Career in Horticulture

What: Horticulture is the science, business and art of growing and marketing fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants. It’s unique among plant sciences because it not only involves science and technology, but it also incorporates art and design principles. Horticulturists work in plant propagation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic engineering, plant biochemistry, plant physiology, and the storage, processing, and transportation of fruits, berries, nuts, vegetables, flowers, trees, shrubs, and turf. They improve crop yield, quality, nutritional value, and resistance to insects, diseases, and environmental stresses.

Horticulture involves five areas of study. These areas are floriculture (includes production and marketing of floral crops), landscape horticulture (includes production, marketing and maintenance of landscape plants), floriculture (includes production and marketing of vegetables), pomology (includes production and marketing of fruits), and postharvest physiology.

The sub-categories of horticulture are arboriculture, landscape horticulture, floriculture, floriculture, pomology, viticulture, and post-harvest physiology. The field of horticulture not only involves knowledge or beautification of surroundings, but also the study of plants and their significance. The scope of horticulture in India is increasing with time.

At the fresher level, the salary in horticulture may range from Rs 8000 to Rs10000 per month. After two to three years of experience in the field, one can earn up to Rs 50000 per month.

How: Candidates who have passed 10+2 examinations conducted by central or state boards with Agriculture or Biology as one of the subjects besides Physics and Chemistry (science in case of agriculture) are eligible for the admission in B.Sc. In horticulture. Most of the agriculture universities conduct their own (or state level) entrance tests for admissions. For M.Sc. In horticulture, the candidates should have degree In B.Sc. (Agriculture) Or B.Sc. (Horticulture).

Where:  Horticulture has become one of the best career options in India. Due to its significance, there are ample job opportunities in India as well as abroad. Horticulture institutes and colleges, vegetable farms, fruit orchards etc. always look for skilled horticulturists. Horticulturists are also employed in luxury resorts.

A number of the institutes in India are offering courses in the field of horticulture. Most of them conduct these courses in horticulture at undergraduate (B. Sc) and postgraduate (Master of Science) levels.

Institutions:

• Marathwada Agricultural University –Parbhani

• Carey Institute of Horticulture –Kolkata

• College of Horticulture and Forestry – Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University, Nauni

• University of Agricultural Sciences – Bangalore

• Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University- Muzaffarpur

• College Of Horticulture ,Hyderabad

• College Of Horticulture, Kochi