Agriculture is an old occupation, and students have the choice to choose from many agriculture courses after 12th class. The occupation of agriculture is as old as the Indus Valley Civilization and has evolved in different ways over the centuries. As the human population increased rapidly, the need to build new techniques to increase the yield has also increased.
Therefore, humans became innovative and used the principles of various disciplines like engineering, biotechnology, genetics, etc. to build different instruments and techniques that increase the yield and the nutrition value of the food. Due to these innovations, most of the human population was spared from the sufferings caused due to hunger.
All of these changes gave rise to many subdisciplines and career opportunities for the younger generation. As a result, there are many different types of courses in the field of agriculture in India. Moreover, there is a constant demand for talented individuals in this field as the hunger problem is not completely resolved, and many people suffer due to it. Moreover, many businesses also need valuable employees to continue the innovation process in the agriculture industry.
Agriculture courses after 12th science:
In order to be eligible for agriculture courses, students must have studied biology as a compulsory subject. However, different boards have different names like science, BiPC, or PCB for the streams which include a combination of biology, physics, and chemistry subjects.
Since the subjects are the same and the syllabus is almost similar, students who have studied either BiPC or PCB are eligible for the agriculture courses after 12th. However, if students want to study agriculture courses after 12th commerce, then they cannot do so as they are not eligible. The same is true for students who want to study agriculture courses after 12th arts or 12th MPC.
An extensive list of agriculture courses after 12th science/BiPC/PCB is given below:
Bachelor's courses:
The bachelor's courses are the most common courses preferred by students after the 12th. These bachelor's courses include:
- Bachelor in Engineering (BE)
- Bachelor in Technology (B.Tech)
- Bachelor in Science (B.Sc)
Given below is a list of bachelor's courses in agriculture after 12th class. The list includes both B.E./B.Tech and B.Sc courses.
B.E. or B.Tech. in Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural Engineering focuses on improving the efficiency of various agricultural practices. In order to achieve this goal, it uses the principles of civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering to invent machinery for agricultural use. It is the best agriculture course after 12th in India.
It also involves management and optimum utilization of resources on the field. Soil management, land profiling, atmospheric science, seeding, harvesting, etc. are all an important part of agricultural engineering. Agricultural Engineers play a vital role in the overall food production process in the country.
Career Options:
- Agricultural Engineer
- Agricultural Specialist
- Agricultural Inspector
- Researcher
- Soil Scientist
B.E. or B.Tech. in Agricultural Information Technology
B.E. or B. Tech. in Agricultural Information Technology involves integrating the modifying the applications of Information Technology for agricultural use. Some of the IT technologies applied in agriculture include GPS, wireless technologies, mobile apps, e-commerce, geographic information systems, etc.
Agricultural Information Technology is also known as e-agriculture. It enables the agriculturists and farmers to increase their productivity and decrease the amount of risk. It also proves helpful in managing and monitoring large areas of land through the use of technology. Therefore, it is one of the top agriculture courses after 12th science.
Career Options:
- Weather/Crop Forecasting Expert
- Plantation Manager
- Knowledge Management Expert
- ERP Systems Manager
- Crop Insurance Manager
- Supply Chain Manager
B.E. or B.Tech. in Dairy Technology
B.E. or B. Tech. in Dairy Technology is the best choice for students who want to have a career in the dairy industry. It allows the students to learn about the science of milk processing and the production of different dairy products. As a result, it is also one of the most chosen agriculture courses in India.
The dairy industry is vast and produces different types of delicious products like ice cream, cheese, butter, yogurt, etc. The sterilization and preservation of these products are highly essential to increase their shelf life. Dairy technology teaches students to develop different methods of processing, sterilization, and preservation techniques for different products.
Career Options:
- Dairy Technologist
- Dairy Scientist
- Dairy Medical Officer
- Industry Supervisor
- Nutritionists
- Head Quality Control
B.E. or B.Tech. in Agriculture and Dairy Technology
B.E. or B.Tech. in Agriculture and Dairy Technology teaches both agriculture technology and dairy technology. It helps the students to get a career opportunity in a broad range of fields. Therefore, it is one of the best courses in the agriculture course list.
Students learn the techniques of farming, harvesting, seeding, soil management along with the techniques used in dairy technology like sterilization, preservation, etc. Since the students obtain knowledge of two different disciplines in one course, they can be more creative in the different solutions they create to problems in their careers.
Career Options:
- Researcher
- Dairy Consultant
- Dairy Supervisor
- Agricultural Engineer
- Agricultural Specialist
B.E. or B.Tech. in Agricultural and Food Engineering
Agricultural and Food Engineering deals with using technology in agriculture and food safety procedure for the obtained products. It ensures that the farm products remain of good quality for a long time to be suitable for export.
Agricultural and Food Engineering combines the principles of microbiology, science, and engineering to build effective food safety procedures and techniques. It includes the concepts of soil technology, crop production technology, agriculture biotechnology, fluid mechanics, etc.
