Career in Horticulture

Horticulture is the art or practice of garden cultivation and management. In this world where modernization has ripped through many trees and plants and globalization has been used as an excuse for so many forests disappearing, gardening as an art is dying. Most modern cities and countries hardly have trees and plants around in friendly neighbourhoods. Although this is the sign of a dying trend this also led to whole new profession, finally giving credit to an art which is probably as old as the human civilization itself. Horticulture is the science, technology, and business involved in intensive plant cultivation for human use. Horticulture is a major business area, occurring on an international scale. Flowers are grown in many different countries and shipped around the world to their final destination.  Tropical areas produce seeds for areas having not very convenient climate conditions to grow the required crops. Many different states produce different fruits or vegetables and crops which remain special to the particular area. These fruits or crops are sold to different cities and even countries. All of this is part of the horticulture industry. Horticulture also includes research on plant conservation, landscape restoration, landscape and garden design/construction/maintenance, horticultural therapy etc.

 

Eligibility

Entry to this field starts from undergraduate level. After completion of 10+2 in Science stream (class 12th) with physics, chemistry and maths/biology/agriculture as the subjects one can opt for Bachelors degree in Horticulture as a separate discipline or as a subject of BSc Agriculture Science. The same basic qualifications are required for doing a diploma in agriculture.

Most of the educational institutions in India teach horticulture as a part of the agricultural Science, while some offer a separate B.Sc. degree. Candidates can choose between doing a B.Sc. in agriculture or horticulture. After doing BSc in Horticulture one can continue his/her further study in the field by doing MSc or PhD.

 

Colleges and Courses Offered

• Kerala Agricultural University
  Course: MSc (Horticulture)
• University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
  Course: MSc (Horticulture)
• University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad

          Course: B.Sc. (Hort), M.Sc. (Horticulture)

• Annamalai University

          Course: BSc (Horticulture)

• Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHUATS)

         Courses: M.Sc. (Ag.) Horticulture (Vegetable Science), M.Sc. (Ag.) Horticulture        
         (Floriculture & Landscaping), M.Sc. (Ag.) Horticulture (Fruit Production &
         Post Harvest Technology)

• Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Ananthapur

          Course: BSc (Horticulture)

• Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore

          Courses: B.Sc. (Horticulture), B.Tech. (Horticulture)

• Calcutta University, Kolkata

         Course: MSc (Horticulture)

• Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University

          Courses: Diploma in Horticulture, B.Sc. (Hort), M.Sc. (Horticulture)

 

Job Prospects

There are various career options to look at in horticulture. Research is carried out in more than 30 universities in the country. Research in horticulture is a very lucrative career option. You can work on your own with plants and crops. Food companies will offer multiple positions to you ranging from quality checks to management. District Horticulture Officer/ District Agriculture positions are up for grabs in the government. Agriculture Development Officer and Agricultural Inspector is an option for farming lands in this agro-based country. Professors in University is also something that can be considered.