Agriculture Biotechnologist

The use of technological advances in the field of biology to alter agricultural processes and products is known as agricultural biotechnology. It encompasses a wide range of methods, from conventional crop and livestock breeding to more contemporary methods like genetic engineering and tissue culture. The primary purpose of agricultural biotechnology is to increase agricultural productivity and efficiency with the ultimate objective of ensuring food security while simultaneously meeting the nutritional needs of an expanding population. They employ technology to alter living things like crops, animals, and microorganisms to increase productivity and safeguard crops from pests or damage. They can also wish to develop new species of animals or plants with desirable characteristics.

Agriculture Biotechnologist employ various techniques like molecular diagnostics, vaccinations, tissue culture, genetic engineering. These methods allow the desirable characteristics of one crop to be transmitted to completely different species. As a result, the transgenic crops have the desired aroma, colour, pace of growth, time until harvest, resistance to pests and diseases, etc. Through the identification and alteration of certain genes, biotechnology improves breeders' capacity to improve crops and livestock. Improvements made possible by biotechnology are those that cannot be made solely by crossing related species. Biotechnology is being utilized to increase milk output, prevent and treat animal disease, increase agricultural yields, increase plant tolerance to insects, disease, and drought, and develop improved methods of food processing.  Agriculture biotechnology can also be used to grow beautiful plants like orchids and plants that can be used to make fuel (biofuels).

Route to Agriculture Biotechnology Profession

Path 1

• 10+2 in science stream with PCB/PCM (Mathematics is recommended)
• Pursue B.Sc. (Agricultural Biotechnology) for 3 years
• pursue M. Sc. (Agricultural Biotechnology) for 2 years     
• Pursue Ph.D. in Agricultural Biotechnology for 2-3 years/Job

Path 2

• 10+2 in Science Stream with PCB/PCM (Mathematics is recommended)
• pursue B.Tech. (Biotechnology in agriculture) for 4 years               
• Pursue M. Tech for 2 years          
• Pursue Ph.D. in Agricultural Biotechnology for 2-3 years/Job

Significant Statistics

• Mathematics and English is compulsory in 10+2 for admission to some colleges
• At least 50% in English in 10+2
• Must be 17 years of age for admission to B. Tech
   

Pros

• Various work opportunities are available as it is a growing and much in-demand field.
• Some might find the work environment attractive as a lot of laboratory work is involved.
• One can have the satisfaction of working towards the attainment of a good cause i. e. Food security and nutrition fulfillment.

Cons

• There is a risk of exposure to dangerous and hazardous substances while working.
• The salaries are not great to begin with.