MBA in Agri-Business: Course, Admission, Syllabus, Entrance Exams, Colleges, Jobs, Salary

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Sounak Banerjee

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MBA in Agri-Business is one of the fastest- growing sectors to be in, both as an entrepreneur and a professional. The course is related to the business of crop cultivation, food production and the various related business concepts in agriculture. The curriculum explores the whole range of agronomic products grown in India, their importance and their needs. The course attempts to understand and innovate ways and means to protect and preserve agrarian sources, and also focuses on their related objectives and effectiveness in commercial operations, besides conducting constant research in farm- maintenance.

MBA in Agri-Business is a 2-year course, following the basic rules of a course in management and consisting of 4 semesters.

In India, the course is offered at an average annual fee ranging between INR 3 to 8 Lacs, however, the fee varies according to differences in the institute providing the course. As a basic criterion of eligibility, to pursue this course the candidate needs to have attained a basic qualification of graduation in Agriculture or allied fields, from a recognized institute of higher learning. The next step in the procedure is to qualify for any of CAT, MAT, XAT etc. A college may also have its admission procedure on the State level.

The average annual starting salary offered in India to successful postgraduates of an MBA in Agri-Business ranges between INR 2 to 10 Lacs, depending on the reputation of the college and skills of the post-graduating candidate. Job positions in the country like Farm Appraiser, Agricultural Policy Analyst, Farm Manager, Quality Controller etc. are offered to successful postgraduates of the course.

MBA in Agri-Business: Course Highlights

Tabulated below are some of the major highlights of the course.

Name of the course Master of Business Administration in Agri-Business
Course Level Post Graduate/ Professional Degree
Duration 2 years, full time
Stream Agriculture Management
Examination Type Semester System
Eligibility Graduation from any stream with at least 50% marks in aggregate
Admission Process Based on counselling sessions after clearing Entrance Tests (CAT/ MAT) or direct admission in some cases
Average Course Fee INR 3 to 8 Lacs
Average Starting Salary INR 2 to 10 Lacs
Top recruiting Companies All of the Agriculture Industry

MBA in Agri-Business: What is it About?

With India being ranked 2nd in the world in agricultural and farm output, this course promises a good career scope for pursuers of the discipline. This course has all kinds of links with the area like agriculture input, agriculture processing, agriculture production, agriculture marketing and manufacture. This course also covers a range of aspects of economics besides broader sectors of management like Finance, including lending, commodity training, microfinance, supply chain management, taxation, marketing, and essentially, rural marketing. The course involves concepts of production, marketing and trading of agriculture-related products.

MBA in Agri-Business: Who Should Opt?

Candidates with a flair for agriculture as an academic field and an interest in exploring and resolving agriculture and farmer-related grievances in the Indian farm landscape may opt for this specialization. The course is ideally suited for candidates driven to cause positive changes through research and practical application in the agricultural scene of the country.

Candidates need to pass any of the relevant entrance exams conducted for admission to the course, followed by rounds of Group Discussion and Personal Interviews in the final stages. The main entrance exams held for the course are CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT etc.

MBA in Agri-Business: DIPLOMA

There are colleges in the country which provide a 1- year diploma course in the discipline.

Eligibility for MBA In Agri-Business

Candidates wishing to apply for MBA in Agri-Business are needed to meet the following minimum criteria of eligibility:

  • A minimum aggregate score of 50% at the level of graduation, completed from a recognized institute of higher learning.
  • Graduation with agriculture or allied farming as main subject.
  • Candidates waiting for their final year graduation results are welcome too.

Entrance Exams for MBA In Agri-Business

Some popular Entrance Exams for MBA In Agri-Business are: 

Exam Name Exam Details
CAT Check Here
MAT  Check Here
SNAP Check Here
IIFT Check Here
IBSAT Check Here
CMAT Check Here
MAH CET Check Here
NMAT Check Here
ATMA Check Here
XAT Check Here
TISSNET Check Here
TANCET Check Here

Top Institutes Offering MBA In Agri-Business

Some of the leading institutes in the country offering the course are listed in the table below along with their locations and respective fees charged by them.

