PhD Agriculture: Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Fees
PhD in Agriculture is a three to six years long doctorate program that deals with fuel and food production, plant genetics, plant physiology, soil sciences, and crop management. This course graduate can get many job roles such as Farm Manager, Research Scholar, Lecturer, Agricultural Officer, Researcher, etc.
PhD Agriculture Course Details
| Degree | Doctorate |
| Full Form | Doctor of Philosophy in Agriculture |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Age | No age limit |
| Subjects Required | Masters in Agriculture or relevant subject |
| Minimum Percentage | 55% |
| Average Fees | ₹5K - 2 LPA |
| Average Salary | IBNR 5 - 10 LPA |
| Employment Roles | Lecturer, Agriculture Officer, Researcher, etc |
| Top Recruiters | UN, Agro-farming companies, Government Departments |
About PhD Agriculture
PhD Agriculture is a three to six years doctorate which is created in such a way that the learners get to know a deep understanding of their chosen topics. Over the past few years, the scope of pursuing PhD courses in India has increased manifolds. Many universities are in front of admission in this PhD course.
According to Wikipedia "Agricultural science (or agriscience for short is a broad multidisciplinary field of biology that encompasses the parts of exact, natural, economic and social sciences that are used in the practice and understanding of agriculture. Professionals of agricultural science are called agricultural scientists or agriculturists."
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- PhD Agriculture Eligibility Criteria
- PhD Agriculture Admission Process
- Who Should Do a PhD Agriculture
- Types of PhD Agriculture
- Popular PhD Agriculture Entrance Exams
- Study PhD Agriculture in India
- Top PhD Agriculture Colleges
- Study PhD Agriculture Abroad
- PhD Agriculture Fees Structure
- PhD Agriculture Syllabus and Subjects
- Why Choose PhD Agriculture?
- PhD Agriculture Course Comparison
- Preparation Tips for PhD Agriculture
- Salary of a PhD Agriculture Graduate
- Career Options after PhD Agriculture
- Skill to Excel
Eligibility Criteria for PhD Agriculture
As all the students know how important a PhD Agriculture course is, that’s why it’s quite difficult to get admitted into their respective interested universities. Those students who want to take enrollment in this doctorate program have to qualify the eligibility criteria i.e one should have a minimum mark of 50% in both master’s degree and bachelor’s degree as well.
There are few PhD Agricultural entrance exams such as UGC NET, CSIR UGC NET, AAU VET, and OUAT which have cutoffs to qualify. There is no age limit for the students for taking admission to this course.
How To Get Admission for PhD Agriculture?
The admission procedure for PhD in Agriculture is entrance and counselling based. Students need to appear and crack the entrance exams, a few of which are held by the universities themselves along with the counselling/interview session to get enrolled in a college in the PhD in Agriculture course.
Students are allowed to take admitted after clearing the entrance exam and interview.
How to Apply?
There are two ways to apply for admission in the PhD in Agriculture course. Either online by visiting the college website and following the steps given there or offline by visiting the university's office. Certain colleges take interviews for checking the knowledge and communication skills of the candidates.
Selection Process
The procedure for selection of individuals for granting admission to PhD in Agriculture courses is based on interviews. The candidates who have successfully cleared the entrance examinations are considered eligible for the selection procedure. The interview round is the last step of the admission procedure after which the students are enrolled in the college.
Who Should Pursue a PhD Agriculture
When it comes to your career graph. A PhD in Agriculture degree offers a wide range of employment opportunities.
One of the most sought-after jobs for a PhD Agriculture degree holder is of a lecturer or a professor in a university or a researcher in most fields. Along with this, a PhD Agriculture degree holder can get a job in Agricultural sectors, fertilizer companies, educational institutes and many more.
Candidates will have in-depth knowledge and develop mastery over the subjects they have chosen for specialization, which will be extremely useful for them in their careers. Those learners who are interested in these specializations should pursue this course.
When to do a PhD Agriculture?
