MBA in Agriculture

The need for food has drastically grown in the past decade. The rapid urbanization of agricultural land has added to the challenges faced in meeting global food demands. Even in this 21st century, there are villages that do not have a sustainable agricultural model. The need for professionals who can contribute to the growth and development of agriculture at the global level has never been so high. Comparatively very fewer people pursue a career in this field. However, there is a place for individuals who wish to gain managerial skills and intensive knowledge of the business aspects of agriculture. Let’s take a look at the various universities offering an MBA in Agriculture along with some other courses in the discipline.

Why Pursue an MBA in Agriculture?

With technological advancement and industrial development, the agricultural sector is deteriorating even though it is a crucial component in the economy of a country. This brings the need for professionals engaged in managing the agricultural well-being of the world. Various international universities and colleges have come up with specialized courses in Agriculture, with an MBA in Agriculture being a prominent one for students aspiring to become leaders in the agrarian sector.

MBA in Agriculture Eligibility

• Agricultural Engineering / Dairy Science / Dairy Technology / Fisheries / Food Science / Food Technology / Forestry / Home Science / Horticulture / Veterinary Science, etc. Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or allied disciplines (Agricultural Engineering / Dairy Science / Dairy Technology / Fisheries / Food Science / Food Technology / Forestry / Home Science / Horticulture / Veterinary Science, etc.) from any Agricultural

• Many schools and institutions want Master’s Degree candidates to have a business background, whether through education or work experience.

• Students with less experience who want to pursue an M.B.A. (Agriculture) can typically find programs that meet their criteria. Students pursuing an M.B.A. in Agriculture must submit applications, transcripts, and GRE results.

Entrance Exams for MBA in Agriculture

There are no specific entrance exams for MBA in Agriculture. Most universities offering this specialisation accept scores of popular management entrance exams like GMAT, CAT, XAT, CMAT, ATMA and KIITEE. 

MBA in Agriculture Admission Process

For admission to the program, candidates must pass either of the applicable entrance tests, which are followed by rounds of Group Discussion and Personal Interviews in the final stages. The primary entry tests for the course include the CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, and other similar exams.

CAT	Common Aptitude Test
MAT	Management Aptitude Test
XAT	Xavier Aptitude Test
CMAT	Common Management Admission Test

Also Read: Best Countries for MBA

Average Tuition Cost and Fees for MBA in Agriculture

The average tuition fee for MBA in Agriculture or related specialization is somewhere between INR 8 to 15 Lacs. The tuition fees vary depending upon the country and university.

Universities Offering MBA in Agriculture

A management degree in Agriculture can act as a launchpad for your career in Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics. Let’s take a look at some of the leading universities in the field of agriculture:

MBA in Agriculture in India

In recent years, the demand for top agriculture business management colleges that deliver MBA in Agribusiness management programs has increased dramatically. In India, there are over 100 MBA in Agri-Business Management schools. The top Agriculture Management colleges in India that offer an MBA in Agriculture are listed below:

Name of the University/College	Name of the Course	Duration	Exam and Selection Procedure
Indian School of Agri-Business, New Delhi	MBA in Agribusiness	2 years	CAT/ATMA/XAT/MAT/CMAT/ISAB, GD and PI
College of Agri-business Management, Pantnagar	MBA in Agribusiness	2 years	CAT/CMAT/MAT, GD and PI
Institute of Agribusiness Management, Bikaner	MBA in Agribusiness	2 years	CAT/CMAT/MAT, GD and PI
Symbiosis Institute of International Business, Pune	MBA in Agribusiness	2 years	SNAP, GD, Written-test, PI
National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, Hyderabad	Post Graduate Diploma in Management Agriculture	2 years	CAT, GD, PI
CCS National Institute of Agricultural Marketing, Jaipur	Post Graduate Programme in Agribusiness Management	2 years	CMAT/CAT, WritteN test, GD, Extempore, PI
Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar	MBA in Business Management	2 years	CAT/XAT/X-GMT/GMAT, Written Test, PI
University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun	MBA in Agribusiness	2 years	UPES Management Entrance Test
Indian Institute of Rural Management, Anand	Post Graduate Programme in Rural Management	2 years	CAT/XAT, GD, PI
SAGE University, Indore	MBA Agribusiness Management	2 years	Merit based
International School of Management Studies, Pune	MBA in Agribusiness	2 years	MAT/XAT/ATMA/CMAT/SNAP/CAT
Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad	Post Graduate Programme in Agribusiness Management	2 years	CAT, GD, PI
Centurion University of Technology and Management, Bhubaneswar	MBA in Agribusiness Management	2 years	Centurion university entrance exam

MBA in Agriculture Abroad

The following are the top universities to pursue MBA in Agriculture:

