MBA in Agriculture

Those individuals having a knack for agriculture can pursue MBA in Agriculture. Also, those interested in resolving the grievances related to farmers and the agriculture sector can choose this specialisation. The agriculture MBA course is perfectly suitable for candidates determined to improve the agriculture sector using practical application and research.

Students with MBA in agriculture can use the learning to embark on a sound agricultural career with decent pay. The MBA for agriculture students can also use this specialisation to gain practical knowledge on multiple responsibilities in the worldwide agri-food trade. This practical knowledge will not just help them to survive in the organisation but also enable them to create innovative ideas potentially fruitful for the Agriculture sector.

The agriculture MBA course intends to provide enough theoretical and practical knowledge to students in subjects like agricultural business, food supply chain management, economics on food qualities, microfinance management, strategies for the food and agri-business, and management of sales and distribution for agricultural business. The MBA for agriculture is extremely useful because the career is rewarding for MBA for agriculture students aiming to obtain a managerial position in this sector.

The following list shows several types of companies that hire MBA in Agriculture. Through this list, agriculture graduates can determine how to use their MBA degree in Agriculture and how to excel in this career:

• Farming Industry
• Food production companies
• Public and Private Sector
• Government sector
• Retail Industry
• Marketing Industry

 MBA in Agriculture graduates can use their degree to get any popular jobs mentioned below:

• Farm Appraiser: These professionals are responsible for evaluating the value of a farm, its facilities, and its employees. They take necessary actions when the farm is mortgaged, insured, sold, or developed.            

• Market analyst: They investigate the financial condition of the agri-business fiscal market.

• Agriculture Policy Analyst: They are responsible for evolving and investigating policies influencing the agriculture business.

• Financer: They provide financial assistance to agri-businesses. The example includes matching crop suppliers with farms.  

• Quality Controller: They work on enhancing the quality and output of a farm’s manufacturing.

• Bio compost sales head: They drive sales activities and create awareness among local customers.

• Marketing Head: They formulate marketing strategies in a firm and also build awareness.

• Relationship manager: They deal with retail customers and advise them on different financial and banking products & services. Also, they cater to corporate clients like large corporations or SMEs.

• Operation Manager: They enhance the operational systems, policies, and processes to fulfil the organisation's mission. Moreover, they enhance business processes, organisational planning, management reporting, and information outflow.
  

MBA in Agriculture Freshers can begin their career with any of these popular job roles:

• Agricultural Salesperson
• Agricultural Economist
• Farm Manager
• Field Officer
• Sales and Marketing Coordinator
• Manager Trainee

Graduates of an MBA in Agribusiness who hold some work experience can explore any of these job roles:

• Agricultural Specialist
• Chief Executive Officer
• Solutions Engineer
• Operations Manager
• Risk Manager

 Graduates with MBA in Agriculture can land a Government job in some of the popular designations mentioned below:

 Other government jobs after pursuing MBA in Agribusiness:

• Agricultural Field Officer
• Farm Technician
• Research Associate
• Principal Scientist
• Research Scientist
• Senior Chemist

Pursuing MBA in agriculture provides various learning outcomes. Here are a few of them:

Versatility

The key focus of MBA in Agriculture programs from a reputed institute is imparting industry-relevant agricultural knowledge to students. In addition, these programs also instil leadership qualities, organisation skills, analytical skills, problem-solving skills, etc. All these skills assist students in handling any relevant job role assigned to them in the future. Leadership skills are instilled through intense practice and teaching.

These mentioned skills ensure they can work as efficient managers and agriculture specialists. The versatile skills help them tackle any challenges they may face in their career in the future. The motive of the MBA in AgriBusiness is not just to impart agricultural knowledge but also to create proficient managers. Consistent assignments, sets, and practical projects during this program make students well-versed in theoretical and practical perspectives.

