Horticulture is the science, technology and business involved in intensive plant cultivation for human use. It is practiced from the individual level in a garden up to the activities of a multinational corporation. It is very diverse in its activities, incorporating plants for food (fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, culinary herbs) and non-food crops (flowers, trees and shrubs, turf-grass, hops, grapes, medicinal herbs). It also includes related services in plant conservation, landscape restoration, landscape and garden design/construction/maintenance, horticultural therapy, and much more. This range of food, medicinal, environmental, and social products and services are all fundamental to developing and maintaining human health and well-being.
Key to Success
To be successful in Horticulture you should have/ develop:
- Love of nature and the outdoors
- A keen analytical mind
- A strong scientific bent
- Eye for detail
Scope and Opportunities
Horticulture is the sector where maximum job opportunities are available. Whether you are a person with Ph.d or with no formal education there is a job existing for almost everyone in Horticulture at suitable level.
Due to its unique acceptance, there are huge job opportunities for graduates and post graduates in India as well as abroad. Horticulturists are capable enough to enter into assorted fields of industry, government or educational institutions or private concerns.
One can choose entrepreneurship in horticulture by growing vegetables, fruits or flowers or a horticulture nursery for nursery production of horticultural plants.
Lifestyle & Social Status
- Horticulture career offers rewards such as option to work independently or as a team.
- It will give a great opportunity to try to solve problems associates with environment. Horticulture shows a pleasant outdoor world which will give a great satisfaction as well as a sense of accomplishment that comes from working in field.
Job Profile
Horticulture is practiced in many gardens, “plant growth centers” and nurseries.
Nursing includes tasks like seeding, cutting, growing, harvesting of fully mature plants. They are often used for business purpose to sell or to decorate the market garden as:
- Horticulture Consultant
- Green House Consultant
- Plantation manager
- Orchard manager
- Cut Flower exporter
- Turf consultant
- Fertigation specialist
- Venture in dry flowers
- Horticulture therapist
- Plant clinics & agro inputs distributors
- Fruit, vegetable processing
Skill Sets
- Good communication Skills
- Managerial Skills
- Problem Solving
- Analytical Skills
Work Value
- Independence
- Love for Nature
Current Job Scenario
- Salaries for horticulturists vary from the level of education, domain skills, the geographic location of employment and whether one is employed in private or public sector. The pay scale of horticulture professionals in private sector is more as compared to government sector.
- For fresher’s, the salary in horticulture may range from Rs. 8000 to Rs. 10000 per month. After two to three years of experience in the field, one can earn up to Rs. 20000 per month.
- The monthly income of an Asst. horticulture inspector starts from Rs. 7,000/- which will go up to Rs. 17,000/- depending upon domain skills and total years of service. The District Horticulture Officers get monthly income more than Rs. 20,000/-. The monthly income of Horticulturists and scientists varies between Rs. 18,000/- and Rs. 25,000/-.
Top Recruiters
- Government Sector
- Private Sector in green houses and plantation projects
- Colleges & Educational Institutions
- Self Employment
Course Synopsis
Course Options | Diploma in Horticulture | B.Sc Horticulture | M.Sc Horticulture |
Academic Eligibility | Passed 10+2 in Science stream with physics, chemistry and maths/biology/agriculture | Passed 10+2 in Science stream with physics, chemistry and maths/biology/agriculture | B.Sc in Horticulture |
Fees | Rs 15000 per year | Rs 20000 – Rs 25000 per year | Rs 30000 – Rs 35000 |
Overall expenditure in Metro | Rs. 1.75 Lakhs to Rs. 2 Lakhs | Rs. 2 Lakhs to Rs. 2.5 Lakhs | Rs. 1.75 Lakhs to Rs. 2 Lakhs |
Overall expenditure in Tier-1 | Rs. 1 – Rs. 1.5 Lakhs | Rs. 1.25 – Rs. 1.75 Lakhs | Rs. 1 – Rs. 1.5 Lakhs |
Overall expenditure in Tier-2 | Rs. 50K – Rs. 70K | Rs. 70K – Rs. 1.1 Lakhs | Rs. 50K – Rs. 70K |
Duration | 2 Years | 3 Years | 2 Years |
Mode | Regular | Regular | Regular |
Approved | AICTE | AICTE | AICTE |
Affiliation | Respective agriculture Universities | Respective agriculture Universities | Respective agriculture Universities |
Entrance Exam | |||
Education Loan | |||
Scholarships |
Career prospect
- Horticulture therapist
- Researcher/horticulture scientist
- Nurseries
- Landscaping
- Pomologist
Entrance Exam
- ICAR
- HORTICET conducted by Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University
- OUAT
- GSAT
- BHU UET
Success stories