BSc in Agriculture and Forestry (BSc Ag)

BSc Ag at MU University Graduate School of Agriculture and Forestry

The Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSc Ag) at Mid-West University Graduate School of Agriculture and Forestry (MU-GSAF), Surkhet, is an eight-semester undergraduate program designed to develop practical and scientific knowledge in agriculture.

This course addresses the growing need for skilled professionals who can respond to food security, land productivity, and rural development challenges, particularly in provinces like Karnali.

Offered under the Mid-West University framework and recognized by the Government of Nepal, the program provides in-depth training in crop science, soil health, animal husbandry, agribusiness, and agricultural policy. With a curriculum that includes 40% theory and 60% practical work, it prepares students for both academic progression and hands-on field application.

Highlights

• Location: MU-GSAF, Bheriganga-11, Ramghat, Surkhet

• Affiliation: Mid-West University

• Duration: 4 years (8 semesters)

• Total Credit Hours: 165 (64.5 theory + 100.5 practical)

• Seat Capacity: 48

• Emphasis: Applied agriculture, research, community-based learning, policy exposure

Curriculum Details

This BSc Agriculture (total 4 years, 8 semesters) curriculum includes the following details: Subject Code, Course Title, Credit Hours (theory and practical), and Total Credit Hours.

First Semester – Total: 21 Credit Hours

• CFC 410 – Moral Education and Life Skill Development (0.5 + 1) = 1.5

• CFC 411 – Basic English (0.5 + 0.5) = 1

• CFC 412 – Computer Fundamentals (0.5 + 1) = 1.5

• ECO 413 – Principles of Economics (1 + 1) = 2

• EXT 414 – Rural Sociology (1 + 1) = 2

• HRT 415 – Principles of Horticulture (1 + 2) = 3

• AGR 416 – Principles of Crop Production and Weed Management (1 + 2) = 3

• SSC 417 – Introduction to Soil Science (1 + 1) = 2

• ANS 418 – Fundamentals of Animal Science (1 + 2) = 3

• OAG 419 – Agroecology and Climate Change (1 + 1) = 2

Second Semester – Total: 23 Credit Hours

• CFC 420 – Intermediate English (0.5 + 1) = 1.5

• CFC 421 – Computer Applications (0.5 + 1) = 1.5

• ECO 422 – Farm Resource Management (1 + 2) = 3

• HRT 423 – Plant Propagation and Nursery Management (1 + 1) = 2

• AGR 424 – Cereal Crop Production (1 + 2) = 3

• SSC 425 – Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management (1 + 2) = 3

• ANS 426 – Fundamentals of Animal Nutrition and Feed Management (1 + 2) = 3

• OAG 427 – Mountain Organic Agriculture (1 + 1) = 2

• PPT 428 – Principles of Plant Pathology (1 + 1) = 2

• PPT 429 – Introductory Entomology (1 + 1) = 2

Third Semester – Total: 23 Credit Hours

• CFC 430 – Advanced English (0.5 + 1) = 1.5

• CFC 431 – Glorified History and Culture of Nepal (1 + 0.5) = 1.5

• ECO 432 – Natural Resource Economics (1 + 1) = 2

• EXT 433 – Agriculture Extension Methodology (1 + 2) = 3

• HRT 434 – Fruit and Plantation Crop Production (1 + 2) = 3

• AGR 435 – Grain Legumes, Oilseeds, and Under-utilized Crop Species Production (1 + 1) = 2

• SSC 436 – Soil Physics and Classification (1 + 1) = 2

• ANS 437 – Ruminant and Non-Ruminant Production (2 + 1) = 3

• PPT 438 – Crop Pests and IPM (1 + 2) = 3

• PLB 439 – Biochemistry and Plant Physiology (1 + 1) = 2

Fourth Semester – Total: 22 Credit Hours

• CFC 440 – Organic Food, Health, and Happiness (0.5 + 0.5) = 1

• CFC 441 – Disaster and Humanitarian Response (0.5 + 0.5) = 1

• ECO 442 – Principles of Agro-Enterprise Development (1 + 2) = 3

• HRT 443 – Vegetable Production (1 + 1) = 2

• AGR 444 – Commercial Crop Production (1 + 1) = 2

• ANS 445 – Dairy Science and Technology (2 + 1) = 3

• OAG 446 – Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Production (1 + 2) = 3

• PLB 447 – Principles of Genetics (1 + 2) = 3

• AEN 448 – Farm Structure and Survey (1 + 1) = 2

• AQU 449 – Fundamentals of Aquaculture (1 + 1) = 2

Fifth Semester – Total: 23 Credit Hours

• CFC 450 – Basic Research Writing, Ethics, Publication, and Seminar (0.5 + 0.5) = 1

• CFC 451 – Basic Statistics and Bioinformatics (1 + 1) = 2

• ECO 452 – Agriculture Marketing, Trade, and Pricing Policy (1 + 2) = 3

• HRT 453 – Ornamental Plant Production (1 + 2) = 3

• AGR 454 – Nepalese Farming System (1 + 1) = 2

• SSC 455 – Irrigation and Water Management (1 + 2) = 3

• ANS 456 – Fodder Production and Pasture Management (1 + 2) = 3

• OAG 457 – Integrated Organic Agriculture (1 + 2) = 3

• PLB 458 – Principles and Practices of Plant Biotechnology (1 + 2) = 3

Sixth Semester – Total: 24 Credit Hours

• ECO 460 – Agriculture Development Plan and Policy (1 + 2) = 3

• EXT 461 – Agriculture Communication and Social Mobilization (1 + 2) = 3

• HRT 462 – Agroforestry and Indigenous Horticultural Crop Production (1 + 1) = 2

