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M-SC-AGRICULTURE in Agricultural Economics And Farm Management at Assam Agricultural University
Jorhat, Assam
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About the Specialization
What is Agricultural Economics and Farm Management at Assam Agricultural University Jorhat?
This Agricultural Economics and Farm Management program at Assam Agricultural University focuses on equipping students with advanced analytical tools to understand, analyze, and address economic challenges in the agricultural sector. It integrates economic theory with practical farm management principles, crucial for sustainable agricultural development and policy formulation in India''''s diverse agro-climatic zones. The specialization addresses the evolving demands of the Indian agricultural landscape.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for Bachelor of Agriculture, Horticulture, or allied science graduates seeking to specialize in the economic aspects of farming and agribusiness. It also caters to aspiring researchers, policy analysts, and extension professionals aiming to contribute to India''''s rural economy. Individuals with a keen interest in agricultural markets, finance, and resource management will find this program highly beneficial.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in government organizations, agri-input/output industries, rural banks, and research institutions across India. Typical roles include Agricultural Economist, Farm Manager, Rural Development Officer, Market Analyst, or Policy Researcher. Entry-level salaries range from INR 4-7 LPA, with significant growth potential up to INR 15+ LPA for experienced professionals in the Indian market.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Economic Fundamentals- (Semester 1-2)
Thoroughly grasp micro and macro economic theories (AEC 501, 502) and their agricultural applications. Form study groups to discuss complex concepts and solve numerical problems from textbooks and previous year question papers. Focus on building a strong theoretical base.
Tools & Resources
Standard economic textbooks (e.g., H.L. Ahuja for Micro/Macro), online lecture series, peer study groups, departmental tutorials.
Career Connection
A strong foundation in economic theory is essential for understanding agricultural market dynamics and policy impacts, crucial for roles in policy analysis and market research.
Excel in Quantitative Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate extra time to subjects like Production Economics (AEC 503) and Agricultural Finance (AEC 505) which involve quantitative analysis. Practice regularly with statistical software (if introduced) or Excel for basic data handling. Participate in workshops on quantitative methods.
Tools & Resources
Microsoft Excel, basic statistical calculators, R/Python tutorials for beginners, online practice problems.
Career Connection
Quantitative proficiency is highly valued for roles in farm management, project analysis, and financial institutions, where data-driven decision-making is key.
Develop Academic Writing & Communication- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in the ''''Technical Writing and Communications Skills'''' (PGS 502) course. Practice writing concise reports, essays, and presentations. Seek feedback from professors and peers to refine your academic and professional communication abilities.
Tools & Resources
Grammarly, academic style guides (e.g., APA), university writing center resources, mock presentations.
Career Connection
Effective communication is vital for presenting research findings, writing policy briefs, and succeeding in corporate or government roles.
Intermediate Stage
Deepen Research Methodology & Econometrics- (Semester 3)
Engage proactively in Research Methods (AEC 507) and Econometrics (AEC 508). Learn to use statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R, Stata) beyond basic applications. Attend departmental seminars and explore research papers to understand diverse methodologies.
Tools & Resources
SPSS/R/Stata software, NPTEL courses on econometrics, published research papers, datasets from ICAR/NABARD for practice.
Career Connection
Mastery of research methods and econometrics is indispensable for roles in agricultural research, data analytics, and policy evaluation.
Pursue Agri-Business Internships- (Summer break after Semester 2 or during Semester 3)
Actively seek and complete internships with agri-input companies, food processing units, rural banks, or NGOs working in agricultural development. This provides practical exposure to agribusiness operations and allows application of theoretical knowledge.
Tools & Resources
University career services, online job portals (Naukri.com, LinkedIn), industry contacts, alumni network.
Career Connection
Internships are crucial for building industry networks, gaining hands-on experience, and often lead to pre-placement offers in agri-business and finance sectors.
Participate in Agricultural Policy Debates- (Semester 3)
Engage in discussions and debates on current agricultural policies (AEC 511) and socio-economic issues affecting farmers in India. Follow news, read policy briefs, and try to articulate informed opinions on topics like MSP, farm laws, and food security.
Tools & Resources
Economic Survey of India, NITI Aayog reports, agricultural news portals, government policy documents, university discussion forums.
Career Connection
Understanding policy nuances prepares students for roles in agricultural administration, policy advocacy, and government think tanks.
Advanced Stage
Conduct High-Quality Master''''s Research- (Semester 3-4)
Focus intensely on your Master''''s Research (AEC 599). Choose a relevant and impactful research topic, ensure rigorous data collection and analysis, and aim for publishable quality. Collaborate with faculty and peers, and attend research methodology workshops.
Tools & Resources
Academic advisors, advanced statistical software, access to research databases (JSTOR, Scopus), thesis writing guides.
Career Connection
A strong research thesis enhances credentials for Ph.D. admissions, research positions, and demonstrates advanced analytical and problem-solving skills to employers.
Network and Attend Industry Events- (Semester 3-4)
Actively network with alumni, faculty, and professionals from the agricultural sector. Attend national/state-level agricultural conferences, workshops, and farmer''''s melas. These events provide insights into industry trends and job opportunities.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, alumni portals, industry association websites (e.g., FICCI, CII Agri-council), university event calendars.
