Career opportunities in Horticulture

Ranjan K Baruah *

There is no doubt that agriculture is the backbone of any economy or any region. Agriculture has been always important in a country like India as its agro based.

We are aware that horticulture is important and is a branch of agriculture. It deals with the art, science, technology, and business of vegetable garden plant growing. It includes the cultivation of medicinal plants, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae, flowers, seaweeds and non-food crops such as grass and ornamental trees and plants.

It also includes plant conservation, landscape restoration, landscape and garden design, construction, maintenance, etc. Horticulturists apply their knowledge, skills, and technologies used to grow intensively produced plants for human food and non-food uses and for personal or social needs.

Horticulture involves five major branches of study. These branches are floriculture, landscaping, olericulture, pomology and postharvest physiology. Floriculture is the study of growing and marketing flowers and foliage plants, persons working in this field are called floriculturists.

Landscaping include design, construction and maintenance of landscapes. Olericulture is the study of the production and marketing of vegetables. Those who work in this field are called olericulturists. The study of the production and marketing of fruits is called pomology and those who work in this field are called pomologists. Postharvest physiology includes areas of maintaining quality and preventing spoilage of horticultural crops.

Job opportunities are available in government sectors as well as private sectors. In Govt. Sector one can work as Horticulture Inspector, Fruit and Vegetable Inspector, Training Assistant in Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), District Horticulture Officer/ District Agriculture Officer, Marketing Inspector, Farm Supervisor, Section Officer, Agriculture Inspector, etc.

Options are there to become Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in Agriculture Universities and Colleges. There are opportunities in various research institutes apart from teaching. Different agricultural colleges and universities offers specialization courses related to horticulture.

NHB: National Horticulture Board (NHB) was set up by the Government of India in 1984 as an autonomous society under the Societies Registration Act 1860. Some of its aims and objectives are — promotion and market development of fresh horticulture produce, development of integrated, energy efficient cold chain infrastructure for fresh horticulture produce, promotion of consumption of horticulture produce and products, carrying out studies and surveys to identify constraints and develop short and long term strategies for systematic development of horticulture and providing technical services including advisory and consultancy services, etc.

MIDH: A Centrally Sponsored Scheme of ‘Mission for Integrated Develop- ment of Horticulture’ has been launched for the holistic development of horticulture in the country during XII plan. The scheme, which has taken take off from 2014-15, integrates the ongoing schemes of National Horticulture Mission, Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States, National Bamboo Mission, National Horticulture Board, Coconut Development Board and Central Institute for Horticulture, Nagaland.

CIH: Recognizing the potential for development of horticulture in Northeast region, and in order to provide adequate institutional support to tap this potential, Government of India set-up the “Central Institute of Horticulture” at Medziphema, Nagaland under the Central Sector Scheme.

The main focus of the institute is refinement/demonstration of identified technologies specific for the region; production and supply of quality seed and planting materials of improved/high yielding varieties, training and capacity building of State Hort. department officials and field functionaries on different aspects of horticulture.

Exam/Scholarships Updates:

* AIPVT: Online applications are invited from Indian Nationals for All India Pre- Veterinary Test to be conducted bt the Veterinary Council of India for admissions to B V Sc & A H Course for the academic session 2016-17 for filling up different seats. Last date for application is 7th Feb (without late fee).

* NUS: The National University of Singapore’s Postdoctoral Fellowships are intended for outstanding active researchers from around the world, to work on an important piece of research in the social sciences and humanities at the Asia Research Institute. Last date for applying is 31st January.

* The Internshala Career Scholarship for Girls is an annual award of INR 25,000/- meant to help advance one girl’s career in her chosen field. Last date for application is 31st January.