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ABachelor of Agriculture[1][2][3][4] (BAgr) is anundergraduateacademic degree awarded for a course or program in the field ofagricultural science.
The degree typically encompasses a comprehensive study of various aspects of agriculture, includinganimal science,soil science,agricultural business,agronomy, andagricultural technology. The program aims to equip students with a broad understanding of agricultural principles and practices, as well as the application of scientific and technological advancements in agriculture. Graduates with this degree often pursue careers in farming, agricultural management, research, and agribusiness. The duration of the program varies by country and institution but generally spans three to four years at postsecondary level.
In Canada, the bachelor's degree in agriculture differs from a Bachelor of Science degree in that the courses focus on agriculture: for example, the student will studyagricultural economics rather thaneconomics. Likeengineering orforestry,agricultural science courses are infused with practicality.[5]
TheOntario Agricultural College (founded 1873) began awarding a three-year Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree through theUniversity of Toronto in 1888: a fourth year to the program was added in 1902.[6] Later, the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture program in Canada predominantly consists of four-year study in college.[7][8]
In China, the Bachelor of Agriculture is an independent degree[a] and one of the thirteen statutory types of bachelor's degrees. It is awarded to students who have completed an undergraduate program majoringplant production,nature conservation andenvironmental ecology,animal production,veterinary medicine,forestry,aquaculture andfishery, orgrassland science.[9][10]
In theUnited States, theMorrill 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 bachelor's degree in agriculture. By the early part of the 20th century, all the agriculturally important states had at least one college or university awarding the bachelor's degree in agriculture.
The Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree in India is typically a 4-year course under credit based semester system.The Indian Council of Agricultural Research is the key institute which drafts, renews the syllabus and also runs national institutes and research facilities across the nation. State governments are given rights to run Public Agriculture Universities, establish KVKs (Farmer's knowledge centres), Research Stations across the state. The curriculum is broad and interdisciplinary, consisting of courses inAgronomy, Basic mathematics, Crop Botany, Agricultural Biotechnology, Agricultural Microbiology, Crop physiology, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Agricultural Economics, Extension education, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Soil Science, Food technology, Nematology, Soil Microbiology, Agricultural Chemistry, Food Microbiology, Organic farming, Precision Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Environmental Studies, Disaster management & Bio-informatics.
Like, the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture is considered as a 'professional' degree byGovernment of India, it has to be distinguished from other science degrees. Hence, it is advised to suffix "Honours" after the B.Sc. hence address asB.Sc. (Honours) Agriculture. However, in recognition to its 4-year duration, the degree holders are given some benefits like receiving higher stipend than BSc holders in DBT supported post graduate courses in Biotechnology. For the Gazetted post like Agricultural Officer (Agronomist), the basic educational requirement is B.Sc. in agriculture.[11]