 

Fulfils industry needs

Agribusiness demands managers and other specialists for its consistent growth. This industry bears plenty of risks due to its dependency on natural elements. The graduates in this program are trained so they can mitigate all the risk factors using their experience and knowledge.

Agricultural Specialists are required in both private and public sectors. Agribusiness owns the potential to be the biggest contributor to the economy of this passion. MBA graduates in Agriculture can realise this potential through proper course curriculum and practical and theoretical teaching to understand industry demands. Agriculture graduates also receive all necessary skills that existing market demands and are competent enough to quickly learn the prospective technologies and tools in the agriculture domain.

Noble Cause

Very few professionals can claim that they are working for a noble cause to make a living. While working as an MBA in the Agriculture industry, you will feel proud of your profession.

The agricultural industry proves to be the biggest contributor to the country’s economy.

Most people at the lower level in this industry are unskilled and uneducated labourers. Moreover, farmers don’t earn their due respect. After completing an MBA in Agriculture, if you effectively work in this industry, you can gradually uplift the lives of many people associated with this sector. You can closely work on their problems and come up with solutions. So, along with your earnings, you work for national service.

Huge growth potential

The growth potential in this sector is infinite. Presently, commercial farming on a big scale is thriving. Hence, if you become a component in this industry at an early stage (i.e. by pursuing MBA in Agriculture), you get an opportunity to grow with this industry.

Your career graph will escalate with the industry growth. Within a few years, you can grab an admirable job position in a reputed agriculture-based organisation. Plenty of relevant job opportunities are available in this sector. For example, you can work in the public and private sectors, government, farming, retail, etc. So, pursuing an MBA in Agriculture paves your path for success in a limited time.

Monetary benefits

There is a scarcity of professional managers and relevant professions in agribusiness. Compared to other industries, the salaries are higher. As you amass more work experience and hone your Agricultural skills and knowledge, you can elevate yourself to higher-paying job roles.

Exceptional problem-solving skills

MBAs working in agriculture have to face several challenges. Compared to other industries, the problems of this industry are more complex as agriculture is the prime industry that caters to the basic requisites of all human beings in the country.

The course program is uniquely designed to train candidates in dealing with any challenges they may face. The ability to effectively meet these challenges and discover the solutions ensure your exceptional growth as a professional. Your problem-solving, analytical, and managerial skills will develop extensively at such a  pace that you might be surprised to realise your great potential as a manager.

You gradually become competent to handle challenges impeding the growth of this sector. Along with being a respective Agriculture employee, you also develop entrepreneurship qualities. Working through these challenges will improve your professional growth within a limited time.

Other learning outcomes of pursuing an MBA in Agriculture:

• You get to learn fundamental aspects of agriculture, including assembling the seeds, fermenting the seeds, how to source raw food products, how to supply them with minimal waste, etc.
• You learn how to deal with a chemical manufacturing firm, equipment makers, logistics providers, etc.
• You learn the entire cycle from crop harvesting to food supply to consumers.
• The practical training sessions in this program usually last for at least eight weeks at a reputed organisation. Moreover, industrial training is also carried out in the relevant subject. Upon completion of the second semester, all the students are required to join such training, giving them practical exposure. (Stipends rely on the policies of the particular organisation. Certain internships/training are paid, and others are unpaid.)
• After receiving diverse work experience, you can set up an Agribusiness company.  With this company, you can manufacture and provide services to logistics providers, chemical manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, etc.
• You can develop a wide understanding of Agribusiness to facilitate communication and decision-making in any organisation.
• You get a clear perspective on whether to pursue PhD. or continue working as an employee in the industry.

To pursue MBA in agriculture business management, the eligibility criteria differ from one college to another. However, the common criterion is that you have to at least score 50% in your graduation; otherwise, securing admission to a reputed institute will be challenging.

You should have a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture or other allied disciplines like Agricultural Engineering / Dairy Technology / Dairy Science / Food Science / Food Technology / Forestry / Fisheries / Horticulture / Home Science /Veterinary Science, etc. from any institute or university.

