The agriculture sector in India, being its primary sector, is the biggest employer of the country. In 2017 it employed about 43% of India’s population. The agriculture sector is currently offering jobs is several subsectors such as field crop cultivation, plantation crop cultivation, bee keeping, poultry farming, dairy farm management, farm machinery, equipment and manufacturing, research and development, logistics and many more. To know more about job roles, check out the Qualification Packs (QPs) and National Occupational Standards (NOS) formulated by ASCI.
Here are some of the major sub-sectors of the agriculture sector with many opportunities:
Agri-Crop Production
The subsector on agri-crop production deals with production of crops like paddy, maize, pulse, wheat, cotton, soybeans, sugarcane and jute. It is measurably a dominant sector in the rural regions of our country. Being a wide subsector dealing with a variety of crops, the agri-crop production sector offers many jobs to aspiring farm workers.
Popular Job Roles
- Wheat/Maize/Cotton Cultivator
- Farm Manager
- Farm Worker
Skills Required
- Basic arithmetic knowledge
- Punctuality
- Patience
Animal Husbandry, Poultry and Dairy Farm Management
India’s dairy and poultry industry holds some of the top ranks in the world. These subsectors of India’s Agriculture industry are not only some of the largest, but are also the most growth-oriented and MSME-centered sectors. Thus, they hold extensive job opportunities under several categories.
Popular Job Roles
- Milk tester
- Poultry feed, food safety and labelling supervisor
- Veterinary Clinical Assistant
Skills Required
- Sound knowledge about hygiene and sanitation
- Understanding of food safety standards and requirements
- Alert and observant
Forestry and Agroforestry
This sub-sector majorly deals with cultivation of forest-based crops such as bamboo and timber. These crops have high commercial demand as they play a major role in other industries such as construction and home decor.
Popular Job Roles
- Bamboo/Timber Grower
- Forest Nursery Raiser
- Forest Produce Collector
Skills Required
- Should be a good team worker
- Physical Stamina
- Manual and Finger Dexterity
Production Horticulture
Horticulture is primarily defined as the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers and aromatic plants. The changing lifestyles are creating a demand for horticulture products like coffee, ornamental plants, etc. India’s horticulture is seeing a new phase, given the introduction of technology in every stage of production.
Some of the popular jobs in the horticulture sector are:
Popular Job Roles
- Floriculturist
- Coffee/Tea Plantation worker
- A flower handler – Packaging & Palletising
- Oil extractors
Skills Required
- Ability to demonstrate practical routine skills
- Ability to use various tools
- Must have an eye for details
Post – Harvest Supply Chain Management
This division of the agriculture industry has got everything to do with the produce in post-harvest time. As soon as the produce is harvested, it is managed in a series of activities like packaging, storage, and other supply chain related logistics. This subsector is an extremely crucial segment of the agricultural industry as it connects the produce with market sources.
Popular Job Roles
- Cold Storage Keeper
- Warehouse worker
- Supply chain field assistant
Skills Required
- Interpersonal Skills
- Communication Skills
- Physical fitness and geographical knowledge
Seed Industry
Seeds are the principal elements of any agricultural production. The seed industry is the foundation to the agriculture industry. The seed industry involves maintenance of quality of seeds and consequently, the quality of the produce.
Popular Job Roles
- Quality Seed Grower
- Seed processing plant technician
- Seed analysis in-charge
Skills Required
- Ability to plan and handle pressures
- Knowledge about safety standards and regulations
- Analytical and critical thinking
The agriculture sector has numerous job opportunities that anyone can avail. Whatever your educational qualification might be, you can find jobs that match your technical as well as soft skills here. Ranging from physically oriented jobs like plantation workers and farmers to highly technical jobs such as seed analyzers, this industry has them all! If you think you belong in this industry, get to know more about the job options here. https://asci-india.com/National%20Occupation%20Standards.php
