Agricultural Engineering ~ Engineering Entrance Guide

Like all other branches of engineering, Agricultural engineering also uses scientific principles and technology to tackle problems relating to sustainable agricultural production. The various tasks of agricultural engineers may include - planning, supervising and managing the building of dairy effluent schemes, irrigation, drainage, flood and water control systems, performing environmental impact assessments and interpret research results and implement relevant practices.

Agricultural engineering course also makes an expert in other aspects like power system and machinery design; structures and environmental science; and food and bioprocess engineering. They specialize in discovering the ways to conserve soil and water and to enhance the processing of agricultural products.

For making a sound career in agricultural engineering an individual should have enough logic and practical thinking ability for imagination and innovation. The foield is interesting, challenging as well as rewarding.

Courses & Eligibility

Individuals aspiring for a career in agricultural engineering must complete his/her +2 Science with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and/or Biology. Most agricultural institutes/universities conduct entrance examinations for admission to their BE/BTech program in agricultural engineering. Some also consider the marks obtained in + 2 qualifying examination for selection.

For pursuing ME/M.Tech programs in agricultural engineering one should have done BE/B.Tech in the same discipline. For ME/M.Tech program, one needs to qualify the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) examination.

Career Prospects

There are enormous job opportunities in Agricultural sector for engineering graduates in India. The field is now far from the traditional perception of the people towards agriculture. Agricultural professionals now have ample career options in their hand. Apart from joining manufacturing industries they can also look for water resource management, forestry, mining and rehabilitation, food processing, semi-urban and rural development, machine development etc. Agricultural engineers can also work in NGOs under several schemes and projects.

They are now working as specialists in private agencies, Multi national corporations, government and non-government organizations, and some have become engineering managers of large farms or estates.

Sectors where agricultural engineers find employment:

Public Sector:

Department of Agriculture (State as well as central government)
Development organizations
Universities/Institutions/Labs

Private Sector:

Agricultural co-operatives
Manufacturers of agricultural equipment
Fertilizer and irrigation companies
Farming companies
Industry service organisations such as the sugar industry
NGOs

Institutes/Universities
In India there are as many as 43 agricultural universities under the status of central, state and deemed universities. These universities offer regular full time programs in agricultural engineering both at undergraduate as well as postgraduate level. Apart from these universities there are few other universities and technological institutions like the IITs that conduct courses in agricultural engineering.

Here is a list of agricultural universities in various states which are offering BE/B.Tech and ME/M.Tech programs in agricultural engineering.