Course Description

Horticulture is a branch of Agricultural Science which deals with the cultivation of vegetables, plants, flowers, , herbs, fruits, shrubs, trees and landscaping for gardens, maintaining nurseries, green houses, gardens and plantations. Horticulture plays a vital role in everybody’s daily life. It has direct and indirect applications in food technology industries as production, harvesting and storing of vegetables have all become highly routined. Plants are grown under strictly controlled conditions using computers, sensors and biological control of pests and diseases. Ornamental plants such as trees, flowers and shrubs fill our parks and gardens, served as relieved and recreational areas for human society and habitats for the wildlife that lives around us. As horticulture plays an important role in human nutrition and the environmental issues, it has become popular subject to study for those interested in the social elements of agriculture.

COURSE, DURATION & ELIGIBILITY For Direct Admission in Agriculture:

After completion of 10+2 in Science stream with physics, chemistry and mathematics/biology/agriculture, one can opt for Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture as a separate discipline or as a subject of BSc in Agriculture Science. The same basic qualifications are required for doing a diploma in agriculture.

Most Indian institutes teach horticulture as a subset of agriculture; others offer a separate degree in horticulture. After doing a B.Sc. in Horticulture one can continue his/her studies in the field by doing M.Sc. Or Ph.D. The minimum qualification for direct admission in agriculture to various Master's programs in is 60 % marks or equivalent in graduation in same or related streams. A B.Sc degree in Agriculture or Horticulture is required in order to get admission to MA in Floriculture, Pomology and Landscaping or Vegetable Crops.

Future Scopes in Agriculture :

Graduates who have completed a degree program in horticulture can enter a broad range of professional careers in production, marketing, management, research and landscape design and maintenance. Increasing product demands, advances in horticultural technology, and a growing export industry are making this an extremely profitable career. A huge number of graduates choose to work directly in the field through employment in greenhouses, nurseries, and garden centers. Other institutions that hire horticulturalists are government, schools, zoos, farms, design firms and educational institutions. There are many positions available for graduates of horticulture. Some of these are in:

Operating a horticulture business such as an orchard, flower shop, vegetable farm, landscaping service or garden center. working as a consultant for companies dealing with fertilizers, seeds sprays and those who need horticultural training for their employees Making sure that fresh and processed fruits and vegetables are up to standards set by the government and other agencies

As a designer or contractor for landscaping projects for both residential and commercial properties.