Agriculture Courses After 12th: Admission, Colleges, Jobs & Eligibility 2026

Agriculture Courses after 12th: With the evolution in the field of agriculture and farming, the demand for agriculture courses after 12th are increasing among the students. The Agriculture Courses after 12th help the students develop technical skills and essential knowledge about the use of land, farming practices, use of farm machinery, and other essential knowledge about the field of agriculture. The Agriculture Courses after 12th are offered at various degree levels which includes undergraduate, postgraduate, as well as research level. If you are someone who is willing to make a career in the field of agriculture, then this article is going to help you make a great decision about the course you must pursue. In this article, we are going to discuss about the courses, their fees, duration, salary, and every other detail which you might need to know.

Agriculture Courses After 12th

After passing the 12th standard, there are many courses you can take up in order to build your career. Agriculture is the cultivation of animals and plants in order to provide food, fiber and other products. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming developed from hunter-gatherer lifestyles. The history of agriculture began thousands of years ago.

After completing 10+2, there are several options for pursuing a career in agriculture:

BSc (Bachelor of Science) in Agriculture – This is a 4-year undergraduate program that covers the fundamentals of agriculture and its related sciences.

BTech (Bachelor of Technology) in Agriculture Engineering – This is a 4-year undergraduate program that focuses on the application of engineering principles to the field of agriculture.

Diploma in Agriculture – This is a 3-year program that covers the basics of agriculture and its related sciences.

B.V.Sc & A.H (Bachelor of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry) – This is a 5-year undergraduate program that covers the study of animal health and production.

B.F.Sc (Bachelor of Fisheries Science) – This is a 4-year undergraduate program that covers the study of aquatic animals and their habitats.

MBA (Master of Business Administration) in Agri-Business Management – This is a 2-year postgraduate program that covers the business aspects of agriculture.

It’s always good to research the specific course, college and location.

Environmental issues are another area at the forefront of public concern where a degree in agriculture can prepare you for a highly relevant career. Due to environmental concerns, governments and businesses are constantly looking at ways to make agriculture more environmentally friendly. Getting a degree in agriculture will help you to understand the issues and give you the tools to solve today’s problems. These can range from water shortages to finding alternatives to chemical pesticides.

Another development that has made the outlook for those who wish to get a degree in agriculture even brighter is that there is an increase in programs offering such a degree. In the past, very few universities offered the possibility of a degree in agriculture unless they were located in a predominantly agricultural area. This is no longer the case. Because there are now such a variety of jobs awaiting those who have a degree in agriculture, more and more universities are offering such programs. In addition, a great many of those now also offer the possibility of taking some or all of the courses online, meaning that you no longer have to relocate to one of the few programs in the country.

Recent developments in a variety of areas have created opportunities for those with a degree in agriculture. An increase in technological applications for agriculture, as well as many environmental concerns, has created job opportunities in many fields that might not even have existed until recently. To meet this demand, more and more universities have created programs so that a larger number of students can enter and graduate into a variety of careers that continue to be created by the needs of the world for more and safer food sources.

Agricultural certificates, diplomas, and bachelors

We have provided with a wide range of agriculture courses information in this area to give you the most flexibility. Courses can range from our short courses which can last for a month to the three-year bachelor. Students can also exit some courses early and still receive a certification. For example, students leaving a Bachelor after completing the first two years can attain an Associate Degree.

Degree in Agricultural Production Technology

Students are taught how to operate the machines used in agriculture. The ins and outs of the agricultural industry are also included in this knowledge, particularly the business approach in agriculture. Knowledge of the structure or fertility of the soil when it is similar to cattle is also included in the curriculum of Degree in Agricultural Production Technology.

Eligibility Criteria 

To do a diploma course, candidates have to pass the 12th standard and they have at least minimum passing marks.  It will take 3 years to complete the diploma course. The session may be less but it depends on the institute where you are completing your studies. 

