Horticulture Courses in India

Horticulture is the science of plant cultivation. These plants can be trees, grasses, shrubs, herbs, fruits, flowers, vegetables etc. As a plant cultivation science it deals with the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulture is a sub specialisation of Agriculture and is sometimes referred as a lesser cousin of agriculture as its scope is lesser as compared to its superior cousin. Horticulture Professionals are known as Horticulturists. They work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic engineering, plant biochemistry and plant physiology. Horticulture courses prepare the candidate to become Horticulturists. The coursework of Horticulture courses includes the study of improving crop yield, quality, nutritional value, resistance to insects, diseases, and environmental stresses. Horticultural crops play a unique role in any agricultural based economy as these are the most viable option for the small and marginal farmers. They also improve the income of the rural people. Horticulture Courses in India are mostley offered by various Agriculture Universities in India.

Some of the specialized fields included in horticulture are -

1. Arboriculture - The study and selection, planting, care, and removal of individual trees,shrubs, vines, and other perennial woody plants.
2. Floriculture – The study includes production and marketing of floral crops.
3. Landscape Horticulture – The study includes production, marketing and maintenance of landscape plants.
4. Olericulture – The study of production and marketing of vegetables.
5. Pomology - It includes production and marketing of fruits.
6. Viticulture – It includes production and marketing of grapes.
7. Postharvest Physiology - It involves maintaining quality and preventing spoilage of horticultural crops).

Horticulture Course Content

The study of this science includes all or few of these:

• Theoretical study including plant identification etc.
• Field study including basic surveying.
• Technical study involving tools, machinery, hydraulics etc.
• Safe work practices.
• Mapping.

Horticulture Course Objectives

1. To initiate basic and applied research for developing strategies to enhance productivity and utilization of crops like fruits, vegetables
2. To generate employment, improving economic conditions of the farmers and entrepreneurs, enhancing exports and above all providing nutritional security to the people.
3. To collect and store scientific information relevant to horticulture.
4. To act as center of training for up gradation of scientific manpower in modern technologies for horticultural production.
5. To collaborate with relevant national and international agencies in achieving these objectives.

Horticulture Course Basic Requirements

• The minimum qualification required is to have passed the 10+2 examination with physics, chemistry and biology.
• Courses are provided both at the undergraduate and post graduate levels.
• To be eligible for the UG courses, one must pass 10+2 level examination with science stream, from a recognized Board.
• For the PG programs, graduation in the relevant stream from any recognized University is mandatory. For courses in horticulture one can check the list given at the end of the page.

Few of the Prominent Horticulture Institutes in India

• Marathwada Agricultural University (College of Horticulture)
• University of Agricultural Sciences (Bangalore)
• Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University (College of Horticulture and Forestry)
• Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University (Muzaffarpur)

Horticulture Job Perspectives

Horticulture jobs exist both in government and private sectors with employment areas displayed below. Horticulture employment offers a variety of work environments both indoors and outdoors such as green houses, orchards etc.

Remuneration

At the fresher level, the salary in horticulture may range from Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 10,000 per month. After two to three years of experience in the field, one can earn up to Rs. 20,000 per month.

Few of the Horticulture Job Types

• 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
• Landscape Architect
• Horticulture Consultant
• Florist
• Pharma Consultant
• Green House Consultant
• Plantation Manager
• Orchard Manager
• Turf Consultant
• Supply Chain Manager
• Horticulture Therapist

Few of the Horticulture Employment Areas

• Plant Clinics
• Fruit, Vegetable Processing Plants
• Horticulture Department
• Research and Development Agencies
• Plant Pharmacy
• Educational Institutes
• Horticulture Laboratories
• Horticulture Equipment Manufactures
• Plant Import and Export
• Herbarium
• Conservator
• Vegetable Farms
• Fruit Orchards