05,Jan 2024
Key takeaways:
Consumerism has affected all sectors of the economy around the globe and the agriculture sector is not spared with such a trend. Immense pressure to meet the growing and round-the-clock demand of the population and globalized economy has put the agriculture to its limit. Thus, the conventional methods of doing agriculture needs to shake hands with the latest technological advancements made in the engineering and IT sectors. Adopting latest agriculture techniques, at one end, increases the total output of the crop without degrading the quality of soil and at the other end encourages the best preservation techniques to increase the life span of the crop.
Difference between B.Sc (Agriculture) and B.Tech (Agriculture)
B.Sc. (Agriculture) provides a comprehensive understanding of the science behind farming practices in a 3-year program. B.Tech. in Agriculture, however, delves deeper into the engineering principles applied in agriculture, taking 4 years to complete. This specialization often translates to better job opportunities and higher salaries for B.Tech. graduates.
| Features | B.Sc Agriculture | B.Tech Agriculture |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years | 4 years |
| Focus | Science of agriculture | Engineering principles |
| Job prospects | Moderate | Better |
| Salary potential | Lower | Higher |
Snapshot of B.Tech Agriculture Program
B.Tech (Agriculture) or B.Tech (Agri.) is 4 years under-graduate diversified program that prepare pursuing aspirants to apply technological and engineering principles to the agriculture and farming. The program primarily deals with machinery, production, preservation, IT and management skills. Students must have science background or subjects in their high secondary schooling days. A brief snapshot of B.Tech (Agriculture) is provided in Table 1:
Table 1: Snapshot of B.Tech (Agriculture) Program
| Course Aliases | B.Tech in Agriculture; B.Tech (Agri.); B.Tech (Agri Engineering), B.Tech in Agriculture Technology; B.Tech. in Agri Informatics |
| Total Duration | 4 Years |
| Total Semesters | 8 (2 Semesters per year) |
| Eligibility | 10+2 in PCB or PCM witd 50% in senior secondary |
| Career Options | Agricultural Engineer; Food Production Engineer; Soil and Water Conservation Engineer; Precision Agriculture Specialist; Renewable Energy Engineer; Consultant; Entrepreneur; Educationist |
| Fresher’s Annual Package | INR 3,00,000/= to INR 4,20,000/= |
General Overview of B.Tech (Agriculture) Syllabus
| Year 1 | |
| Semester 1 | Engineering Mathematics - I |
| Engineering Physics | |
| Engineering Chemistry | |
| Workshop Practice | |
| Surveying and Levelling | |
| Engineering Drawing | |
| Environmental Science | |
| Electrical Circuits | |
| English and Communication Skills | |
| Semester 2 | Engineering Mathematics – II |
| Computers Programming and Data Structures | |
| Applied Electronics and Instrumentation | |
| Agriculture for Engineers | |
| Workshop Technology | |
| Thermodynamics & Heat Engines | |
| Field operation and Maintenance of Tractors and Farm Machinery-I | |
| Engineering Mechanics | |
| YEAR II | |
| Semester 3 | Engineering Properties of Biological Materials and Food Quality |
| Soil Mechanics | |
| Soil & Water Conservation Engineering | |
| Farm Machinery and Equipment – I | |
| Farm Power | |
| Watershed Hydrology | |
| Engineering Mathematics - III | |
| Agribusiness Management and Trade | |
| Semester 4 | Farm Machinery and Equipment – II |
| Irrigation Engineering | |
| Crop Process Engineering | |
| Fluid Mechanics | |
| Theory of Machines | |
| Heat and Mass Transfer | |
| Field Operation and Maintenance of Tractors and Farm Machinery – II | |
| Advance Computer Science & Engineering | |
| Fundamentals of Probability and Statistics | |
| YEAR III | |
| Semester 5 | Machine Drawing and Computer Graphics |
| Machine Design | |
| Dairy & Food Engineering | |
| Tractor Systems and Controls | |
| Electrical M/C’s and Power Utilization | |
| Database Management and Internet Applications | |
| Strength of Materials | |
| Ground Water, Wells and Pumps | |
| Semester 6 | Agricultural Structures and Environmental Control |
| Drying and Storage Engineering | |
| Design of Structures | |
| Drainage Engineering | |
| Soil & Water Conservation Structures | |
| Refrigeration and Air conditioning | |
| Entrepreneurship Development | |
| Renewable Energy Sources | |
| YEAR IV | |
| Semester 7 | Project - I |