Diploma Agriculture Courses

• Diploma in Agriculture

Age	Minimum age limit is 17 years
Average Fees Incurred	Average fees incurred for the course is INR 5000 to 1 Lakh per Annum
Average Salary Offered	The average salary offered is INR 3,50,000 Lakh Per Annum
Degree	Diploma
Duration	Course Duration of Diploma in Agriculture is 2 Years.
Full Form	Diploma in Agriculture
Minimum Percentage	50 % in 10th from a recognized board of Education
Similar Options of Study	B.Sc Agriculture, B.Tech Agriculture
Subjects Required	English, Science, Mathematics

• Diploma in Dairy Technology

As the name says “dairy”, dairy technology is the part of agricultural courses where the processing of milk and products related to it is carried out.

In dairy technology, students gain knowledge about various elements such as dairy machine structure, dairy processes, food engineering, by-products technology, etc.

A diploma in Dairy technology will aid you to become Dairy Supervisor, Food Inspector, Dairy technologist, Dairy Engineer, microbiologist, nutritionist, theologian, Dairy Scientist, etc.

With the knowledge and skills gained by you, you can also start your own business by setting up a processing plant.
The following table shows the relevant information regarding Course duration, University, Age, and Course fee.

Minimum Duration:	1 Year
Maximum Duration:	4 Years
University Name	IGNOU
Course Fee:	Rs. 14,400
Minimum Age:	No bar
Maximum Age:	No bar

• Diploma in Horticulture

Let’s understand what is diploma in Horticulture is.
The Diploma in Horticulture is a comprehensive diploma course that includes various methods and tactics used in cultivating crops, flowering plants, etc. Once you complete the Diploma in Horticulture, you will be able to grow, produce, sustain, and inspect overall crops’ health.

Admission Process	Entrance Exam Based
Average Starting Salary	INR 2 Lacs to INR 4 Lacs
Course Fees	Rs 20,000 to INR 80,000
Course Level	Diploma
Course Name	Diploma in Horticulture
Duration	1 to 2 years
Eligibility	Class 10th
Examination Type	Both Semester and Annual
Selection Process	Merit basis
Starting Salary	Rs 2 Lacs to Rs 4 Lacs

• Diploma in Floriculture

Floriculture is also regarded as Flower Farming. It is a sub stream of horticulture that focuses on growing flowering plants. Flowers are used for various purposes. they are used to make scents, perfumes, medicines, etc. The process behind the planting of plants to delivering the finished flower product is taught in Diploma in Floriculture.

The students will come in the acquaintance of the following subjects in the Diploma in Floriculture course.

• Principles and Practices of Plant Protection
• Principles and Practices of Crop Production
• Principles and Practices of Floriculture
• Commercial Flower Production Part 1 & Part 2
• Post Harvest Technology of Flowers & Landscaping

Duration 1 Years	Level Diploma After 10+2
Type Diploma	Eligibility 10+2

• Diploma in Food Processing

A diploma in Food Processing provides scientific education backed with technology to produce food from raw ingredients. Various methods of preservation, packaging, and distribution are incorporated in the diploma in Food Processing course. The aim is to equip individuals with the knowledge to produce hygienic and nutritious food for animals and humans.

Admission Process	based on entrance exam
Average Starting Salary	INR 2 to 6 lacs per annum
Course Fee	INR 2,000 to 7 Lacs
Course Level	Diploma
Duration	18 months
Eligibility	10+2 with minimum 50% marks in aggregate/ Bachelor’s degree
Examination Type	Semester wise

Certificate Courses:

Certificate Course in Agricultural

• Certificate Course in Organic farming
• Certificate Program in Dairy and Agriculture
• Certificate Course in Horticulture
• Certificate Course in Food Production

Certificate Course in Food Production:

Admission to this Certificate course will be based on entrance examination. The course fee range starts from Rs. 30,000 to 50,000.

A certificate Course in Food Production is a short-term certification course that lasts up to 1 year. It is the same as a diploma in Food Production. The candidates who have passed the 12th-grade examination are eligible for this course.

Certificate Course in Food & Beverages Science:

It’s a six-months course. Students must have 55% marks in their higher secondary education. The fee structure of this course is Rs. 15,000 to 60,000.