• AGR 463 – Seed Technology (1 + 2) = 3

• SSC 464 – Soil Conservation and Watershed Management (1 + 1) = 2

• ANS 465 – Animal Breeding and Biotechnology (1 + 1) = 2

• OAG 466 – Human Nutrition and One Health Management (1 + 2) = 3

• PPT 467 – Industrial Entomology and Mushroom Cultivation (1 + 2) = 3

• PLB 468 – Principles and Practices of Plant Breeding (1 + 2) = 3

Seventh Semester – Total: 23 Credit Hours

• ECO 470 – Survey Research Methodology (1 + 2) = 3

• EXT 471 – Agro-Tourism Development (1 + 1) = 2

• HRT 472 – Protected Horticulture and Post-Harvest Technology (1 + 2) = 3

• SSC 473 – GIS and Remote Sensing (1 + 1) = 2

• ANS 474 – Meat and Wool Production Technology (1 + 1) = 2

• OAG 475 – Organic Accreditation and Certification (1 + 1) = 2

• PPT 476 – Crop Disease Management (1 + 1) = 2

• AEN 477 – Farm Power and Machinery (1 + 1) = 2

• AQU 478 – Introduction to Fish and Fishery (1 + 2) = 3

• AED 479 – Agriculture Entrepreneurship Development (0 + 1) = 1

  • (Elective: Plant Science / Animal Science / Organic Agriculture Science)

Eighth Semester – Total: 6 Credit Hours

• UPR 480 – Undergraduate Project Report / MU Internship for Human Development Service (0 + 6) = 6

Grand Total of the Program

• Theory Credit Hours: 64.5

• Practical Credit Hours: 100.5

• Overall Total: 165 Credit Hours

• Theory : Practical Ratio: 40% : 60%

Objectives

The program is intended to:

• Build scientific understanding of crop, soil, and animal sciences

• Encourage field-based learning to solve real-world farming issues

• Promote responsible land and resource management

• Support community development through education and outreach

• Prepare students for service in public, private, and academic sectors

Scope

The course has national relevance, particularly in supporting Nepal’s agricultural transformation goals. With food insecurity, low productivity, and underutilized farmland being persistent challenges, trained graduates are needed to work on improving efficiency, yield, and sustainability across all levels of the sector.

Locally, Karnali’s geographical diversity makes it suitable for various types of agriculture, including medicinal plants, high-altitude vegetables, and livestock development. MU-GSAF students are trained to engage effectively with these contexts.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Apply scientific knowledge to enhance farm practices

• Research agricultural systems and present data-driven findings

• Implement climate-resilient and sustainable methods

• Advise communities, cooperatives, and institutions

• Participate in policy, development, and educational sectors related to agriculture

Skill Development Modules

Throughout the course, students gain practical skills in:

• Crop cultivation and seed handling

• Livestock care and feed formulation

• Soil fertility analysis and water management

• Project planning and agricultural marketing

• Use of GIS in farm mapping

• Research writing and community engagement

The program places significant focus on observation, experimentation, report writing, and teamwork.

Teaching Methodology

The teaching approach integrates:

• Lecture-based sessions with audio-visual aids

• Laboratory and field experiments

• Community immersion programs

• Field trips to agro-industrial sites and research centers

• Research projects and independent learning

• Interaction with farmers, cooperatives, and agriculture officers

Assessment methods include written exams, oral presentations, fieldwork evaluation, and project reports.

Admission Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must have:

• Passed 10+2 or I.Sc. (Science/Agriculture) or equivalent

• Fulfilled the minimum grade requirement set by the university

Application Procedure

• Online: Fill out the application at entrance.mu.edu.np

• Offline: Submit forms at the MU-GSAF Dean’s Office in Surkhet, Ramghat, or MICD Kathmandu

Admission is based on entrance test performance and academic history.

Career Opportunities

Graduates can work in:

• Agricultural research centers

• Government agencies (MoALD, local municipalities, DADO offices)

• NGOs and international development organizations

• Agro-industrial companies

• Commercial farms and agri-entrepreneurship

• Academic institutions (for those pursuing further studies)

Some common job titles include:

• Agriculture Officer

• Field Technician

• Soil Analyst

• Extension Worker

• Seed Inspector

• Farm Manager

Those interested in higher education can pursue MSc programs in agriculture, horticulture, animal science, or related areas.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Mid-West University and MU-GSAF may offer:

• Merit-based scholarships for top performers

• Need-based assistance for students from remote and disadvantaged communities

• Special quotas for women, Dalit, Janajati, and Karnali-origin applicants

Students are advised to check the latest scholarship announcements through official university channels.

Why Choose This Course?

Students studying at MU-GSAF benefit from:

• Field-centric teaching and mentoring

• A location suited to ecological and agricultural diversity

• Community learning that connects theory to real farming issues

• Nationally relevant and locally responsive curriculum

• Faculty with deep experience in both research and development work

• Partnerships with institutions in Nepal and abroad, expanding academic visibility

Conclusion

The BSc Ag program at MU-GSAF, Surkhet, is rooted in Nepal’s agricultural needs and designed to guide students into meaningful careers that contribute to the wellbeing of rural communities and national development. It delivers both academic rigor and practical exposure through its structured, field-based model, making it a solid option for students who want to make a real difference in agriculture.