Horticulture is the study of the cultivation, production, marketing process and propagation of ornamental plants, flowers, turf, vegetables, fruits and nuts. This science is unique among plant sciences because it not only involves science and technology, but also incorporates art and principles of design in using fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants, says DR VIBHA GUPTA.

The work

Trees, shrubs, flowers, fruits, vegetables — these are in the horticulturist’s domain! They are mainly involved in growing and maintaining horticultural farms, orchards, plantations and gardens for various organisations. They may also maintain glass houses for out-of-season and delicate plants. They combine scientific knowledge and technical skills to grow and develop plants for better human nutrition, and to improve the aesthetic quality of our environment.

With the widespread commercialization of this activity, there are now industrial houses which handle large scale and scientific cultivation of fruits and vegetables. Specialists in plant types may manage plant-growing operations or retail outlets such as nurseries.

Some horticulturists go into marketing, fruit and vegetable processing and preservation and landscaping. Others enter into the development and maintenance of town and country parks, picnic areas, golf courses, as also landscaping of gardens, lawns, hot-houses and nurseries. There are also opportunities in teaching and advisory services, which would include motivation of fruit growers, and liaison with marketing agencies within the country and abroad.

Getting in…

Horticulture and landscaping programmes are designed to prepare people to produce and market plants, shrubs, and trees used principally for ornamental and recreational purposes and to plant and maintain grounds and ornamental plants. Most programmes cover the care of flowers, trees, and shrubs, equipment maintenance and grounds management.

B.Sc. in Horticulture is a 4-year-programme for which the eligibility is 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Agriculture. This graduate programme teaches various scientific techniques to improve the quality and quantity of plants.

Students study Biotechnology, Entomology and Apiculture, Floriculture and Landscaping, Fruit Breeding and Genetic Resources, Mycology and Plant Pathology, Pomology, Post-Harvest Technology and Vegetable Crops. The student also learns about various tasks from the procurement of raw material to the final distribution of the end product. In the final year, students are required to have on-the-job experience through internship. Depending on the work, students may spend time in laboratories, greenhouses or in the field.

Admission to B.Sc. in Horticulture is on the basis of performance in the entrance examinations conducted by various colleges. The following are the types of tests conducted:

Those seriously interested in this field should go for a Master’s degree. There are many specializations offered like floriculture (production and marketing of floral crops), obericulture (production and marketing of vegetables), pomology (production & marketing of fruits), landscaping (production, marketing and maintenance of plants) and post-harvest physiology (maintaining quality and preventing spoilage of crops). Turf management programmes prepare people to maintain grassed areas such as athletic playing fields and to produce grass for transplanting to lawns and other areas. An MBA in agri-business teaches students strategy, managerial skills and business acumen of the field.

Key skills

Some institutes

Remuneration

A fresher starts with a package of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per month. Those with higher qualifications may start with a better salary. The salary of a horticulture professional in the private sector is more as compared to the public sector.

Hot locations

Most work for agro-based industries, fruit and vegetable processing units, forestry-based industries, insecticide, pesticide and fungicide manufacturing units and state horticulture and forest departments. Many work in hotels, health farms and holiday resorts to beautify their surroundings. Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) also recruits horticulturists to work as agricultural scientists. Some start their own farm or nursery and sell its produce in the open market or export it. Others become consultants in the use of plants.

Employment profile

The current trends toward urbanization and population increase, together with the increased demand for gardening and landscaping services for preserving and restoring the environment have ensured a continuing demand for horticultural goods and services. This has all, in turn, resulted in an increased demand for horticulturists.