Bachelor Degree in Agriculture

This more advanced degree is divided into two programs. The first program is system management in food production while the second program focuses on plant farming, animal husbandry, and soil science. Those who aim to be managers are in this program. Students of this degree want to see the whole world of agriculture so that when they someday see themselves managing agricultural land, they can say that they have achieved everything. They can perform effectively and indisputably.

Eligibility Criteria 

The Bachelor of Science degree requires 3 years to complete. Students who want to pursue their studies in a Bachelor’s degree will have to pass with good marks in the 12th standard. Many types of examinations are conducted to get admission in Indian college. Admission is granted according to the entrance exam and merit list in any university. You can do your Bachelor’s degree, but you have to pass through the 12th class science stream.

Bachelor’s Degree Courses

• B.Sc. in Plant Science

• B.Sc. in Agricultural Biotechnology

Course Name	Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Biotechnology
Eligibility	10+2 passed from science stream with PCM/ PCMB subjects only.
Known as	B.Sc. Agricultural Biotechnology
Level	Graduation
Duration	3 years
Type	Degree
Subjects	Concept of Plant Biology and Crop Physiology Principles of cell biology Environmental Studies Fundamentals of Bioanalytical Techniques English Communication Fundamentals of Biochemistry Food and Diary Microbiology Principles of Farm Management Concepts of Molecular Biology Pest Management in Crops Plant Tissue Culture
Career Prospects	Agricultural Biotechnologist Plant Breeder Research Scientist Agronomist Food Scientist

• B.Sc. in Agriculture and Food Science

Admission Process	Merit-based/ Entrance test
Average Starting Salary	INR 3 to 20 Lacs per annum
Course Fee	INR 10,000 to 5 Lacs
Course Level	Graduation
Duration	3 years
Eligibility	10+2, with a minimum aggregate score of 50%.
Examination Type	Semester System/Year wise

• B.E. or B.Tech. in Agricultural Engineering

Admission Process	Merit-Based, Entrance Exam
Duration	4 years (8 semesters)
Eligibility	Must be passed in 12th PCM/PCB from a recognised Board
Exam Type	Per Semester
Fee Structure	INR 50K- 2 lakh
Level	Undergraduate
Minimum Aggregate Required	50%
Starting Salary	INR 5 to 7 LPA

• B.E. or B.Tech. in Agricultural Information Technology

Admission Process	UPTU-SEE, MP PET etc
Average Starting salary	INR 2.5 to 4.5 Lacs
Course Fee	INR 2 Lacs p.a.
Course Level	Graduate
Duration	4 years
Eligibility	10+2 with science subjects
Examination Type	Semester System
Top recruiting companies	FCI, IIT Kharagpur, IARI, NSC etc.

• B.E. or B.Tech. in Dairy Technology

Admission Process	Entrance-Based
Average Annual Fees	INR 2,00,000 to 5,00,000
Average Annual Salary	INR 3,00,000 to 8,00,000
Course Level	Under-graduate
Duration	4 Years
Eligibility	10+2 with minimum 55% marks in science subjects
Examination Type	Semester System / Year-wise

• B.Sc. in Dairy Science

Skills Required for Dairy Science
Efficient and Effective	Organisation and management skills
Hardworking	Commitment and integrity
Problem-solving skills	Technical skills
Scientific knowledge	Inquisitive mind
Teamwork	soft skills
Urge for learning new technology	Leadership skills

• B.Sc. in Agriculture

Name of the Course	Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) Agriculture
Admission Process	Both entrance test based and merit-based admission process
Average Beginning Salary	INR 3 LPA to INR 6 LPA
Average Course Fee	INR 2 Lakh to INR 3 Lakh
Duration of the Course	03 Years
Eligibility Criteria	Science background students who have completed their 10+2 studies from a recognised Board with at least 50% marks are eligible. Students should have studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology mandatorily at the qualifying exam level
Entrance Exams	BCECE PAU CET AP EAMCET MP PAT ICAR AIEEA