Aspirants are eligible to pursue a PhD Agriculture course only if they have completed their master's degree in a similar course/ field/ stream in which they want to pursue a PhD Agriculture. Some colleges also specify that candidates need to have completed an MPhil to pursue a PhD Agriculture course offered by them.
Types of PhD Agriculture
A PhD in Agriculture is a research-based doctorate program and that's the reason this course can be done in any of three modes i.e full-time, part-time, and distance learning mode. Aspirants can pursue the PhD Agriculture course at many top universities.
Full-Time PhD Agriculture
A full-time PhD Agriculture program duration is three to six years that is provided by many top respected colleges or universities. This full-time course is all about classroom-based studying, research projects, and assignments. There are no limitations on the age for taking admissions.
Part-Time PhD Agriculture
A part-time PhD Agricultural program is for 4-6 years. This course is created for students who are working somewhere or are professionals. A part-time mode is all about having limited classes. Part-Time PhD is mainly focused on research for the development of the company rather than individual research work.
Distance PhD Agriculture
A distance PhD in Agriculture in India program is quite easy for getting knowledge at any time from anywhere. Many people believe in pursuing this course because of no issue of being physically present at the universities. The objective behind the creation of this distance learning program is to provide the degree along with the knowledge while working.
Popular Entrance Exams for PhD Agriculture
Various institutes and testing agencies conduct PhD Agriculture entrance exams for admissions in PhD Agriculture and Technology. The following are some of these entrance examinations:
A Quick Glance at the PhD Agriculture Entrance Exam
Students can access the PhD Agriculture course details by going to the college's official website to which they are interested in applying. The specialization plays a vital role in the college's approach to the entrance exam. Below listed are some of the general guidelines of the PhD Agriculture entrance examinations:
- The exam pattern includes common topics from 10+2, graduation and postgraduation level i.e. technology, life sciences, mathematics, sciences, and general aptitude.
- The papers are objective and MCQ-based.
- The syllabus, mode of examination, and question pattern may change according to a university/conducting body.
Study PhD Agriculture in India
India is home to some of the PhD Agriculture colleges in the world. Aspirants have many options to choose from in terms of the best PhD Agriculture course as per their preferences.
Depending on the type of PhD Agriculture programs offered, candidates will have to make the appropriate choice. Below are some of the top colleges in India offering PhD Agriculture courses:
Top 10 PhD Agriculture Colleges in India
Below is the list of the top best PhD Agriculture Colleges in the country:
| SL. NO. | NAME OF THE COLLEGES |
| 1 | Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi |
| 2 | Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University |
| 3 | Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal |
| 4 | Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana |
| 5 | Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi |
| 6 | Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly |
| 7 | National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal |
| 8 | GBPUAT, Pant Nagar |
| 9 | TNAU, Tamil Nadu |
Top PhD Agriculture Colleges in New Delhi
Delhi, the educational hub of India, stands in the fourth position in producing PhD Agriculture candidates. Here are the top 5 PhD Agriculture Colleges in New Delhi:
| SL. NO. | Institution |
| 1 | Indian Agricultural Research Institute |
| 2 | Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute |
| 3 | University Of Delhi |
| 4 | Amity University, Noida |
| 5 | JNU |
Top PhD Agriculture Colleges in Pune
Below is the list of colleges which are the top colleges for PhD Agriculture in Pune:
| SL.NO. | Institution |
| 1 | Dr Dy Patil College Of Agriculture |
| 2 | College Of Agriculture |
| 3 | NMIMS University |
