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What is Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

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07 september 2020

What is Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

What's AgBSc?

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

The Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, normally termed BSc. (Agr.) or B.S.A. or BSc. (Ag.) or BSc. (Hons.) Ag. or Ag. BSc. Is the elementary undergraduate degree awarded by University Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Institutes. The program has a four years duration, usually confirmed after finishing 12th Class. The BSc. (Ag.) degree is different from the general BSc. Degree in a manner that the Program concentrates on Agriculture by laying significance to practical field work. Get the complete information about the BSc Agriculture Colleges in Pune.

The BSc. (Ag.) degree has also some specializations, Animal Science, Plant Protection, Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Economics, Agro Business etc. 


History of BSc. (Agriculture) degree

In Canada, the Ontario Agricultural College (founded in the year 1873) started awarding a three-year B.S.A. degree through the University of Toronto in 1888: a fourth year to the program was included in the year 1902.

In the USA, the Morrill Act of 1862 (also known as the Land Grant Act) had a large influence on the Growth of agricultural education and the spread of this B.Sc. (Agr.) degree. From the first part of the 20th century, each of the agriculturally significant states had a minimum of one college or university awarding the B.Sc. (Agr.) degree.


BSc. (Ag.) in India

India has among the world's biggest agricultural education systems with 42 State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), 1 Central Agricultural University (CAU), 5 Deemed Colleges (DUs) and 4 overall Central Colleges with Agriculture schools. These institutions register on a yearly basis about 15,000 students at UG degree in as many as 11 areas and more than 7,000 pupils at PG and 1700 in PhD degrees. At any given stage, you will find more than 75,000 students studying in SAUs. Along with this, there are a big number of private colleges both connected and non-affiliated into SAUs which additionally yearly admit a bigger number of pupils. Many typical universities also offer agricultural instruction either themselves or via affiliated colleges. Agricultural education is a broad term including areas of Agriculture (Agronomy), Veterinary Science, Forestry, Fisheries, Horticulture, Home Science etc..

Agricultural education in India is currently regulated by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Veterinary Council of India ( Veterinary sub-discipline) and Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (Forestry sub-discipline). On the other hand, The Committee to Advise on Legislation and Rejuvenation of Higher Education' (Yashpal Committee, 2009) has advocated establishing of an inherent body -- The National Commission for Higher Education and Research, that are a unified supreme body to govern most branches of higher education involving agricultural education. The UPA government has compiled Yashpal Committee recommendations from its own'100 days schedule'. However The addition of agricultural instruction in the new frame remains undecided. Also, Know the benefits of studying agriculture from the DY Patil Agriculture University Pune.


Characteristics of this Indian BSc. (Ag.) degree

The BSc. (Ag.) Degree in India is generally a 4-year class under charge based session system. The minimum qualification for entry to BSc. (Ag.) Is Intermediate (12 decades of college education) in Science (with Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics) or Intermediate at Agriculture flow (restricted states). The program Is Quite broad and inter-disciplinary comprising classes in Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Agricultural Economics, Extension schooling, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Soil Science, Food engineering, Animal Husbandry besides supporting classes in Basic Sciences, Humanities and Agricultural Engineering. The program also comes with a compulsory 1 session of internship (Rural Agricultural Work Experience). The majority of the classes are infused with practicality with focus on hands-on' experience and learning by doing'.

Before 1998, the BSc. (Ag.) Degree was called BSc. (Ag. & AH) ( AH-Animal Husbandry) and analysis was on a 5-point scale. Since 1998, it's been designated as BSc. (Ag.) The component was moved to BVSc (Bachelor of Chemical Sciences), which is currently designated as BVSc & AH. But, BSc. (Ag.) Still keeps courses in Animal husbandry and nutrition. Additionally, the 5 stage test system has been replaced using a 10-point system. The supply of optional' in 7th/8th session has been done away with in 1998.

In 2006, ICAR has advocated to re-designate BSc. (Ag.) as BSc. (Hons.) Ag. And go back to the optional system in 7th/8th semester.

Like, BE/BTech, MBBS or BVSc&AH, BSc. (Ag.) Is regarded as a professional degree by the Government of India. Nonetheless, in recognition to its 4-year duration, B.Sc. (Ag.) Holders receive some advantages for example - higher stipend than BSc holders in DBT supported postgraduate classes in Biotechnology etc.. For the Gazetted article like Agricultural Officer (Agronomist), the basic educational requirement is BSc. Agriculture.


Author Bio- Nitin Pillai is an expert in covering subjects related to education, and has been closely working in this industry for almost a decade now.