• B.Sc. in Horticulture

Name of the Course	B.Sc Horticulture
Admission Process	Merit-based: Some colleges take admission on the basis of merit obtained in the qualifying exam. Entrance based: Some colleges take admission on the basis of a national level, Institute level or a state level entrance exam.
Average starting salary	2.5 to 4.5
Course Fee	20,000 to 50,000 (depends on institute)
Duration	3 years
Entrance Exams	CG PAT IISER IAT OUAT GSAT BHU UET NEST
Internship	There are a lot of internship opportunities for B.Sc in Horticulture in India.
Lateral Entry Option	The lateral entry option is open in B.Sc for the candidates who have pursued 3-year Polytechnic diploma after 12th.
Minimum Eligibility	The candidate must have passed class 12th in Science with 50% minimum aggregate.

• B.Sc. in Fisheries Science

Admission Process	Merit-based: Some colleges take admission on the basis of merit obtained in the qualifying exam. Entrance based: Some colleges take admission on the basis of a national level, Institute level or a state level entrance exam.
Average starting salary	3 to 4 LPA
Course Fee	50,000 to 2,00,000 (depends on institute)
Duration	4 years
Internship	There are a lot of internship opportunities for B.Sc in Fisheries Science in India.
Minimum Eligibility	The candidate must have passed class 12th in Science with 50% minimum aggregate.
Name of the Course	Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc)
Scholarship	Candidates belonging to reserved categories and economically weaker sections are eligible for state government scholarship schemes. The students also receive the scholarship based on the merit obtained in the entrance examination or standard 12th. Notification of various schemes and provisions for the scholarship is released by the respective college/ university.

• B.Sc. in Plant Pathology

Duration 3 Years	Level Graduation
Type Degree	Eligibility 10+2

• B.E. or B.Tech. in Agriculture and Dairy Technology

• B.E. or B.Tech. in Agricultural and Food Engineering

Admission Process	Merit-Based, Entrance Exam
Duration	4 years (8 semesters)
Eligibility	Must be passed in 12th PCM/PCB from a recognised Board
Exam Type	Per Semester
Fee Structure	INR 50K- 2 lakh
Level	Undergraduate
Minimum Aggregate Required	50%
Starting Salary	INR 5 to 7 LPA

• B.Sc. Forestry

Admission Process	Merit-based: Some colleges take admission on the basis of merit obtained in the qualifying exam. Entrance based: Some colleges take admission on the basis of a national level, Institute level or a state level entrance exam.
Average starting salary	INR 3 to 10 LPA
Course Fee	20,000 to 50,000 (depends on institute)
Duration	4 years
Entrance Exams	CG PAT IISER IAT OUAT GSAT BHU UET NEST
Internship	There are a lot of internship opportunities for B.Sc in Forestry in India.
Minimum Eligibility	The candidate must have passed class 12th with 50% minimum aggregate.
Name of the Course	B.Sc Forestry

• BBA in Agriculture Management

Admission Process	Counselling after taking entrance examination or direct admission
Average Starting Salary	INR 3 to 10 lacs
Course Fee	INR 10,000 to 1,50,000
Course Level	Under Graduate
Duration	4 years
Eligibility	10+2
Examination Type	Semester System

Job Opportunity

After completing the degree, you will get a good job in the agriculture field. You can do a further master’s degree, for which you may take 2 years. In order to advance the Agriculture in India, we need more and more people with technological information related to agriculture. In the agricultural stream, a decent salary is provided to the candidates. However, the inclination of candidates toward agricultural courses is less in comparison to the medical, and commerce sector. Some of the positions, you can work on after completing the course is given below. We all know that India is an agrarian country. Professionals in the field of agriculture are required to make the progress.

• Assistant Plantation Manager 
• Agricultural Research Scientist
• Agriculture Development Officers
• Agriculture Officer
• Agriculture Technician, Agriculturists
• Business Development Executive
• Marketing Executive, etc.
  

