Jadavpur University, Kolkata
- Exams: WBJEE
Agricultural and Food Engineering Course Details - Fees, Subjects, Syllabus, Duration, Eligibility, Career Scope
Degrees offered: M.E /M.Tech., B.E /B.Tech, Ph.D, M.Sc., B.Tech M.Tech
What is Agricultural and Food Engineering
The Indian states are rich in food crops, techniques and seasonal availability. Therefore, there has been a growing demand for agricultural and food engineers. Educational centres and universities have been emphasising on the deliverable of agricultural and food engineering courses and programmes so that the country would be provided with prominent inputs. These inputs will provide a better perspective to the fieldwork, choice of crops, seasonal requirements, factors for better yields and other such aspects.
Indian food products possess great export potential; therefore, agricultural and food engineering courses have gained momentum in recent times. Several universities have been providing degrees in the field of agriculture and food engineering. Both areas are interlinked; therefore, it is considered to be a specialised multi-disciplinary sphere dealing with concepts of science, engineering, microbiology, industrial management, etc. Moreover, the curriculum of the programme focuses on distinct and diverse domains like production, technology, packaging, storage, control and supply chains. Food engineering courses focus on the development of the food industry across the nation. The application of technical advancements, standardization of processes, accurate quality of food items, better strategies and management approaches are certain core areas of emphasis. On the other hand, agricultural engineering deals with aspects of increased crop yields, technological deliverables, and standard techniques in the field of farming, storage, and production of quality items.
Agricultural and Food Engineering Course Highlights
Parameters | Undergraduate | Postgraduate | Doctoral |
Popular Agricultural and Food Engineering Courses
| B. Tech. in Agricultural and Food Engineering | M. Tech. in Agricultural Process and Food Engineering | Ph.D. in Agricultural Processing and Food Engineering |
B.E. in Agriculture and Irrigation | M. Tech. Food Process Engineering | ||
Diploma in Agriculture | |||
Minimum Duration | 2 years | 2 years | 3 years |
Maximum Duration | 4 years | 2 years | - |
Admission Criteria | JEE Main and JEE Advanced, Private examinations | GATE, Private examinations, Personal interview | Entrance examination, group discussion, personal interview |
Minimum Fees | Rs. 30,000 p.a. | Rs. 30,000 p.a. | Rs. 1 lakh |
Maximum Fees | Rs. 1.2 lakh p.a. | Rs. 75,000 p.a. | Rs. 2 lakhs |
Minimum Salary | Rs. 2.5 lakh p.a. | Rs. 5 lakhs | Rs. 8 lakhs |
Maximum Salary | Rs. 4.5 lakh p.a. | Rs. 8 lakhs | Rs. 22 lakhs |
Expected Jobs | Project Coordinator, Packaging manager, Manufacturing and Distribution Engineer | Agricultural Engineer, Horticulturist, Product Design Engineer |
|
Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Agricultural and Food Engineering
The eligibility criteria for admission into Agricultural and Food Engineering courses are mostly like other undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Candidates must satisfy the criteria to be eligible for the admission.
For Undergraduate Agricultural and Food Engineering Courses
Completion of 10+2 exam from a recognized board in India with a relevant discipline as their major.
For undergraduate courses, an appropriate percentile in secondary board examination with core subjects like physics, mathematics and chemistry is required. This is applicable for B.Tech courses. Students with mathematics and biology are eligible to apply for the course.
The eligibility criteria may differ from one institution to another; however, the passing percentile must fall in the range of 40-50 per cent.
Some universities accept applicants based on the results of state-level entrance examinations like JEE Main and JEE Advanced. Each university further releases a cut-off list for the admission procedure.
For Postgraduate Agricultural and Food Engineering Courses
1. Completion of an undergraduate degree from a recognized university in India with a relevant discipline as the major.
2. Candidates who are looking for admission into a postgraduate Agricultural and Food Engineering course need to have secured a minimum percentile as per the institutions considered for admission.
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Agricultural and Food Engineering Entrance Exam
Uttar Pradesh Joint Entrance Examination (Polytechnic) (JEECUP)
It is an entrance examination conducted for the admissions to diploma programmes for the courses of engineering, management and technology. It is usually conducted during the month of September annually through offline mediums.