It is mandatory to clear any of the entrance exams like CAT/MAT/CMAT/SNAP/XAT.

To pursue an MBA in Agriculture Abroad, you need to clear GRE and GMAT.

In your MBA in agriculture management graduation, your main subject must be agriculture or allied farming. Students whose graduation final results are yet to come can also apply.

The MBA in AgriBusiness management admission procedure is divided into the following steps:

• Apply for the Entrance Exams (CAT, MAT, CMAT, SNAP, XAT, etc.)
• Attend the entrance exam and pass the cutoff
• Shortlisting Process
• Final Admission Round with Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI)

 The mentioned entrance exams test the core competencies and knowledge students gained when pursuing this course. GD and PI tests analyse the communication and analytical abilities of candidates.

At admission, you must submit all the educational qualification documents such as a letter of recommendation, bank statements, and biodata for the VISA process.
The full form of the mentioned entrance examinations:

CAT: Common Aptitude Test

MAT: Management Aptitude Test

XAT: Xavier Aptitude TestMBA in project management

CMAT: Common Management Admission Test

1. Global opportunities

One of the greatest benefits of pursuing an MBA in Agriculture is it provides global opportunities. Many institutes supporting this course attract international students and provide immense opportunities to global and domestic students. Besides, the students will get opportunities to connect with expert professionals who instil their minds with innovative ideas to progress in this career.

2. Decent payscale:

When you complete a master's in AgriBusiness management from one of the leading institutes, you can obtain a decent starting salary in the range of INR 3 lac to INR 15 lac per annum. The payscale that an MBA in Agriculture can get depends on the institute you graduate from, the companies arriving for recruitment, your skills, and the existing market trends.

The MBA in agriculture management emphasises the organisations’ administrative functions throughout the Agriculture and Food industry. So, students can choose a suitable subject of interest. Usually, beginners can choose to work in sectors like Farm Management, Commodity Procurement, Labor and Personnel, Labor Management, and Global food issue and public policy.

 Other benefits of pursuing an MBA in Agriculture:

• Ability to secure decent jobs in public and private sectors
• Allows students to pursue a Ph.D. degree in Agriculture
• Opportunity to become an entrepreneur that allows you to help farmers and other organisations with your expertise and consultancy
• High-paying jobs for experienced and skilled MBA Agriculture Specialists
• Huge scope for experimentation
• Trends of the last few years depict an ever-rising growth potential
• The industrial demand for agri-managers is huge in the global market
• Many other businesses in the market have limited existence or go obsolete which compels the business owners to change their profession. But the food business is always demanding. Pursuing an MBA in agriculture guarantees that your skill never goes out of trend.
• Agriculture managers can address the issues like food shortage, financial situations of farmers, etc.
• Enhance analytical and strategic expertise to recognise business problems and implement solutions for mitigating those challenges
• Utilise Agricultural related tools and knowledge to bring positive change to an organisation and acclimate to innovative business environments.

India is the second biggest agricultural land country, and farming being the core business, agriculture is always a thriving industry. Hence, there is a huge potential for career growth in this sector. When you complete a master's in agriculture business management, you can choose from multiple offers. You can choose the preferable option based on your skills from the ample opportunities and scope.

 Here are the scopes for MBA agribusiness fresher:

• Agribusiness Manager
• Agriculture Policy Analyst
• Bio-Compost Sales Head
• Farm Appraiser
• Market Analyst
• Marketing Head
• Quality Controller
• Trader
• Marketing analyst
• Accounts manager
• Alternative energy consultant
• Bioterrorism consultant

 The following points explain the scope of an MBA in Agriculture:

• Changing lifestyles and awareness of fitness and a healthy diet have expanded the scope of agriculture.
• Several corporate giants are capitalising on money in this sector to develop new techniques to work more efficiently and boost profitability. This unlocks various job opportunities for MBA graduates in Agriculture.
• The government’s massive support via various subsidies and schemes has enhanced the popularity of this sector.
• Top recruiters in this sector are Amul, Coromandel, Syngenta, UPL, RALLIES, VITA, etc. They present profitable career opportunities for students willing to stand out in their profession.
• Since the government is presenting schemes for the agriculture sector and farmers, their career prospects will improve further. This will further increase the demand for skilled Agriculture Specialists.