| Seminar | |
| In Plant/Industrial Training-I | |
| Semester 8 | Project - II |
| Practical Training at Institution/University | |
| In Plant/Industrial Training-II | |
B.Tech (Agriculture) from AKTU
Formerly known as Uttar Pradesh Technical University (UPTU), AKTU was established in 2000 and named after India's 11th President, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, in 2015. AKTU is one of the largest technical universities in India and in Asia with over 4 lakh students enrolled in various UG and PG programs across 756 affiliated colleges spread throughout Uttar Pradesh. The university offers courses in engineering, technology, architecture, pharmacy, applied arts & crafts courses through its affiliated colleges. AKTU is recognized by University Grants Commission (UGC) and is a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
Year and semester wise details of B.Tech (Agriculture) programme offered by AKTU are listed in the following table:
| YEAR I | |
| Semester 1 | Engineering Mathematics - I |
| Engineering Physics | |
| Basic Electrical Engineering | |
| Professional Communication | |
| Elementary Agriculture | |
| Engineering Physics Lab | |
| Basic Electrical Engineering Lab | |
| Professional Communication Lab | |
| Workshop Practice Lab | |
| Semester 2 | Engineering Maths-II |
| Engineering Chemistry | |
| Elements of Mechanical Engineering | |
| Fundamentals of Computer and Programming | |
| Surveying and Levelling | |
| Surveying and Levelling Lab | |
| Elements of Mechanical Engineering Lab | |
| Fundamentals of Computer and Programming Lab | |
| Computer Aided Engg. Graphics Lab | |
| YEAR II | |
| Semester 3 | Mathematics III/ Science Based Open Elective |
| Basic Electronics and Instrumentation | |
| Fluid Mechanics | |
| Farm Machinery | |
| Industrial Psychology/Industrial Sociology | |
| Strength of Material | |
| Human Values & Professional Ethics/ Cyber Security | |
| Basic Electronics and Instrumentation Lab | |
| Fluid Mechanics Lab | |
| Farm Machinery Lab | |
| SOM Lab | |
| G.P. | |
| Semester 4 | Science Based Open Elective/ Mathematics III |
| Heat & Mass Transfer | |
| Soil Mechanics | |
| Theory of Machinery | |
| Industrial Psychology /Industrial Sociology | |
| Hydrology | |
| Cyber Security/ Human Values & Professional Ethics | |
| Soil Mechanics Lab | |
| TOM Lab | |
| Hydrology Lab | |
| Heat & Mass Transfer Lab | |
| G.P. | |
| YEAR III | |
| Semester 5 | Machine Design |
| Soil & Water Conservation | |
| Refrigeration and Air-condition | |
| Farm power | |
| Executive Program in Business Management-I | |
| Engineering Economics | |
| Practical | |
| Soil & Water Conservation | |
| Refrigeration and Air-condition | |
| Farm power | |
| Executive Program in Business Management-II | |
| GP | |
| Semester 6 | Irrigation & Drainage Engineering |
| Dairy & Food Engineering | |
| Tractor System Control-I | |
| Elective-I | |
| Elective-II | |
| Industrial Management | |
| Practical | |
| Irrigation & Drainage Engineering | |
| Dairy & Food Engineering | |
| Tractor System Control-II | |
| Seminar | |
| GP | |
| YEAR IV | |
| Semester 7 | Open Elective -1 |
| Dept. Elective Course- 3 | |
| Dept. Elective Course -4 | |
| BMSD Agricultural Structures and Environmental Control | |
| Dairy & Food Engineering | |
| BMSD Agricultural Structures and Environmental Control Lab | |
| Dairy & Food Engineering Lab | |
| Industrial Training Lab | |
| Project-1 Lab | |
| Semester 8 | Open Elective -2 |
| Dept. Elective Course 5 | |
| Dept. Elective Course -6 | |
| GD & Seminar | |
| Project-2 | |
Other Details for B.Tech (Agriculture) from AKTU
| Website | https://aktu.ac.in/ |
| Noida Campus Details | C-22, Sector 62, Noida – 201301 noidaaktu@gmail.com 0120-2400112 |
| Total Course Fee | INR 2,00,000/= to 5,00,000/= |
Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT)
Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) is a public university located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. OUAT is one of the leading agricultural universities in India and offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in agriculture and allied sciences. The university has 11 constituent colleges, 15 affiliated colleges, and 11 research centers. OUAT is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and is a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). The university is also accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with an A+ grade.
