Agriculture remains the main segment of the economy that contributes the largest share into the nation's GDP (20%). Diploma in Agriculture is a full time course of 2-year duration which offers study about various topics regarding agriculture.
According to the latest Agriculture Policy, India is planning to increase its global export to over USD 60 Billion by 2022. It would create huge opportunities in the field of agriculture leading to job opportunities for the Diploma in agriculture candidates.
This program deals with basic methodologies of farming. There are various specializations which are offered in the Diploma in Agriculture course such as seed technology, horticulture, animal husbandry, organic farming, etc.
In India there are over 73 colleges in India offering the Diploma in Agriculture Course. Most of them are concentrated in Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan.
The average course fees range between INR 10,000 to INR 40,000. On the other hand the average salary in the agriculture sector is INR 558,000 per annum making it one of the careers that offers an extremely high rate of return.
2.1 Why Study Diploma in Agriculture
3.1 Eligibility
3.2 Admission 2023
3.3 Entrance Exam
3.4 How to get Admission in a Good college?
Diploma in Agriculture: Quick Facts
The following are some of the key facts for Diploma in Agriculture
- It is a diploma level course offered to the candidates interested in agriculture and its relevant research field.
- The duration of the course is 2 years and the curriculum is divided into 4 semesters.
- The eligibility criteria for the course is that the candidates need to pass the 10th class or equivalent examination from a recognised board with a minimum score of 50% in overall aggregate.
- The Diploma in Agriculture syllabus includes subjects such as Soils and Fertility Management, Principles of agronomy, Plant pathology, Principles of genetics, etc.
- The Diploma in agriculture admissions are mainly done on the basis of marks obtained in the 10th or other equivalent intermediate examinations. However some of the colleges provide admission on the basis of entrance examination. The entrance exams are TS POLYCET, AP Agriculture Polytechnic Admission, etc.
- The top colleges that offers the Diploma in Agriculture course are Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Anand Agricultural University, Anand etc.
- The average course fee of the Diploma in agriculture in India is INR 5000- INR 100,000
- Working professionals who wish to pursue a career in agriculture can pursue the Distance Diploma in Agriculture course. The average course fee of the Diploma in agriculture on Distance Mode ranges between INR 10,000-INR 40,000.
- After completing this course, students will be able to find work in various private and public sectors as an Agricultural Engineer, Business Manager, Research Associate, Agricultural Inspector, Agricultural Ecologist, Lecturer etc.
- Average initial salary offered to a Agriculture Diploma holder ranges somewhere between INR 2,00,000 and 10,00,000 per annum, which may increase with the number of years of work experience and knowledge in the field
All About Diploma in Agriculture
The agriculture sector in India still remains the backbone of the Indian economy. The government is putting in effort to modernise the agricultural sector, thus improving the scope and employment opportunities for the Diploma in agriculture aspirants. The government is looking to improve the agriculture inputs as well the corresponding research associated with it.
The Diploma in agriculture is one such course that would help expose the candidates to research and development in the agriculture field.
Here are some of the information and details about the Diploma in Agriculture program are as follows.
- Diploma in Agriculture is an agricultural study course which is offered at both the UG and PG levels. The candidates get theoretical and practical regarding various agricultural aspects.
- This course is for students who are interested in agricultural studies and wish to gain knowledge in various aspects of farming, harvesting, food production, fertilizer and pesticide composition etc.
- This course offers in depth knowledge about various topics such as the problems faced by farmers, solutions offered to them, strategies for improvement of the agricultural sector etc.
- Some of the specializations in which Diploma in Agriculture is available include Food Procession, Seed Technology, Horticulture, Animal husbandry, Poultry farming, Organic farming etc.
Know More: Agriculture Course
Why study Diploma in Agriculture?
