The Indian Agriculture sector is the largest sector in the Indian economy and it is contributing 25 per cent to the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of the country as well as accounting for 13 per cent of India’s exports.

In the initial years in India, agricultural activity was limited to the production of food grains and a few cash crops such as cotton, sugarcane and jute, but recent years has seen a remarkable shift in the agricultural scene, including increasing diversity in a range of products and critical infrastructural facilities like cold storage, refrigerated transportation, packaging, quality control etc.
 
India’s potential to become a leading player in the agriculture sector is proved by the fact that it already has the makings of one. India is poised to become the world’s food basket with Government initiatives and investment opportunities across various areas of agriculture.

The Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) was established on June 12, 1964 at Hyderabad.
The University was formally inaugurated on March 20, 1965 by Late Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, the then Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. Another significant milestone was the inauguration of the building programme of the University by Late Smt Indira Gandhi, the then Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on June 23, 1966.
 The University was renamed as Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University on November 7th 1996 in honour and memory of an outstanding Parliamentarian Acharya N.G. Ranga, who rendered remarkable selfless service for the cause of farmers and is regarded as an outstanding educationist, kisan leader and freedom fighter.

The Indian  agriculture sector is now set for a leap with the introduction of new technology like IT and biotechnology. In a view, The Career Guide just interacted with the Acharya N G Ranga Agriculture University Registrar,
Dr. Dandu Jagannadha Raju talk about the boom in agriculture and it provides opportunities for the bright candidates in respective courses.

TCG: Can you give brief description about the university?

DJR: The Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University is considered the largest in India with an infrastructure of 9 Colleges, 58 research stations distributed in 9 Agro-climatic zones of the State, 8 Agricultural Polytechnics, 1 Horticultural Polytechnic, 1 Multipurpose Polytechnic, 22 District Agricultural Advisory and Transfer of Technology Centres (DAATTCs), 12 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (Farmer Science Centre), one Agricultural Technology and Information Centre (ATIC) and Electronic Media Wing apart from one Extension Education Institute (EEI) and Agricultural Information and Communication Centre ( AI&CC).
Thus, it is a unique multi campus University in the country having its units functioning all over the State with the two Faculties of Agriculture and Home Science showing splendid performance of exemplary nature.

TCG: What are the courses offered for aspiring students?

DJR: As many as eight courses are being offered by the university—B.sc (Ag), B.Sc (CA&BM), B.Tech (Food Sci) and B.Tech (Ag.Engg) under jurisdiction of ANGR Agri University. B.V.Sc and AH, B.F.Sc and B.Tech (Dairying) are offering under Sri Venkateswara University, the B.sc (Hort) course by the Horticulture University.

TCG: How many seats are available in there courses?

DJR: At least 910 seats are available every academic year under the three regional areas like Telangana, Rayalaseema and Andhra, which conducts the admissions process under the NG Ranga University.

TCG: What is the eligibility criterion to get admission into these courses?

DJR: Candidates who passed the Intermediate education course and qualified Engineering Agriculture and Medicine Common Entrance Test (EAMCET) are eligible to get admission into these courses.

TCG: Is there any special quota for agriculture families?

DJR: Well, the university provides 25 per cent special quota for reservations of seats for the candidates coming from families of agriculture. The eligibility of this quota, candidate’s father should have 3-acres of own cultivation land and it should be cultivate by them. The varsity offers B.Sc (Agri), B.Sc (Hort), B.V.Sc and AH, B.Tech (Ag.Engg) and B.Tech (Dairying) BSc (CA and BM) and B.Tech (Food Science) courses for them. 

TCG: What is the boom for these courses in current period?

DJR: There is great boom for these courses and every year and hectic competition among the students to get admission. Since the Government is keen on developing the farming sector, many students bee line to opt these courses.

TCG: What about job opportunities for students, who completes these courses?

DJR: Aplenty. The University organises campus recruitments every year and many Agri firms comes to the varsity and take students before they finish studies.