IIM-A's agri batch sees 25% rise in salaries

In a significant shift from past trends, the graduating class of IIM-A's Post-graduate Programme in AgriBusiness Management (PGP-ABM), 2007, has preferred to opt for financial institutes, banks, FMCGs and retail companies dealing in rural economy for its final placements.

For the first time, the students have not shown much interest in fertilisers, seeds and other core agriculture input industries.

The final placements for the PGP-ABM batch were wrapped up in the last week of February 2007 and saw a 25 per cent increase in the packages offered to the students.

The highest offer made to a student was Rs 10.5 lakh per annum offered by a leading financial institution for its rural sector activities at a higher-level executive position. The offer is higher than last year's top package of around Rs 7.5 lakhs per annum.

Even lateral placements saw a 25 per cent rise this year with six students taking them up. A total of 23 students took part in the placement process in which 12 companies inlcuding Marico, Nestle, ICICI Prudential, RPG Group, Godrej Industries, Rabobank, Yes Bank and others participated.

Interestingly, a number of non-agri sector companies also showed keen interest in recruiting the students but the institute has clear guidelines that the PGP-ABM graduates are given assistance for placement only in organisations engaged in agri-business, food, agriculture and allied activities.