| 4 | College Of Horticulture |
| 5 | Wisdom School Of Agriculture |
Top PhD Agriculture Colleges in Chennai
The top 5 PhD Agriculture Colleges of Chennai are given below:
| SL.NO. | Institution |
| 1 | Annamalai University |
| 2 | VELS University |
| 3 | Wisdom School Of Management |
| 4 | Bharath University |
| 5 | TNDALU |
Top PhD Agriculture Colleges in Bangalore
Banglore city has some of the best colleges for PhD Agriculture courses in India. Here is the list of top colleges for PhD Agriculture in Bangalore:
| SL. NO. | Institution |
| 1 | University Of Agricultural Science |
| 2 | National Center For Biological Science |
| 3 | Sampoorna Group Of Institution |
| 4 | College Of Agriculture |
| 5 | Wisdom School Of Management |
Top PhD Agriculture Colleges in Kolkata
Check the Table below for the top colleges in Kolkata:
| SL.NO. | Institution |
| 1 | Brainware University |
| 2 | Techno India University |
| 3 | NSOU |
| 4 | Calcutta University |
| 5 | The Neotia University |
Top PhD Agriculture Colleges in Hyderabad
The Telangana state capital has some premier institutions in the country for PhD Agriculture courses in India. Check the table below for the top PhD Agriculture colleges in Hyderabad:
| SL.NO. | Institutions |
| 1 | Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University |
| 2 | Malla Reddy University |
| 3 | Sagar Group of Institutions |
| 4 | Guru Nanak University |
| 5 | Wisdom School Of Management |
Top PhD Agriculture Government Colleges
There are several top Government Colleges offering quality PhD Agriculture programmes across the country. Check the table below for the top PhD Agriculture government colleges in India:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | BRABU, Bihar |
| 2 | Bihar Agricultural University, Bihar |
| 3 | Punjab Agricultural University, Haryana |
| 4 | Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur |
| 5 | Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Haryana |
Top PhD Agriculture Private Colleges
India has seen significant growth in the number of quality PhD Agriculture private colleges that offer some of the best programmes in the country. Check the table below for the top PhD Agriculture private colleges in India:
| SL.NO. | Institutions |
| 1 | Ramniranjan Jhunjhunwala College, Mumbai |
| 2 | National Center For Biological Science, Bangalore |
| 3 | CIFE, Mumbai |
| 4 | Mumbai University, Mumbai |
| 5 | College Of Agriculture, Bangalore |
Study PhD Agriculture Abroad
Students can opt to study a PhD Agriculture course abroad if they can afford it. The PhD Agriculture course abroad is for 4-6 years, depending on the type of course, college and country.
The benefits of studying a PhD Agriculture course abroad are access to some of the best resources, facilities, and faculties, apart from worldwide exposure in terms of subject matter and other cultures.
Top PhD Agriculture Colleges Abroad
The table below contains the list of some of the best colleges abroad for PhD Agriculture:
| Institution | Fees |
| University Of New England, Australia | AUD 94,800 |
| University Of Tasmania, Australia | AUD 115,176 |
| University Of Reading, UK | AUD 16,779 |
| University Of Western Australia, Australia | AUD 185,600 |
| University Of Alberta, Canada | AUD 38,185 |
| University Of Otago, New Zealand | AUD 22,581 |
Top PhD Agriculture Colleges in the USA
The USA is home to some of the best universities and colleges offering top-notch PhD Agriculture programmes in the world. The US is the best country for PhD Agriculture studies and settling abroad. It's a PhD Agriculture-level that the USA shines through. The table below contains the list of top colleges of PhD Agriculture in the USA:
| SL.NO. | Institution |
| 1 | University Of California |
| 2 | Cornell University |
| 3 | University Of Illinois |
| 4 | Ohio State University |
| 5 | California Institute Of Technology |
Top PhD Agriculture Colleges in the Uk
A PhD in Agriculture is a research degree and is the highest award available at universities in the UK. The study is based on a substantial research project on an area of academic interest, typically up to 100,000 words in length, written as a thesis which then must be defended in an oral examination in front of a panel of experts.
