How to Become Agriculture Officer- Best Roadmap | Eligibility, Exams, Salary

If you want to know how to become Agriculture Officer in India, then you are in the right place. A piece of detailed information is given below, make sure to read the whole article.

As a global society, we have reached a point where we are dependent on food. In a country like India, which is one of the developing countries, the agriculture sector is one of the most important sectors. The importance of agriculture is also emphasized in the US as it is one of the largest agricultural exporting countries. Agriculture Officers are the professionals who are responsible for the management of farm and agricultural activities. Agriculture Officers are employed by both the Government and the private sector.

Who is an Agriculture Officer?

An Agricultural Officer is responsible for maintaining the quality and the quantity of the agricultural produce. They also have to oversee the promotion of the production of agricultural produce and its marketing of it.

They have to have some knowledge of all the various agricultural products to maintain the quality and the quantity. This is an important job because it helps the farmers produce and market their products.

Agricultural Officer job roles & responsibilities:

Before you know how to become Agriculture Officer, you need to know that there are some responsibilities to follow. Agricultural officers in the government of India are usually employed by the Agricultural Department. The Agricultural Department is supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. They are responsible for the coordination of agricultural-related work in the country.

The main responsibilities of an agricultural officer in India include: –

• Providing technical advice and assistance to farmers
• Conducting research and development
• Conducting surveys
• Preserving and enhancing agricultural resources
• Developing and implementing policies for agriculture
• Developing and implementing schemes for agriculture
• Providing leadership and guidance in agriculture
• Promoting the status of agriculture

Eligibility & Qualification to become an Agricultural Officer:

We have listed the eligibility criteria for an aspiring candidate interested in the role of Agriculture Officer in India:

1. The age of the candidate should be between 18 to 40 years.
2. He must complete 10 + 2 in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology or equivalent in Agricultural Science.
3. He must have a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science or any equivalent.
4. Must have a qualifying score from the entrance examination held every year.

How to become Agriculture Officer in India:

First, you need to complete your 12th with an initial focus on physics, chemistry, and biology.

Then, you have to do a graduation degree in any of the following specializations offered under Agricultural Science namely:

• Agriculture
• Horticulture
• Plant Science
• Soil Science
• Dairy Science
• Agriculture Engineering
• Fishery Science
• Agriculture Business Management
• Food Technology
• Animal Husbandry
• Forestry
• Biology

Then, you can apply directly for a primary-level job to gain some skills in agricultural science or you can choose a certification program in agricultural science or you can meet all the requirements for a part of the selection test directed by different foundations in the same way.

Also Read: Perfect guide- How to become Income Tax Officer | Salary, Exam, Eligibility & steps to enter 2022

Entrance Exams for Becoming Agriculture Officer:

Some of the popular entrance exams for becoming an Agriculture Officer are given below-

NABARD:

When you qualify for this test directed by NABARD (National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development), you will be recruited by them as an Assistant Manager in Rural Development Banking Service(RDBS) to fill different empty situations in the accompanying offices like- Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Agriculture Engineering, Fisheries, Forestry, Horticulture, Water Resources, Land Development, Finance, Information Technology and many more.

FCI:

You can enlist for FCI’s (Food Corporation of India) online test for a Technical or Non-technical career. This test might assist you as a Technical Manager, Technical Officer, or Assistant Officer in farming. From here, you can gain significant abilities for your agriculture officer career.

SSC:

After passing the exam conducted by the SSC (Staff Selection Commission), you can start working as a scientific assistant, foreman, etc. in a government department or under certain ministries in the agriculture department.

ICAR:

ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) can help aspiring agricultural professionals start their careers. This test can help you enter the field as a Technician, Senior Research Fellow, or Junior Research Fellow. Developing your skills in these roles can help you advance to the position of Agricultural Officer.

Courses for becoming Agriculture Officer:

There are many Agricultural courses available in India. There are many Diploma, Certificate programs for UG, PG, and Doctoral levels.

Diploma Courses for becoming Agriculture Officer:

• Diploma in Agriculture
• Diploma in Agro Products Processing
• Diploma in Food Processing
• Diploma in Horticulture
• Diploma in Seed Technology
• Diploma in Organic Farming and many more.

Certificate Programs for becoming Agriculture Officer:

• Organic Farming
• Nursery Techniques and Propagation of Horticultural Plants
• Sericulture
• Preservation of Fruits and Vegetables
• Sugarcane Production Technology
• Flower Cultivation
• Weed Management and many more.

Graduation Courses for becoming Agriculture Officer:

• Agricultural Statistics
• Agricultural Engineering
• Livestock Production
• Dairy Engineering
• Fisheries Science
• Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry
• Plant Physiology and many more.

Post-Graduate(M.Sc) courses for becoming Agriculture Officer:

• Agriculture
• Agricultural Biotechnology
• Forestry
• Fishery Science
• Dairy Science
• Horticulture and many more.

Best colleges for Agriculture courses:

1. National Agricultural Research Institute ( New Delhi / Karnal )
2. University of Agricultural Sciences ( Bangalore )
3. Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai
4. Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Haryana
5. Tamilnadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai

Agriculture Officer salary:

An agricultural officer in India can earn a good amount of salary. The salary of an Agriculture Officer is in the range of Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 2,50,000. Salaries can rely upon the area, schooling, training, and experience. Likewise, your boss or organization can influence your compensation. The central government might pay better compared to state government offices.

According to Payscale, a salary table is given below for your better understanding.

To finish up, being an agricultural officer involves pride and notoriety. In addition, with the opportunity to score this post, you will be able to live a financially stable and secure life even after retirement.

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Conclusion:

Now you know how to become agriculture officer. As a career option, you can try to become an agricultural officer. This is not an easy job, but it is a rewarding one. You will have to have a strong background in agriculture, and you will have to have a deep knowledge of the agriculture sector to be successful in this career.

You will also have to have a good command of the English language. You will also have to have a good understanding of the Indian agriculture sector.

FAQ’s on How to become Agriculture Officer:

Q.  How do I start a career in agriculture?
A-> First, Research different farming careers, Talk to people who work in farming industries, Apply to an entry-level position, Educate yourself about farming.

Q.  Who are eligible for agriculture field officer?
A-> Candidates wishing to apply for the examination must have passed Class 10 examination from a recognized board and be above 18 years of age. Those over the age of 40 are not eligible to apply for the test.

Q.  Which exam is best for agriculture officer?
A-> ICAR, IBPS, SSC, FCI, NABARD are the best and most popular entrance exams for agriculture officer.

Q.  What is the salary of agriculture officer in India per month?
A-> The salary is in the range of Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 2,50,000 per month. Salaries can rely upon the area, schooling, training, and experience.

Q.  How to become agriculture officer in India?
A-> Read the article again if you have any doubts on how to become agriculture officer in India. And if you are still not able to find out, let us know by leaving a comment below.