As India strives to achieve food security and agricultural sustainability, OUAT stands at the forefront of this critical mission. Through its dedication to education, research, and extension activities, OUAT is empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders with the knowledge and skills to transform the agricultural landscape and ensure a brighter future for all.
So, if you're passionate about agriculture and seek an education that will make a real difference, OUAT is the place for you. Join this vibrant community of learners and explorers, and embark on a journey that will not only shape your future but also contribute to a more sustainable and food-secure world.
OUAT B.Tech (Agriculture) Course Details
| YEAR I | |
| Semester 1 | Engineering Mathematics-I |
| Engineering Physics | |
| Engineering Chemistry | |
| Principles of Soil Science | |
| Surveying and Levelling | |
| Engineering Mechanics | |
| Engineering Drawing | |
| Thermodynamics, Heat and Mass Transfe | |
| NSS (Non-gradial) | |
| Semester 2 | Engineering Mathematics-II |
| Environmental Science and Disaster Management | |
| Communication Skills &Personality Development | |
| Theory of Structures | |
| Strength of Materials | |
| Workshop Technology and Practices | |
| Electrical Machines and Power Utilisation | |
| Principles of Agronomy | |
| YEAR II | |
| Semester 3 | Principles of Horticultural Crops and Plant Protection |
| Web Designing & Internet Applications | |
| Engineering Mathematics-III | |
| Soil Mechanics | |
| Fluid Mechanics and Open Channel Hydraulics | |
| Theory of Machines | |
| Refrigeration and Air Conditioning | |
| Applied Electronics & Instrumentation | |
| Entrepreneurship Development and Business Management | |
| Agricultural Statistics | |
| Semester 4 | Building Construction and Cost Estimation |
| Auto CAD Applications | |
| Machine Design | |
| Farm Machinery & Equipment-I | |
| Engineering Properties of Agricultural Produce | |
| Watershed Hydrology | |
| Irrigation Engineering | |
| Tractor and Automotive Engines | |
| Fundamentals of Renewable Energy Sources | |
| In-plant training-I (Student READY) Registration only | |
| YEAR III | |
| Semester 5 | Farm Machinery and Equipment-II |
| Sprinkler and Micro Irrigation system | |
| Agricultural Structures and Environmental Control | |
| Post-Harvest Engg. of Cereals, Pulses and Oil Seeds | |
| Soil and Water Conservation Engineering | |
| Watershed Planning and Management | |
| Drainage Engineering | |
| Renewable Power Sources | |
| Educational Tour during winter/January break (Registration only) | |
| Semester 6 | Computer Programming and Data Structures |
| Tractor Systems and Controls | |
| Post-Harvest Engineering of Horticultural Crops | |
| Water Harvesting and Soil Conservation Structures | |
| Groundwater, Wells and Pumps | |
| Tractor and Farm Machinery Operation and Maintenance | |
| Dairy and Food Engineering | |
| Bio-energy Systems: Design and Applications | |
| In-plant training-II (Student READY) Registration only | |
| YEAR IV | |
| Semester 7 | 10- weeks Industrial Attachment /Internship (Student READY) |
| 10- weeks Experiential Learning On-campus (Student READY) | |
| Semester 8 | Elective course |
| Elective course | |
| Elective course | |
| Project Planning and Report Writing (Student READY) (12 weeks) | |
Other Details for B.Tech (Agriculture) from OUAT
| Website | https://www.ouat.nic.in/ |
| Campus Details | Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar-751003, Odisha registrarouat@gmail.com; 0674-2397970/0674-2397818 |
| Total Course Fee | INR 3,000/= to 11,000/= per semester |
Sunrise University (SRU)
Located on a vast and scenic campus equipped with modern infrastructure, Sunrise University (SRU) in Alwar, Rajasthan, offers a comprehensive array of innovative graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs that span diverse disciplines. These programs are meticulously designed based on the best educational practices adopted by leading universities worldwide. Furthermore, the existing connections between industry and academia within each discipline offered by the University significantly enhance the learning experience. SRU is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and established under the Rajasthan Private Universities Act 2011.