Companies are constantly looking for skilled professionals who can strategise and execute new ideas to accelerate production and an effective food supply.

You can gauge the outstanding career opportunities for MBA in Agriculture from the below list that highlights industries that provide jobs to these graduates:

• Farming Industries
• Food Production Companies
• Marketing Industries
• Public and Private Sector
• Retail Industries
• FMCG Companies
• FCI Offices
• Tea/Coffee Plantation Gardens
• Food Processing Companies
• Professor in Colleges & Universities

 Career Prospects and Job Profiles for MBA in Agriculture:

There is an assortment of job profiles in MBA agribusiness you can explore when choosing a career in this domain. The Agriculture sector significantly requires proficient Agriculture Specialists to contend with the global needs. This field features diverse job opportunities in any of the following positions:

• Agricultural Manager
• Agriculture Operations Specialist
• Marketing Analyst
• Bioterrorism Consultant
• Financial Analyst
• Agribusiness Owner/Manager
• Alternative Energy Consultant
• Agricultural economist
• Sales Manager
• Rural Manager
• Commercial Executive
• Investment Analyst
• Sales Representative
• Relationship Manager
• Crop analyst
• Quality controller
• Commodity Merchandiser

 A stable rise in placement packages is observed due to the requirement for Agri MBA graduates. The demand for managerial skills continues to accelerate in this sector. Consequently, students in large numbers are enrolling in MBA courses in agriculture as their preferred career option. Appealing salary packages from reputed recruiters to graduates with MBA in AgriBusiness management suggest bright career opportunities after pursuing it.

Various national and multinationals appreciate the significance of the Agribusiness market.

AMUL is one of the great examples of cooperative brands providing high placements to graduates in MBA agriculture business management. In addition, various other renowned recruiters like Reliance, Adani, Tata, EY, Godrej, KPMG, Ninjacart, Tolaram, Cloudtail, etc., are participating in the campus placements and presenting high salary offers for students of MBA in AgriBusiness management.

Plenty of Agri start-ups are exploring vast opportunities for MBA AgriBusiness graduates. Due to the increased farmers’ cognisance and proficiency in farming, the Agri and the rural sector has driven agri-input companies supplying fertiliser, seeds, pesticides, etc. So, trained professionals are engaged to serve the Agriculture market innovatively and stay competitive.

You can unlock greater career opportunities if you complete MBA in Agriculture Abroad. A foreign Agri MBA degree not just focuses on theoretical learning in the classroom but also focuses on practical knowledge. The practical learning approach trains students on how to perform case studies, group projects, teamwork, etc.

A full-time program from universities abroad is recommended for an MBA degree holder in Agriculture. A background in biology and science will be an added benefit for this course.

Here are a few renowned courses to pursue after completing a PG Degree or Diploma Course in Agricultural Business Management:

• Ph.D. in Agriculture
• Ph.D. in Agriculture and Food Security
• Ph.D. in Agribusiness Management
• Ph.D. in Agri-Environmental Economics
• Ph.D. in Agricultural and Extension Education
• Ph.D. in Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics
• Ph.D. in Transformation of Global Agri-Food.

If you are facing confusion in pursuing the MBA in Agriculture Course offline or MBA agribusiness distance education online, The following points will help you. The following section highlights the benefits of pursuing an MBA in Agriculture Course online compared to an offline one:

1.Cost-effective:

One major benefit of an online MBA in Agriculture course is cost-effectiveness. Compared to offline MBA programs, online programs charge you fewer fees. The prominent reason is their low operating expenses.