Universities	Location	Courses Available in MBA in Agriculture
Royal Agricultural University	UK	MBA Innovation in Sustainable Food and Agriculture
University of Nicosia	Cyprus	MBA in Agribusiness and Food Enterprise Management
Southern Arkansas University	Magnolia	MBA with Agri-Business Emphasis
University of Alberta	Canada	Integrated MBA & Masters of Agriculture
Kazan Federal University	Russia	MBA in Agriculture
Purdue University and Indiana University (Integrated Degree)	US	MS-MBA in Food and Agribusiness Management
International School of Agri Management	Spain	International Agribusiness Management
Lincoln University	New Zealand	Master of Management in Agribusiness
University of Waikato	New Zealand	Master of Management Studies – Agribusiness
Kansas State University	USA	Master of Agribusiness and Professional Master of Business Administration

Royal Agricultural University (RAU)

Located in the UK, Royal Agricultural University offers a dynamic 1-year (full time) or more than 2-year (part-time) MBA in Innovation in Sustainable Food and Agriculture to meet your professional needs. This course is primarily a distance learning for students interested in business or the food and agriculture industries. With an IELTS score of 6.5 and a general experience in management, you can seek admission in RAU. 

University of Nicosia

Known to be the largest university in Cyprus, the University of Nicosia was established in 1980. It offers an MBA in Agribusiness and Food Enterprise Management spanning for a duration of 1.5 years for both part-time and full-time. The coursework aims in providing students with a solid foundation in Agribusiness Management enabling them to become leaders in Agribusiness. 

Southern Arkansas University

Offering an on-campus and online MBA with Agri-Business Emphasis, Southern Arkansas University trains students in various aspects of Agribusiness such as accounting, agriculture markets and prices, finance, marketing, organizational theory, business analytics, strategic management, supply chain management, etc. 

University of Alberta

Among the top universities in Canada, the University of Alberta is ranked 81st in the list. Through its extensive Integrated MBA & Master of Agriculture degree program, the university aims at helping students to explore the broader perspective of the business of agriculture production.

Kazan Federal University

Founded in 1804, the Kazan Federal University is located in Russia. Offering an MBA in Agriculture, the university provides students with the basics of Agribusiness Management and Economics, Human Resources Management, Organizational Management, Management of Agricultural Production and Finance and Accounting in Agribusiness. 

Purdue University

A research university in the US, Purdue University offers a comprehensive MS-MBA in Food and Agribusiness Management. The program allows you to pursue two degrees at two of the best universities in the US – an MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and an MS in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University’s College of Agriculture.

Also Read: MBA Admission Process

Other Master’s Degree Courses in Agriculture

There are a variety of other postgraduate courses to consider if you plan to grow in the field of agriculture. Some of these courses with its related institutes are discussed in the table below:

University or Business School	Course
The University of Adelaide	Master of Global Food and Agricultural Business
Audencia Business School	MS in Food and Agribusiness Management
Colorado State University	MSc in Agricultural and Resource Economics
University of Lincoln	M.Sc in Agri-food Technology
Estonian University of Life Sciences	M.A in Agrifood Business Management
University of Copenhagen	MSc in Agricultural Economics
Van Hall Larenstein, University of Applied Sciences	MSc in Agricultural Production Chain Management
Poznan University of Life Sciences	MSc Economics – Agribusiness
New Mexico State University	Master of Agriculture – Agribusiness
University of Maryland	Master of Science in Agricultural and Resource Economics
Oklahoma State University	Master of Agriculture in Agribusiness
Queen’s University Belfast	PgDip Business for Agri-Food and Rural Enterprise – Business Communication
The University of Queensland	Master of Agribusiness
North Dakota State University	Master of Science in International Agribusiness
North Dakota State University	Master of Science in Agribusiness and Applied Economics

Also Read: Diploma in Agriculture: Syllabus, Universities & Careers

MBA in Agriculture Syllabus

The following are the topics included in the syllabus of MBA agriculture:

First Year Subjects

Second Year Subjects

Financial Markets Financial Reporting and Analysis Individual Dynamics Legal Aspects of BusinessManagerial ComputingMarketing-I Microeconomics Operations Management-I Quantitative Methods 1A Quantitative Methods 1B Written Analysis and Communication Human Resource Management I Costing and Control Systems Quantitative Methods 2 Financial Markets Human Resource Management II Transforming Business through Information Technology Interpersonal Group Processes Macroeconomics and PolicyMarketing II Government Systems and Policy ProcessInternet – Enabled BusinessesMarketing III Organizational Dynamics Strategic Management Managerial Analysis and Communication Flexicore Courses (FC) Rural, Social and Institutional Environment