Name Of College City Average Annual Fees
International Agri-Business Management Institute Anand (Gujrat) INR 5 Lac
Institute of Agri-Business Management Bikaner INR 3 Lac
College of Agri-Business Management Pantnagar INR 6 Lac
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad INR 10 +
Lac
Symbiosis Institute of International Business Hinjewadi INR 6 Lac
National Institute of Agriculture Extension Management Hyderabad INR 5 Lac
Indian Institute of Management Lucknow INR 6- 7 Lac

MBA in Agri-Business: Syllabus

The course is evenly divided across 4 semesters covered over 2 years, and a semester-wise breakup of the course is tabulated here:

SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2
  • Management Principles & Values 
  • Accounting & Financial Analysis Financial Management for Agri-Business
  • Quantitative Techniques
  • Managerial Economics
  • Environment & Agri Business Management Marketing
  • Organizational Behaviour & Ethos
  • Financial Management for Agri Business
  • Agribusiness & Rural Marketing
  • Research Methods in Agri Business Management
  • Production & Operations Management
  • Human Resource Management
SEMESTER 3 SEMESTER 4
  • Business Law and Ethics
  • Entrepreneurship & Project Management Computer Application and MIS
  • Practical Training (8 weeks)
  • Strategic Management
  • Seminar in Agribusiness Management
  • Dissertation
  • Viva Voice

ELECTIVES

GROUP A
  • Materials Management
  • Seed Production and Technology
  • Fertilizer Technology & Management
  • Agro Chemical & Technology Management
GROUP B
  • Materials Management
  • Seed Production Technology
  • Management of Bio-Tech Industries
  • Management of Floriculture & Landscaping
GROUP C
  • Material Management
  • Technology Management for Livestock Products
  • Feed Business Management
  • Poultry and Hatchery Management
GROUP D
  • Materials Management
  • Technology Management for Livestock Products
  • Food Technology & Processing Management
  • Fruit Production & Post Harvest Management

PRACTICAL TRAINING

Candidates enrolled to this program also undergo practical training sessions. The training periods typically last for a minimum of 8 weeks at a reputed organization and industrial training is done in the relevant subject. All students upon the completion of their 2nd semester are required to go for such training. Stipends depend upon the policies of the concerned organization. Some training/ internships are paid and some are unpaid.

MBA in Agri-Business: Career Prospects

There is several options open in terms of career to successful postgraduates of the program, some of which are listed here.

  • Candidates may either go for employment in any of the private and government-relevant industries.
  • Candidates interested in further studies in the discipline may go for Ph. D.
  • Candidates may also choose the field of academia and go for teaching the subject in universities and colleges.
  • Often, candidates go for dual degrees in the same course.

Career opportunities for postgraduates of the course are mostly offered in the agricultural industry. The average annual salary package of candidates entering the industry as freshers is INR 2 to 6 Lacs.

Listed below are some of the top recruiting industries/ companies that hire successful postgraduates of the course.

  • Food production companies
  • Farming Industry
  • Public and Private Sector
  • Marketing Industry
  • Retail Industry

Tabulated below are some of the most popular job positions offered after an MBA in Agri-Business. Also listed are the corresponding job descriptions and the salaries offered for each role.

MBA in Agri-Business

Job Profile Description Average Annual Salary
Farm Appraiser Responsible for assessing the value of a farm, its employees and facilities. They spring into action when the farm is mortgaged, sold, insured, developed. INR 4 Lac
Agriculture Policy Analyst Responsible for developing and analysing policies that affect agriculture business INR 3-4 Lac
Market analyst Responsible for analysing the financial condition of the agri-business economic market INR 6 Lac
Financer Responsible for providing financial assistance for agri-businesses, such as matching crop suppliers with farms INR 6 Lac
Quality Controller Responsible for focussing on improving the output and quality of a farm’s production. INR 5 Lac
Marketing Head Responsible for leading marketing strategy of a firm, building awareness and buzz. INR 7 Lac
Bio compost sales head Responsible for creating awareness amongst local customers and driving sales- promotional activities. INR 5 Lac
Relationship manager Responsible for dealing with individual retail customers and advising them on various banking and financial products and services offered by the bank, and catering to the corporate clients like SME's or large corporations. INR 4-10 Lac
Operation Manager Responsible for improving the operational systems, processes and policies in support of organization mission- specifically better management reporting, information flow of management, business process and organizational planning. INR 4-5 Lac

Master of Business Administration [MBA] (Agribusiness) : 12 answered questions

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Ques. Is it worth joining the IIM Ahmedabad FABM programme after spending Rs. 21 lakhs?

