Degrees in agriculture are in huge demand in Tamil Nadu, said a top official of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) at the first phase of counselling for various courses at the university.

More than 39,866 applications were received this year of which 36,321 were declared eligible, said Dr S Mahimairaja, dean (agriculture).

These applicants will vie for 2,260 seats which are distributed across the university, 14 other government colleges and 19 private colleges affiliated to the university.

About 4,800 students are expected to participate in the counselling, the first phase of which registered 1,084 students.

“Most students will opt for business or a career in agro-based industries and allied fields, at the end of their studies, with many specializing in research,” Dr Mahimairaja told The Covai Post.

S Kalaipriya, who scored 1,181 marks in the board exams, and has opted for BSc Agriculture, said she wants to sit for the Civil Services examination after finishing her degree, and contribute to the development of agriculture.

V S Mohana Viswanathan, who also scored 1181 marks has chosen BTech food processing and is planning to do research.

Her father, who is a farmer, said he believes his daughter’s education and specialist knowledge will help him improve his prospects too.

P Naveen is a student, a keen Botany student, did not want to tread the beaten path and rejected a future in medicine and engineering to choose agriculture. “I was called for medical college counselling and even got a seat in an engineering college, but decided to follow my dreams. But I had a lot of convincing to do as my family was disappointed. But in the end they agreed, and here I am.”

But will some of the agriculture aspirants be ready to plough and till as former US president Dwight Eisenhower once said – farming looks easy when your plough is a pencil and you’re 1,000 miles from the corn field. It’s those who are actually working the land and taking significant risks who feed our nation.

The dean answered: “The university offers elaborate degrees in farming with infrastructure to support it, and is up to the student to take decisions and we look forward to many taking up farming as a career.”