Agricultural & Food Policy Agricultural Finance Marketing of Agricultural Inputs Strategic Food Marketing International Agri-Food Trade Value Chain Management – Applications in Agribusiness CINE: Understanding Creativity, Innovation, Knowledge, Networks And EntrepreneurshipFood and Agri-business International Strategies and Organisations Micro Finance Management Food Supply Chain Management Analyzing and Building Competencies Carbon Finance Public Policy Social Entrepreneurship: Innovating Social Change Sales and Distribution Management For Agriculture Management for Agribusiness  Projects Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Agribusiness Leadership Agricultural Futures and Option Markets Agricultural Markets and Pricing Economics of Food Quality Applied Agricultural Trade and Policy Analysis Managing Sustainability Managing Energy Businesses Investigating Corporate Social Irresponsibility

Popular Courses after MBA in Agriculture

Here are some popular courses to pursue after MBA in Agriculture-

• PhD in Agriculture
• PhD in Agribusiness Management
• PhD in Agriculture and Food Security
• PhD in Agricultural and Extension Education.
• PhD in Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics.
• PhD in Agri-Environmental Economics.
• PhD in Transformation of Global Agri-Food.

MBA in Agriculture from IGNOU

IGNOU is one of the most popular open universities in India. They offer a wide range of programmes and courses to students who wish to study remotely and gain valuable skills to advance in their careers. IGNOU does not offer an MBA in Agriculture, rather the institution offers PG diploma, certificate and diploma courses in the field of agriculture. Here is a list of courses offered by IGNOU-

• Post-Graduate Diploma in Food Safety and Quality Management 
• Post-Graduate Certificate in Agriculture Policy
• Diploma in Dairy Technology 
• Diploma in Value Added Products from Fruits and Vegetables 
• Diploma in Watershed Management 
• Diploma in Meat Technology 
• Certificate in Sericulture 
• Certificate in Water Harvesting and Management 
• Certificate in Poultry Farming 
• Certificate in Beekeeping 
• Certificate in Organic Farming 
• Awareness Programme on Dairy Farming

MBA in Agriculture in the USA

MBA in Agriculture is a popular MBA specialisation in the USA. It is offered by universities like North Dakota State University, Northwest Missouri State University, University of Minnesota, Indiana University Bloomington and North Dakota State University. Here are some popular courses for MBA in Agriculture in the USA-

• MBA in Agribusiness
• MS in Food and AgriBusiness Management
• MS in Applied Economics
• MS in Supply Chain Management
• MBA/MS in Agricultural Economics
• MBA/MS in Business Analytics

Career After MBA in Agriculture

The need for innovation in the agricultural industry is increasing more than ever. To achieve the goal, companies require professionals who can strategise and implement new ideas to boost the production and effective distribution of food. The industries that offer jobs to graduates with an MBA in Agriculture include: 

• Food Production Companies
• Farming Industries
• Public and Private Sector
• Marketing Industries 
• Retail Industries
• FMCG Companies
• Tea/Coffee Plantation Gardens
• FCI Offices
• Colleges & Universities
• Food Processing Companies

Job Profiles & Career Prospects After MBA in Agriculture

There are an array of job profiles in agribusiness that you can find while choosing a career in Agriculture. Here are some of the job positions you can take after an MBA in Agriculture:

• Agricultural Manager
• Agriculture Operations Specialist
• Marketing Analyst
• Accounting Manager
• Bioterrorism Consultant
• Financial Analyst
• Agribusiness Owner/Manager
• Alternative Energy Consultant
• Business Manager
• Operation Officer
• Credit Analyst
• Sales Manager
• Rural Manager
• Planning
• Commercial Executive
• Investment Analyst
• Sales Representative
• Relationship Manager

MBA in Agriculture Salary 

Some of the most popular employment options available following an MBA in Agri-Business are listed below along with an annual salary.

Job Profile	Annual Salary
Farm Appraiser	INR 4 Lac
Agriculture Policy Analyst	INR 3-4 Lac
Market analyst	INR 6 Lac
Financer	INR 6 Lac
Quality Controller	INR 5 Lac
Marketing Head	INR 7 Lac
Bio compost sales head	INR 5 Lac
Relationship manager	INR 4-10 Lac
Operation Manager	INR 4-5 Lac

Skills

• Marketing Skills
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• Leadership skills
• Management skills
• Analytical and Problem-solving skills

Also Read: MBA Without Work Experience

FAQs

The agricultural industry is a whole new world to explore with a collection of job profiles. If you’ve made up your mind to pursue an MBA in Agriculture, our counselors at Leverage Edu are here to help you in choosing the right university to take the first big step towards a cultivated career. For the latest updates around study blogs, you can follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook & also subscribe to our newsletter.