The table below contains the list of top colleges of PhD Agriculture in the Uk:
| SL.NO. | Institutions |
| 1 | University of Oxford |
| 2 | University of Cambridge |
| 3 | Imperial College London |
| 4 | King’s College London |
| 5 | University College of London |
Top PhD Agriculture Colleges in Canada
An increasingly attractive and multicultural study destination, Canada is a great option to consider for your PhD Agriculture studies, offering a wealth of research opportunities to help you expand your expertise. Here are the top universities for PhD Agriculture in Canada:
| SL.NO. | Institution |
| 1 | University of Toronto |
| 2 | University of Manitoba |
| 3 | McGill University |
| 4 | McMaster University |
| 5 | University of Montreal |
Top PhD Agriculture Colleges in Australia
A PhD Agriculture in Australia means that you will develop your knowledge and skills, which ultimately increases your chances for employment within Australia and in any country. According to the UN's Education Index, Australia's education system ranks first. The table below shows the top universities for PhD Agriculture in Australia:
| SL.NO. | Institution |
| 1 | University of Queensland |
| 2 | Monash University |
| 3 | University of Melbourne |
| 4 | University of Sydney |
| 5 | University Of New England, Australia |
Top PhD Agriculture Colleges in Germany
It is much easier to get a PhD Agriculture in a European university, which takes about 3-4 years in a good university in Europe. The PhD Agriculture from Germany in engineering enjoys an outstanding reputation.
Germany's research institutions, universities and companies welcome international researchers and offer excellent opportunities for doctoral students.
The table below shows the top universities in Germany colleges of PhD Agriculture:
| SL.NO. | Institution |
| 1 | Technical University of Munich |
| 2 | Heidelberg University |
| 3 | Free University of Berlin |
| 4 | LMU Munich |
Fee Structure for PhD Agriculture
The fee structure for PhD Agriculture varies for different Universities. Also, the fee structure varies following the course and University. Students can download the admission brochure as well as the course curriculum to get the details of PhD Agriculture admission and fee structure.
The average PhD in Agriculture fee in India is INR 5,000 - 2 LPA. Now, read below to know about the fee structure of different universities.
| Name of the college | Fees Structure |
| Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi | INR 29,250 PA |
| Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University, Guntur | INR 29,830 PA |
| Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal | INR 67,855 LPA |
| Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana | INR 84,390 PA |
| Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi | INR 7,550 PA |
Syllabus and Subjects for PhD Agriculture
PhD Agriculture is a doctorate course in Agriculture. The course may have a duration of 3 years and it is a full-time course. It is a research-based course. In the PhD Agriculture duration, the candidates get to learn how to produce food, fibre and fuel. This course mainly covers areas like plant genetics, plant physiology, soil sciences, crop management, etc. The students come to know about the fundamentals of agriculture and crop production. Though the actual course offerings might differ from one university to another, here is a list of major subjects which are commonly studied under a PhD Agriculture:
- Principles Of Agronomy
- Farm Management And Operation
- Fundamentals Of Soil Science
- Food Animal Production
- Agribusiness
- Crop Management
- Animal Diseases
Read More: PhD Agriculture Subjects and syllabus
Why Choose PhD Agriculture?
When students decide to pursue the PhD Agriculture qualification, they should research PhD Agriculture course details to ensure that they know the course they are enrolled in. Some of the common queries that students encounter are, "What is PhD Agriculture" and "Why PhD Agriculture?". To understand the answer to these questions, we can make it simpler by breaking it down into the following three short questions:
What is PhD Agriculture All About?
A PhD in Agriculture or Doctor of Philosophy is a doctoral research degree and is normally the highest level of academic qualification one can achieve. A PhD in Agriculture degree holder can get a job in Agricultural sectors, fertilizer companies, educational institutes and many more.
The course has a specialization that deals with fuel and food production, plant genetics, plant physiology, soil sciences, and crop management. Students need to check the PhD Agriculture course outline perfectly.
What do PhD Agriculture Graduates do?
Students can select the subjects of their choice depending on their interest in job prospects available in the specific field. Since graduates with a PhD in Agriculture degree possess skills in various subjects, there are career opportunities available in multiple fields for them.
In addition, there are many responsibilities that graduates of this role have to undertake, which makes the role very dynamic and diverse.
