Agriculture is a way of life, a tradition which has shaped the culture and economic life of the people of Andhra Pradesh therefore will continue to be central to all strategies for planned socio-economic development of the State. Rapid growth of agriculture is essential not only to achieve self reliance but also for food security and to bring about equity in distribution of income and wealth resulting in rapid reduction in poverty levels.

The State has recorded ever highest foodgrain production of 198.17 lakh tons during 2007-08 followed by 162.29 lakh tons during 2006-07 due to occurrence of drought and floods. The current year is expected to reach another milestone with record foodgrain production about 204 lakh tons and about 211 lakh tons targeted for the year 2009-10.

At the National level the production of Foodgrains in Andhra Pradesh in 2003-04 was at 6th position. In 2004-05 it was at 4th level and in 2005-06/2006-07 it has reached to the 3rd place. The year 2007-08 favorable for Agriculture showing very high signals of growth rate in Agriculture. To benefit the farmer community, the State Govt. has made all efforts to give free power on top priority and has also waived the old dues. This has immensely benefited to the farmers. The reasons being, a fairly good rainfall, seasonal conditions are congenial and secondly, the reform initiatives taken up by the State Government, such as timely quality seed supply and irrigation support through added area under canal irrigation system. These initiatives are linked with the Government's policy to support the cause of the farmers to uplift their economy through various strategies, such as input support, extension reforms, marketing etc., The agril. sector in the State has regained its past glory.

The envisaged growth in excess of 4% in the Agriculture sector during 11th plan is possible only if the farm incomes improve sustainability. Recent Agriculture and irrigation policy initiatives of the State, besides targeting higher productivity in respect of food crops, lay focus on establishment and strengthening of linkages. Such secondary linkages of agriculture assume paramount importance, especially in the context of state's primacy in the production of commercial crops such as groundnut, chillies, cotton, sugarcane and a gamut of horticultural crops.