Career Options:
- Food Safety Applications Engineer
- Agriculture and Irrigation Engineer
- Soil and Plant Scientist
- Food Technologist
- Product Development Scientist
B.Sc. in Agriculture
Since India's major portion of the economy is dependent on agriculture, many students prefer to study B.Sc. in Agriculture. It teaches students how to build and use different techniques to improve agricultural efficiency. It is a good option as an agriculture course after 12th PCB.
In the course, students also learn about water resource management, animal husbandry, soil science, etc. They also learn about plant biotechnology, which is useful for students who want to enter the research field. Students of agriculture have a huge number of opportunities in India as the country needs more and more talent to help in increasing food production.
Career Options:
- Agriculture Officer
- Plantation Manager
- Farm Manager
- Research Manager
- Agriculture Research Scientist
B.Sc. in Dairy Science
The B.Sc. in Dairy Science includes concepts like animal nutrition, lactation, reproduction, etc. It teaches the students about the science and techniques used in the production of dairy products.
Some of the most commonly produced dairy products include yogurt, cheese, ice cream, etc. The students must also learn about the management of dairy plants. Dairy Science teaches different concepts and skills to the students that will help them find different career opportunities in the dairy industry. Therefore, it is also one of the top agriculture courses after 12th class.
Career Options:
- Dairy Herd Manager
- Dairy Cattle Classifier
- Breed Association Representative
- Dairy Records Association Manager
- Agricultural Extension Agent
B.Sc. in Plant Science
The B.Sc. in Plant Science explores a wide range of topics, from molecular biology to ecology. As a result, a student develops a deep understanding of the world of plants.
It involves studying the concepts of plant genetics, physiology, forensic science, pollution, etc. The course also enables the students to earn skills like data analysis, researching, experimenting, project planning, etc. Therefore, it is one of the fun courses in the list of agricultural courses after 12th BiPC.
Career Options:
- Horticulturist
- Lab Technician
- Plant Pathologist
- Ecologist
- Molecular Biologist
- Nursery Manager
- Plant Explorer
B.Sc. in Agricultural Biotechnology
Agricultural Biotechnology involves manipulating the genetic makeup of the plants to make them produce maximum yield. It also teaches the students about the process of making plants resistant to diseases and pests.
The field of agricultural biotechnology is not only beneficial for humans but also for the environment because the requirement for fertilizers and pesticides decreases. The techniques are applied in a different manner to all kinds of plants that produce edible as well as non-edible products. As a result, B.Sc in Agricultural Biotechnology is perhaps the best agricultural course after the 12th standard.
Career Options:
- Agricultural Biotechnologist
- Environmental Biotechnologist
- Biosafety regulator
- Bioprocess Engineer
- Biological Forensic Analyst
B.Sc. in Agriculture and Food Science
The B.Sc. in Agriculture and Food Science provides a wide range of opportunities to students both in fields of agriculture and the food industry. Students get to work in the field, lab, or industry based on their interests.
In this course, students get to learn everything from soil management to food packaging. As a result, students become familiar with all the stages of food production. Therefore, B.Sc. in Agriculture and Food Science is the best course for students who want to have a broad range of knowledge about food production rather than specializing in a particular field.
Career Options:
- Food Technologist
- Scientific Laboratory Technician
- Quality Manager
- Technical Brewer
- Regulatory Affairs Officer
B.Sc. in Horticulture
Horticulture is a discipline of agricultural science and involves the study of seeds and plant cultivation. It focuses on how to enhance plant growth and increase yield while retaining the quality of the plant product. These techniques can help people to save time while maximizing benefits.
The course of B.Sc. in Horticulture teaches students all the techniques and skills used to achieve the goals mentioned above. Horticulture combines the practices of genetic manipulation, plant breeding, biochemistry, and biotechnology to achieve the desired results. As a result, B.Sc. in Horticulture is a very fun course to study in the list of agricultural courses after 12th science.
Career Options:
- Horticulturist
- Scientist
- Gardener
- Horticultural Education Supervisor
- Project Manager
B.Sc. in Fisheries Science
The course of B.Sc. in Fisheries Science involves various concepts of genetics, aquaculture, breeding, nutrition, diseases, etc. Therefore, it is a multidisciplinary field that deals with many different principles and techniques.
Since fisheries is another economically advantageous field, it provides a great number of opportunities to the students. The B.Sc. in Fisheries Science is perfect for students who love aquatic creatures. It would give them the opportunity to learn a lot about the aquatic world, such as ecology, oceanography, biodiversity, pollution, etc. Therefore, it is a totally different kind of course in the list of agriculture courses after 12th PCB.
Career Options:
- Hatchery Manager
- Aquaculturist
- Fisheries Inspector
- Fisheries Extension Officer
- Fish Breeder
- Feed Mill Manager
- Export Manager
B.Sc. in Plant Pathology
Plant Pathology is the study of plant diseases. It involves studying fungi, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms to find out how they cause plant diseases. It also includes studying how the host interacts with the pathogens and tries to defend itself.