Career Connection
Networking opens doors to hidden job opportunities, mentorship, and helps in understanding current industry demands for better placement preparation.
Prepare for Placements & Higher Studies- (Semester 4)
Start preparing for campus placements by refining your resume, practicing interview skills, and understanding common aptitude tests. Simultaneously, if pursuing higher studies, prepare for entrance exams like ICAR-JRF/SRF, UGC-NET, or international university applications.
Tools & Resources
University placement cell, mock interview sessions, online aptitude test platforms, career counseling, previous year entrance exam papers.
Career Connection
Proactive preparation significantly increases the chances of securing desirable placements in core agricultural sectors or gaining admission to prestigious Ph.D. programs.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- B.Sc.(Agri.)/B.Sc.(Hort.)/B.Sc.(Forestry)/B.F.Sc./B.Tech (Agri. Engg.) or an equivalent degree from a recognized University with a minimum OGPA of 6.50/10.00 or equivalent percentage.
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Credits: 75 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 30% (Mid-semester exams, practicals, quizzes, assignments), External: 70% (End-semester examination)
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AEC 501 | Micro Economic Theory | Core | 3 | Consumer Behavior Theories, Theory of Production and Costs, Market Structures and Equilibrium, Factor Pricing Theory, Welfare Economics |
| AEC 502 | Macro Economic Theory and Policy | Core | 3 | National Income Accounting, Theories of Employment and Output, Inflation and Deflation, Monetary and Fiscal Policies, Open Economy Macroeconomics |
| AEC 503 | Production Economics and Farm Management | Core | 3 | Production Functions and Stages, Cost Concepts and Analysis, Farm Planning and Budgeting, Risk and Uncertainty in Agriculture, Resource Use Efficiency and Allocation |
| AEC 504 | Agricultural Marketing and Price Analysis | Core | 3 | Agricultural Marketing Channels, Market Efficiency and Integration, Price Determination and Forecasting, Futures and Options Trading, Government Intervention in Agricultural Markets |
| AEC 505 | Agricultural Finance and Project Analysis | Core | 3 | Rural Credit Institutions (India), Farm Credit Management, Time Value of Money, Project Appraisal Techniques, Risk in Agricultural Finance |
| PGS 501 | Basic Concepts in Agriculture | Minor | 1 | Principles of Agronomy, Horticultural Practices, Soil Science Fundamentals, Plant Breeding Basics, Agricultural Extension Methods |
| PGS 502 | Technical Writing and Communications Skills | Minor | 1 | Scientific Writing Principles, Research Paper Structure, Oral Presentation Skills, Effective Communication Strategies, Report and Thesis Formatting |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AEC 506 | Agricultural Business Management | Core | 3 | Forms of Agribusiness Organizations, Human Resource Management in Agribusiness, Financial Management Decisions, Marketing Strategies for Agri-products, Supply Chain Management in Agriculture |
| AEC 507 | Research Methods in Agricultural Economics | Core | 3 | Research Design and Hypothesis Formulation, Sampling Techniques and Data Collection, Statistical Inference and Hypothesis Testing, Econometric Models in Research, Report Writing and Presentation of Findings |
| AEC 508 | Econometrics | Core | 3 | Simple and Multiple Regression Models, Violation of Classical Assumptions, Dummy Variables and Limited Dependent Variables, Time Series Econometrics, Panel Data Models |
| AEC 509 | International Agricultural Trade | Core | 3 | Theories of International Trade, WTO and Agricultural Agreements, Tariffs, Quotas and Non-Tariff Barriers, Balance of Payments and Exchange Rates, India''''s Agricultural Export and Import Policies |
| AEC 510 | Natural Resource and Environmental Economics | Core | 3 | Economics of Resource Scarcity, Environmental Pollution and Externalities, Valuation of Environmental Resources, Environmental Policy Instruments, Sustainable Development Goals |
| PGS 503 | Library and Information Services | Minor | 1 | Information Sources and Retrieval, Digital Libraries and Online Databases, Bibliographic Software Usage, Plagiarism and Academic Ethics, Referencing and Citation Styles |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AEC 591 | Master''''s Seminar | Seminar | 1 | Scientific Topic Selection, Literature Review, Presentation Skills, Question and Answer Handling, Seminar Report Writing |
| AEC 599 | Master''''s Research | Research | 15 | Problem Identification, Research Design Development, Data Collection Methods, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Thesis Writing |
| AEC 511 | Agricultural Policy and Development | Elective/Supportive | 3 | Evolution of Indian Agricultural Policy, Land Reforms and Agrarian Structure, Food Security and Public Distribution System, Rural Development Programmes, Agricultural Subsidies and Incentives |
| AEC 514 | Computer Applications in Agricultural Economics | Elective/Supportive | 3 | Statistical Software (e.g., SPSS, R, SAS), Database Management Systems, Spreadsheet for Data Analysis, Internet and Scientific Information Retrieval, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Basics |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AEC 599 | Master''''s Research (Continuation) | Research | 21 | Thesis Completion and Formatting, Statistical Software Application, Interpretation of Results, Scientific Publication Ethics, Viva Voce Preparation |