There are plenty of reasons to study Diploma in Agriculture. The nation wants professionals who possess good agricultural knowledge and could do something for the betterment of the farmers of the country. Most of the students prefer studying this course because of the following reasons:
- More Opportunities: The Diploma in Agriculture opens a pool of opportunities in various fields especially in the agricultural sector. For example, candidates after completion of course can get an opportunity to work in various sectors of agriculture that includes horticulture, pisciculture, agronomy, agriculture economy and many more. The agriculture sector is expected to grow by 12 % till 2026, creating job opportunities for the Diploma holder in Agriculture.
- Chance to an early career: The candidates who undertake UG diploma get a chance to study a specialized course at an early stage soon after the completion of Class 10. It allows them to start an early career and help them gain valuable experience before they come back to complete their graduation. Candidates can pursue a degree programme after the completion of UG diploma programme with good knowledge and skills about the course.
- Those who complete the diploma course can directly get a job in the relevant field based on their skills, knowledge and calibers.
- Competitive salary: The course offers a handsome salary package ranging from INR 2,00,000 to 10,00,000 or higher. According to the website payscale agriculture specialists in India can earn a salary of INR 558,000 per annum, thus making the diploma in agriculture one of the most profitable courses in the country.
- Chance to work with the MNCs: The course opens up various career opportunities in front of students. Students can choose to work in top-notch companies. Top companies such as ITC, Britannia, Godrej Agrovet, Rallis India Limited, and many more hire Diploma holders in Agriculture. Apart from this, yet another option for students is to pursue higher education.
- Research opportunities: The course allows the aspirants to work in various research related to agriculture and its related field.
Diploma in Agriculture: Admission Process
Admission to this course will be done based on the candidate's performance in the qualifying examination i.e. Class 10 exams. In merit-based selection, marks obtained by a candidate in the qualifying examinations are considered for offering admission into the course. The various steps involved in the admission process are given below.
Diploma in Agriculture Eligibility Criteria
Students who wish to pursue a Diploma in Agriculture course must fulfil 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.
However, in the case of 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 the admission to the Diploma in Agriculture Course.
Diploma in Agriculture Admission 2023
The following are some of the steps that the candidates should keep in mind before applying to the Diploma in Agriculture Course :
- Registration: Registration date opens up annually and announcements are made in advance by the colleges. Registration will be done online where a profile needs to be created. In the case of admission through the entrance exam the candidates are required to register in the agency website with the details such as the email id, phone number, etc. A login ID would be provided to the candidates.
- Filling up of application form: Once a profile has been created, login and start the application process. Fill up the application form with past educational achievements, job experience, internships and projects done etc.
- Scan and upload documents: Documents like mark sheets, photograph, signature and transfer certificates must be scanned and uploaded online to the portal. All documents must be in a specific format and size only to be accepted.
- Application fee: A minimal application fee has to be paid to process the application. Payment can be done using online payment methods. Once the payment is done the candidates are required to take out a receipt of the application form and keep it for future reference.
- Entrance Examination: Sit for the entrance examination and score well
- Admission: Colleges take a couple of weeks to process applications. If a candidate meets the cut offs and all other criteria then an offer letter for admission is released.In case of admission through entrance examination the list of the qualified candidates are declared and the candidates are allowed to choose colleges through a round of counselling.
Diploma in Agriculture Entrance Examination
There are only a few colleges which 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. The examination details are released by the colleges every year. This year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all the examination dates have been postponed and the new dates for the same are yet to be released.
The following are detail of some of the entrance examination
TS POLYCET
- The Telangana State Polytechnic Common Entrance examination is a state level entrance examination conducted for admission to the various state affiliated polytechnic or diploma courses in Telangana.
- The Duration of the examination is 2 hours 30 Minutes and the examination is conducted through offline pen and paper mode.
- The candidates must pass their 10th with a minimum aggregate score of 35%.
- The upper age limit of the candidates must be 22 years.
- The application fee is INR 400 for general categories and INR 250 for the candidates of the reserved categories (SC/STs)
Important Link
AP POLYCET
- The AP POLYCET is conducted by the state level entrance examination conducted by the State Board of Technical Education & Training of Andhra Pradesh.
