Students who have completed their studies in the graduate level course in horticulture have many career opportunities. These job opportunities are available for them in foreign countries or within India itself.

The B.Sc Horticulture course generally concerned with the theoretical study about the different types of plans, how to identify them, techniques to survey them etc. Studying this course provides aspirants with the fundamental aspects about Horticulture. This will also give them enough knowledge so that it will enhance their curiosity to learn more about this field; thus paving way to continue their advanced level studies. Aspirants can continue their advanced studies in M.Sc, M.Phil and Ph.D degrees in Horticulture.

More on the career opportunities in addition to the advanced study options available for graduates of Horticulture is given below.

Career in Private sector after B.Sc Horticulture

The career opportunities available for graduates of horticulture with private sector firms are very much ample. This is not only due to the sheer importance of fruits, flowers and plans such as orchids and geraniums in India and abroad, but also due to the fact that these perishable products can be preserved with the aid of modern technology. This new sophisticated approach in the field of horticulture has ensured the safe export of these products.

The career opportunities for horticulturists range from commercial and environmental sectors to research as well as journalism. The remuneration of people of this field is very much depended on the area where they are employed and the type of the firm that takes them in. The salary of a person employed as an Assistant horticulture inspector will be as much as Rs 7000/- initially and will rise up to Rs 17, 000/- a month. This is depended on the total years of work experience and service. Candidates who work as District Horticulture Officers shall receive a monthly remuneration of above Rs 20, 000/-. Those who are employed as research scientists with R&D organizations shall get approximately Rs 18, 000/- to Rs. 25, 000/- a month.

The salary of professionals working in the private sector is much more when opposed to those who are employed with public sector firms.

Government Career after B.Sc Horticulture

Opportunities are available for horticulturists with firms of the government sector. Educational institutions, the many departments of the Indian government etc are a few places where graduates of horticulture can get good jobs. But prior to their recruitment, they need to appear for an admission test. Notifications about the examinations and job vacancies will be available through newspapers or the employment news lets.

Jobs in the Public Sector:

For M.Sc Agriculture (Horticulture) and PhD in Horticulture.

• Scientist: This test is carried out by the Agriculture Scientist Recruitment Board, ICAR, New Delhi
• In Education: Posts such as Lecturer, Assistant Professor and Associate Professor etc are available in Agricultural Universities as well as Colleges.
• Training Organizer & Training Associate in Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK).

For Graduate (Horticulture / Agriculture):

• Civil Services: Examination is carried out by the Union Public Service Commission (U.P.S.C) for IAS/IFS (Civil Service & Allied)
• As District Horticulture Officer/ District Agriculture Officer – recruitment is done by means of the examination carried out by the State Public Service Commission.
• Technical Assistant / Technical Officers in Agricultural Universities ICAR, DRDO, IARI, & CSIR
• Horticulture Inspector / Fruit & Vegetable Inspector / Marketing Inspector.
• Training Assistant in Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)
• Farm Supervisor
• Section Officer (Horticulture / Landscaping), Horticulturist or Supervisor (Horticulture)
• Agriculture Development Officer
• Village Level Worker
• Agricultural Inspector

Employment for them can be got in areas like:

• Cropping systems engineers
• Wholesale or retail business managers
• Propagators and tissue culture specialists
• Crop inspectors
• Crop production advisers
• Extension specialists
• Plant breeders
• Research scientists
• Teachers

Career Abroad after B.Sc Horticulture

Career opportunities for horticulturists in foreign nations are quite high. These professionals are very much in demand with Countries like the US and UK. A few areas of employment for them comprise of:

• Agri-Biotech Companies
• Agronomy Sales Jobs
• Commercial Farming
• Dairy Consultancies
• Extension Services
• Fertilizer Companies
• Food Chains
• Horticulture Departments
• Horticulture Finance Companies
• Horticulture Insurance Companies
• Horticulture Transportation
• Research Organizations
• Storage and Grading

Long term Career roadmap for B.Sc Horticulture

Applicants who have done their graduate level program in horticulture can go for the advanced level studies in the same field. They can choose any specialization here. Once they finish this course, they can go for applied research (PhD) or even go for MBA. A few of the higher studies options available for graduate students of horticulture are:

• M.Phil. (Horticulture)
• M.Sc. (Agriculture - Water Management)
• M.Sc. (Agriculture Horticulture)
• M.Sc. (Genetics and Plant Breeding)
• M.Sc. (Horticulture- Fruit Production and Post Harvest Technology)
• M.Sc. (Horticulture-Floriculture and Land Scalping)
• M.Sc. (Horticulture-Vegetable Science)
• M.Sc. (Plant Protection)
• Ph.D. (Horticulture - Vegetable Science)
• Ph.D. (Horticulture)
• Ph.D. (Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry)

Applied Research can be done in specialized areas in horticulture such as:

• Arboriculture
• Floriculture
• Landscape horticulture
• Olericulture
• Pomology
• Viticulture
• Postharvest physiology

Aspirants who desire for a career in the field of management can opt for the MBA course. Horticulture has become one of the best career options available in our country. Because of the importance of horticulture in our country, it is very much possible for a person to get ample career opportunities, both within our country and abroad. Fruit orchards, Horticulture colleges, luxury resorts etc take in professionals in the field of horticulture as well.