You can opt for a longer online MBA in Agriculture course by paying your monthly payments, which makes it more affordable. Especially for students from low-income family backgrounds, the monthly payment options seem more convenient.

Online MBA in Agriculture comes with reduced infrastructure costs. The reason is the online program doesn’t need classrooms. Moreover, you need not pay uniform, library, bus, and additional facilities fees. Hence, an online MBA in Agriculture is cheaper than an offline one.

 2. Better credibility:

All online MBA agribusiness management distance education programs are not identical; they vary from institution to institution. Note that accreditations also influence the credibility of the program. Most reputed organisations always look for MBA graduates with qualifications from reputable institutions with decent accreditation. Consequently, it considerably strengthens their credibility.

Rather than pursuing an MBA in Agriculture program offline from a non-reputed institute, it is better to pursue it from a renowned online program. In addition to equipping students with enough subject knowledge, it promises credibility that you can showcase to potential employers and thus increase your odds of getting hired.

 3. Flexibility:

Unlike an offline MBA in Agriculture course, an online course offers you the flexibility to pursue the program at your schedule. This course entails using a lot of Agriculture fundamentals and related technologies, which might seem monotonous. Pursuing MBA in agribusiness distance education online mode can let students get rid of boredom because they can continue the course modules as per their schedule.

Students can complete an online MBA in Agriculture course regardless of the location. The flexible learning schedules allow them to watch live video sessions, answer quizzes, and join the discussion forums with trainers and classmates anywhere, anytime.

 4. Exposure to cutting-edge Agricultural technologies:

Many offline MBA in Agriculture programs may not train students with the cutting-edge technologies prevalent in the Agriculture domain. The reasons can be lack of time, lack of qualified trainers, lack of resources, etc. On the other hand, if you choose a reputed MBA agribusiness distance education online, you get training on how the cutting-edge technologies and tools are used in agriculture. 

Trainers in the online program effectively teach every aspect with context to the latest technologies and trends. Moreover, students need not face burdens or tight deadlines for learning the core technical aspects of Agriculture. They can learn at their own pace.

The agriculture industry along with the exports of the relevant goods in India noted a market value of approx. $41 billion in 2021. Agricultural undertakings employ nearly 43% of India’s total geographical territory.

According to The Economic Times, the agriculture export carrier of India accounts for 2.5 % of global agricultural trade in 2021. For ASEAN nations, the agricultural exports from India totalled 8.56%, and India Brand Equity Foundation recommended it. This extent of activity in the agricultural sector demands a massive pool of proficient professionals competent to support various roles in the operations, supply chain, and marketing that are directly connected to agriculture.

The economic survey 2021 recorded that the overall export value of processed food in 2020-21 was approx. $6 Billion in India. Moreover, India's processed food industry is set to rise from $260 Billion in 2020 to$470 Billion by 2025. This fact illustrates the growing scope of the agriculture industry in India. Accordingly, it implies the need for qualified and skilled professionals in this sector.

Companies that manufacture and advertise contemporary farming equipment and products with services associated with farming continue to enlarge their size of operations. This denotes the lack of skilled resources in the Agriculture domain.

Institutes providing Agriculture Management courses can magnify the scope of the program beyond the core curriculum with the inclusion of cutting-edge technologies. Modern and demanding value-added programs like Smart Warehousing for perishable stock, Analytics for Rural Development, Micro-Financing in Agriculture, collaborative buying, etc., will unlock more learning opportunities and extend the career options for MBA Agriculture graduates.

Most institutions in India that provide MBA in Agriculture Management courses begin the training with introductory management courses. The purpose is to build rigour. After such introductory courses, these institutions adopt contemporary elective courses encompassing various functional areas specific to agriculture and the relevant industrial ecosystem.

The collaboration of the industry-specific knowledge and core managerial competencies makes their students industry-ready. Functions like supply chain management, marketing of agro products, warehouse management, distribution management, procurement of agricultural goods and materials, and rural marketing and entrepreneurship help the students to project challenging careers in Agriculture industries that are on a fast growth projectile for the coming decade in India.