Joint Entrance Exam Advanced (JEE Advanced)
The joint entrance examination is conducted all over the nation for the selection of eminent candidates into engineering institutions. A qualified percentile is released by several institutions on the basis of which the admission procedure occurs. Approximately 1.5 lakhs students from different categories take the JEE Advanced paper.
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
GATE is conducted for admission in postgraduate programmes and tests the students’ fundamental knowledge of key concepts and learning in the graduate years. The admission process occurs after achieving the desired percentile accepted by various institutions. Several educational colleges and universities release cut-off lists. Certain institutions conduct their private examinations as well.
College Predictors VIEW ALL
Scope of Agricultural and Food Engineering in India and Abroad
Major recruiters come from governmental backgrounds. The students have a prominent chance of joining the food or agricultural sector of a particular state government. Government sectors like the state food department, research and development department, and state dairy boards, hire these candidates.
Private firms offer different job profiles than the government sector. Several private firms hire engineers to help them design a particular product or adopt sustainable packaging practises. As per the data, the average salary falls between the range of Rs. 2.5- Rs. 12 lakhs per annum. For further studies, an ME/M.Tech degree is also offered to students.
Apart from the salary and recruitment process, an agriculture and food engineer has a wide scope to work under multiple miscellaneous organisations like NGOs, food corporations and project units. Regular research work occurs under these sectors which can help a candidate gain the required knowledge and learning experience.
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Course Fees Agricultural and Food Engineering
| Minimum Fees | Maximum Fees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private | Government | Private | Government | |
| UG |
1.60 Lakhs
B.E /B.Tech in Agricultural and Food Engineering at Singhania University, Jhunjhunu
|
2.18 Lakhs
B.E /B.Tech in Agricultural and Food Engineering at Tezpur University, Tezpur
|
9.00 Lakhs
B.E /B.Tech in Agricultural and Food Engineering at MIT College of Food Technology, Pune
|
13.02 Lakhs
B.Tech M.Tech in Agricultural and Food Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
|
| PG |
1.10 Lakhs
M.E /M.Tech. in Agricultural and Food Engineering at Oriental University, Indore
|
27.56 K
M.E /M.Tech. in Agricultural and Food Engineering at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar
|
4.50 Lakhs
M.E /M.Tech. in Agricultural and Food Engineering at MIT College of Food Technology, Pune
|
3.89 Lakhs
M.E /M.Tech. in Agricultural and Food Engineering at Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai
|
| DOCTORAL |
---
Data not available
|
45.75 K
Ph.D in Agricultural and Food Engineering at College of Technology and Engineering, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur
|
---
Data not available
|
6.10 Lakhs
Ph.D in Agricultural and Food Engineering at Institute of Chemical Technology Mumbai, Marathwada Campus, Jalna
|
| DIPLOMA |
---
Data not available
|
33.66 K
Diploma in Agricultural and Food Engineering at Mahamaya Polytechnic of Information Technology, Shravasti
|
---
Data not available
|
33.66 K
Diploma in Agricultural and Food Engineering at Mahamaya Polytechnic of Information Technology, Shravasti
|
Course Subjects
A B.E./B.Tech. course in agricultural engineering is for four years. Major universities offer a residential course which is further divided into eight semesters. Each semester is designed for encouraging the study of diverse topics related to the field. Some of the subjects are listed below.
i. Environmental science
ii. Chemistry
iv. Soil mechanics
v. Water resource management
vi. Theory of machines
vii. Energy and sources
viii. Agricultural machinery
ix. Food processing and quality control
x. Land Surveying
xi. Land Levelling
xii. Agribusiness management
Careers in Agricultural and Food Engineering
Agriculture and food engineering has emerged as one of the most promising career streams in the last few years. Being a predominantly agricultural economy, India dedicates huge attention to this sector. As the demand for food products in the country is rising, demand for agricultural and food engineers is rising steadily in private as well as public sector. One can enjoy a rewarding career in agricultural and food engineering provided that one exhibits the necessary skills required to excel in this field. Apart from excellent jobs security, a person can earn a handsome salary along with the proud feeling of making a positive impact on the economy of the country.