Master of Science in Agriculture

Out of all the degrees in agriculture, this is for those who are very keen on their chosen field. Individuals digging deep to this level are known as professionals when it comes to agribusiness.

Students have a sense of responsibility and with their innovative minds, they want to develop things to improve the current scenario of agriculture. Hence, a Master of Science in Agriculture (M.Sc) is pursued by the students which gives them advanced knowledge and helps in innovation in creation.

Master of Science in Agriculture duration is 2 years. To be eligible for the Master’s degree, candidates must have a Bachelor of Science Agriculture degree from any reputed University. 

M.Sc. Agriculture specializations:

Admission Process	Entrance test and marks secured in graduation.
Average salary	INR 1 LPA – INR 2.5 LPA
Course fees	INR 50,000 – INR 150,000
Course level	Postgraduate
Duration	2 years
Eligibility	Completed graduation in Agriculture, Horticulture, or Forestry from a recognized institute with a minimum of 50% marks.
Full-form	Master of Science in Agriculture

 The candidate can choose any one of the M.Sc. Agriculture specializations given below. While filling out the admission form for M.Sc. In agriculture, the students should also mention the specialization they want to opt for in the next two years of their master’s degree.

• Agronomy
• Plant Breeding & Genetics
• Plant Pathology
• Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry
• Forestry
• Biotechnology
• Plant Physiology
• Entomology
• Extension Education
• Horticulture
• Agricultural Economics & Farm Management
• Food Science & Technology

Job Profile

It is very difficult to live in India for agriculture because they do not know much about technology.  Therefore, we need some such information related to agriculture for India, which can make the farmer society of our country more aware.  Candidates have completed their master’s degree, so they get the option to work in a benevolent post and can promote a new element according to their intelligence for agriculture.

• Breeder
• Lecturer/Professor
• Corporate Sales Manager
• Research Scientist
• Breeder
• Farm Manager
• Agronomist

Doctorate Degree in Agricultural Economics

Last, but certainly not least, of all degrees in agriculture is a doctoral degree. This is the highest achievement in which such individuals who move up to this limit aim to manage an agribusiness. It is also ideal for working as a professor in the field of agriculture. The specialization includes international agribusiness, agricultural demand and production, strategic management in agribusiness, agribusiness market forecasting, and Agri market theory.

Agriculture colleges in India

• Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
• Agricultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore
• Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar
• Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), School of Agriculture (SOA), New Delhi
• Punjab Agricultural University, College of Agriculture Engineering & Technology, Ludhiana
• Amritsar College of Engineering and Technology, Amritsar
• Desh Bhagat University, Punjab
• Swami Sarvanand Institute of Management & Technology, Gurdaspur
• Uttaranchal University, Dehradun
• Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi
• Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut
• Chandra Bhanu Gupta Krishi Mahavidyalaya, Roodahi
• Amity University, Noida
• Rajendra Agricultural University, Samastipur
• Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur
• Agriculture University, Jodhpur
• Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner
• B.B.D. Government College, Chimanpura
• Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi
• Sai Nath University, Ranchi
• Anand Niketan College of Agriculture, Chandrapur
• Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli
• KK Wagh Institute of Engineering Education and Research (KKWIEER), Nashik
• Loknete Mohanrao Kadam College Of Agriculture (LMK), Hingangaon
• S.V Agricultural College (SVAC), Tirupati
• Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University (APAU), Hyderabad
• Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur
• Bhartiya College of Agricultural Engineering, Durg
• Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya, Nadia
• Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Pundibari
• Doon (PG) College of Agriculture Science and Technology, Dehradun
• Dolphin (PG) Institute of Biomedical and Natural Sciences, Dehradun
• Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Bhagalpur
• Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur
• RKDF University, Bhopal
• Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Gwalior
• ITM University, Gwalior
• CCS Haryana Agriculture University (HAU), Hisar
• Shree guru Govind singh Tricentenary University (SGT), Gurgaon
• Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHIATS), Allahabad
• Siksha O’ Anusandhan University (SOA), Bhubaneshwar
• Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat
• University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Raichur
• Rai Technology University (RTU), Bangalore
• Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU), Junagadh
• Anand Agricultural University, Anand

Frequently asked questions for Agriculture 

A degree in agriculture may not be so popular compared to nursing, engineering, and education. But to talk about essential, primary, and basic human needs, degrees have something to say in agriculture — no one wants to give up food and everybody has to eat. The abundant supply of food can be resolved by individuals with degrees in agriculture. 

