Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
Encyclopedia
The Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, usually abbreviated as either B.Sc.(Agr.) or B.S.A. or BScAg, is the first undergraduate degree
awarded by university faculty of agriculture and agricultural colleges. The program is 4 years of study above Grade 12 High School graduation.
The B.Sc.(Agr.) degree differs from a B.Sc.
degree in that the courses focus on agriculture: for example, the student will study agricultural economics rather than economics. Like engineering or forestry, agricultural science courses are infused with practicality .
The B.Sc.(Agr.) degree is normally not a general degree but requires specialization: for example, majoring in animal science, plant protection, soil science or agricultural engineering.
There are also variations on the theme: for example, the Bachelor of Agricultural Economics (BAgrEc) degree
In the United States, the Morrill Act
of 1862 (also known as the Land Grant Act) had a large influence on the rise of agricultural education and the spread of the B.Sc.(Agr.) degree. By the early part of the 20th century, all the agriculturally important states had at least one college or university awarding the B.Sc.(Agr.) degree.
has one of the world's largest agricultural education system with 42 State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) , 1 Central Agricultural University (CAU), 5 Deemed Universities (DUs) and 4 general Central Universities with Agriculture faculty. These institutions enroll on annual basis about 15,000 students at UG level in as many as 11 disciplines and over 7,000 students at PG and 1700 at PhD level. At any point, there are over 75,000 students studying in SAUs. In addition to this, there are large number of private colleges both affiliated and non-affiliated to SAUs which also annually admit larger number of students. Many general universities also offer agricultural education either themselves or through affiliated colleges. Agricultural education is a broad term which includes disciplines of Agriculture (Agronomy), Veterinary Science, Forestry, Fisheries, Horticulture, Home Science etc..
(ICAR), Veterinary Council of India ( Veterinary sub-discipline) and Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (Forestry sub-discipline). However, The 'Committee to Advise on Renovation and Rejuvenation of Higher Education’ (Yashpal Committee, 2009) has recommended setting up of a constitutional body - The National Commission for Higher Education and Research, which would be a unified supreme body to regulate all branches of higher education including agricultural education. The UPA government has included Yashpal Committee recommendations in its '100 days agenda'. However, inclusion of agricultural education in the new framework is still undecided.
Prior to 1998, the BScAg degree was known as BScAg & AH ( AH= Animal Husbandary) and evaluation was on a 5 point scale. Since 1998, it has been designated as BScAg and the 'AH' part has been transferred to BVSc (Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences), which is now designated as BVSc & AH. However, BScAg still retains courses in Animal husbandary and nutrition. Also, the 5 point evaluation system was replaced with a 10 point system. The provision of 'optionals' in 7th/8th semester was also done away with in 1998.
In 2006, ICAR has recommended to re-designate BScAg as BScAg (Honours) and return to 'optionals' system in 7th/8th semester.
Unlike, BE/BTech, MBBS or BVSc&AH, BScAg is currently not considered as a 'professional' degree by Government of India. However, in recognition to its 4 year duration, BScAg holders are given some benefits like- BScAg holders receive higher stipend than BSc holders in DBT supported post graduate courses in Biotechnology
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
awarded by university faculty of agriculture and agricultural colleges. The program is 4 years of study above Grade 12 High School graduation.
The B.Sc.(Agr.) degree differs from a B.Sc.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in that the courses focus on agriculture: for example, the student will study agricultural economics rather than economics. Like engineering or forestry, agricultural science courses are infused with practicality .
The B.Sc.(Agr.) degree is normally not a general degree but requires specialization: for example, majoring in animal science, plant protection, soil science or agricultural engineering.
There are also variations on the theme: for example, the Bachelor of Agricultural Economics (BAgrEc) degree
History of the degree
In Canada. the Ontario Agricultural College (founded 1873) began awarding a three year B.S.A. degree through the University of Toronto in 1888: a fourth year to the program was added in 1902 .In the United States, the Morrill Act
Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act
The Morrill Land-Grant Acts are United States statutes that allowed for the creation of land-grant colleges, including the Morrill Act of 1862 and the Morrill Act of 1890 -Passage of original bill:...
of 1862 (also known as the Land Grant Act) had a large influence on the rise of agricultural education and the spread of the B.Sc.(Agr.) degree. By the early part of the 20th century, all the agriculturally important states had at least one college or university awarding the B.Sc.(Agr.) degree.
Size of agricultural education in India
IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
has one of the world's largest agricultural education system with 42 State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) , 1 Central Agricultural University (CAU), 5 Deemed Universities (DUs) and 4 general Central Universities with Agriculture faculty. These institutions enroll on annual basis about 15,000 students at UG level in as many as 11 disciplines and over 7,000 students at PG and 1700 at PhD level. At any point, there are over 75,000 students studying in SAUs. In addition to this, there are large number of private colleges both affiliated and non-affiliated to SAUs which also annually admit larger number of students. Many general universities also offer agricultural education either themselves or through affiliated colleges. Agricultural education is a broad term which includes disciplines of Agriculture (Agronomy), Veterinary Science, Forestry, Fisheries, Horticulture, Home Science etc..
Regulatory framework of agricultural education in India
Agricultural education in India is presently regulated by Indian Council of Agricultural ResearchIndian Council of Agricultural Research
Indian Council of Agricultural Research , New Delhi, India is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India...
(ICAR), Veterinary Council of India ( Veterinary sub-discipline) and Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (Forestry sub-discipline). However, The 'Committee to Advise on Renovation and Rejuvenation of Higher Education’ (Yashpal Committee, 2009) has recommended setting up of a constitutional body - The National Commission for Higher Education and Research, which would be a unified supreme body to regulate all branches of higher education including agricultural education. The UPA government has included Yashpal Committee recommendations in its '100 days agenda'. However, inclusion of agricultural education in the new framework is still undecided.
Features of the Indian BScAg degree
The BScAg degree in India is typically a 4 year course under credit based semester system. The minimum qualification for entry to BscAg is Intermediate (12 years of school education) in Science (with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and/or Mathemeatics) or Intermedate in Agriculture stream (limited states). The curriculum is very broad and inter-disciplinary consisting of courses in Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Agricultural Economics, Extension education, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Soil Science, Food technology, Animal Husbandry apart from supporting courses in Basic Sciences, Humanities and Agricultural Engineering. The program also includes a compulsory 1 semester of internship (Rural Agricultural Work Experience). Most of the courses are infused with practicality with emphasis on 'hands on' experience and 'learning by doing'.Prior to 1998, the BScAg degree was known as BScAg & AH ( AH= Animal Husbandary) and evaluation was on a 5 point scale. Since 1998, it has been designated as BScAg and the 'AH' part has been transferred to BVSc (Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences), which is now designated as BVSc & AH. However, BScAg still retains courses in Animal husbandary and nutrition. Also, the 5 point evaluation system was replaced with a 10 point system. The provision of 'optionals' in 7th/8th semester was also done away with in 1998.
In 2006, ICAR has recommended to re-designate BScAg as BScAg (Honours) and return to 'optionals' system in 7th/8th semester.
Unlike, BE/BTech, MBBS or BVSc&AH, BScAg is currently not considered as a 'professional' degree by Government of India. However, in recognition to its 4 year duration, BScAg holders are given some benefits like- BScAg holders receive higher stipend than BSc holders in DBT supported post graduate courses in Biotechnology
See also
- Bachelor of ScienceBachelor of ScienceA Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
- List of agricultural universities and colleges
- List of tagged degrees