Career library · Science and research
Agriculture extension worker
Getting better farming methods to the farmers who need them
What people in this work actually do
Advise farmers on crops, soil, pests, irrigation and schemes, run demonstrations and field days, collect and report field data, and link farmers to testing, inputs, credit and markets.
This may suit you if…
You know farming, you can explain a technical idea to someone who left school early, and you want to improve things across a whole area rather than one field.
Constant travel on poor roads in all weather. Farmers are reasonably sceptical of advice from someone young, so credibility must be earned. Targets and reporting can crowd out the actual advisory work.
We show these because nobody else will.
What people get wrong about this
That it is only a government job. Agri-input companies, cooperatives, farmer producer organisations and agri-technology firms all employ extension staff.
What this looks like in a smaller town
Growing up in a farming household is a genuine professional advantage here, which is rarely true of other graduate careers.
Ways into this work
There is almost always more than one route, and the cheapest is often perfectly respected.
Diploma in agriculture
Polytechnic diploma · Starts from Class Classes 11 and 12
A two to three year agriculture diploma.
- How long
- 3 years
- What it costs
- Not yet verified
- Available near you?
- In district towns
How to do it
Check which agricultural polytechnics are within reach and when they admit.
B.Sc. Agriculture
Degree course · Starts from Class Classes 11 and 12
A four-year agriculture degree.
- How long
- 4 years
- What it costs
- Not yet verified
- Available near you?
- Mainly in cities
How to do it
Find your state agricultural university's entrance examination and note when it is held.
Skills that matter here
Speaking clearly
Explaining something so the other person understands it the first time.
Using resources carefully
Using less water, fuel and electricity to do the same work.
Reading with understanding
Reading an instruction or a form and knowing what it asks.
Writing clearly
Filling a form, writing a message or a note without confusing the reader.
See whether this fits your family
School is one of five parts of growing up. See how your child is doing across all five, what to try next at their age, and what it would honestly cost in your area.
Start freeSources
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Approved institutions and programmes
All India Council for Technical Education
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Recognised universities and degree programmes
University Grants Commission
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National Skills Qualifications Framework
National Council for Vocational Education and Training
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National Career Service
Ministry of Labour and Employment