ITI Trade: Horticulture

The ITI Trade in Horticulture, powered by NCVT (National Council for Vocational Training), is a job-oriented program designed to equip trainees with essential skills and knowledge in the field of horticulture. This trade is ideal for candidates seeking employment in both government and private sectors, and it serves as a strong foundation for those aspiring for self-employment opportunities.

The Horticulture trade is carefully structured to meet the evolving needs of Indian and International industries. It emphasizes practical training in areas such as plant cultivation, nursery management, landscaping, and pest control, thereby providing trainees with the capabilities required to work in diverse roles within the agriculture and horticulture sectors.

JOB ROLE OPPORTUNITIES

Gardener, General (Mali General)

A Gardener (Mali) is responsible for cultivating and maintaining various types of plants, including flowers, trees, shrubs, and vegetables in public parks, private gardens, institutions, and residential complexes. Key responsibilities include:

  • Preparing the soil and sowing seeds, planting seedlings, and transplanting plants.
  • Regular watering, weeding, hoeing, pruning hedges and bushes, and mowing lawns.
  • Applying fertilizers, pesticides, and other plant protection methods to prevent disease and damage from pests or wild animals.
  • Laying and maintaining lawns, preparing garden paths, and ensuring their upkeep.
  • Collecting and preserving seeds for future planting and propagation.
  • Maintaining gardening tools and equipment in good working order.
  • Supervising and coordinating the work of laborers engaged in gardening activities.
  • May specialize in ornamental gardening, greenhouse management, or landscape gardening.
  • May be involved in selling plants and sourcing gardening supplies such as seeds, fertilizers, and insecticides.
  • Can work in nurseries, improving plant varieties through cuttings, grafting, and budding techniques.

Nurseryman (Mali, Nursery)

A Nurseryman manages a nursery independently or on behalf of an organization, focusing on the cultivation of a wide variety of plants for commercial sale or landscape projects. Key duties include:

  • Planning and managing the cultivation of trees, plants, flowers, shrubs, creepers, seeds, and bulbs in open spaces or greenhouses.
  • Deciding the type and quantity of plants to be grown based on climatic conditions, soil type, and irrigation facilities.
  • Purchasing high-quality seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, and necessary equipment.
  • Preparing nursery beds by tilling soil, adding fertilizers, and arranging irrigation systems.
  • Propagating plants by sowing seeds, planting cuttings, or using grafting and budding techniques.
  • Monitoring the growth of seedlings and saplings, pruning plants, and protecting them from pests and diseases.
  • Collecting and preserving seeds and bulbs for sale or future planting.
  • Hiring and supervising laborers for nursery operations and training them in horticultural practices.
  • Maintaining nursery equipment and infrastructure in optimal condition.
  • Keeping detailed records of costs, production, and sales, and managing marketing activities.
  • May specialize in landscape planting, tea/coffee plantation management, or the cultivation of specific crops like cinchona, cocoa, or rubber, and be designated accordingly as Planter, Tea; Planter, Coffee; Planter, Rubber, etc.

 

ITI Horticulture Trade (Powered by NCVT)

The ITI Horticulture trade, recognized and powered by NCVT (National Council for Vocational Training), is a comprehensive one-year program aimed at developing professional skills, domain knowledge, and employability skills required in the horticulture sector. This course prepares candidates for various employment opportunities in government, private sectors, and self-employment, aligning with the requirements of both Indian and international industries.

During the training, candidates are engaged in project work, extracurricular activities, and On-Job Training (OJT) to build hands-on experience and professional confidence. The program is divided into two semesters, each of six months duration, covering a wide range of horticulture-related topics.

Course Structure and Semester-Wise Coverage

1st Semester

In the first semester, trainees will learn the fundamentals of horticulture and agriculture, including:

  • Agro-meteorology: Importance of weather elements and climate in agriculture.
  • Farm Power & Machinery: Types and applications of farm power, farm electricity, and agricultural implements.
  • Plant Biology: Basic knowledge of plant anatomy and life cycles.
  • Renewable Energy: Applications in agricultural practices.
  • Soil Science: Soil properties, soil formation, moisture conservation, and the role of organic matter.
  • Soil Fertility Management: Use of fertilizers, manures, and methods to enhance soil productivity.
  • Introductory Horticulture: Importance, scope, and classification of horticultural plants.

2nd Semester

In the second semester, trainees gain advanced knowledge and practical skills in horticulture, including:

  • Importance and production of fruits, flowers, and vegetables; present scenario and development scope in horticulture.
  • Garden Layouts and Planning: Designing home gardens, landscape gardens, and experimental plots.
  • Fruit and Vegetable Cultivation: Propagation, management of orchards, and preservation techniques.
  • Vegetative Propagation: Methods like grafting, budding, and layering for fruits and flowers.
  • Cultivation Techniques: Techniques for vegetables, spices, flowers, climbers, foliage plants, and mushrooms.
  • Pest and Disease Management: Integrated pest management practices for horticultural crops.
  • Seed Production and Marketing: Seed quality control, inventory management, storekeeping, and trade management.
  • Market Surveys and Export Procedures: Understanding market dynamics, legal requirements for trade, and export opportunities.

Generic Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply safe working practices.
  2. Comply with environmental regulations and maintain housekeeping.
  3. Interpret and use technical and company communications effectively.
  4. Understand and apply concepts of productivity, quality tools, and labor welfare legislation.
  5. Explain and contribute to energy conservation, global warming awareness, and pollution control.
  6. Manage personal finance, entrepreneurship tasks, and contribute to personal and societal development.
  7. Utilize basic computer applications and internet services for industry-related tasks.

Specific Learning Outcomes

Semester-I

  1. Identify meteorological instruments and understand horticulture diversity.
  2. Study plant life cycles and the scope of horticulture, including fruits, flowers, and vegetables.
  3. Identify various fruits and vegetables.
  4. Install and maintain agro-meteorological instruments and analyze data.
  5. Select and maintain different types of farm power machinery.
  6. Analyze soil properties, pH, and methods to correct acidic soil.
  7. Plan and install irrigation systems, assess water quality, and apply irrigation techniques.
  8. Conduct soil sampling and interpret soil test reports for corrective actions.
  9. Analyze soil water holding capacity and address saline soil correction through field visits and reports.
  10. Implement soil correction methods through drainage and agronomic practices.
  11. Apply soil fertility management techniques to enhance productivity.
  12. Practice Integrated Nutrient Management Systems (INMS) in fieldwork.
  13. Identify and apply bio-fertilizers in different agricultural conditions.
  14. Recognize the role of essential plant nutrients and their deficiency symptoms.

Semester-II

  1. Cultivate various fruits, vegetables, and flowers according to market demands.
  2. Apply advanced cultivation techniques for different fruits and vegetables.
  3. Design and implement garden layouts for different environments.
  4. Select and apply vegetative propagation methods using plant hormones.
  5. Perform propagation techniques such as cutting, grafting, budding, and layering.
  6. Develop skills in fruit and vegetable processing, including preservation methods (jam, jelly, squash, pickle, ketchup, etc.).
  7. Apply techniques for cultivating different vegetables and spice crops.
  8. Practice floriculture, including the cultivation of flowers, climbers, foliage plants, and medicinal plants.
  9. Perform betel vine and mushroom farming techniques.
  10. Implement pest management practices for horticultural crops.
  11. Manage seed production, processing, and packaging.
  12. Maintain inventory control, record keeping, and store management systems.
  13. Conduct market surveys, understand legal trading requirements, and develop entrepreneurship skills.
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