CAREER IN HORTICULTURE

INTRODUCTION
The term “horticulture” comprises the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, ornamental flowers, medicinal and aromatic plants and their post-harvest management. Our world will die without plants, and horticulturists are the protectors. He or she knows how to cultivate plants, fruits, vegetables, flowers in public or domestic gardens. Horticulture is one of the main branches of agricultural sciences. 
Agriculture holds the key position in Indian economy. After China, India ranks among the largest producers and leading exporters of flowers, fruits and vegetables in the world and has an immense scope for improvement in the forth-coming years. India leads the world in the production of mango, banana, sapota, acid lime and cauliflower while the highest productivity of grape is also recorded here. India occupies second position in production of onion and third in cabbage production globally.  Fruits such as mango, banana, citrus, guava and apple account for 75 per cent of the total fruit production in the country. India produces about 70 different varieties of various vegetables.
After globalization, India has achieved a massive prospective as an importer and exporter of agricultural merchandise in the world market. Horticulture has become an answer for the economic development of various states in our country. It contributes nearly 30.4 percent to GDP of agriculture, which calls for technology-led progress.
With the advent of commercialization in horticulture, there are diverse prospects for salaried jobs in government, semi- government as well as private enterprises. Whilst remunerated occupation with various government and private concerns provides a regular income and entrepreneurship can generate handsome profits in this stream. In due course, horticulture has emerged out to be a matter of choice for many aspirants worldwide.
Horticulture is an applied science dealing with fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals. It is an extremely diversified field with nearly unlimited career opportunities in a variety of job settings.

NATURE OF WORK
The work of horticulturists is very varied. Horticulturists working in government sector are responsible for the maintenance of parks, public gardens, official lawns etc. Horticulturists work in turf grass maintenance or even as consultants for large turf land. They work in botanical gardens and supervise the complete operation. They decide what, when and where to plant and determine ideal methods for planting and preservation. Landscape development is yet another area of work for horticulturists. Horticulturists specialize in the cultivation of vegetables, even of special hybrid varieties.
Specialisation - Some horticulturists specialize in the cultivation of flowers and develop new varieties. Many specialize in decorative plant cultivation, in the production of saplings of flower and fruit trees, orchards of apples, oranges, vineyards and large scale plantations of tea, coffee, cashew etc. Detailed here are the jobs of specialists.

CONDITION OF WORK
Horticulturists may work in green houses, outdoors, in shops, nurseries or golf courses or even in public gardens hence the work environment may vary. In any case they need to handle soil, fertilizers and tools and equipments. Researchers work in laboratories. The job requires considerable physical exercises and also moving from one place to another.

HOUR OF WORK
Hour of works depends upon the project and season.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants should have passed 10+2 (Senior Secondary Examination) with Physics, Chemistry and Agriculture/Biology as their subject. Candidates qualifying the written examination of Pre Agricultural Test (PAT) are considered eligible for admission to UG degree programme in State Agricultural Universities in Agriculture/Horticulture. Learners who have completed their graduation course in horticulture have many careers prospective. More recently the students aspiring higher studies in horticulture can take up their degree as specialization in Floriculture, Medicinal & Aromatic Plants, Spices & Plantation crops, Pomology, Olericulture and Post Harvest Technology.

PERSONAL QUALITIES REQUIRED
Interest in nature, concern for the environment, love for plant life are perhaps the basic requirements for success as a horticulturist. The job needs a scientific bent of mind, keen observation and tremendous patience. Physical work, planning and working in difficult weather is required hence endurance to work in difficult conditions is required.

EARNING
The salary varies - a fresher in a government set-up can draw a cheque of Rs. 15,000 to 20,000 per month. An MSc, PhD in Horticulture will get much more.

MODE OF ENTRY
Advertisements in leading newspaper, and direct interview.

