Horticulturist

Aliases: Pomologist, Olericulturist, Floriculturist, Fruit Technologist, Vegetable Technologist

Industry/Sector(s): Agriculture

JOB DESCRIPTION ¹

The tasks a Horticulturist is expected to perform include:

Conducting experiments to develop methods of breeding improved varieties of fruits, flowers, vegetables, ornamental bushes, trees, etc.
Preventing damage of fruits and vegetables during storage, transportation, processing and marketing
Studying soil composition in relation to plant requirements
Conducting experiments under controlled conditions to determine factors beneficial to plant growth
Selecting best varieties of seeds for cross-breeding, to develop resistance and improved varieties
Developing methods of propagation of plants and maintenance of nurseries
Conducting experiments to develop better methods of sowing, applying manure, processing, irrigation and spraying
Conducting experiments for mechanical, biological and chemical pest control
Appling findings from the research, to save crop from pests or fungus in field and stores
Suggesting methods for improving quality and increasing quantity of production

WORK ENVIRONMENT ¹

It is a field job
Work from home is not applicable
Part-time work and contractual jobs maybe available
May require supervising a team
Local travelling maybe part of the job

Working hours

Working is 9 hours everyday for 6 days a week
Overtime may be available
Shift system may be available

Is the job suitable for a candidate with special needs?

Maybe

This may vary from organization to organization

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING ⁴

Minimum – Preferably Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture

KEY COMPETENCIES ¹

Skilled in agriculture research and development
Proficient in handling large amount of data
Knowledge of computer programmes and data analysis techniques
Aware of similar research work done in the past
Ability to incorporate the research work of other scientists in their own work
Efficient in presenting the results of their work to farmers and colleagues
Proficient in English language
Knowledge of scientific rules and methods to solve problems
Familiar with product engineering, equipment research and designing
Knowledge of herbicides and agricultural chemicals, etc.
Knowledge of agricultural equipment
Ability to prepare clear/accurate activity reports and presentations

DESIRABLE COMPETENCIES ⁴

Not applicable

AVAILABLE SKILL TRAINING AND LEARNING INSTITUTES ^{5, 6}

ICAR institutes and universities across India
Agriculture colleges across India

AVAILABLE SKILL TRAINING SCHEMES/SCHOLARSHIPS

For scholarship and schemes, use further links like:

https://scholarships.gov.in/

SAMPLE OF TRAINING AND LEARNING COURSES

CAREER PROGRESSION PATH ⁷

Head of Company/CEO

↑

General Manager

↑

Head of Engineering Operations

↑

Senior Horticulturist → Movement to other occupations like Teaching

↑

Horticulturist

The progression is indicative

EXPECTED EARNINGS ⁸

For freshers - Rs 8,000 to Rs 24,000 per month
For candidates with experience – Rs 26,00 to Rs 85,000 per month

These figures are indicative and subject to change

REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE ⁸

Minimum 1 – 5 years of work experience in related field

PROBABLE EMPLOYERS

Agriculture co-operative organizations
Government research institutes
NGO’s
Farm owners
Private research companies

KEYWORDS

Horticulturist
Floriculturist
Fruit Technologist
Vegetable Technologist

OCCUPATIONAL CODES AND STANDARDS

Standard	Code	Description
NCO 2015	2132.0200	Horticulturist
ISCO 2008	2132	Farming, Forestry and Fisheries
NIC 2008	72100	Research and experimental development on natural sciences and engineering
QP Reference	NA	NA
NSQF	NA	NA

REFERENCES

1	1 National Classification of Occupations, Division – 2, Horticulturist
2	http://work.chron.com/job-requirements-research-agronomist-18494.html
3	https://pursuite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/media/career_guides/ITS_Career_Guide.pdf
4	9 “Vision 2030”, released by Indian Council of Agriculture Research, January 2011
5	www.censusindia.gov.in

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