Agriculture and Food Business

What is Agriculture and Food Business

Most of the countries across the world including India are agro-based economies. This means agriculture and food business contributes significantly to the overall GDP of these countries. It is a quintessential part of an economy which only evolves with the advancement in science and technology but never loses its sheen. There is a wide range of job opportunities in the agriculture and food business. This ranges from opportunities in the research sector, retail sector, transportation industry, food and fibre technology as well as jobs in the financial sector related to the agriculture industry such as banking and other financial institutions. So, despite the fact that engineering and medical courses are far more popular among students, agriculture and food business studies assure a career that is no less satisfying than either of these two professions.

Agriculture and food business courses comprise a specialised branch of management studies which are taught in some of the most revered institutes of the country. One can do an undergraduate course followed by a postgraduate and even doctoral programme or can only do an MBA. Students pursuing B.Sc-M.Sc or B.Tech-M.Tech courses in agriculture and food business or related branches of science and technology can also expect to make a great career in agricultural and food business in India as well as abroad. 

Food and Agriculture Business Course Highlights:

Agriculture and Food Business Degrees and levels:

The various degree courses (and PhD programmes) offered by the renowned agriculture and food business institutes in India are as follows:

Undergraduate level (4 years): Candidates can obtain this degree from institutes offering the course after passing class 10+2. Here they have to study B. Tech in food technology, B. Tech in fibre technology, B. Tech in biotechnology, B.Sc in agriculture, B.Sc in agricultural economics, B. Sc in biotechnology, B.Sc in botany, B.Sc in biochemistry, BBA in agriculture business management, Food and Agricultural management.

Postgraduate level (2 years): After completing an undergraduate degree, students can opt for a postgraduate degree from esteemed universities or other institutes of agriculture and food business. Throughout this degree they have to read M. Tech in food technology, M. Tech in biotechnology, M. Tech in fibre technology, M. Sc in agriculture, M. Sc in agricultural economics, M. Sc in biotechnology, M. Sc in botany, M. Sc in biochemistry, MBA in agriculture business management, Food and Agricultural management.

Dual degrees in Agriculture and Food Business: Some colleges offer comprehensive Agriculture and Food Business courses for M. Sc which encompasses both B. Sc and M. Sc degrees from the same universities while some other courses offer M. Tech degrees along with a B. Tech degree together as part of the same course. Other degrees like MBA and BBA may also be clubbed together under a dual course. Dual courses are also available for aspirants taking up PhD.

PhD in agriculture and food business: Apart from all the courses at UG and PG level, willing students can also go for a PhD for their desired course. After completion of their master's degree and qualifying the required entrance examinations, aspirants can opt for completing a PhD in their field of interest as a part of the same course offered by the college.

Minimum and Maximum Duration of Agriculture & Food Business Courses

For a B.Tech or engineering degree in the Agriculture and Food Business industry and its related courses, the minimum duration is 4 years or roughly 48 months. For an undergraduate degree in the related fields, the minimum required duration is 36 months. Professional degrees like M. Tech and M. Sc or MBA takes up to 2 years or roughly 24 months. Dual courses for masters in science and commerce (viz. business and management) take a minimum time of 5 years (3 for UG +2 for PG) or 60 months. For a masters in engineering or M. Tech, the dual courses take up to 6 years or roughly 72 months minimum. The minimum time required for a PhD is 4 years or less, that means, 48 months or less.

The maximum duration for UG level courses depends on the agriculture and food business college or university the student joins. For colleges which allow relaxations, the UG courses can extend from 4 to 6 years or 48 to 72 months.

Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Agriculture and Food Business

Eligibility criteria in the UG level:

To pursue courses related to agriculture and food business a student must successfully qualify the class 12 exam without any backlog. Additionally, the candidate must secure at least 50-60% score in culmination. It must be noted here that satisfying the eligibility criteria does not guarantee admission into colleges. Each college has specific cut-off and students securing the cut-off or more are allowed for admission. This is the minimum eligibility criteria which allow students to apply for colleges. The minimum criteria may vary from category to category. For pursuing B. Tech after class 12 for UG, the candidate must additionally qualify the JEE exams. Some colleges have entrance tests that the candidates have to qualify.

Eligibility criteria in the PG level:

The candidate must clear the graduation in a related field from a recognised university with at least 50-60% marks. For admission in masters in any esteemed government recognized institutions like IIT, IIM, JNU to name a few, the candidates must qualify additional entrance examinations. Apart from this, private colleges may also have their separate entrance exams which a candidate must qualify.

Agriculture & Food Business Courses: Admission Criteria for the Entrance after class 12

Admission to the engineering courses takes place through a common entrance exam. For admission into highly reputed government institutions students have to qualify the JEE Main. Some private colleges also provide admission on the basis of entrance examinations held by the institutions. General admission in the other UG level courses takes place on the basis of the marks obtained in the final examination of class 12 or higher secondary exam. Admissions are also done on the basis of merit.

Entrance Exams for Agriculture & Food Business Courses

The entrance exam for pursuing MBA in agriculture and food businesses is known as the Common Admission Test or CAT. CAT is an aptitude test of the highest degree which is held once in a year. It tests problem-solving skills, mathematical intelligence and general knowledge of the aspirants. Students willing to do B.Tech in Agriculture and Food Business must qualify JEE main as well as the JEE advanced exam. The JEE exams are held annually. The aspiring aspirants can also apply for four of the top examinations namely ICAR AIEEA, CG PAT, MCAER CET and UPCATET.

Fees and Expenses of Agriculture & Food Business Course

The minimum fee for UG ranges from Rs.10,000 - Rs.13,000  for a bachelor's degree in the courses related to agriculture and food business. The maximum fee can range from Rs.3, 00,000- Rs 8, 00,000 and the range is the same for B. Tech or engineering degrees. The fee for pursuing MBA in IIM Lucknow is Rs.14 lakhs and that of IIM Ahmedabad is Rs.23 lakhs.

Required Skillset for Agriculture and Food Business

• Management skills: Management skills are a set of skills which allow aspirants to excel as an executive and fulfil tasks which are central to daily operational activities of the Institute. This includes managing operational plans, future planning, supervising production and so on.
  
  

• Business skills: These are a particular set of skills required for a better understanding of the behaviour of the consumer and the organisation. These are soft skills which may be inculcated through experience and learning.
  
  

• People skills: As simple as it may sound these refers to skills that allow easy interaction among people and also allows developing rapport among numerous individuals.
  
  

• Critical thinking skills: This refers to skills which allow an individual to be familiar with the latest developments in the food and agriculture business as well as the major trends of the industry.
  
  

• Communication skills: Communication skills allow individuals to clearly express and exchange information. Proper communication skills not only facilitate one to convey information but also allows for feedback from others. In a field which is very dynamic and fast-evolving communication is one of the main requisites for success.