Horticulture , the science and art of gardening, has today emerged as a field, which offers a range of job options. Thanks to the green consciousness and due attention from the government on food security and productivity, the scope for employment and entrepreneurship in horticulture is growing.
"India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world. Today, horticulture alone accounts for 30% of India's agricultural GDP from 8.5% of the cropped area. It is playing a pivotal role in strengthening the country's nutritional security besides generating employment avenues," says KR Dhiman, vicechancellor , Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Himachal Pradesh.
>> Career Prospects
Be it cold storage chains, ripening chambers or horti-clinics , ample prospects are available for horticulture graduates. Several schemes initiated by the government through National Horticulture Mission, National Horticulture Board, Horticulture Technology Mission for North-East and National Mission on Food Processing have opened up new avenues. Besides, the entry of private players has increased the scope manifold.
"Every year, more than half of the fruit and vegetable produce in India goes waste due to lack of proper retailing and adequate storage capacity. To deal with post-harvest losses, government agencies and corporate houses are setting up cold storage chains, which demand skilled manpower for operations. In addition, several environmental-friendly ripening chambers are being set up across India," says Navin Nainwal, assistant director, Amity Institute of Horticulture Studies and Research.
Another important aspect is the change in consumption patterns. Dhiman points out, "Owing to high nutritional value, health components and vitamins , non-cereal items are getting preference over grains, thus increasing its share in the food basket. This has put the spotlight on horticulture."
>> Fertile Ground
Huge potential in this field lies in plantation, nursery, orchards, contract farming, seed production, pest management , procurement, landscape designing , green houses, botanical gardens , post-harvest management, food processing, teaching, marketing and research.
"Research is an important aspect of this field. A trained horticulture professional has to work to improve plant quality, food safety and health benefits from fruits and vegetables. This is one of the best paid areas in the field," says HR Gautam, senior horticulture scientist.
Work profile in public sector includes maintenance of parks, botanical gardens , official lawns, etc, with employment opportunities in departments like PWD, forestry, irrigation, town planning , archaeology, banks, cooperatives and community centres, etc.
>> Growing Opportunities
With time, several new segments have emerged in horticulture. For instance, therapeutic horticulture has emerged as a popular career choice. Floriculture is another emerging area. Likewise, the growing fondness for ayurveda, naturopathy and aromatherapy has opened new vistas for horticulture graduates.
"Today, there is a lot of scope for students in floriculture, food processing , landscaping, orchards, and tea and coffee gardens. Also, there is a demand for skilled manpower in countries like Ethiopia and Kenya, which are focusing on floriculture," says N Kumar, dean, horticulture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Mustaq Mohammad, who did his MSc in floriculture and landscaping, is a leading horti-entrepreneur with an annual turnover of Rs 1.25 crore from protected cultivation of lilium, carnation and rose.
"While protected cultivation is a profitable venture for horticulture professionals , polyhouse cultivation (protected cultivation) and tissue clinics are futuristic prospects," says Dhiman.
The growing concept of green homes and urban landscaping has changed the outlook of horticulture as a career choice. Ritika Bansal, a horticulture graduate, who works as a landscape designer says, "If outdoors and greenery is what fascinates you, a career in horticulture may be a perfect fit for you. From landscaping to setting up nurseries , there are several options in the market."
>> At a Glance
Students can opt for a BSc in horticulture after they have cleared their +2. Those looking for specialisation in any of the preferred subjects can go for an MSc. And if you are looking for a career in research, PhD programmes are on offer at several universities. TNAU, Coimbatore, Kerala Agricultural University , Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (MAU), Parbhani, College of Agriculture, Mysore, Akola, Pune, Hyderabad and Bangalore, and Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, are amongst the popular institutes in India to pursue horticulture education.
Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) also conducts a common entrance exam for admission into various institutes . Over the years, new courses like BTech horticulture and MBA horti-business have been introduced . Horticulture courses are also on offer at several private institutes.
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