According to MarketsandMarkets research, the global agricultural robots market size is projected to grow from $4.9 Billion in 2021 to $11.9 Billion by 2026. The corresponding growth will be at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.3%. With agricultural robots, farmers will benefit from reduced inputs of fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides. Consequently, it can boost the sustainability of agriculture.

According to a market research report published by Meticulous Research, the international agriculture IoT market is projected to reach a market value of $32.7 Billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 15.2% from 2019 to 2027.

MBA in Agriculture industry growth is prominent due to the vast scope of IoT in agriculture. The use of IoT in agriculture encompasses the use of drones to test or spray crops, the use of smart sensors, and smart greenhouses to maximise yields and minimise the use of resources.

Recent years have witnessed a growth in MBA in agriculture business management colleges that deliver masters in AgriBusiness management programs. In India, there are more than 100 MBA in Agri-Business Management schools.

The following table depicts details of various institutes offering MBA in Agriculture courses in India. It justifies the accelerating demand for MBA in Agriculture courses in the country.

Reasons justifying the accelerating demand for the MBA in Agriculture Courses in India:

Let’s get into the details of the reasons justifying the demand for these courses in India:

 1. High salary potential

Compared to other MBA degree courses, MBA in agriculture can provide you with high salary benefits and additional perks. The reason is that comparatively fewer students are willing to explore their careers in agriculture. So, if you have determined to explore your career in this field and are proficient at the same, along with an MBA degree in Agriculture, you can unlock high-paying job roles. Moreover, after certain years of expertise, the organisation with which you work may significantly enhance your pay scale.

 2. Access to global opportunities:

A master's in food and AgriBusiness management or MBA in Agriculture presents a more assorted and broader job prospect worldwide. The graduates of an MBA in Agriculture are eligible to apply for multiple job roles in the public and private sectors. Also, certain government job opportunities are available for the right candidate. Thus, whether you have pursued MBA in Agriculture offline or agribusiness management distance education, you can unlock better opportunities and ultimately contribute to enhancing the country's agriculture economy.

 3. Better job security:

Many reliable organisations prioritise candidates with an MBA degree in Agriculture rather than simply a bachelor's degree. This is because they consider candidates with MBA in Agriculture can better comprehend the job market and the assigned job role. Job security is always a priority for any job seeker; therefore, this is one of the key reasons behind the increasing demand for this course in India.

 4. Access to a wide business network:

You can interact with industry advocates, Alumni, and knowledgeable career mentors who can assist you in enhancing the relevant skills required for an agriculture career.  The strong connections will help you explore more admirable job opportunities. Also, they provide an in-depth understanding of the developing business environment helping you explore new strategies to adapt quickly.

 5. Equips you with in-demand knowledge and skills:

Another important reason behind the growing demand for MBA in Agriculture courses is that the course instils cutting-edge skills in candidates. The acquired skills can assist the candidates in dealing with any relevant job roles in the Agriculture domain. In addition to providing enough knowledge and skills in the Agriculture domain, this course also imparts managerial skills to students. Therefore, they can quickly adapt to different organisational environments and work flexibly.

MBA in Agriculture course provides a comprehensive understanding of core domains of the Indian and global agriculture market. Moreover, students in this specialisation will redeem comprehensive knowledge on subjects like food processing, supply chain, economic policies, soil management, farm planning, etc

Factors on which MBA in Agriculture Specialist salary in India depends:

The salary of an MBA in Agriculture Specialist in India can vary based on multiple factors. The below section highlights a few factors:

• Salary based on the job location
• Salary based on the job title

1. Salary based on the job location:

Source: Indeed

 2. Salary based on the job title:

MBA in Agriculture Specialist Starting Salary in India:

The starting salary of an MBA in Agriculture Specialist in India is INR 265,512/year.