TYPICAL PLACE FOR EMPLOYMENT / SELF EMPLOYMENT
The job opportunities are accessible for the students within the country and even abroad. After graduation the student becomes eligible to be appropriate for employment offered by banks, finance sectors, seed companies, sales and marketing etc. The nationalized banks, Reserve Bank, State Bank etc put forward an opportunity for post graduates in agriculture and horticulture as Agricultural Officers, Probationary Officers, Field Officers and Rural Development Officers. Different agricultural universities also employ horticultural postgraduates for distinct posts from concerned field of their specialization.
However, for a number of posts, experience in concerned field is required and for the post of Associate Professor, Assistant Professor and other teaching posts, candidates should qualify National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by UGC/CSIR/ICAR. While for senior level posts Doctoral degree i.e. PhD in concerned field is an essential requisite. For students availing M.Sc Agriculture (Horticulture) and PhD (Horticulture) degree the following jobs are available in public sector:
  • Scientists and Technicians in Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSlR), Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO), National Seed Corporation (NSC), Ministry of Agriculture & Co-operation, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (both Government of India) etc.,
  • Assistant Professor, Associate Professor etc. in various State Agricultural Universities and Agricultural Colleges,
  • Assistant Director Horticulture in State Government,
  • District Horticulture Officer through the State Public Service Commission,
  • Horticultural experts/ Tele farm experts in IFFCO,
  • Horticulture Inspector / Fruit & Vegetable Inspector / Marketing Inspector,
  • Civil Service through the Union Public Service Commission,
  • Research Associates and Senior Research Fellows,
  • Rural Horticulture Extension Officer,
  • Section Officer (Horticulture / Landscaping), Horticulturist or Supervisor (Horticulture),
  • Senior Horticulture Development Officer,
  • Subject Matter Specialists in Krishi Vigyan Kendra's (KVK),
  • Technical Assistant/Technical Officers in different State Agricultural Universities,
  • Various technical posts in Krishi Vigyan Kendra's (KVK)
Apart from these, various private seed companies, fertilizers and pesticide companies engage agricultural/horticultural students in their firms. Even in big hotels and restaurants there is often high demand of horticulturists especially landscapers and gardeners to beautify the surroundings. Florists and nurseries appoint horticulturists for their lucrative business principally in the metropolitans. In addition, at the international level, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nation and some other agencies also appoints horticultural consultants.
Self employment in Horticulture:
  • As Horticulture Consultant provide advice, design, evaluation, supervision of garden or orchard etc.,
  • One can start the Agriculture clinic. Government provides money (up to 10.00 Lac) for this work,
  • Raise commercial nursery of fruit plants, flower and ornamental plants,
  • Seed producer of vegetables and flower crops,
  • Fruit/ Vegetable / Flower grower,
  • Floral decorator/ florist shop,
  • Horticulture Services Contractor,
  • Mushroom grower,
  • Seed dealer / Merchant,
  • Proprietor cold storage,
  • Processing work of Horticulture production and
  • One can start establishing of an institute for vocational education (Horticulture/ Landscape)

ADVANCEMENT AND PROMOTIONS
One can start his/her career as junior and gradually promote to senior post on the basis of his work.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES
For an aspirant there is an immense scope for hopeful quality education in various state agricultural universities. The undergraduate, post graduation and doctoral degree programmes in horticulture are offered by the Institutes of Indian Council of Agricultural Research and in almost all State Agricultural Universities in India.
  • A.P. Horticultural University, Tadepalligudem, Andhra Pradesh                             
  • Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural Univ., Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
  • University of Horticultural Sciences, Venkataramnagudem, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh 
  • Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar
  • Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Krishak Nagar, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
  • Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi                                         
  • Navsari Agricultural University, Vijalpore, Navsari, Gujarat
·         Anand Agricultural University, Anand Junagadh Agriculture University, Gujarat
·         Moti Baug, Agril. Campus, Junagadh, Gujarat
  • Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hissar, Haryana
  • Dr. Y.S.P. University of Horticulture & Forestry, Himachal Pradesh
  • Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Himachal Pradesh         
  • Sher-E-Kashmir Univ. of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Jammu and Kashmir
  • Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi- 834006, Jharkhand                          
  • University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, Karnataka
  • University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka
  • Kerala Agricultural University, P.O Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala
  • Rajmata VRS Agricultural University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
  • Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya Krishi Nagar, Jabalpur,   Madhya Pradesh
  • Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra
  • Marathwada Agri. University, Parbhani, Maharashtra
  • Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi, Krishi Nagar, Akola, Maharashtra
  • Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra
  • Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat 
  • Central agriculture University, Imphal                                                                        
  • Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab
  • Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner, Rajasthan
  • Maharana Pratap Univ. of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur, Rajasthan
  • Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
  • Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Univ of Agriculture & Technology, Modipuram, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh
  • Narendra Dev University of Agriculture & Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh
  • Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh                                                             
  • Chandra Shekar Azad Univ. of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
  • Allahabad Agricultural Institute, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh 
  • Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand
  • Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, P.O Krishi, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal
(The list is indicative only)

SOURCE OF INFORMATION


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Comments

  1. UnknownSaturday, June 17, 2017 6:44:00 pm

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