It has historically made sense for India to have a significant portion of its GDP come from agriculture since the country is full of rich soil and varied geographies. Today, while this fact remains true, we have seen a growing demand for professionals in this field to take the agriculture sector of the country to the next level – in line with other developed countries.
If you want to play a part in the upcoming agricultural revolution and want to get on this train early, there is an option for you that you’ve probably not heard about before. In this blog, we explore the diploma in agriculture course to discover how studying indiploma agriculture colleges can help accelerate your career.
Diploma in Agriculture: Overview
A diploma in agriculture is usually a short-term 2-year program in most diploma agriculture colleges in India. Depending on which college or diploma program you choose, the eligibility criteria might vary, as well as the level and duration of the course. This is because an agricultural diploma in MP or elsewhere in India can come in various forms and modes.
Take a glimpse of the table below to get an idea about which exact diploma course we’re referring to, one that is even offered by one of thetop universities in MP.
| Course Name | Diploma in Agriculture |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Mode of Examination | Yearly |
| Eligibility Criteria | 10th passed from a recognised board |
| Admission Process | Merit-based or entrance exam |
| Average Course Fee | INR 5000 – 2 Lakhs |
| Average Salary | INR 2 – 5 LPA |
| Common Job Roles | Agricultural Consultant, Research Associate, Ecologist, Lecturer, Agricultural Inspector, etc. |
What Do You Study in an Agriculture Diploma Course?
Since a diploma in agriculture course prepares students for a career in the same field, it works in two ways: first, you can choose to join a profession, or you can even go for a bachelor’s degree in agriculture in top agricultural colleges in MP and other states after completing this course.
This is because the syllabus is similar to more advanced courses in agriculture, only in a little less detail, at diploma agriculture colleges in India. Some of the popular topics you can find in this program irrespective of the college are:
- Fundamentals of Agriculture
- Agronomy and Crop Production
- Soil Science and Fertility Management
- Plant Pathology and Entomology
- Horticulture and Floriculture
- Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science
- Agricultural Engineering and Farm Machinery
- Agricultural Economics and Marketing
- Extension Education and Rural Development
The course also includes practical sessions, field visits, projects and internships to provide hands-on experience to the students. Some diploma agriculture colleges may also conduct an entrance exam or an interview for admission.
What are the Benefits of a Diploma in Agriculture?
This course, when obtained from any of the several Diploma in agriculture colleges,can make you privy to several benefits, such as:
- Gain enough knowledge about the basics of agriculture in its various forms, as well as its allied fields, to pursue career opportunities in this field.
- Be able to find employment in a variety of agricultural fields, like farming, processing, entrepreneurship, extension, R&D, etc.
- The ability to switch streams as you’ll be eligible for BSc, MSc, and even PhD after that, even if you didn’t have a science background before pursuing this course from diploma agriculture colleges in India.
- Increased employability and earning prospects, as the farming sector still mostly consisted of unskilled labour. This makes skilled labour like yourself, with a diploma from government or private agriculture colleges in MP or elsewhere higher in demand.
What are the Job Prospects?
A diploma in agriculture from Mansarovar Global University can open up a wide range of job prospects for students in both public and private sectors, such as the following:
| Sector | Common Recruiters |
| Government departments | Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, State Agricultural Universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, etc. |
| Agricultural research | Indian Agricultural Research Institute, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Central Institute of Horticulture, etc. |
| NGOs working for rural development and agricultural extension | BAIF Development Research Foundation, PRADAN, MYRADA, etc. |
| Agro-industries | ITC Limited, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., Rallis India Ltd., etc. |
| Banks and financial institutions for farmers and agri-businesses | NABARD, State Bank of India, ICICI Bank Ltd., etc. |
The salary package for diploma holders in agriculture may vary depending on their qualifications, experience, skills and employer. However, you can expect to earn at least INR 2 LPA on average, if placement records from the best university in Madhya Pradesh are to be believed.
Conclusion
Agriculture holds a special place in the heart of India, as we’ve been primarily an agrarian country from time immemorial. However, the state of agriculture in our country is rather pathetic if we take a look at the ground level instead of the total output, as most cultivators lack any kind of education and own small patches of land.
Hence, it is almost a bygone conclusion that these small-time farmers fail to utilise their land to the fullest extent, and very often hurt the ecology by engaging in primitive farming practices. Diploma agriculture colleges offer a way to solve this problem, by training students in the basics of scientific agricultural practices, which they can then utilise out on the field.
Therefore, I think we can all agree that a diploma is the best way to go if you want to explore a career in agriculture at an early age. One last piece of advice – Diploma agriculture colleges abound in our country so just make sure you check all the details of the course you’re applying to, as there are several types.
FAQs
1. Does Mansarovar Global College require an entrance test score for admission to its diploma in agriculture program?
No, Mansarovar Global University does not require any entrance test score from you for admission to its diploma in agriculture program.
2. Are diplomas in Agriculture available online?
Yes, various colleges offer diplomas in agriculture over the online mode too. However, full-time courses are preferred by employers as the students in those programs have more practical experience.
3. How can a diploma in agriculture save me from 11th and 12th?
If you pursue a diploma course in agriculture, your 2 years spent obtaining it will be considered equivalent to you studying 11th and 12th standard, thus saving you from them, and allowing you to directly pursue a Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or related fields.
4. Can I pursue an MBA after a diploma in agriculture?
Yes, but not directly after completing your diploma. You’ll have to get an undergraduate degree first.