Upcoming trends
With the steadily increasing demand for agricultural produce in India, rapid developments are being witnessed in the sector. Predominantly dependent on the government, the agricultural sector is witnessing increasing participation from private sector players. Increasing amounts are being spent on research and development of various technologies that have the potential to boost the productivity of the land under cultivation significantly. Some of the most promising technologies that will certainly integrate with the agricultural sector include,
Artificial Intelligence
Modern harvest strategies
Plant Genomics
Vertical farming
Job Profiles and Top Recruiters
Placements and recruitments play a key role while choosing the desired course for further studies. The agricultural and food engineering sector is relevantly less explored by individuals. However, there is a popular demand for eminent job profiles in the industry. The increase in food demand is directly dependent on the population of the country as well as the availability of crop items and other food particles. The food and agricultural sectors are always on a hunt to look for eminent candidates who could transform their companies or brand. Several government agencies, food processing sectors, research units, food or agricultural firms, consulting agencies, etc. are well-known for the top profiles offered in the agricultural and food engineering sector. However, certain diverse job profiles in the sector of manufacturing, packaging, standardization of processes, supply chain management, and instrumentation, are also offered.
Several job profiles are offered by these brands or companies. However, the availability of a job profile also plays a major role. However, data reveals that the below-mentioned job profiles are offered on a large basis annually with good salary packages.
Some job profiles under Agricultural and Food Engineering career include: -
S.No. | Job Profile | Job Description |
1 | Project Manager | An agricultural project manager leads the design and implementation tasks of the farming components. A technical advisory is provided with financial mechanisms suitable for the beneficiaries. |
2 | Project Coordinator | A project coordinator implements advance operational as well as technical support to management areas of a farm, agricultural field or food plant. |
3 | Agricultural Officer | An agricultural officer focuses on the rural segments and aims at following the guidelines for the smooth functionality of his or her region. Certain zones and regions are further given to these officers of the smooth functioning of the agricultural sector. |
4 |
| The officers are employed in the food processing, packaging, manufacturing, instrumentation and control process. Food processing plants and projects are technically managed by food engineers. |
5 | Product Design Engineer | A product design engineer works on innovative ideas and design for better food or agricultural products. The technical aspects of the project are taken care of. |
6 | Horticulturist
| A horticulturist focuses on the cultivation of agricultural land and implements ideas for the management and improvement of land. |
7 | A farm manager makes policies and forwards plans for the better of the farm. Technical and complex paperwork as well as sales are also managed. Farm equipment and products are also taken care of. | |
8 | Manufacturing and Distribution Operator | The required person takes care of the manufacturing and distribution of crops or food items for sale. |
Also Read: Agricultural Engineering Certification Courses
Top Recruiters
Due to the versatility and abundant presence of crop varieties, demand for professionals in the Agricultural and Food Engineering sector is on a steady increase. Government agencies and departments regularly conduct recruitment drives for agriculture and food engineers. Some of the most popular companies that hire agricultural and food engineers are listed below. Several job profiles are offered annually.
Agrotech food
Parle
Perfetti India Ltd.
Amul
Britannia India Ltd.
ITC Limited
PepsiCo India
Cadbury India Ltd.
Nestle India Pvt. Ltd.
Average Salary
Salary packages offered to aspirants plays a key role in determining the scope of the course. Since the fee payments serve as an investment made in the name of education, therefore, it is essential for students to know their returns. A few job profiles with the average annual incomes are mentioned below.
S.No. | Job Profile | Annual Income (in Rs.) |
1 | Project manager | Rs. 2.5 - 12 lakhs p.a. |
2 | Project coordinator | Rs. 6 lakhs p.a. |
3 | Agricultural officer | Rs. 3 - 6 lakhs p.a. |
4 | Packaging design engineer | Rs. 5.5 - 22 lakhs p.a. |
5 | Product design engineer | Rs. 3 - 9 lakhs p.a. |
6 | Horticulturist | Rs. 3.5 - 4 lakhs p.a. |
7 | Farm manager | Rs. 3 - 3.5 lakhs p.a. |
8 | Manufacturing and Distribution Operator | Rs. 2 - 2.5 lakhs p.a. |
**The salary figures mentioned anywhere in this article is just for reference purposes. Please treat them as such. Actual salaries may vary depending on respective candidates, employer, job location and numerous other factors.
