Agriculture is considered as an important sector of Indian Economy as it accounts for 18 per cent of the nation’s GDP. Hence, India is well known as an agriculture-based country. Agriculture being a primary source of livelihood of 58 per cent of the population, the gross value of a combination of agriculture, fishing and forestry is around US$ 271 billion for the last year 2018. 

Interestingly, with a share of 32 per cent of the country’s total food market, the Indian food processing industry ranks fifth in production, consumption, export and expected growth, according to the report of India Brand Equity Foundation. Its contribution of 8.80 and 8.39 per cent of gross value added in manufacturing and agriculture has made it one of the promising sectors for employment. 

Check out the Top Most Lucrative & Upcoming Careers in Agriculture: 

1. Agri-Business Management:  

This field includes the management study of all the agriculture business aspects. It handles manufacturing and distribution of farm equipment and supplies, processing, storage and promotion of food and fiber related to agricultural products, etc.

2. Agricultural Biotechnology: 

It includes the study of understanding and application of scientific techniques like genetic engineering, molecular diagnostics, vaccines and tissue culture to modify plants, micro-organisms and animals.

3. Agricultural Economics:  

It is the application of economics principles (tools of micro and macroeconomics) to resolve problems in agriculture. It includes, professionals monitor trade (import and export) patterns, predict market trends, consumer preferences and analysing production methods for agricultural products. 

4. Agricultural Engineering:  

It focuses on designing, developing and improvements of farming equipment, machines and the processes to increase the farming efficiency. It also concentrates on farm equipment, soil conservation, rural structures, rural electricity and drainage and irrigation. 

5. Agronomy:  

It is a branch of agricultural science that deals with the study of crops and soil where they grow. Agronomists help in developing methods and improve the usage of soil. Agronomists do research in many areas like preparation of seedbeds, soil fertility and time for sowing, conservation methods and management of soil moisture.

6. Horticulture:  

It deals in growing and cultivating vegetables, fruits, herbs, decorative flowers and ornamental trees. These individuals work on improving the quality, nutritional value, growth and yield of the farm produce. They also maintain nurseries, orchards, greenhouses, plantations, etc. There is high demand for organic food due to which this sector is growing. 

7. Dairy technology:  

It concentrates mainly to the production and processing of milk. The experts of this stream work on managing the milk production along with collection, storage and supervise the process to ensure milk is fit for consumption. Adding to it, packaging, storage and distribution of milk as well as its by-products are other important areas of the sector. 

8. Poultry farming:  

Raising and fostering domestic birds like ducks and chickens to procure their meat and eggs is termed as poultry farming. Professionals in this sector manage diverse activities like feed supply, shed management, nutritional standards of production, transportation etc. 

9. Fisheries science:  

It is about understanding cultivation principles and harvesting fish on a commercial basis in freshwater, saline water or in any marine environment. It also focuses to study the life, breeding of several fish species and habits along with rearing of fish via non-nocturnal means. 

10. Food sciences:  

These professionals work on safety, research and product development before the food hit the kitchen shelves. 

Those who are willing to pursue a career in agriculture can consider the above options as they are the upcoming and growing fields with an excellent scope in future.