An Online MBA in Agriculture is an advanced degree program that combines traditional business management courses with issues and topics relevant to the agriculture sector, for individuals seeking to expand knowledge within the field of agribusiness. It usually lasts 2 years part-time and is available online, allowing for participation by working people or those living in distant places. Typical eligibility is a bachelor’s degree in any field, with some institutions preferring an agriculture-related background. Previous agricultural work experience is generally preferred, but not always required.
Fee depends upon the nature and duration of courses, whereas IGNOU has an Online MBA in Agri-Business Management that offers a total fee of ₹62,000, which is divided into installments for four semesters. Other universities like the Institute of Agribusiness and Rural Management(IARM) have an overall program fee of ₹5,50,000, registration and admission fees inclusive. MSc Agriculture (Agriculture as a Profession). This program prepares students with skills to manage different aspects of the agriculture industry, such as supply chain management, rural marketing, and agricultural economics.
Online MBA in Agriculture Highlights 2025
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Name | MBA in Agribusiness Management (Online / Distance) |
| Duration | 2 years minimum; up to 4 years in many programs |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s degree (minimum 3 years) with at least 50% marks (45% for reserved categories in many cases) |
| Mode of Learning | Online / Distance learning, with lectures, assignments, projects, possibly industry exposure |
| Fee Structure / Range | For IGNOU: ₹ 15,500 per semester for semesters 1, 2 & 4; ₹ 17,500 for semester 3; total ~ ₹ 66,000 For ISAB (Online MBA in Food & Agribusiness): total ~ ₹ 1,68,000 |
| Key Subjects | Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Policies, Supply Chain Management, Commodity Trading, Rural Marketing |
| Skills Developed | Managerial skills, strategic planning, project management, techno‑commercial understanding |
| Target Audience | Fresh graduates, professionals in agriculture or allied fields, entrepreneurs interested in agribusiness |
| Career Opportunities | Agribusiness Manager, Supply Chain Analyst, Policy Advisor, roles in food processing, commodity trade, rural development |
Online MBA in Agriculture Admission Process
Step 1. Check Eligibility
- Should possess a graduate degree from a University recognised by the UGC.
- Minimum marks typically ~50% (but possibly lower (45%) for reserved categories).
- Some programs give preference to students with a background in agriculture / allied sciences.
Step 2. Create/Login Account / Registration
- Apply to the university online admission portal.
- For IGNOU, a DEB ID (Distance Education Bureau) is usually needed.
- ISAB, you need to make a viewing account on their website.
Step 3. Fill the Application Form
- Fill in your personal information, previous education, and preference for specialization if you have any.
- It will be used to register photographs, ID proof, etc., and required documents (if applicable), document file search on your local storage.
Step 4. Pay Application / Registration Fee
- Pay the non‑refundable application fee.
- For IGNOU, registration fee + semester/course fees are applicable.
- Pay the online application fee and registration fee for ISAB.
Step 5. Document Verification
- The university reviews submitted documents. If it is not (applicant has missing or incorrect documents/info), the applicant will have to correct or resubmit.
Step 6. Selection Criteria (if applicable)
- There are some colleges that take the entrance exams (like CAT/MAT/XAT/CMAT, etc.) or their own test called ISA’BEST for applicants. Some institutes shortlist students based on their performance in the previous study + profile.
- Sometimes GD (Group Discussion ), an Interview, or a writing test, etc, is in the process.
Step 7. Admission Confirmation
- You get the admission after you are found eligible, documents are checked, and the fee is submitted.
- You will receive a confirmation email or sms notification. Student Portal / LMS username and password may be provided.
Step 8. Registration and Re‑Registration
- For IGNOU/distance: Once the student is admitted and has completed initial registration, there may be “registration” for the first semester and re‑registration for the next semester.
Step 9. Begin Studies
- Access online course material/resources.
- “Attend online classes, do your assignments, and take the tests when they are on time.
