Horticulturists

Job Description:

The work for a horticulturist is to supervise and suggest adoption of better agricultural practices for enhancing yield as well as getting desired quality. Horticulturists are also involved in processing, preservation and marketing of fruits and vegetables. In the area of research, horticulturists look for ways to improve and breed new varieties of fruits and vegetables or flowers by the application of scientific techniques such as tissue culture, micro-propagation, embryo culture etc. Some take up cultivation of plants and flowers including cultivation of decorative plants for sale.

Educational Qualification:

Graduate/Postgraduate Degree in Agriculture, with specialization in areas like pomology (cultivation of fruits), floriculture and food processing.

APYL Career Counselor has details on:

283 Institutes offering graduate/postgraduate courses in Agriculture under Career Fields (a) Science (b) E&T and Course Type (a) Graduate (b) Post Graduate

Opening:

Horticulturists find job in the government sector for development and maintenance as well as landscaping of public parks, gardens, golf courses etc. They also, work in botanical gardens, tea gardens and other such large plantations and supervise the entire operation. Openings are also available in the Government agencies like Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) and Institute of Horticulture Research; Nationalised Banks, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD); Corporate Houses with interests in the areas of food processing or marketing of food products; farm/estate managers at horticultural farms or estates; research openings particularly in the areas of genetic engineering, bio–technology etc.; self employment.

Remuneration:

Starting salary is Rs. 6,500 per month (excluding other allowances)