IGNOU(Indira Gandhi National Open University)

Agri Business Management

Agri-Business Management (PGPABM)

Post Graduate Program in Agri-Business Management (PGPABM) is a 2-year full time (or equivalent part time) postgraduate course, the eligibility for which is graduation in agricultural science, agricultural engineering, or any other agriculture-based subjects with a minimum score of 50%.  A final year candidate may also apply on a provisional basis and all applicants need to have 90 percentile in CAT. The program is spread over 2 years, divided into 6 trimesters of six months each. Admission process for the same involves filling an online or offline application depending on the university or college, following which eligible candidates may apply for a written entrance test and personal interview in most colleges.

Candidates are selected based on their CAT scores, 10+2 marks, graduation marks and work experience. Candidates who clear both, the written test and the interview round can take admission. The course is best suited for those who are inclined towards agriculture and have a thirst for business.

The course essentially teaches you ways to have a thriving corporate agricultural business and includes courses on production, processing, and inventory of produce. The course not only teaches you how to be a successful farmer with the best technology and greatest efficiency, but also how to market the produce to earn maximum revenue. It teaches you how to take this primary sector enterprise of agriculture and learn the ins and outs of business that go with it in order to make it profitable

Eligibility

• Graduation in agricultural science, agricultural engineering, or other agri-based subjects with a minimum score of 50% at the level of graduation.

• A final year candidate may also apply on a provisional basis

Syllabus and Course Description

Career Prospects

Graduates from this course can find jobs in sectors ranging from

• Banking and retail to of course agriculture. They are likely to be working with producers, distributers, retailers, and even web designers or marketing professionals, bankers, policy makers.
• corporate planning and consulting, sales and business development, marketing and advertising, logistics and supply chain, to banking or insurance, ITES/ BPO, analytics and business intelligence, engineering design or research and development, human resources, production and maintenance, accounts and finance, telecom, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, project management, entrepreneurship, etc.
• Job profiles for these sectors include marketing managers, research analysts (in agricultural commodities), agricultural business managers, flour mill managers, agricultural loan officers, agricultural officer, grain merchandiser, etc. to name a few.
• Some of the top recruiters include Godrej Agrovet, IBM Global Services, ICICI Bank, Accenture Services, HCL Technologies, Airtel (Bharat Telecom), Larsen and Toubro (L&T), Tata Motors, Reliance.

Average Fee

The average full time fee charged for the course in India ranges between INR 6.08 lacs to 10.96 lacs

Average Salary

Maximum salary offered to such professionals range from INR 14 to 16 lacs per annum, increasing with experience and expertise.

Agronomy

M.Sc. Agronomy

M.Sc. in Agronomy is a 2- year long full- time course divided into 4 semesters, with each semester lasting a period of 6 months. The course is designed to offer to eligible candidates, advanced insight into the means of providing options for sustainable agriculture for both the wellness of the environment and humans who consume agricultural produce .Students are taught to apply such learning to real-world situations where scientific principals surrounding agronomy are put to action, by combining research with in-depth instruction in Climatology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Physiology and Plant Breeding.

Eligibility

The minimum criterion of eligibility needed to be met for pursuing the course is a Bachelor's degree in science with Biology, Math and Chemistry as main subjects.

Syllabus and Course Description

A semester - wise breakup of the course’s syllabus is tabulated below.

Career Prospects

Agronomy involves the study of plant breeding and its relevance in terms of human consumption. With the commercialization of horticulture and agriculture, career opportunities in both government and private sectors in the discipline have increased.
Successful postgraduates of the course are hired in capacities such as Horticulturists and Landscapers, Supervisors, Researchers, Distributors, and Engineers in fields such as resorts, hotels, health farms etc.

Job roles

• Agronomist
• Agricultural Climatologist
• Agronomist Sales
• Biological Science Technician
• Chemical Sales Representative
• Crop Production Specialist
• Environmental Scientist
• Fertilizer Plant Manager
• Research Assistant
• Soil and Water Conservationist
• Lab technician
• Crop Scientist

Average Fee

The average annual course fee charged in India ranges between INR 6,000 and 1 lakh, depending upon the institute offering the course.

Average Salary

The average annual starting salary offered in India to successful postgraduates of the course ranges between INR 3 to 8 lacs, depending upon the candidate’s expertise in the field.

Plant Biotechnology

MSc Biotechnology

MSc Biotechnology or Master of Science in Biotechnology is a 2 year postgraduate program that is divided into 4 semesters. The program teaches students about the application of biology and bioprocess in engineering, medicine and technology where bio-products are needed.

Eligibility

• The candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in either Physics, Biological Sciences or in any other related discipline; with a minimum aggregate score of 50%.
• Candidates must have completed their 10+2 level examinations with at least 50% aggregate score from a recognized board of education.

following topics can be considered as the syllabus for entrance exams ex Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Geology, Biotechnology.General knowledge section also appears frequently in most papers. All the latest news and current affairs must be kept up to date. Students are also suggested to start preparation for the entrance examination at least one year prior to the actual exam day.For admission into colleges through merit, a minimum 50% aggregate score is required at the undergraduate level and at the 10+2 level examinations.

Syllabus

The semester wise breakup of MSc Biotechnology syllabus is given below

Jobs and Scope

A candidate upon graduating with an MSc in Biotechnology degree can either opt for higher studies or look for a suitable job.

The areas of the economy where Biotechnology graduates are hired

• Medicine or pharmaceuticals
• Engineering
• Food sector
• Institutes and universities
• Agricultural sector
• Research sector
• animal husbandry

Career Options

1. Research Programmer: The highest level of education one can achieve in this domain is the PhD degree or research-based programs. One can choose the specialization of choice to do their PhD in and complete it within 3 to 5 years. Admission to PhD Biotechnology degrees is highly selective and involves an entrance examination and personal interview rounds.
2. Management Programmer: Another popular option is to pursue management programs like MBA or PGDM. These programs are helpful if one wishes to get hired in the management side of organizations. Admission is done through competitive exams like CAT, XAT,MAT, GMAT etc. Upon qualifying the exam, a group discussion and personal interviews are held.
3. One can also choose to study for and appear for civil services examinations too

Average Fee: MSc Biotechnology

Up to INR 2 Lakhs per annum

Average Salary: MSc Biotechnology

The average MSc Biotechnology salary in India ranges from INR 4 to INR 10 LPA.