Horticultural Education: Opportunities and Scope

Emphasis on Horticulture is on a continuous increase in Apicultural Sector in the Country. Recognizing the importance of Horticulture and its growth potential in A.P. and its contribution to GDP and the need for producing human resources, a full fledged university called “Andhra Pradesh Horticultural University”, second of its kind in the country (First Horticultural university being Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture, Solan, Himachal Pradesh) was established by the government of A.P. during June 2007 at Venkataramannagudem (W.G) as Headquarters to benefit the stakeholders of Horticulture and processing industries of A.P. Education, Research and Extension activities. Imparting quality education and up-to-date training to produce globally competitive Horticultural professionals is the main objective of the Horticultural Education in APHU.

The course curricula prescribed by ICAR is being adopted for UG and PG courses with advanced topics in Horticulture and allied subjects. Four constituent colleges are functioning at Venkataramannagudem (W.G.Dt), Rajendranagar (R.R.Dt), Mojerla (Mahaboobnagar Dt) and Anantarajupeta (YSR Dt) with a total seats intake of 220 for B.Sc (Hons) Horticulture and 40 seats for M.Sc (Horti) and 6 seats for Ph.D courses. In addition, under ICAR national quota for each state, about 35 seats in B.Sc (Hons) Horticulture and 9 seats in M.Sc (Horti) are allocated to A.P.

Horticultural Courses offered in Andhra Pradesh Horticultural University:
Under Graduate Programme:

1. B.Sc (Hons) Horticulture: A four year undergraduate programme in Horticulture with 52 courses (165 credits) and 8 semesters, duration.
   Qualifications: A pass in Intermediate with Physics, Chemistry and Biology group.
   Course Content: Production techniques of Horticultural crops and their Post Harvest Technology, courses in allied subjects is 3, Plant Breeding, Plant Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Soil Sciences and Biotechnology and Agricultural Statistics and Computer Applications.
   
   Based on merit from EAMCET stream, candidates shall be selected by the university through a counselling process.
   
   P.G. Programmes:
2. M.Sc Horticulture: A pass in higher second class in B.Sc (Horti) course and a minimum scoring of 50% marks in university Entrance Test every year during August-September.
   Duration: 2 years
   Course Content: Course in 4 specializations viz., Fruit Science, Vegetable Science, Floriculture and Plantation Crops are offered and the seats would be allotted by APHU based on merit in Entrance Test and academic record.
3. Ph.D Programme: A pass in M.Sc (Horticulture) with higher second class and scoring a minimum of 50% marks in PG Entrance Test.
   Duration: 3 years
   Course Content: Any of the above specialization as in M.Sc (Horti) course.
   Seats are allotted based on previous academic record, marks score in Entrance Test and performance in interview.

National Level Entrance Test (AIEEA):
Every year, the ICAR quota seats in UG and PG courses at national level are allotted by merit and reservation policy based on an Entrance Test (AIEEA) in April every year by ICAR, New Delhi.

Exam Centers in A.P: Hyderabad, Tirupathi.
Other details can be obtained from website of ICAR: www.icar.org.in. successful candidates can get National Talent Scholarship @ Rs. 1000 P.M/Student.

Important Centres for Horticultural Education in India:

1. A.P.H.U.
   Tadepalligudem (W.G. Dt) (A.P)
2. Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture
   Solan (H.P)
3. Horticulture University
   Arabhavi (Karnataka)
4. University of Agricultural Sciences
   Bangalore, Dharwad (Karnataka)
5. Tamilnadu Agricultural University
   Coimbatore (T.N)
6. Anand Agricultural University
   Anand (Gujarat)
7. Punjab Agricultural University
   Ludhiana (Punjab)
8. Haryana Agricultural University
   Hisar (Haryana)
9. G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology
   Pantnagar (Uttarakhand)
10. Apicultural Universities
    Rahuri, Parbhani, Ratnagiri and Akola (M.S)

Fellowships and Higher Education (Horticulture) in India and Abroad:
M.Sc (Horticulture) and Ph.D programmes are offered by APHU in various specializations Viz., Fruit Science, Vegetable Science, Floriculture and Plantation Crops. PG courses are also offered by many American, Australian and common wealth countries. Collaborative Research Programmes/Projects for P.G. courses. These are also offered by national institutes of ICAR Viz., IIHR, Bangalore of IAAI (New Delhi). At PG level, the graduates of Horticulture may also specialise in related subjects of Horticulture Viz., Plant Physiology, Plant Breeding, Biochemistry, Entomology and Plant Pathology in Agricultural universities in the supporting disciplines.

The graduates of Horticulture can compete for Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) at Rs. 8000 P.M. for pursuing PG course in any Indian Agriculture University. The postgraduates in Horticulture can compete for Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) at Rs. 12000 P.M. for 3 years for pursuing Ph.D programme. In APHU each P.G. student is eligible for PG Fellowship APHU at Rs. 2500 P.M. and Ph.D student at Rs. 3500 P.M.

Career/Job Opportunities:

• Opportunities are available as technical or probationary officers for graduates in Horticulture in public sector and private banks and as Horticultural officers in the State Department of Horticulture.
• Graduates can also act as Horticultural consultants in non-government organizations, private nurseries/organizations and insurance companies.
• Horti-clinics and Horti-business centres can also be organized by the graduates.
• Opportunities are also available as Technical officers or Marketing officers in reputed Fertilizer/Insecticide/Seed companies. Initially graduates can earn upto Rs. 30,000 P.M.
• Postgraduates/Doctorates can join the Faculties in APHU or other Agricultural Universities in India through direct recruitment as Assistant Professors (Rs. 37000 P.M) or Associate Professors (Rs. 45000 P.M).

Prospects in Horticultural Education:
With increased emphasis on Horticulture and Horticulture based industries being made by both state and central governments, it is needless to say that Horticultural sector is going to play a vital role in the development of Indian Agriculture.

Modern Horticulture is viewed as a mega Horti-Business Enterprise rather than mere cultivation of crops. Many multi-national companies are widening their activities by encouraging glass house/green house cultivation, Exports of Horticultural Commodities. Many developmental organizations viz., National Horticultural Board and National and State Horticultural Missions of Government of India support many schemes of development in every state. Keeping this in background, the syllabus of viz., courses in APHU are so structured as per national norms of ICAR so as to make the graduates self-confident, technically competent and marketable. As competent professionals, these graduates are expected to act as powerful professional consultants in Horticulture, instead making opportunities only in government or universities.

Dr DV Raghava Rao,
Dean of Horticulture (Retd)
AP Horticultural University

Published date : 11 Jul 2011 02:45AM