M.Sc. in Agriculture (Soil Science) Admission 2021 & Top Colleges

• M.Sc. in Agriculture (Soil Science) is the postgraduate level degree awarded after completing 2 years of study in soil science. The academic two years of the course is divided into 4 semesters where each semester lasts for a period of 6 months. The course fee is INR 1.92 lakh. There may be variations in the course fee depending upon the college.
• Soil Science is one of the sub-disciplines of agriculture focuses on the topics such as Plantation Management, Agricultural Machinery, Biochemistry and Plant Biology.
• Soil Science includes the study of soil emphasizing on the enhancement of soil conditions to boost up the agriculture and conservation of natural resources.

The first year and second year of the programme include the following subjects:
•    Soil Physics
•    Soil Chemistry
•    Soil Erosion and Conservation
•    Remote sensing and GIS Techniques for Soil, Water and Crop Studies
•    Fertilizer Technology and Land Degradation & Restoration
•    System Approaches in Soil and Crop Studies

Eligibility Criteria:
To apply for M.Sc. in Agriculture (Soil Science), a candidate must hold Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in agriculture or its allied subjects. It is mandatory for the applicants to pass the bachelor’s degree from a well-recognized institution with minimum 60% aggregate marks.

Admission Procedure:
•    The admission process varies from institution to institution.
•    Candidates have to follow the college of his/her desire to know the complete admission details.
•    Some colleges/Universities regulate its own entrance test for admitting students while some of them offer admission on merit basis.
•    The merit is determined on the basis of candidates past academic records.

Job Prospects :

• Numerous jobs are offered in private and public sectors to these professionals.
• The degree in soil science opens up career opportunities in many fields such as crop consultancies, agricultural firms, environment consultancies, soil conservation, marketing management, etc.
• Student if interested in teaching can also apply for the post of lecturer in agriculture institutions. Every year, many governments and private educational institutions hire specialized professionals.

The job roles available for professionals of soil science are listed below:
•    Soil Pedologist
•    Geologist
•    Ecologist
•    Agronomist
•    Soil Conservation Technician
•    Scientific Laboratory Technician
•    Soil Conservationist
•    Environmental Technician
•    Crop Production Specialist

Salary:
Students having good knowledge and requisite skills can earn more salary in this field. The degree holders in soil science can expect the salary of around Rs 3-4 lac per year.