Online MBA In Agriculture Fee Structure 2025
| Institute | Total Program Fee | Payment Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Symbiosis School of Sports Sciences | ₹ 3,50,000 – ₹ 4,00,000 | Semester-wise or Annual |
| Jain University | ₹ 2,50,000 – ₹ 3,00,000 | Semester-wise or Annual |
| UPES | ₹ 2,50,000 – ₹ 3,50,000 | Semester-wise or Annual |
| IGNOU (Distance MBA) | ₹ 40,000 – ₹ 50,000 | Yearly or Semester-wise |
| Suresh Gyan Vihar University | ₹ 1,50,000 – ₹ 2,00,000 | Semester-wise or Annual |
| Amity Online | ₹ 2,50,000 – ₹ 3,00,000 | Semester-wise or Annual |
| NMIMS Global | ₹ 1,80,000 – ₹ 2,50,000 | Semester-wise or Annual |
Eligibility Criteria for Online MBA in Agriculture
1. Educational Qualification:
- General Category: A candidate must have passed B.A. with at least 50% marks.
- Sc/ST/OBC/PwD: Bachelor’s degree with at least 45% marks.
- Preferred Disciplines: Agriculture and Allied fields such as Horticulture, Forestry, Fisheries, Sericulture, Home Science, Dairy Processing/Technology Marketing, Agribusiness management.
- Non-Agriculture Background: Graduates from backgrounds other than agriculture, such as B.A., B.Com, B.Tech, BBA/BCA, are also eligible to apply.
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2. Age Limit:
- Normally, candidates must be younger than 26. But this can depend on the institution.
3. Work Experience:
- Others may favor candidates with professional work experience, though it’s not always required.
4. Entrance Examination:
- ISAB Greater Noida: The applicants with a percentile in CAT or CMAT higher than 75 are exempted from the online aptitude test of the institute and will directly be considered for the further selection process comprising GD&PI.
- Other Institutes: A few institutes may have their own entrance examinations or use scores from national-level management tests such as CAT, MAT, or CMAT.
5. Selection Process:
- ISAB Greater Noida: The screening is followed by an online aptitude test /Group Discussion / Personal Interview. Applicants with excellent national entrance examination scores are preferably waived from the aptitude test.
- Other Institutes: It may consist of an Entrance Test, a Group Discussion & a Personal Interview, and performance in academics.
6. Language Proficiency:
- There could be some universities that would require evidence of ability in the English language, especially if it is not a medium of instruction in past education.
7. Technical Requirements:
- Basic computer and internet skills are needed to participate in online courses.
Online MBA in Agriculture Courses [Syllabus]
| Semester | Core Subjects |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Principles of Management, Managerial Economics, Accounting for Managers, Business Statistics, Information Systems for Business, Organizational Behavior, Communication Skills |
| Semester 2 | Cost & Management Accounting, Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Research Methodology, Marketing Management, Production and Operation Management, International Business |
| Semester 3 | Rural Marketing & Agri-Input Marketing, Agri Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Commodity Markets |
| Semester 4 | Management of Agri Cooperatives, Food Retail & Food Processing Management, Agriculture Export and Import |
Best Colleges for Online MBA in Agriculture 2025
- Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
- Parul University
- Lovely Professional University (LPU)
- Manipal University Jaipur
- Symbiosis Institute of International Business (SIIB) Pune
- O.P. Jindal Global University
- KIIT School of Management
- Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour
- LNCT University
Online MBA in Agriculture Entrance Exam by Colleges
| Institute | Entrance Exam Requirement |
|---|---|
| Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) | No entrance exam required. Admission is based on merit, considering academic qualifications. |
| ISAB Greater Noida | No entrance exam required. Admission is based on profile evaluation, including academic background and relevant experience. |
| Lovely Professional University (LPU) | May require an entrance exam. Admission criteria include academic performance and possibly an entrance test. |
| Parul University | May require an entrance exam. Admission is based on academic performance and may include an entrance test. |
| Symbiosis Institute of International Business (SIIB) Pune | Requires SNAP Test 2025 scores. The Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) is a national-level entrance exam for admission to MBA programs at Symbiosis institutes. |
| O.P. Jindal Global University | May require an entrance exam. Admission criteria include academic performance and possibly an entrance test. |
| KIIT School of Rural Management (KSRM) | Accepts KIITEE Management 2025 scores or other national-level test scores like CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, GMAT. |
| Institute of Agribusiness and Rural Management (IARM) | Conducts its own IARM Entrance Exam 2024-26, a multiple-choice objective type written test in English. |
| Institute of Agribusiness and Rural Management (SABM) | Accepts scores from CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, ATMA, or its own entrance test. |
Online MBA in Agriculture Scope in India
The Online MBA in Agriculture has a brighter career scope in India with the country’s focus on agribusiness development and rural planning. The program is designed to prepare professionals to operate in the new agriculture industry – work with its technology, market it globally, and compete regionally.
