• Attention to detail

There are only a selected number of colleges that conduct an entrance test for admission to the Diploma in Agriculture course. The examination mostly has a duration of 2 to 3 hours during which the students are required to attempt objective-type questions. Diploma in Agriculture examination’s details are released by the colleges every year. Some entrance exams are mentioned below for admission in Diploma in Agriculture: 

• ICAR AIEEEA
• BCECE 
• JCECE 
• KCET 
• BVP CET
• OUAT 
• TS POLYCET 
• AP POLYCET

Diploma in Agriculture courses in India require a specific set of skills and knowledge, so the application process may differ from other courses. The majority of Diploma in Agriculture colleges still select applicants via an entrance exam, followed by a group discussion or interview. The following are the admission requirements for Diploma in Agriculture programmes in India.

• Entrance-Based Diploma in Agriculture Admissions
• Merit-Based Diploma in Agriculture Admissions

The general steps to admission for a Diploma in Agriculture vary depending on the college, but they are as follows:

Step 1: Fill out the online application for the Agriculture Diploma.

Step 2: Pay the registration fee and any extra fees that might be incurred in the event that admission is decided by merit. Admission to the entrance-based Diploma in Agriculture programme requires the completion and passing of an exam.

Step 3: Those who made the short list will be invited to move on to the next round of interviews, group discussions, or counselling, depending on the nature of the process.

Step 4: Candidates must submit all necessary paperwork and fees in order to be accepted into the Diploma in Agriculture programme, having completed the previous steps.

At most colleges and universities, admissions to the Diploma in Agriculture programme are based primarily on merit. The Diploma in Agriculture programme will accept candidates on the basis of their performance in a qualifying exam, a series of in-person interviews, and/or a written 10+2 exam. In these situations, applicants are usually selected for further consideration based on both their academic standing and their performance on a prior relevant exam.

The average annual fee for a Diploma in Agriculture varies between INR 5K - 1L. However, the course fees for Diploma in Agriculture may vary depending on the college's facilities and infrastructure. The Diploma in Agriculture fees will also vary depending on whether you attend a private or government college. If you want to pursue a Diploma in Agriculture at a government university, the fees will be lower than those charged by private universities. 

Diploma in Agriculture course covers subjects like Fundamentals of Entomology, Fundamentals of Soil Science, Plant Pathology, Green House Technology, Agricultural Microbiology, and various others. Diploma in Agriculture syllabus is different in every college. However, a few common subjects are being studied in all the colleges/universities.

Numerous private universities provide an agriculture diploma programme. These universities typically charge a higher fees than public universities do. The following table includes a list of some private universities that are offering the course:

Note: The fees mentioned above are subject to change.

Many options are available if you want to pursue the course from a government-owned university. Here is a list of a few prestigious government colleges:

Note: The fees mentioned above are subject to change.

The NIRF-ranked colleges for Diploma in Agriculture are listed below.

Note: The fees mentioned above are subject to change.

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

Diploma in Agriculture courses are offered by many top colleges and universities across the country. Some of the best Diploma in Agriculture colleges in India offering this course have been mentioned below with the Diploma in Agriculture fees as well.

Note: The fees mentioned above are subject to change.

Diploma in Agriculture graduates have a wide range of career options in both the private and public sectors. There are numerous job opportunities for students in this field. Agriculture Diploma holders are employed in a wide range of industries, including food production, government agricultural firms, banks, plantations, and government fertiliser manufacturing firms. After Diploma in Agriculture, a candidate is able to pursue careers in both the public and private sectors. The door is open for them, but it's possible that they will need to take a number of competitive exams in order to find a position in the government sector.

Graduates with a diploma in agriculture can choose from the following careers:

The Diploma in Agriculture course provides knowledge and insight into farming and agribusiness in the agricultural industry. The topics in the well-designed Diploma in Agriculture curriculum help students learn about many facets of farming and agriculture. They can thus find jobs with competitive pay rates in both the public and private sectors. A diploma in agriculture can be used for a variety of jobs, such as sales representative, distributor, consultant in agriculture, researcher, and many more.

When compared to other agriculture courses, the scope of the agriculture diploma has grown significantly in recent years. Here are a few of the sought-after entry-level jobs for recent graduates with a diploma in agriculture:

• Agriculturist
• Agri Marketing Associate
• Farm Manager
• Seed Production Executive
• Professor
• Dairy Plant Manager

Diploma in Agriculture Employment Area

Graduates of Diploma in Agriculture courses are offered with numerous options for those who are interested in agriculture. A Diploma in Agriculture graduate's pay was based on their experience applying for agricultural jobs, their skill level, and their knowledge. Some areas where candidates are sought out for the Diploma in Agriculture programme are as follows:

• Plantations of Agricultural Plants
• Government Agricultural Enterprises
• Private Agricultural Companies
• Food Manufacturing Companies 
• Fertilizer Manufacturing Companies
• Private Fertilizer Manufacturing Corporations

Diploma in Agriculture Recruiters

The leading recruiters for the Diploma in Agriculture are as follows:

• Jai Ho Kisan Agritech Pvt Ltd
• BigHaat India
• Samruddhi Organic Farm (I) Pvt. Ltd.

Diploma in Agriculture Salary

In India, the pay scale for a diploma in agriculture is INR 1 - 5 LPA, according to PayScale. The salary for graduates of the Diploma in Agriculture programme will vary depending on the knowledge and expertise they acquired during their studies. Several agricultural enterprises employ graduates with a Diploma in Agriculture from accredited colleges and universities.

Graduates with a diploma in agriculture usually make between INR 2 and INR 10 LPA on average. The pay distribution for graduates holding a diploma in agriculture is offered in the table below.

Note: The figures mentioned above are subject to change.

Graduates with a diploma in agriculture have the option to pursue further education once their diploma degrees are completed. Graduates with an agricultural diploma have a wide range of options at their end. Graduates of the Diploma in Agriculture programme can choose from the following options:

• BSc in Agriculture
• BSc in Horticulture
• BSc in Plant Pathology
• BSc in Food Science
• BE or BTech in Agriculture and Food Engineering
• BE or BTech in Dairy Technology
• BSc in Plant Science