- The duration of the entrance examination is 3 hours and it will be held in offline mode.
- The candidates should score at least 35% marks in their 10th or equivalent examination.
- There is no upper age limit for the entrance examination
- The total marks of the examination is 120 and the candidates need to score at least 36 to qualify.
Important Links:
| Exam Name | Registration Dates | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|
| TS POLYCET | 16th January 2023 | 17th May 2023 |
| AP POLYCET | 2nd week of March 2023 | Last week of April 2023 |
How to Prepare for a Diploma in Agriculture Entrance Exams?
Some of the important points that candidates can keep in mind while preparing for Diploma in Agriculture entrance exams are given below:
- Syllabus: Students must go through the syllabus of the course and mark all the important topics from syllabus
- Revise important topics: Revise all the important topics from the syllabus. Make sure to solve all questions that are related to the important topics.
- Practice Previous Year’s Question Papers: Solve previous year’s question paper so that you can get use to the question and it will also help in increasing your speed as the exam will be in online mode
- Mock Test: Candidates can solve and give the online mock test at the official website. It will increase efficiency and speed and will boost up your confidence.
How to get admission in a good Diploma in Agriculture college?
To secure admission into a top-ranked Diploma in Agriculture college, a number of factors come into play. Some of the following tips will be helpful in that regard.
- The admission process to the course is either entrance based or merit-based.
- Since most colleges enroll students on the basis of merit, candidates are advised to procure high percentages in the papers in their higher secondary schooling.
- Participation and certification in various extra-curricular activities such as clubs, sports, and NGO volunteering can be an addendum to the list of merits.
- In the case of entrance based selection, it is very important to perform well and score above the qualifying marks in the entrance test in order to get admission in a good college.
- One must be well aware of the latest exam pattern. One must also know the weightage assigned to each section in the exam and prepare accordingly.
- One must start preparing for the entrance exam a year before as this gives ample time for learning and revision. Do keep your target institute in mind.
Diploma in Agriculture Distance Education
The Diploma in Agriculture Distance education is beneficial for working professionals. The duration of the course is 1 -2 years. The candidates before taking admission to the Distance education program must look whether the course is accredited by the Distance Education Board, UGC or the AICTE or any other contempt authorities.
Let us check out some of the eligibility criteria for the Diploma in Agriculture Distance Education
- The candidates must pass the 10th or equivalent examination with 50% or more marks.
- Admission to the Diploma in Agriculture course through correspondence mode is merit-based.
- The average fee for the course ranges from INR 10,000 to INR 200,00 annually
- The maximum duration required to complete this course from distance mode is 2 years.
The following are some of the colleges that provide the Diploma in Agriculture in Distance Mode
Annamalai University
- The admission to the Diploma in agriculture Distance education course in the Annamalai University is done through on the basis of merit list.
- The total duration of the course is 2 years.
- The Diploma in Agriculture in the Annamalai University is offered in various specializations such as Diploma In Horticultural Nursery Management, Diploma In Agri.Business Management, Diploma In Commercial Floriculture, Diploma In Commercial Entomology, etc.
- The average course fee is INR 10,000
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
- The admission to the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University is done through the basis of merit
- The candidates need to pass the 10th or equivalent examination.
- The duration of the Diploma course is for a period of 1 year (2 semesters).
- There is no upper age limit for the course. However, the minimum age limit is set at 18 years.
- The course fee is INR 25,000.
Diploma in Agriculture: Specialization
Diploma in Agriculture offers specializations in various fields such as:
- Food Processing – In this 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.
- Animal Husbandry – This 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 this specialization.
