About the course
Bachelor of Engineering (BE) or Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Agricultural Engineering is a specialized undergraduate program designed to combine technology and agriculture, addressing the challenges of modern farming practices. The course typically spans four years, focusing on the application of engineering principles to agriculture, including the development of machinery, irrigation systems, and soil conservation techniques.
Students gain insights into diverse areas such as crop production, food processing, water resource management, and sustainable farming technologies. With India being an agrarian economy, this course offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the country’s agricultural advancements by increasing productivity and efficiency.
Eligibility
- Completion of 10+2 (or equivalent) from a recognized board with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as mandatory subjects.
- Minimum aggregate score of 50-60% in PCM, with relaxation for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC) as per government norms.
- Admission through entrance exams like JEE Main, state-level exams, or specific university tests; ICAR AIEEA is an option for agriculture-related courses.
Why to study BE/B.Tech Agriculture Engineering
- Interdisciplinary Learning: Combines engineering principles with agriculture to solve modern farming challenges like mechanization, irrigation, and sustainable farming.
- Relevance to India's Economy: Agriculture is a significant sector in India, offering ample opportunities to contribute to rural development, food security, and agricultural innovation.
- Diverse Career Opportunities: Opens up roles in agribusiness, government agencies, research organizations, and startups working on smart farming and resource management.
- Scope for Innovation: Encourages students to develop technologies and solutions addressing issues like climate change, water scarcity, and soil health.
- Job Stability: Agriculture is a constant necessity, ensuring a stable demand for skilled professionals in this field.
- Higher Studies and Research: Offers pathways to specialize further in areas like soil science, precision farming, and biotechnology, enhancing career prospects.
- Global Demand: Agricultural engineers are in demand worldwide, enabling career opportunities abroad.
Scope of BE/B.Tech in Agricultural Engineering
- Government Jobs: Opportunities in state and central government departments such as agriculture, irrigation, rural development, and public works.
- Private Sector: Roles in agribusiness companies, food processing industries, agricultural equipment manufacturing firms, and agrochemical industries.
- Research and Development: Careers in agricultural research organizations, developing new technologies for sustainable farming and resource management.
- Entrepreneurship: Startups in areas like precision farming, organic agriculture, or smart irrigation systems.
- Consultancy Services: Advisory roles for farmers and agribusinesses in areas like soil health, crop planning, and mechanization.
Top 10 colleges in India
| RANK | NAME OF THE COLLEGE | AVG PACKAGE | NO OF SEATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur | 6-9LPA | 70 |
| 2 | GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Uttarakhand | 5-7LPA | 60 |
| 3 | Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Rajasthan | 6-8LPA | 75 |
| 4 | Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Haryana | 4-5LPA | 60 |
| 5 | Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu | 4-5LPLA | 60 |
| 6 | Punjab Agricultural University, Punjab | 4-5LPA | 40 |
| 7 | Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Odisha | 3-5LPA | 60 |
| 8 | Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Madhya Pradesh | 3-4LPA | 50 |
| 9 | Junagadh Agricultural University, Gujarat | 3-4LPA | 70 |
| 10 | Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Maharashtra | 3-4LPA | 60 |
Syllabus of the course
YEAR 1
| SEM 1 | SEM 2 |
|---|---|
| Engineering Mathematics - I | Engineering Mathematics – II |
| Engineering Physics | Computers Programming and Data Structures |
| Engineering Chemistry | Applied Electronics and Instrumentation |
| Workshop Practice | Agriculture for Engineers |
| Surveying and Leveling | Workshop Technology |
| Engineering Drawing | Thermodynamics & Heat Engines |
| Environmental Science | Field operation and Maintenance of Tractors and Farm Machinery-I |
| Electrical Circuits | Engineering Mechanics |
YEAR 2
| SEM 3 | SEM 4 |
|---|---|
| Engineering Properties of Biological Materials and Food Quality | Farm Machinery and Equipment – II |
| Soil Mechanics | Irrigation Engineering |
| Soil & Water Conservation Engineering | Crop Process Engineering |
| Farm Machinery and Equipment – I | Fluid Mechanics |
| Farm Power | Theory of Machines |
| Watershed Hydrology | Heat and Mass Transfer |
| Engineering Mathematics - III | Field Operation and Maintenance of Tractors and Farm Machinery – II |
| Agribusiness Management and Trade | Advance Computer Science & Engineering |
YEAR 3
| SEM 5 | SEM 6 |
|---|---|
| Machine Drawing and Computer Graphics | Agricultural Structures and Environmental Control |
| Machine Design | Drying and Storage Engineering |
| Dairy & Food Engineering | Design of Structures |
| Tractor Systems and Controls | Drainage Engineering |
| Electrical M/C’s and Power Utilization | Soil & Water Conservation Structures |
| Database Management and Internet Applications | Refrigeration and Air conditioning |
| Strength of Materials | Entrepreneurship Development |
YEAR 4
| SEM 7 | SEM 8 |
|---|---|
| Project - I | Project - II |
| Seminar | Practical Training at Institution/University. |
| In Plant/Industrial Training-I | In Plant/Industrial Training-II |
ELECTIVE PAPERS
- Precision Agriculture
- Renewable Energy in Agriculture
- Post-Harvest Technology and Management
- Soil and Water Conservation Engineering
- Agro-Industrial Engineering
- Climate Change and Agriculture
- Agricultural Robotics and Automation
- Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness
Fees Structure
| TYPE OF QUOTA | AVERAGE FEES PER YEAR |
|---|---|
| Government Quota | ₹30,000 to ₹1,00,000 |
| Management Quota | ₹1,00,000 to ₹3,00,000 |
Job Roles
- Agricultural Engineer – Designs and develops machinery and systems to improve farming practices and productivity.
- Irrigation Engineer – Specializes in the design, implementation, and maintenance of irrigation systems for agriculture.
- Soil Conservationist – Works to prevent soil erosion and maintain soil health for sustainable agriculture.
- Farm Machinery Design Engineer – Develops and improves machinery used in agricultural processes like planting and harvesting.
- Agricultural Research Scientist – Conducts research to advance agricultural technologies and crop production techniques.
- Water Resource Manager – Manages and optimizes water use for agricultural purposes, focusing on sustainability.
- Food Processing Engineer – Works on technologies for processing raw agricultural products into food products.
- Agricultural Project Manager – Oversees and coordinates agricultural projects, ensuring timely and efficient execution.
Education after Agriculture Engineering
- M.Tech in Agricultural Engineering – Specialize in fields like irrigation, soil conservation, or farm machinery.
- M.Sc in Agriculture – Focus on agronomy, plant breeding, or agricultural economics.
- M.Sc in Environmental Science – Study environmental protection and sustainability in agriculture.
- MBA in Agribusiness Management – Learn business management for the agricultural sector.
- M.Tech in Renewable Energy – Specialize in renewable energy applications in agriculture.
- Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering – Conduct advanced research in agricultural engineering.
- Post Graduate Diploma in Food Processing – Learn food product processing and preservation techniques.
- Certificate Courses in Precision Agriculture or Farm Management – Enhance skills in modern farming techniques and management.
Salary of an Agricultural Engineer
| Designations | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Scientist | 7 Lakhs |
| Farm Manager | 5 Lakhs |
| Crop Consultant | 2.4 Lakhs |
| Agriculture Specialist | 3.2 Lakhs |
| Irrigation Engineer | 4 Lakhs |
| Environmental Engineer | 3.5 Lakhs |