Master of Science in Agriculture is a 2 year course which provides advanced level of studies in topics such as Genetics and Plant Breeding, Crop Protection and Agricultural Statistics. Graduation in Agriculture or related subjects is the educational qualification. Kerala Agricultural University and University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka are some of the top institutes that offer this programme. Admission is carried out in the basis of entrance exam. Average course fee for this course is Rs. 20000/- per year.
Eligibility and Admission Process for M.Sc Agriculture

Candidates who wish to pursue Master of Science in Agriculture should have completed graduation in any of the following subjects from a recognized University.

• Agriculture
• Horticulture
• Forestry

Most of the institutes consider candidates with a minimum of 50% marks for admission. Admission in Kerala Agricultural University is carried out on the basis of an objective type entrance exam. Questions will be asked from graduate level and maximum marks awarded for the test is 40. Admission will be based on scores in entrance exam, academic merit and work experience. Jawaharlal Nehru University conducts a joint entrance exam for selection process, in which questions will be asked from Physics, Chemistry and Biology. There will be two papers in this exam. Each paper carries 60 questions and each question carries 3 marks. There will be negative marking for wrong answer.

Top Colleges offering Master of Science in Agriculture

• Kerala Agricultural University
• R M D College of Agriculture and Research Station, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
• Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir
• University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka
• Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra
• Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh

Semester wise course Structure of M.Sc Agriculture

Semester I

• Basics of Agriculture and Sustainability
• Basics of Genetics and Plant Breeding
• Crop Protection
• Value Education for Development of Personality and Community
• Spoken English
• Computer Application and Use of Internet
• Agricultural Statistics -I
• Principles of Crop Physiology

Semester II

• DiHorticulture, Medicinal Plants and Food Processing
• Organic Farming and Environmental Biotechnology
• Entrepreneurship Development and Marketing
• Rural Extension
• Agricultural Statistics -II
• Principles of Plant Biochemistry
• Learning through Organizational Attachment(LOA)-1
• Seminar on Proposed Plan of ssertation Work

Semester III

• Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering
• Advanced Soil Microbiology
• Advanced Biotechnology in Crop Protection
• Quality Seed Production Technology
• Seminar

Apart from these, candidates will have to study any of these below mentioned topics as electives.

Special Modules

• Commercial Exploitation of Plant Tissue Culture
• Molecular Breeding
• Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant
• Organic Farming System- an advanced course

Semester-IV

• Indian Culture and Spiritual Heritage
• Bioinformatics
• Dissertation work(24)+ Research Paper(1)
• Learning through Organizational Attachment(LOA)-2

An overview of the course

The duration of the course is 2 years. It is further divided into four semesters. The course provides advanced studies in topics such as Plant Breeding, Agricultural Statistics, Soil Microbiology, Crop Protection and Tissue Culture. Apart from class room studies, internship programme in various organizations and seminars are included in the course curriculum. Candidates who have completed this course can go for higher studies such as Doctoral Programmes. Apart from that, they can seek employment in various organizations such as Food Corporation of India. They can work as Research Scientist in farming and crop plantation.