Horticulture deals with the cultivation and post cultivation issues of fruits, flowers,
vegetables, herbs, seaweeds, nuts, ornamental plantation etc. The subject involves
the methods of science, arts and management. It is the only field where one can
create a piece of art with the help of nature.
Activities that come under Horticulture:
Green house Management, Ergonomics, Climatic controlling, Fertigation technology,
Crop management and protection, Open Field cultivation of Flowers and Exotic Vegetables,
Marketing after harvest, Analyzing Marketing channels and identifying the potential
of the market, Domestic and export marketing, Techniques to maintain Quality standards,
Organic Farming technology, Tissue Culture, Shed-net House Technology, Floriculture,
Automation, Plant Propagation, Nursery Management, Surveying the lands , Landscaping
and its implementing methods, Post Harvest Technology, Pest Management, Nutrient
Management and Food Safety are the major activities that come under Horticulture.
Courses offered:
Several Short term courses, Certificate, Diploma, Graduation and Post Graduation
Courses are offered by several universities and institutes in the discipline.
Many institutes are offering the Diploma courses in regular and distance modes.
Nursery management, Flower Decoration, Gardening maintenance, Nursery technology,
Orchard Management, Strip plantation, Fruit production etc. are the subjects on
which the Diploma courses are offered.
B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science) in Horticulture is for those who passed 10 + 2.
B.Sc. in Horticulture is the eligibility of Master Degree.
Research is often encouraged in the discipline and many Universities offer Ph.D.
course. The basic eligibility is a Master Degree in the stream and the score in
the conducted entrance test is also considered.
Job Prospect:
Horticulturists are majorly needed in the Poly-house, Green houses, Nurseries, Botanic
and Public gardens, Golf courses, Hotels, Tree plantation in urban areas, Country
parks, Historical gardens and landscapes in the historical places.
Many industries, organizations, clubs and townships prefer landscapes and often
give a position for a horticulturist. They also get chances in industries or companies
like Pesticides or insecticides companies. Few other industries like cosmetic need
a professional of the area for the cultivation and utilization of the raw materials
and also for the utilization of the remaining or waste materials.
- Floriculturist
- Olericulturist
- Pomologist
- Viticulturist
- Oenologist
- Post-harvest physiologist
- Arboriculturist
- Landscape horticulturist
- Turf Manager
- Farm supervisor
- Agricultural Inspector
- Agriculture Development Officer
- Horticultural Therapist
These are few of the title of jobs for horticulturist. Each one of the above is
related to a particular job responsibility. For example Oenologist deals with winemaking
and other aspects of wine production.
The Government recruits the Horticulturist for its agricultural bodies and in other
related. Agricultural Universities or Institutes; like ICAR, Krishi Vigyan Kendra
(KVK), Institute of Horticulture Technology etc., recruit professionals for research
and to assist the people regarding the horticulture. Lecturer or Professor in the
Horticultural or Agricultural colleges is another option. Agriculture Scientist
Recruitment Board of ICAR conducts an exam and provides opportunity to become a
scientist in the field.
Apart from the jobs, self employment is also good source of income. One can run
a Cold Storage, maintain a commercial nursery, Agricultural clinic, seed supplying,
Farming, Flower decoration or having a horticultural consultancy are few of the
options for self employment.
The Payment in the field for the fresh bachelor graduate starts from 15,000 and
above. The Post Graduates and Ph.D. holders are offered from 30,000 and above.
The filed provides glorious career and thus is gradually attaining the attention
of the new generations. It would be a best choice for an artistic nature lover with
management skills.