The following table provides the information regarding average fee and average salary offered to holders of specialization degrees:
| Specialization | Average Fees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Food Processing | INR 5,000 | INR 5,00,000 |
| Seed technology | INR 20,000 | INR 6,75,000 |
| Animal husbandry | INR 37,000 | INR 4,00,000 |
| Organic farming | INR 58,000 | INR 1,00,000 |
Diploma in Agriculture: Syllabus
Diploma in Agriculture is a 2-year diploma program. Each year consists of 2 semesters. The course curriculum incorporates various assignments, presentations and projects. The detailed semester-wise syllabus of Diploma in Agriculture course is given below:
| Diploma in Agriculture Syllabus First Year | |
|---|---|
| Diploma in Agriculture Syllabus Semester 1 | Diploma in Agriculture Syllabus Semester 2 |
| Introduction to Agriculture | Crop Production |
| Principles of agronomy | Soil chemistry |
| Fundamentals of soil science | Principles of insect control |
| Fundamentals of entomology | Plant pathology |
| Economic botany | Agricultural meteorology |
| Principles of horticulture | Livestock and Poultry production |
| Biomathematics | Basics of agricultural engineering |
| Diploma in Agriculture Syllabus Second Year | |
| Diploma in Agriculture Syllabus Semester 3 | Diploma in Agriculture Syllabus Semester 4 |
| Principles of genetics | Plant breeding |
| Water management | Agricultural statistics |
| Pests and pest control | Weed management |
| Diseases of field crops | Green house technology |
| Production Technology of Food Crops | Agricultural microbiology |
| Dairy Cattle and Buffalo Production | Seed production Technology |
| Organic farming and sustainable agriculture | Postharvest technology |
| Plant nutrition, manures and fertilizers | - |
Diploma in Agriculture Colleges
Diploma in Agriculture courses are offered by many top colleges and universities across the country. Some of the top colleges offering this course have been mentioned below with several other details.
| NIRF Ranking | College | Admission Process | Average Fees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore | Merit-Based | INR 21,100 | INR 3,57,000 |
| 75 | Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana | Merit-Based | INR 53,570 | INR 4,28,000 |
| 96 | Anand Agricultural University, Anand | Merit-Based | INR 2,020 | INR 3,33,000 |
| 101 | Gandhigram Rural Institute, Dindigul | Merit-Based | INR 22,720 | INR 6,85,000 |
| 151 | Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad | Merit-Based | INR 7,500 | INR 4,25,000 |
| -- | Singhania University, Jhunjhunu | Merit-Based | INR 22,000 | INR 4,47,000 |
| -- | OPJS University, Churu | Merit-Based | INR 13,200 | INR 5,36,000 |
| -- | RIMT University, Gobindgarh | Merit-Based | INR 40,000 | INR 6,85,000 |
| -- | Madhav University, Sirohi | Merit-Based | INR 45, 000 | INR 7,74,000 |
Diploma in Agriculture College Comparison
Selecting one among various colleges can be a daunting task. This becomes more difficult when all the colleges hold a certain level of reputation. Hence, to ease the process, the top colleges offering Diploma in Agriculture course have been compared below based on various parameters.
| Parameter | Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Coimbatore | Punjab Agricultural University, Jalandhar |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Coimbatore | Jalandhar |
| Overview | Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) is an agricultural university which came into existence in 1971. TNAU offers Diploma, UG, PG and Research courses in agriculture to candidates. | Punjab Agricultural University is the oldest university in the field of Agricultural Education. It was established in 1962. It offers UG, PG and Ph.D. courses in different specializations. |
| NIRF Ranking | 68 | 75 |
| Average Fees | INR 21,100 | INR 53,570 |
| Average Salary | INR 3,57,000 | INR 4,28,000 |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Frontier Agriculture, Grant Thornton, HGCA, HSBC Bank, National Farmers Union, Soil Association, Velcourt Farms etc. | Frontier Agriculture, Grant Thornton, HGCA, HSBC Bank, National Farmers Union etc. |
Diploma in Agriculture vs BSc Agriculture: Course Comparison
Diploma in Agriculture and BSc Agriculture are two different courses offered in the subject of Agriculture. Some of the key differences and similarities between these two courses are mentioned below.