● Top Answer By Debolina Bhattacharya on 26 Jul 21

Ans. IIM-A's PGP-FABM is a two-year full-time program that covers allied areas such as agriculture, food processing, commodities and rural development sector, and rural infrastructure. The fees for the batch 2021-2023 are 28 lakhs. One of my friends studying at IIM Ahmedabad said that a certificate doesn’t mean you will get a good placement offer. If you are taking a loan then be careful as your placement is not certain. Getting a collateral-free loan would be easy but paying it off will be a real task. The most important thing here is your financial goals and if getting a certificate from the IIMA PGP-FABM program fits into it then go ahead. As the fees for this program are too high, I’d say think about it and only go for it if you are highly interested in this field of study. However, if you are still dicey about whether to opt for this program or not I would suggest you to invest in attending a course conducted by Pavan Bhattad’s Brainival. It is a 2-day workshop in which he discusses speed reading, mind mapping, memory techniques, and ideas generation which was initially conducted in Pune.Read more
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Ques. What is the placement scenario and scope of the IIM PGP Agri Business Management (ABM) program in general and with special reference to IIM Lucknow?

● Top Answer By Shubham Chauhan on 08 Feb 24

Ans. It depends on the other options available to you. ABM graduates are eligible for many of the marketing and operations jobs that normal PGP students are. Choosing an ABM at any of the top IIMs (including IIM Lucknow) is a better option than a general MBA from a tier 2 business school. Even if you take a drop for CAT, it will be a waste of your year. In an MBA, your college tag makes a big difference. In the long run, the IIM tag will benefit your corporate career a lot.Read more
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Ques. Should I go for a PGPM in MDI Gurgaon or for IIM L ABM?

● Top Answer By Rishika Shindde on 22 Feb 23

Ans. Go for the IIM Lucknow ABM program only if you are sincerely inclined towards agri. If not then choosing ABM will limit your career prospects considerably and you might even regret it later. MDI Gurgaon PGDM is one of the oldest programs that have great value. MDI Gurgaon can easily be called the country’s best B School. The admissions are solely based on merit so the quality of your peers is top-notch. Some major highlights of the institute and its PGDM program are Experienced permanent faculty Student-driven clubs Student-driven Mutual Fund  Elaborate alumni network  Lush green campus Excellent peer learning So you will not regret choosing MDI even over IIM Lucknow.Read more
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Ques. I am interested in PGP-FABM of IIM Ahmedabad. I am 25. X- 86.7%,XII-70.3%, B.Tech-62.5%. AR-17. 1+years of work-ex in Accenture. What are my chances?

● Top Answer By Lalit Kumar on 13 Dec 22

Ans. The PGP-FABM program does not have any marks limit in its eligibility criteria. Rather it requires you to hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in agricultural sciences or agriculture-related disciplines with at least 50% marks ( or equivalent CGPA). The specific stream clause was added last year only. Make sure your stream does not pose any problem and you are fit to apply. Your chances depend on two factors/ CAT score Your performance in the interview  There is no specific age limit for this program.Read more
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Ques. How is the MBA agribusiness in Utkal University?

● Top Answer By Anupama Gupta on 02 Nov 21

Ans. In terms of academics, Utkal University will a decent option. The faculties at the university are well-experienced. Teaching methodology used at UU is better than other universities in Odisha. The environment at the university is great for academics. You will get to learn a lot from the faculties and it will expand your outlook.  However, the placement opportunities are limited at UU, since there are only a few companies at Orisha. But if you are serious about your studies and have the required skills, you can easily get jobs from off-campus placement.Read more
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Ques. Is there a separate shortlist for PGP fabm at IIM Ahmedabad?

● Top Answer By Abhijeet Goyal on 26 Jun 23

Ans. Yes, there is a separate shortlist for PGP FABM (Post Graduate Programme in Food and Agribusiness Management) at IIM Ahmedabad. The course primarily prefers students from agriculture, food, and allied courses. However, if a student is from a diverse background and has opted for the course while filling out the CAT form, they may also get shortlisted. There is no surety that all backgrounds will get shortlisted. For instance, it's rare to find a lawyer getting shortlisted for FABM. Read more
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Ques. Which course among PGP at IIM Indore and PGP-ABM at IIM Lucknow should one choose if he/she has an interest in Marketing and Operations?