Required Skillset for Agricultural and Food Engineering
Major recruiters look for relevant skills in candidates to know how well an individual can fit in the job profiles. Therefore, it is important for aspiring candidates to know about the skill set required in the candidates. some of the desired skills in the field of agricultural and food engineering are listed below:
Analytical skills- It is vital for engineers to analyse the prevailing situation of the unit or the land and make decisions accordingly. Candidates must have critical thinking abilities.
Problem solving abilities- For engineers on the field or a food unit, it essential to deliver exceptional problem-solving approaches and strategies to gain the desired results.
Communication skill and development- An agriculture and food engineer must require fluent communication skills and must be able to develop smooth communication between people or different profiles.
Course Curriculum for Agricultural and Food Engineering
Curriculum for a course in agricultural and food engineering is designed to impart technical knowledge and skills to candidates which are required to excel in the field of agriculture. Combining the concepts of plant biology, chemical engineering and electrical engineering, courses in agricultural and food engineering enable the application of scientific knowledge and modern technology in different agricultural production processes. While the specific course curriculum might vary across institutions as per the level of education, the overall curriculum aims to empower students with the knowledge required to upgrade the indian agricultural sector.
Popular Agricultural and Food Engineering Entrance Exams in India
JEE Advanced
Application Process: 23 Apr, 2025 - 02 May, 2025
GATE
Exam Date: 01 Feb, 2025 - 02 Feb, 2025
CUET PG
Exam Date: 11 Mar, 2025 - 28 Mar, 2025 (Tentative)
MHT CET
Exam Date: 09 Apr, 2025
Popular Agricultural and Food Engineering Colleges in India VIEW ALL
ICT Mumbai
- Exams: GATE
IIT Kharagpur
- Fees: ₹ 1027700
- Exams: JEE Advanced
Singhania University, Jhunjhunu
- Fees: ₹ 160000
Tezpur University
- Fees: ₹ 217844
- Exams: JEE Main
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: What is the major difference between food technology and food engineering?
Answer :
Food engineering and food technology are two diverse fields. However, both the fields revolve around food and its characteristics. The key aim of both the fields is to implement strategies for better nutritional and yield of the food items. Food engineering focuses on the unit operation of food production, designing and development of relevant food items. On the other hand, food technology focuses on different food aspects related to the field of physics, chemistry and mostly biology.
Question: What are some of the highest paying careers or job profiles in the field of agricultural engineering?
Answer :
Eminent job profiles and career opportunities have surfaced in the field of agricultural engineering. Some of the highest paying careers are as project managers, product designers and positions in the research sector. However, job profiles also depend on the country an agricultural engineer is catering to.
Question: What is the key difference between agricultural engineering and agriculture?
Answer :
Agriculture deals with the study of crops and their biological features and characteristics. The factors responsible for the production of high-quality crops, better nutritional values, etc. are also a part of the agricultural studies. On the other hand, agricultural engineering is a technically complex field which comprises a factor related to engineering and agriculture. It is a vast field in which different aspects like machinery, production technique, storage capacities, etc. are studied and relevant strategies are implemented for the desired results.
Question: Is engineering in the field of agriculture a good career option?
Answer :
Agricultural engineering is a relatively newer field. However, it holds major future possibilities. It is a technologically sophisticated career option with several practical approaches to be worked upon. Several countries, as well as the Indian subcontinent, have been working immensely on the quality of crops and yield per year. Therefore, due to the massive population, crop availability, seasonal fortune, etc. it has become necessary for companies to look for eminent engineers to transform the industries and bring better strategies and approaches on different steps.
Question: What is the time duration for which the agricultural engineer works?
Answer :
The work duration varies from one organisation to another. Moreover, the job profile determines the duration required to dedicate towards the job responsibilities. However, the jobs of agricultural or food engineers are usually full-time and workers are required to dedicate an average of 40 hours per week. The work of engineers is a combination of outdoor as well as indoor tasks. Therefore, it is difficult to state the exact number of hours to be dedicated by an agricultural engineer. Project-based work depends on the duration of months/years and not on the duration of hours per week.
Question: What are the key roles and responsibilities of an agricultural engineer?
Answer :
The job roles and responsibilities of an agricultural engineer varies from one company to another. However, the roles have been spotted by the engineers in the industrial sector. The major work is based on structural design, equipment design and implementation, processes, etc. Moreover, different companies and organisations also offer job profiles related to the sphere of power system, machinery designing, environmental engineering, food processes, bioprocesses, etc. Profitable ways of soil conservation, water resources, storage of agricultural methods, etc.
