As seen in our previous blog, a career in agriculture-related courses is in high demand in India due to new-age farming and food production techniques, high food demand, and sustainable agri-methods. This blog lists out several courses after class 12 that provide exciting career opportunities.

Popular Agriculture Courses After 12th

Here are some of the top agriculture-related courses students can consider in India:

• BSc Agriculture: This is a 4-year undergraduate degree program in the field of agricultural science. Refer to the blog for more information – (Blog link after uploading).
• BSc (Hons) Agriculture: Although this is also a 4-year undergraduate program, it is more specialised and research-oriented with more advanced topics, and requires a dissertation to culminate the course. Diverse career opportunities in government and private companies open up for graduates including the roles of agriculture officer, farm manager, agricultural marketing officer, research scientist, and many more.
• BSc Horticulture: Horticulture refers to the art and science of cultivating plants for purposes including aesthetics, as food, for medicinal uses, etc. A BSc in horticultural sciences is a 3-4-year undergraduate degree where students get deep understanding of soil propagation, breeding, landscaping, pest or disease management in crops, soil science, genetics, and post-harvest tech. Graduates can work as horticulturists, farm managers, nursery operators, plantation experts, forest supervisors, quality assurance officers, take up academic roles, or assume roles in seed, fertiliser, pesticide, and FMCG companies.
• BSc Forestry: This is an undergraduate program that focuses on the practice of growing and managing forests. Students learn the art of planning, organising, and controlling forest resources, understand forest ecology, and forest protection. Graduates can work in the government sector as forest officers, wildlife wardens, research scientists; and in the private sector as consultants, conservationists, as lecturers or professors in educational institutions, work in the forest products industry, chemical industry, etc.  
• BSc Dairy Technology and Dairy Science: BSc in Dairy Technology is an undergraduate agriculture-related field that educates students on the factory-side of the dairy sector with subjects including dairy chemistry, animal nutrition, quality control of milk and milk products, dairy farm management, microbiology, and related topics. Students are also trained with practical skills like designing products, industrial training in dairy plants, and their operations.

BSc in Dairy Science focuses on the farm aspect of the dairy sector, including animal health, farm management, genetics, and all the biological and chemical aspects of the farm sector. Graduates can choose diverse roles in dairy processing plants, quality control labs, research and academia, the dairy supply chain, etc.

• BSc Agricultural Biotechnology: This involves the use of scientific tools and techniques to improve crop production, livestock, study of microorganisms, molecular technology, tissue culture, and genetic engineering to enhance nutrition, and improve yields. There are diverse career opportunities in both public and private sectors, like agri-biotech companies, research facilities, food processing and FMCG, banks (as an agriculture loan officer), and consultancies.
• BSc Fisheries Science: As the name indicates, it is a course that provides deep knowledge about aquaculture, fisheries management, fishing technology, fish processing, and environmental factors. Graduates can work in both public and private sectors as research analysts, aquaculture technicians, fishery biologists in the food industry, government or government-aided fisheries department, fish breeding farms, and research institutes.
• BSc Agronomy/Crop Science: The course focuses on science-backed principles for managing soil, growing crops, soil science, plant physiology, enhancing yields, pest management, crop production, farm management, agri-business, plant breeding, and agricultural economics. The government sector offers roles like agriculture officer, Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), in the private agri-business sector as plantation managers, precision-farming specialists, in research institutes, food processing units, and as agri-preneurs.

The eligibility for all BSc courses mandates the Candidate to have completed 10+2 with science subjects including Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Botany/Math with a minimum of 50-60% marks.

• B. Tech in Agricultural Engineering: A 4-year technical degree course that combines the principles of engineering with agricultural sciences. The program equips students with the knowledge and skills to design, create, and innovate solutions for better management of the agricultural sector. Like other engineering courses, candidates who have passed class 12 with PCM as their major (although some colleges also consider PCB background) with a cutoff of 50-60% are eligible to take up the course. Graduates can work with top FMCG, machinery, and agri-tech companies; government departments, food processing industries, seed companies, fertiliser companies, and farm equipment manufacturers.
• BBA or BSc in Agribusiness Management: BBA in this subject focuses on the business aspects of the agricultural sector, whereas BSc focuses on combining agricultural science with business. Graduates after BBA can work as agri-consultants, marketing managers, sales managers, etc. Graduates after BSc can choose agri-tech roles, work as farm managers, production supervisors, loan officers, etc.

The combined top entrance exams for these courses include JEE Main and JEE Advanced (for engineering courses), AP EAMCET, BCECE, KEAM, JCECE, KCET, MP PAT, ICAR AIEEA, CUET, MHT CET, and TNEA.

• Diploma in Agriculture: For a quicker entry into the roles of farm technician or supervisor, a 1-2-year diploma is a good start. It empowers candidates with crop production, farm management, etc.
• Diploma in Organic Farming, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry: These and many other sub-sectors of agriculture are offered as diploma courses by many universities that provide hands-on training and practical skills along with necessary theoretical knowledge.
• Apart from these, there are several short-term certificate courses offered by universities and institutes for agriculture in general, fisheries technology, organic farming, dairy farming, fish culture, biofertiliser production, etc., and most of these programs are for 3-6 months, but some could go up to 1 year. These courses can be taken alongside the degree or diploma courses to build skills.  

Conclusion

Agriculture remains the backbone of India's economy in 2025, sustaining millions while driving tech-driven sustainability and food security initiatives. These courses equip students with skills to come up with innovative ideas and lead the country towards resilient and productive agricultural techniques.