A Horticulturist is a professional expert in the art of growing fruits and vegetables one may also call him/her a skilled gardener in easy language. Horticulturist has its own importance in agrarian economies like India where agriculture sector in general and horticulture in particular play an important role in the economy of the country as a whole.
Horticulture as a profession has largely gained ground because of the commercialization of the agricultural sector in India. This profession has become a commercial success due to the high demand for its products throughout the year and that too in bulk. A qualified horticulturist can make his career as a Horticulture officer or supervisor in hotels, resorts or construction companies, as Warehouse Manager, Store Manager or Quality Manager in fruit and vegetable retailing firms. A professional Horticulturist can also work as Plant Manager in floricultural processing units, as Estate Manager, Scientists, Professor and Research Associates in academic institutions and research organization.
India has a blooming future as far as Horticulture is concerned. Enormous genetic diversity, varied agro-climatic conditions, versatile human resources etc offer India a unique scope for judicious employment of existing resources and exploration of avenues yet untouched. Taking all these considerations in mind it seems that demand for the trained Horticulturist is on the rise in the near future.
This is a kind of career which is ever demanding you cannot get relaxed at any time, in fact, you have to work harder and harder with the passage of time. If you want to enjoy the beauty of the other part of the living beings then you have also to accept the responsibility attached to it. To handle thing effectively a lot of hard work, stamina, adaptability to follow difficult time schedules, good team spirit is required as this is not a time bound job.
Horticulturist Eligibility
Educational Qualification
To be eligible for joining a course for becoming a Horticulturist one should be 10+2 preferably in medical stream.
Age Limits
No age considerations are there for the age to join a course for becoming Horticulturist.
Horticulturist Required Skills
- As a Horticulturist has to deal with plants he must be aware of the basics about the plants around. He should identify the plants, flowers, trees near you.
- Having good memorising power is another skill that a Horticulturist must possess as he has learned various terminologies, plant names, Qualities and categories etc.
- He must have managerial skills to appropriately use the equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work besides determining how the money will be spent to get the work done effectively.
- Having an interest in learning new things is another essential skill required to become a Horticulturist that will help to select and use methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
- Problem-solving aptitude and ability is an added advantage to become a horticulturist.
- Knowledge of quality control analysis like conducting tests and inspections of products is a must in the field.
How to become a Horticulturist?
To become a Horticulturist one has to follow the given steps:
Step 1
After completing 12 class preferably with science(Medical) subjects one has to join the B. Sc. Agriculture/ Horticulture degree course. Some reputed institute may take an entrance exam to provide admission to the course.
Step 2
After completing this undergraduate course one can apply for some job in the government sector or public sector or may opt for the Post graduation in the specialized field. M.Sc in Horticulture at the postgraduate level offers specializations in Horticulture.
Step 3
After completing the requisite qualification one can either join some big corporate house involved in this business or look for some government jobs mentioned in the newspapers from time to time. Besides one can become an entrepreneur.
Horticulturist Job Description
- Horticulturist Job involves cultivating, packaging and selling crops ranging from flowers, plants, shrubs, vegetables and decorative plants to name a few.
- Their job also includes monitoring all aspects of the production process and making sure that crops go smoothly from seedbed to market.
- Horticulturist jobs description includes managing weed, pest and disease control programmes to make crop profitable prospects. Some horticulturist with a business mindset is also involved in writing and modifying business plans, supervising and training staff, developing more productive varieties of the products negotiating contracts with buyers and suppliers and liaising with officials, customers, professional groups etc.
- They also work to make it sure that the quality standards are met within set budgets.
Horticulturist Career Prospects
Horticulturists can join the field of Horticulture as farm/estate managers, plantation experts and supervisors etc. Research and teaching are two other avenues of employment in the field. Besides this Horticulturist jobs include marketing of Horticulturist products for different social and economic ventures is emerging as a potential segment of this field.
Experienced professionals can also work as a consultant, landscape architect etc. Experts with business skills can also work as an entrepreneur and offer employment to others.
Horticulturist Salary
As far as the financial aspects of this profession are concerned, there is a wider scope of increase in the income/salary of a Horticulturist.
One can get anywhere near Rs.25,000 to Rs.30,000 in government service and if one starts his own business one can earn as good as Rs.45,000 to Rs.50,000 per month.
