New Delhi. : School of Agriculture, IGNOU has launched three Programmes, a Master Degree Programme, a PG Diploma Level, and a Diploma, viz., M.Sc in Food Safety and Quality Management, Post Graduate Diploma in Agribusiness (PGDAB), and Diploma in Horticulture (DHORT) from January, 2022 session.
M.Sc in Food Safety and Quality Management (M.ScFSQM)
Food safety is an emerging discipline and has gained much importance since the enactment of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which came into force in 2011. There is an acute shortage of professionals to develop and implement science based standards and food safety systems including their harmonization with international standards. The enforcement of the act has created a good demand for the qualified food safety professionals in various areas like food processing, food testing, food safety, food regulation, auditing, risk management, capacity building etc. Only a limited number of qualified food safety professionals are produced every year in the country. IGNOU is currently offering PG Diploma in Food Safety and Quality Management (PGDFSQM) programme(developed with the financial and technical support of APEDA, GOI) which is being upgraded to M.Sc in Food Safety and Quality Management programme and will be offered through Open and Distance learning mode to produce well qualified and competent human resource in the food safety sector in a large scale within short duration to meet the demand for the food safety professional of the country.
Objectives:
· To develop qualified and competent human resource in the field of the food safety and quality management for regulators, industry, academic/research institutions, certifying and accreditation bodies, food trade, food testing and training;
· To develop in depth on various aspects of food safety and quality management i.e. food standards, harmonization with global benchmarks, quality management systems, food analysis, instrumentation, risk analysis /management, traceability and auditing to transform the food ecosystem;
· To nurture a positive and disciplined food safety culture among the professionals; and
· To conduct research studies on emerging food safety issues and formulation of science based regulatory framework.
Duration:
Minimum: 2 years and Maximum:4years
Eligibility criteria for admission:
a) Graduation/ Post Graduation in Science with Chemistry/ Biochemistry or Microbiology as one of the subjects.
b) Graduation/ Post Graduation in allied sciences like Agriculture/ Food Science/ Food Technology/ Post Harvest Technology/ Engineering/ Home Science/ Life Science/ Microbiology/ Biochemistry/ Biotechnology/ Horticulture/ Dairy Technology/ Veterinary/ Fisheries/ Hotel Management and Catering/ Hospitality Management etc.
c) Graduation with PG Diploma in Food Safety and Quality Management (lateral entry for 2nd year of M.Sc).
Employment opportunities:
l Food safety team leader/member in Food industry/hospitality institutions
l Food safety officer/inspector in Regulatory bodies
l Auditor in certification and inspection bodies
l Trainer/Counsellor in training/counseling bodies.
l Member in supply chain management team in retail chain/ industry
l Self-Employment as certifying professionals, counselor, trainer, auditor
Post Graduate Diploma in Agribusiness (PGDAB)
Agriculture is shifting from subsistence farming to commercial activity. New opportunities are opening up in the agriculture sector due changing business environment, socio-economy of the country, and global scenario. The sector is strongly responding to the demands of consumers and markets in terms of the diversified product base, quality, and price. The development of competitive and quality agriculture with the diminishing role of government has become the forefront of the agricultural economy. There is an unparallel demand on the capabilities and competence of human resources responsible for linking farm production with consumption vis a vis economics-environment equilibrium. Keeping this in view, the School of Agriculture is developing the PG Diploma in Agribusiness (PGDAB) programme. The target group of this programme is graduates in agriculture and allied field, in-service and practicing agricultural extension and development professionals, professionals of NGOs, cooperatives, Corporate, financial, and marketing organizations/institutions.
Objectives:
The objectives of the programme are:
· To develop agribusiness professionals in agriculture, food, and allied sectors;
· To encourage entrepreneurship among farmers, intermediaries & traders, and other stakeholders in the agri-enterprise chain; and
· To inculcate and develop managerial skills among the learners to cater to the needs of the agriculture sector.
Eligibility: Graduation in any discipline
Programme Coordinator: Dr. Praveen Kumar Jain, Associate Professor, School of Agriculture, IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068
Phone: 011-29573091, Email: pkjain@ignou.ac.in
Target group:
· Fresh graduates interested to pursue a career in the agriculture business;
· Contract farmers;
· Traders and intermediaries dealing with agricultural produce and products;
· Technician and managers in agro-industries and enterprises dealing with agriculture inputs and outputs;
· Self-entrepreneurs in agriculture;
· Market researchers and managers; and
· Personnel of government and non-government organizations have a stake in the agriculture sector.
Diploma in Horticulture (DHORT)
Horticulture is one of the most important branches of agriculture, and directly provides employment to various students. It covers not only fruit and vegetable production but flower production, nursery management and landscaping are other subsidiaries. The Government of India launched National Horticulture Mission (NHM) during 2004-05 to boost the sector. Under NHM, training and education in horticulture are an integral component. To train huge manpower in horticulture, designing an educational programme in horticulture is the need of the hour.
This programme has been developed with the financial support of the Ministry of Agriculture Farmers Welfare, GOI.
Objectives:
· To educate the secondary pass students about horticulture,
· To build human resources at supervisor, gardeners, entrepreneurs and middle technician in the area of horticulture, and
· To develop entrepreneurship in horticulture.
Eligibility: 10+2 or equivalent
Course Duration: Minimum 1 year and maximum 3 years.
Employment Opportunities:
· Trained human resources in horticulture at various levels.
· Capacity building of unemployed rural youths.
· Updating knowledge of farmers/entrepreneurs in the area of horticulture.
Programme Coordinator: Prof. S.K. Yadav, Professor, School of Agriculture, IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068,
Phone: 011-29537067/29573088, Email: skyadav@ignou.ac.in
The interested candidates can register for the programmes at https://ignouiop.samarth.edu.in/
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