The field of plant pathology helps to gain enough knowledge of the diseases in order to build resistance in plants to those diseases. It can be achieved by incorporating genes into the plants that fight the diseases. It will result in less crop spoilage and increased yield. Due to the vital role of plant pathology in the agricultural industry, the students of B.Sc. in Plant Pathology can get a huge number of opportunities after their graduation. Therefore, it is also one of the most important courses in the agriculture course list.
Career Options:
- Plant Pathologist
- Plant Geneticist
- Physiologist
- Plant Breeder
- Professor
B.Sc. in Forestry
The B.Sc. in Forestry course involves training students to manage forest resources, conservation of forests, plantation, creating systems for reforestation, etc. It helps the country to make sure that the non-renewable resources that are available only in the forests do not go extinct.
The course gives theoretical as well as practical knowledge to the students. It helps them to get an idea of what kind of career they want to pursue in the field of forestry. The B.Sc. in Forestry is perfect for students who want to contribute to the conservation of the environment, and it is also suitable for the ones who love the sense of adventure.
Career Options:
- Forest Products Manager
- Plantation Manager
- Nursery Manager
- Forest Officer
- Researcher
BBA in Agriculture Management
BBA in Agriculture Management teaches the management of agriculture operations to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Since agriculture is also a form of business and involves various stages and processes, it needs to be managed properly to save time and costs.
BBA in Agriculture Management teaches students on how to do so in an efficient manner. It gives students different kinds of opportunities in the field of agriculture. As a result, it is one of the interesting courses in the list of agricultural courses after 12th science.
Career Options:
- Plantation Manager
- Production Manager
- Business Development Manager
- Agricultural Manager
Diploma courses:
The diploma courses are usually preferred by students who don't want to invest 3-4 years of time in their studies and want to start working as soon as possible. Diploma courses usually last for 1 or 2 years, depending on the course and the institution.
Given below is a list of diploma courses for students who want to study agriculture after 12th science:
Diploma in Agriculture
The Diploma in Agriculture focuses on broad topics related to agriculture, such as biology, technology, poultry farming, etc. The main goal of this course is to help the students on how to increase agricultural productivity.
Career Options:
- Agriculture Consultant
- Distributor
- Agriculture Sales Officer
- Food Production Professionals
Diploma in Dairy Technology
Diploma in Dairy Technology teaches students the basics and fundamentals of different techniques and skills used in the dairy industry. It is a good agriculture course after 12th PCB. Most of it involves the concepts of nutrition and lactation of dairy animals and the processing and packaging of dairy products.
Career Options:
- Food Analyst
- Food Technologist
- Lab Technician
- Assist. Food Chemist
Diploma in Horticulture
Diploma in Horticulture is an interesting course that teaches the theory and skills behind seed development and plant growth. The course is suitable for students who are interested in plants and possess creativity.
Career Options:
- Horticultural Technician
- Horticulturist
- Tree Expert
Diploma in Floriculture
Diploma in Floriculture deals with the process of flower cultivation. The flowering and ornamental plants play a huge role in the perfume industry. Moreover, the domestic need for flowers is also high in India. Therefore, the Diploma in Floriculture can provide good opportunities for the students.
Career Options:
- Production Managers
- Floral Managers
- Florists
- Dales Representatives
Diploma in Food Processing
Diploma in Food Processing involves both theoretical and practical training in food production. It is a two-year-long course that trains students for professional careers in the food industry. It is also one of the best agriculture courses after 12th BIPC.
Career Options:
- Food Technologist
- Production Supervisor
- Food Quality Assurance Manager
- Food Processor
Certificate courses:
Certificate courses usually have a duration of a few months and are chosen as an additional course to bachelors or diploma courses. Given below is a list of certificate courses in agriculture after 12th class:
Certificate in Horticulture
The course of Certificate in Horticulture teaches only the basics there and skills used in the field of plant growth and development. Its main focus is to give students the skills and knowledge they need for employment.
Career Options:
- Foreman
- Gardener
- Product Manager
- Assistant Manager
Certificate in Beekeeping
The course teaches the students everything about the modern beekeeping practices used in the industry. It also teaches some entrepreneurial skills that can be used in the beekeeping business. It is an interesting course on the list of agriculture courses after 12th PCB.
Career Options:
- Beekeeper
- Business in Beekeeping
Certificate in Floriculture
Floriculture provides raw materials for the perfume and pharmaceutical industry. It also produces products for domestic use. Therefore, a Certificate in Floriculture is highly beneficial for those who want to enter these industries.
Career Options:
- Floriculturists
- Commercial Growers
- Wholesale Florists
- Retail Florists
- Floral Designer
Certificate in Aquaculture
Aquaculture has gained huge popularity after the induction of modern techniques of biotechnology. The Certificate in Aquaculture opens the door to a huge number of opportunities in the field of aquaculture for the students. It is a good choice for students as an agriculture course after 12th BiPC.
Career Options:
- Research Assistant
- Regional Manager
- Sales Manager
- Sales Assistant Manager