Career Opportunities
- Agribusiness Executive Manager: Directs operations at agribusiness firms to make the most of production and buying supplies.
- Supply Chain Analyst: Manages the flow of agricultural produce from farm to consumer.
- Policy Advisor: Offers guidance on agricultural policy to government and non-governmental bodies.
- Agri-Consultant: You consult the businesses to teach them how to optimally do farming or business in agriculture.
- Entrepreneur: Sets up agri-tech, food processing, or rural retail ventures.
Industry Demand
- Agri-Tech Startups: AgroStar and Ninjacart are two companies that are on the lookout for professionals to connect tech and agriculture.
- FMCG(m) Sector: ITC, Amul, etc, need specialists in food sourcing and supply chain.
- Government & NGOs: Participate in rural development and agricultural policy application.
- Consulting Firms: Deloitte and PwC are some of the firms looking to hire consultants in agribusiness.
FAQs
Q. What is an MBA in Agriculture?
- MBA in Agriculture is a niche-oriented postgraduate course that imparts fundamental knowledge of business principles and practices with an in-depth focus on the agricultural domain. It concentrates on agri-markets, WS&M, supply chain management, and Agribusiness strategies. This program aims to develop leaders who are well prepared with industry skills and knowledge, as well as an understanding of large-scale farming systems.
Q. What are the requirements for an MBA in Agriculture?
- Eligibility requirements may differ by institution, but are commonly:
- A bachelor’s degree in agriculture, agribusiness, food science and technology, or related disciplines.
- Minimum 50% (45% for SC/ST candidates) in graduation.
- A few may also seek experience working in the field of agriculture.
- Scores in entrance exams such as CAT or MAT, XAT, or institution-specific tests.
Q. What is the scope of an MBA in agriculture?
Upon completion of the programme, graduates can look for jobs in both public and private sectors, such as:
- Agribusiness Manager
- Supply Chain Analyst
- Policy Advisor
- Agri-Consultant
- Agri-tech or food processing entrepreneur.
Industries span from the FMCG, agri-tech start-ups, government agencies, and consulting organisations.
Q. How long is the MBA-Agriculture, and what is the mode of this course?
The programme usually has a duration of 2 years for four semesters. It has several modes, including:
- Full-time: Traditional classroom-based learning.
- Online: Several flexible, digital learning platforms with both live sessions and recorded lectures.
- Distance Learning: Study Programmes at a distance of place and period with face-to-face meetings during breaks.
Q. Which are the best colleges for an MBA in Agriculture in India?
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow – PGP-ABM
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- Institute of Agribusiness Management and Rural Development, Jaipur
- Institute of Agribusiness and Rural Management (SABM) Jaipur
- Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), Anand
- Fragments of the Symposium Bio-Fertiliser Programme in India.
- Online Vidyaa (Online MBA Agri-Business Management)