| YEAR I | |
| Semester 1 | Engineering Mathematics-I |
| Engineering Physics | |
| Communication Skills | |
| Programming For Problem Solving | |
| Basic Electrical Engineering | |
| Engineering Physics Lab | |
| Language Lab | |
| Computer Programming Lab | |
| Basic Electrical Lab | |
| Computer Aided Engg. Graphics | |
| Semester 2 | Engineering Mathematics-II |
| Engineering Chemistry | |
| Human Values | |
| Basic Mechanical Engineering | |
| Basic Civil Engineering | |
| Engineering Chemistry Lab | |
| Human Values Activities | |
| Manufacturing Practice Workshop | |
| Basic Civil Engineering Lab | |
| Computer Aided Machine Drawing | |
| YEAR II | |
| Semester 3 | Mathematics -III |
| Strength of Material | |
| Soil Mechanics | |
| Farm Power | |
| Surveying and Leveling | |
| Engineering properties of Biological Material & Food Quality | |
| Engineering Thermodynamics & Heat engines | |
| Soil Mechanics Lab | |
| Farm Power Lab | |
| Surveying and Leveling Lab | |
| Engineering properties of Biological Material & Food Quality Lab | |
| Semester 4 | Heat & mass Transfer |
| Theory of Machines | |
| Design of structures | |
| Watershed hydrology - I | |
| Fluid Mechanics | |
| Crop Process Engineering | |
| Agriculture for Engineers | |
| Watershed Hydrology -I Lab | |
| Crop Process Engineering Lab | |
| YEAR III | |
| Semester 5 | Workshop Technology |
| Machine Design | |
| Electrical Machine & Power utilization | |
| Farm Machinery & Equipment | |
| Ground Water, Wells & Pumps | |
| Drying & Storage Engineering | |
| Soil & water Conservation Engineering | |
| Farm Machinery & Equipment Lab | |
| Ground Water, Wells & Pumps Lab | |
| Drying & storage engineering Lab | |
| Soil & Water conservation Engineering Lab | |
| Semester 6 | Agricultural Structure & Environmental Contro |
| Refrigeration & Air conditioning | |
| Transfer Process in Food Engineering | |
| Tractor systems & controls | |
| Machine drawings & Computer graphics | |
| Irrigation and Drainage Engineering - I | |
| Elective - I | |
| Tractors systems & controls | |
| Machine drawing & Computer graphics Lab | |
| Irrigation and Drainage Engineering - I Lab | |
| YEAR IV | |
| Semester 7 | Irrigation and Drainage Engineering - II |
| System Engineering | |
| Mechanics of Tillage & Traction | |
| Unit Operation in Dairy and Food Engineering | |
| Watershed Hydrology - II | |
| Industrial Training | |
| Project | |
| Elective - II | |
| Mechanics of Tillage & Traction Lab | |
| Unit Operation in Dairy and Food Engineering Lab | |
| Semester 8 | Tractor Design & Testing |
| Food Process and Packaging Technology | |
| Watershed planning & Management | |
| Elective – III | |
| Project | |
| Renewable Energy Source | |
| Tractor design & testing Lab | |
| Food Process and packaging technology Lab | |
| Seminar | |
Other Details for B.Tech (Agriculture) from SRU
| Website | https://www.sunriseuniversity.in/ |
| Campus Details | Bagad Rajput, Ramgarh, Alwar, Rajasthan - 301026 info@sunriseuniversity.in 1800 889 5112 |
| Total Course Fee | INR 30,000/= to 45,000/= per semester |
Conclusion
Both B.Sc and B.Tech Agriculture programs are significant and have their pros and cons. However, if you want to explore and implement the principles of engineering into agriculture then B.Tech in Agriculture is the best option for you. A degree in B.Tech Agriculture opens up better job prospects and many private firms can offer you good placement opportunities.