India's agriculture is composed of many crops, with the foremost food staples being rice and wheat. Indian farmers also grow pulses, potatoes, sugarcane, oilseeds, and such non-food items as cotton, tea, coffee, rubber, and jute (a glossy fiber used to make burlap and twine). India is a fisheries giant as well. A total catch of about 3 million metric tons annually ranks India among the world's top 10 fishing nations. Despite the overwhelming size of the agricultural sector, however, yields per hectare of crops in India are generally low compared to international standards.

Improper water management is another problem affecting India's agriculture. At a time of increasing water shortages and environmental crises, for example, the rice crop in India is allocated disproportionately high amounts of water. One result of the inefficient use of water is that water tables in regions of rice cultivation, such as Punjab, are on the rise, while soil fertility is on the decline.

Aggravating the agricultural situation is an ongoing Asian drought and inclement weather. Although during 2000-01 a monsoon with average rainfall had been expected, prospects of agricultural production during that period were not considered bright. This has partially been due to relatively unfavorable distribution of rainfall, leading to floods in certain parts of the country and droughts in some others.

Despite the fact that agriculture accounts for as much as a quarter of the Indian economy and employs an estimated 60 percent of the labor force, it is considered highly inefficient, wasteful, and incapable of solving the hunger and malnutrition problems. Despite progress in this area, these problems have continued to frustrate India for decades. It is estimated that as much as one-fifth of the total agricultural output is lost due to inefficiencies in harvesting, transport, and storage of government-subsidized crops.

Despite the overwhelming size of the agricultural sector, however, yields per hectare of crops in India are generally low compared to international standards. Improper water management is another problem affecting India's agriculture. At a time of increasing water shortages and environmental crises, for example, the rice crop in India is allocated disproportionately high amounts of water.

To increase the food production efficiency, crop diversity and food security of south Indian State of Andhra Pradesh. To Introduce and improve choice varieties in agricultural and horticultural crops. To recommend high yielding rain fed and irrigated crops suitable for this area. To impart training on latest agricultural practices along with allied enterprises. To impart training on the latest agricultural technologies and practices to the rural community youth. To train Graduates for self-employment so as to encourage entrepreneurial skills in agricultural. To serve the requirements of farming communities in Andhra Pradesh. To develop locations specific technologies and demonstrate these technologies for extensive adoption.  

Employment Avenues

• Graduates in Agriculture, work in agro-companies dealing with the production of seeds, fertilizers, chemicals, fiber and forest products and machinery and companies which deal with raw and processed farm products.
• They may take up employment with nationalized and rural banks dealing with agricultural loans and projects.
• Teaching in academic institutions is another option available. Opportunities in agriculture include jobs in production, food processing and agribusiness, trading of agro commodities etc.
• Graduates with B.Sc(Agri.) degree can qualify for a number of agricultural jobs and can work as technical workers and scientific assistants. Such jobs are mostly concerned with assisting in preparation of reports, charts and drafts in the course of research.
• Research openings also exist as research institutions gear up to accept the challenge of the export market with the combined support of the government and the corporate sector.
• Agricultural Research Service/ National Eligibility Test Examination is conducted by the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board or ASRB for filling up vacancies of Scientists of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Institutes.