Agriculture is no longer viewed simply as the growing of crops or animal husbandry. In the modern world, this discipline touches on many different areas, such as business, geography, sociology and conservation. Studies in agriculture focus on reading the various combinations of factors, from environmental challenges facing a farmer, to the pressures of overpopulation and food shortages that concern governments and global corporations. With the global population expanding at an inexorable rate, today’s generation of agricultural students will combine with those in the fields of engineering, business and politics to find a solution.

Agriculture in Nepal:

Agriculture in Nepal is and has always been a major source of income. According to the 2009 report, Agriculture remained Nepal’s principal economic activity, employing over 73% of the population and providing 34% of GDP. It managed to become the major source of income for the country despite having only 25% of the total land cultivable. 33% is mostly forest and the rest is mountainous. The three geographical region (mountainous, hilly, terai) makes up the total area of Nepal which encourages the production on variety of crops across the country. For example potato is mostly cultivated among mountainous region because of the cold climate that favours potato cultivation. In the hilly region it’s mostly corn, barley that is cultivated and it’s usually rice wheat and other crops in the terai region. Overall the main crops that are cultivated in Nepal are rice, wheat, maize, sugarcane, oilseed, jute, millet and potatoes.

In terms of animal farming, it is very common to see it in practice among the household in the villages as each and every house at least has a cow, sheep, chicken or lamb being farmed in a small scale. This is however not so much in practice amongst the households in the city but however in the outskirts and villages it is very much encouraged.

The crops and animals that are cultivated and the techniques differ from the climate and the geographical region that people are situated in as there are some crops that may not grow in a hilly and cold region which would grow in a hot and warm tropical region. Such study of agriculture is known as Agricultural science. Some of the subjects under Agricultural science include Agricultural/Horticultural Engineering, Agricultural biology, Animal breeding, Animal husbandry, Bee keeping, Cattle farming, Dairy farming and many more.

Why study Agricultural Science?

Coming from a country which is diverse in culture, climate, and wildlife and is still developing is a great place to start up a new business with new ideas that could revolutionise the agricultural sector and the ways it is practiced. There is still a gap in the agricultural market in Nepal and one can study more on Agricultural science and become a pioneer by introducing innovative ideas and by using the relevant modern technologies that could increase production and the quality of the products.

Entry requirements:

The entry requirements depend upon the subjects you choose to study within the Agricultural courses. For most of the undergraduate courses it is usually anything equivalent to 3 A levels and for any international student a test pass certificate for IELTS is compulsory. The university ranking also affects the entry requirement for the courses and therefore it is better to do some research as to which institution is better for you to undertake your education.

Course Structure:

The degree course for Agricultural science related subjects typically lasts for 3 years. Some of the related subjects within this course include rural studies, species conservation, rural social science, resource management, landscape ecology, environmental studies and economics and management.

In the 1^st year the modules basically covers geography, business management, economics, agriculture, wildlife, forestry, sociology, ecology and many more. The typical 2^nd year modules include management of habitats for wildlife, human impact on environment, food farming, technology, uses of insecticides and pesticides and many more. In the 3^rd year students basically carry out research project on a topic of choice, which may be linked to a vacation project or work placement. In the 3^rd year the modules also cover topics related to agricultural policy, strategic marketing, species conservation, resource management and various other issues.

Agriculture and Related Subjects is a vast subject. It also includes the study on wildlife and how to sustain and get the most out of it through effective methods of production. It educates you not only in the use of insecticides/pesticides but also gives a basic knowledge of the business and the financial side of running a farm.  In a country like Nepal, where the major source of revenue comes from the land and there is still so much still left to explore, a degree-level understanding is as valuable as the soil itself. As the ecologically rich lands of Nepal move forward into modernity, the industry is set to boom.

 

This article was written for Hotcourses by Benjamin Pakhrin