Also check out the top BSc Agriculture Colleges in India.
| Parameter | Diploma in Agriculture | BSc Agriculture |
|---|---|---|
| Domain | Agriculture | Agriculture |
| Overview | This course gives knowledge regarding agriculture, harvesting, improvements in the agricultural sector etc. | This course basically focuses on research and practices in agricultural science, dealing with disciplines like Genetics and Plant Breeding, Agricultural Microbiology, Soil Science, Plant Pathology etc. |
| Duration | 1 - 3 years | 3 years |
| Eligibility | Passed Class 10 or equivalent from a recognized board. | Passed Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board. |
| Admission Process | Entrance/ Merit-Based | Entrance/ Merit-Based |
| Average Fees | INR 5,000 – INR 2,00,000 | INR 30,000 – INR 3,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 2,00,000 – 10,00,000 | INR 7,50,000 – 15,00,000 |
| Job Positions | Agricultural Engineer, Business Manager, Research Associate, Agricultural Inspector, Agricultural Ecologist, Lecturer etc. | Agriculture Officer, Assistant Plantation Manager, Agricultural Research Scientist, Business Development Executive, Marketing Executive etc. |
Diploma in Agriculture: Jobs and Salary
- A wide range of careers await those who have completed Diploma in Agriculture course in both the private and public sectors.
- There are a large number of job opportunities for students in this field. Agriculture Diploma holders are hired in many different sectors of the industry such as Food production firms, Government agricultural firms, Banks, Plantations, Government fertilizer manufacturing firms etc.
- Fresh Diploma holders of this course can easily expect an initial salary of INR 2,00,000 to 10,00,000 per year. The salary offered is proportional to the experience earned in the field. The salary offered increases with increase in the experience in the field.
Some of the most common job profiles that a Diploma in Agriculture student can opt for along with job description and salary package are mentioned in the table below.
| Job Position | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture Officer | An Agriculture Officer is responsible to collect samples, talk to farmers and specialize in producing and improving crop quality etc. | INR 4,85,000 |
| Research Scholar | Test and research about various chemicals such as insecticides, pesticides, etc. and innovate to improve and develop safer crop growing chemicals. | INR 3,54,000 |
| Research Associate | To associate in various agricultural projects and take steps for making improvements and developments in the agricultural sector. | INR 3,78,000 |
| Business Manager | To manage the business and develop strategies to avail better business opportunities for farmers. | INR 7,87,000 |
| Tea Gardner | To manage tea garden areas and be responsible for proper collection and delivery of the tea leaves after they are collected. | INR 2,75,000 |
Diploma in Agriculture: Future Scope
Diploma in Agriculture program is gaining popularity nowadays and offers diverse career opportunities. This further affirms the immense popularity of the course among students. The most popular choices of education on completion of a Diploma in Agriculture are as follows.
- BSc: If one wishes to continue in the same field of education, the first program of choice is a BSc Agriculture. It is a three-year course and the eligibility criteria include passing Class 12 in relevant streams.
Check out the Top BSc Agriculture Colleges in India.
- PGD: A large number of Diploma holders choose to go for the PGDM course. Admissions are offered through a national level entrance test.
- Competitive examinations: Another route that Diploma holders can go for is to prepare for competitive examinations. Examinations that are meant for job opportunities in Government sector organizations are most popular. Jobs in this sector are secure with assured high pay and regular increments.
Diploma in Agriculture: FAQs
Ques. What are the career prospects after a Diploma in Agriculture course?
Ques. What are the learning outcomes of Diploma in Agriculture course?
Ques. What is the most advantageous fact about Diploma in Agriculture?
Ques. Which states offer top Diploma in Agriculture colleges?
Ques. What is the fee range for a Diploma in Agriculture course?
Ques. Is Diploma in Agriculture a tough course?
Ques. Are students provided internship opportunities in Diploma in agriculture course?
Ques. Does Delhi University provide Diploma in Agriculture courses?
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