25 Sep 2020
Agricultural Scientist is the one who is a specialist in analyzing farming methods and food production methods to enhance safety and crop yield. Through research, an agricultural scientist works on new and innovative ways to increase the quality of food grown and supplied. In complete coordination with the scientific community and policy-makers, an agricultural scientist reaches to the solution.
Agriculture is a vast developing economical industry and is a good option to choose a career as an agricultural scientist. Agriculture is very important in the growth of the rural economy as 60% of the Indian population is devoted to the primary sector and contributes to 18% of India's GDP. As an agro scientist, you will be carrying out various researches dealing with crops, animals and plants and deriving out solutions for healthy and safe delivery of foods, raw materials as well as welfare for the rural and farmworkers. It's a good option as day by day, the demand for healthy food is increasing.
Also Read:- Scope of Biotechnology: Understanding Various Specializations & Career Opportunities
To become an agricultural scientist, an aspirant must have scored at least 50% and 40% for SC/ST in Physics, Chemistry and Biology in Class XII. Also, when it comes to engineering like agricultural engineering, an aspirant should have studied Maths in Class XII.
You can do B.Sc / B.Tech with at least 60% in agriculture, agricultural biotechnology or microbiology, agriculture-related fields like plant genetics, plant breeding, sericulture, forestry, agriculture engineering and related fields, biotechnology, dairy or food technology, soil science, crop management, agricultural economics etc.
After this, M.Sc/M.Tech is necessary in any of the agricultural specialized courses with at least 65%. And then finally, you need to have a Ph.D. and in fact, a post-doctoral degree from a reputed institution can also become necessary.
To get established as a scientist in India's reputed agricultural institutes and R&D sectors like ICAR after PhD, you can give Agricultural Research Services (ARS) NET exam where you have to qualify preliminary, mains and interview.
Remember for any scientist, patience, hard work, determination, experience and exposure to the field and technology are really required so with this, I hope this article has guided you to some extent in shaping your career path, short-term and long-term goals.
Wish you very good luck to all the readers.
Written By:- Anoushka Roy, B.Tech Biotechnology student (IIIrd Sem) at MRIIRS