Designing of appropriate machinery and technological equipment are done by agricultural and food engineers. Smart techniques and automation equipment are implemented as per the feasibility and requirement. The key aim is to decrease the loss of crop damage. Sustainability and reliability of the food are of another key importance. Better ways for food preservation maintaining the correct nutrient value of the food is also of vital importance
Questions related to Agricultural and Food Engineering
Showing 67 out of 67 Questions
56 Views
Can one pursue MTech from an IIT in EC after completion of BTech Agricultural and Food Engineering from IIT ?
6th Jul, 2022
Definitely, each year many people switch their field of interest and take up a different branch in MTech than what they took in B.Tech. The only thing which you'll have to do is that clear the paper of GATE in EC and prepare well for the interviews, as the professors will be hell bent on knowing that why you want to switch you field, so keep your answer ready for these. Other than these you'll be good to go.
All the best!
Answer later 163 Views
difference between ecet and agricet
30th Sep, 2021
Agriculture Common Entrance Test (AGRICET) is conducted by Acharya N.G Agricultural University
(ANGRAU), every year, to provide admission to the students in four-yearBSc
(Hons) Agriculture Degree courses. AGRICET is a state-level entrance exam. It is conducted in offline mode (pen and paper). Students require to fullfil the eligibility criteria before filling applications for admission.
On the other hand, Andhra Pradesh Engineering Common entrance Test (AP ECET) is also a state level entrance examination which is conducted every year by Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Anantapur on the behalf of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE).
Hope that helps
On the other hand, Andhra Pradesh Engineering Common entrance Test (AP ECET) is also a state level entrance examination which is conducted every year by Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Anantapur on the behalf of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE).
Hope that helps
407 Views
can PCB students opt agricultural engineering?
10th Mar, 2021
Hello,
Having not opted for Mathematics in your Class 12th, you are not eligible for pursuing B.Tech in Agricultural Engineering, because it is mandatory to have Mathematics, Physics and chemistry in Class 12 as a main subjects of education.
But there is another option that is after you have completed your Class 12th with PCB, you can go for B.Sc. in Agriculture degree course, only if you are interested .
https://engineering.careers360.com/jee-main-college-predictor?icn=QnA&ici=qna_answer
Having not opted for Mathematics in your Class 12th, you are not eligible for pursuing B.Tech in Agricultural Engineering, because it is mandatory to have Mathematics, Physics and chemistry in Class 12 as a main subjects of education.
But there is another option that is after you have completed your Class 12th with PCB, you can go for B.Sc. in Agriculture degree course, only if you are interested .
https://engineering.careers360.com/jee-main-college-predictor?icn=QnA&ici=qna_answer
151 Views
How to become an agricultural officer
Student Expert
28th Jun, 2020
Hello,
An agriculture officer has to ensure that all the agricultural practices & products are in lieu of the state & local regulations. His main task is to check, investigate, sample & test everything, so as to determine whether they are complying with the state & local rules and regulations.
To become a Agricultural Officer, you need to have a bachelor's degree in Agricultural engineering, biology or agriculture science.
Some of the best agricultural colleges in India are
Once you complete your bachelor's degree, you can apply for an entry level job. A fresher agricultural officer can get a salary of Rs 40000 to Rs 80000.
Hope it helps
An agriculture officer has to ensure that all the agricultural practices & products are in lieu of the state & local regulations. His main task is to check, investigate, sample & test everything, so as to determine whether they are complying with the state & local rules and regulations.
To become a Agricultural Officer, you need to have a bachelor's degree in Agricultural engineering, biology or agriculture science.
Some of the best agricultural colleges in India are
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Delhi
- G. B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar
- Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
- Haryana Agriculture University, Hisar
- Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad
- Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
- Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, JJabalpur
Once you complete your bachelor's degree, you can apply for an entry level job. A fresher agricultural officer can get a salary of Rs 40000 to Rs 80000.
Hope it helps
94 Views
which is the best collage on Agricultute
15th Jun, 2020
Dear Aspirant,
Following are some best agriculture colleges In India
ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
Punjab Agricultural University, College of Agriculture Engineering & Technology, Ludhiana
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research, Tiruchirapalli.
Acharya N F Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad
Hope this helps
