With the number of government jobs in India’s agriculture and horticulture space increasing by the day, more and more students are opting for agriculture-related courses.
It is reported that many vacancies have come up in Telangana at the district and mandal level, for agriculture field officers. This has generated a lot of interest among students wishing to obtain degrees in agriculture and horticulture. Apparently, the Telangana government has appointed about 2,100 agriculture extension offers since 2016, and also filled vacancies under the Mission Bhagiratha and Mission Kakatiya.
It seems agriculture graduates stand a good chance to obtain jobs as field officers in nationalised banks as well as seed and fertiliser companies. They also have many opportunities awaiting them in the field of agricultural research. The prospects have only become brighter with a large number of agricultural technolog startups coming up in recent times.
It is not just Telangana where the agriculture sector seems to be booming. The demand for agriculture graduates is high in Punjab as well. The Punjab Public Service Commission (PSC) has invited applications for 141 vacancies for agriculture development officers. Science graduates in agriculture who have scored at least 60 per cent marks from a recognised university can apply. Of course, preference will be given to those who possess an MSc in agriculture. Only candidates less than 37 years and above 18 years may apply.
Clearly, with the agriculture sector being revolutionised and being emphasised on in Budget 2020 too, there is going to be a huge demand for students of dairy science, horticulture, agro-forestry, as well as agriculture marketing and cooperation, among others.