● Top Answer By Amit Datta on 09 Jan 23

Ans. The simple answer is that the choice of the course depends more or your overall profile than the course itself. Irresponsible of your specialization your chances at placements will be low if your resume is below average. Moreover, institutes like IIM Indore and IIM Lucknow offer joint placements for both programs.  Students can apply to any company irrespective of their specialization. Yet there are many who are able to get into their dream companies while some failed to get a call from a reputed firm. This is because the PGP program just added value to your resume and if that is already poor then even PGP cannot guarantee you a high-paying job. So if you already have a good resume all you need to do is improve your resume in marketing and operations. This can be done through extra-curricular activities and B-school competitions. For this the PGP-ABM program is perfect. But if you have a below-average resume, then go for PGP. Because then extracurricular activities alone will not improve your resume. You need class projects and good academic scores to upgrade it. Unlike PGP-ABM, you won’t miss out on basic electives related to marketing/ops/finance. So nothing is certain about an MBA program. One needs to know what he will be doing after acquiring knowledge to decide which course to take. I will personally suggest you go for IIM Lucknow PGP-ABM if you just want to improve your resume.Read more
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Ques. Which course should I choose between IIML ABM, SPJAIN IM and IIM Shillong PGP?

● Top Answer By Himank Agarwal on 16 Jan 23

Ans. No matter which B School you choose, PGP is always a better choice than ABM. But there might be a specific reason why you got an ABM offer rather than a PGP. But at IIM Lucknow, students of both programs are offered equal opportunities. These include final placements. summer placements and subsequent PPOs.  The major drawback of ABM is that you are deprived of the PGP electives and can cover ABM electives only. These electives cover strategy marketing and operations.  Talking about your offer from SP JAIN for IM, let me tell you that in this regard, IIM Shillong is a much better choice. Its campus in Dubai is a testament to its worth.Read more
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Ques. What is your review of PGP-ABM (PG Programme in Agribusiness Management), IIM Ahmedabad?

● Top Answer By Vinisha Vasudevan on 08 May 23

Ans. The 2-year full-time Post Graduate Programme in Agribusiness Management (PGP-ABM) at IIM Ahmedabad is a great course. It teaches agribusiness management. The program trains agriculture and allied managers.PGP-ABM covers agriculture production, marketing, supply chain management, finance, and policy analysis. IT is also stressed in agriculture management. The program includes agribusiness internships and field trips. The PGP-ABM program at IIM Ahmedabad requires a written test, group discussion, and personal interview. Bachelor's degree in any field with at least 50% grades or comparable CGPA. Agriculture or related experience is preferred. The PGP-ABM program at IIM Ahmedabad is well-regarded and offers good prospects for agribusiness management students. In terms of placement, it offers 100% placement. The total number of offers accepted was 47 with one international offer. The highest domestic package offered was INR 33.83 LPA and the average domestic package was of INR 21.49 LPA.Read more
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Ques. How is MBA in Agribusiness Management at KIIT School of Rural Management(KSRM)? 

● Top Answer By Ankush Roy on 05 Jan 21

Ans. The MBA in Agribusiness Management program offered at KIIT School is a new course. It was started in 2019 and the first batch will graduate in 2021. The student intake for the course is 60. However, the strength of the first batch is 25. There are 2 students from abroad in the program. According to the reviews, some of the students dropped out of this course mid-way and various complain they didn’t receive their refund. The table below has a brief overview of the MBA in Agribusiness Management program at KIIT School. Category KIIT School of Rural Management Course Fee INR 7.59 lakhs Highest CTC INR 8 LPA Average CTC INR 6.75 LPA   Faculty: The faculty of this course are well-experienced but the teaching methodology adopted by them is dated. Most of the faculty members use PPT to discuss the topics and skip the details. The classes are 75 minutes long which leaves students exhausted. There is a 15 minutes break after each class. Admission: The entrance examination KIITEE is more of a formality. There is no minimum cutoff that you need to secure for admission. Hostel: There are hostel accommodations on-campus. The hostel is good but it is surrounded by buildings. You can feel a bit claustrophobic in the hostel rooms sometimes. During the lockdown for Covid-19, students were at home and taking classes online. Despite this situation, the institute charged around INR 7.5 lakhs course fee. Also, due to the pandemic summer internships were canceled this year. Students now need to find internships on their own.  Do your research and make an informed decision. Do not take admission just so you can get a job. Read more
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