Production Management: One of the popular roles undertaken by graduates of the PhD Agriculture course is production management. Since students gain a deeper understanding of a specific subject when studying PhD Agriculture, it helps them pursue lecturing as a career.
Reasons Why PhD Agriculture Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career?
PhD Agriculture courses are a very reflective and exciting stream of education. Students can gauge the intrinsic worth of a PhD Agriculture course because it offers more avenues of employment opportunities than any other stream. Thus, the PhD Agriculture job scope is forever widening and appealing.
Diversity in Job roles: There is a diverse range of job roles available for the graduates of this course. Since the specializations available to the students are very flexible, it enables the students to pursue a wide range of roles in their careers.
Read More: PhD Agriculture Jobs & Scope
PhD Agriculture Course Comparison
PhD Agriculture stands for Doctor of Philosophy and is typically catered to students interested in and inclined towards research-based degrees and professional application. Here is a course comparison of PhD Agriculture with another course:
>PhD Agriculture vs PhD Agronomy
| Course | PhD Agriculture | PhD Agronomy |
| Full Form | Doctor of Philosophy in Agriculture | Doctor of Philosophy in Agronomy |
| Stream | Agriculture | Agronomy |
| Duration | 3-6 Years | 3-6 Years |
| Eligibility | Masters in Agriculture or relevant course with a minimum of 50% marks | Masters in Agronomy or relevant course with a minimum of 50% marks |
| Entrance Exams | UGC NET, CSIR UGC NET, AAU VET, OUAT | CSIR UGC NET, UGC NET, AAU VET, OUAT |
| Top Colleges | Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur | Bihar Agricultural University, Bhagalpur, College of Postgraduate Studies, Shillong, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur. |
| Fees | INR 5,000- 2 LPA | INR 1- 6 LPA |
Preparation Tips for PhD Agriculture
There are many tips that students must note when deciding to pursue a PhD Agriculture degree. Some important preparation tips are listed below to ensure that the students crack the course and pass the exams without any hurdles.
Improve Vocabulary: Improving vocabulary is very necessary as the PhD Agriculture course deals with many writing and reading activities. So having excellent communication and writing skills are a plus for the student studying the PhD Agriculture course.
Read and Practice More: Being up to date with the syllabus every day is very important. Practising and reading more will help the student be thorough with the syllabus and do well in the exams.
Have Intrinsic Knowledge and Interest in Subjects: Having intrinsic knowledge about the subject and having the same interest will keep the student motivated to learn more than what's in the syllabus.
Revise Methodically: Revising from time to time can be a key to scoring well in the final exam. Keep revising regularly and understand the subject properly. Revision is the key to scoring good marks.
Salary of a PhD Agriculture Graduates
The salary depends on the kind of job you get/you choose to do, what your PhD Agriculture research area is and where you are employed.No prior experience is required to be a PhD Agriculture Student. The average Salary of a PhD Agriculture graduate starts from INR 2 - INR 8 LPA (Source: Payscale), depending on the stream you belong from.
Read More: PhD Agriculture Job Salary
Career Options After PhD Agriculture
A PhD in Agriculture degree is pursued by a majority of students because it offers better career options, for example, in the field of academics and research. PhD Agriculture in itself is a broad term, it has many specializations that have different career options and jobs. PhD Agriculture Jobs include:
- Lecturer
- Agricultural Officer
- Researcher
- Farm Manager
- Research Scholar
Skills That Make You The Best PhD Agriculture Graduates
There are many complex and soft skills that PhD Agriculture graduates need to possess to succeed in their careers. These are not necessarily skills that students can get in a classroom setting. Instead, these are skills that are learned through experience.
Therefore, students should always put in the effort to go out of their comfort zone and gain as much experience as possible. Some of these skills include:
- Academic Ability
- Accountability
- Persistence
- Good Communication Skills
- Time Management
- Open-mindedness and Curiosity to Learn Something New
- Passion
- Ability to Think