A degree in agriculture is traditionally referred to as the study of plant and/or animal breeding or farm and farm management. This is no longer true; The degree in agriculture is now interdisciplinary, interrelated with marketing, finance, business, communications, biology, chemistry, orthodoxy, and education. Individuals pursuing degrees in agriculture can expect successful careers in government, private sector agribusiness, conservation organizations, research, food production, and food security, human health, and many other fields. A degree in agriculture, as well as a science-related career, can be very rewarding.

Why are most of the options for agricultural courses completely in another department?

The degree in agriculture is now interdisciplinary meaning that for a degree in agriculture, students may have to study other related subjects. As you follow your course of study, you will see the interrelation between agriculture and other disciplines. This interconnectivity enables students to create leading solutions to today’s unique problems.

When do I have to decide on specialization or a degree in agriculture?

Most universities that offer degrees in agriculture require that graduates choose a major field of study later than their second year. This is because the last two years of your undergraduate degree will focus on your specialization coursework.

Will a degree in agriculture prepare me for admission to a professional school like veterinary medicine or law?

Yes and no. If you are interested in pursuing a professional undergraduate degree after completing a degree in agriculture, you should choose a course of specialization that will help prepare you for the graduate study program; For example, if you intend to pursue a veterinary degree, then you should think about choosing a course of specialization related to life sciences. While a degree in agriculture does not directly prepare you for professional school, your course of specialization may be structured to do so.

Can a degree in agriculture be used to pursue a career in environmental protection or similar fields?

Yes. Because degrees in agriculture are interdisciplinary, you will have the opportunity to study a wide variety of research that can be directly applied in environmental protection and other conservation-related fields.

Does engineering degree have a specialization in agriculture? What is this?

Agri-engineers work with other agricultural professionals to develop better, more efficient machinery, better cropping methods, safer, and sanitary food product packaging, as well as other engineering-related fields.

Does a degree in agriculture help you in agribusiness?

Yes. Agribusiness has become one of the main focus areas for a degree in agriculture. Agribusiness professionals work in all aspects of agricultural production, from production management to market value analysis to packaging design.

A degree in agriculture no longer emphasizes traditional farming and agricultural aspects of agriculture. The degree in agriculture now focuses on the interdisciplinary nature of global agriculture. Agro-engineering, agribusiness, agro-science, and environmental protection are some of the areas of specialization that individuals can choose when completing a degree in agriculture. Individuals with a degree in agriculture can work in government, international agencies, private sector businesses, and of course on farms and ranches. A degree in agriculture is just as versatile as agriculture.

you also have a very good opportunity of starting with self employment in this field. After studying agriculture you’ve various well paying job opportunities to name a few they are Agricultural salesperson, Farm manager, Agricultural engineer, Conservation planner, Agricultural Economist are just some examples. We don’t want to demotivate you but would also like to make it crystal clear to you that studying agriculture is too scientific and to be clear difficult. So pull your socks and be ready to work hard when you choose any course in the field of Agriculture.

Agriculture Books & Study Materials

There are several books and study material which will guide you and give you emmense knowledge about agriculture. Few of the best one’s are mentioned below.

• Crop Yields and Global Food Security by Tony Fischer, Derek Byerlee and Greg Edmeades.
• Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life (Hardcover) by Barbara Kingsolver
• Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver
• Feeding the Ten Billion, Plants and Population Growth by L. T Evans
• Happy Families, Healthy Landscapes, Profitable Farms by David Pratt
• In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto by Michael Pollan
• The Art and Science of Shepherding by Michel Meuret and Fred Provenza
• The Botany of Desire: A Plant’s-Eye View of the World (Paperback) by Michael Pollan