Andhra Pradesh is endowed with rich bio-resources. There are 7 agro-climatic zones across the state, with 19 major food and commercial crops grown in different parts of the state. There are more than 5000 species of trees and, out of these, 2000 species are flowering trees. About 40 percent of the land is utilised for agriculture and 23 percent of the land is covered by forests in the state. Agriculture is the lifeline of Andhra Pradesh economy. The sector contributes over a third of the state's GSDP and provides livelihood for over 70% of its population. It is one of the top three rice-producing states in the country and accounts for about 12% of the nation's rice production. The state has a strong base in horticulture, producing a variety of condiments, fruits and vegetables such as mangoes, citrus fruits, grapes, custard apples, bananas, pineapple, tomatoes and onions. In fact, Andhra Pradesh is the second largest producer of fruits in India and one of the largest vegetable producing states in the country.

Andhra Pradesh is a leading producer of a large number of cash crops such as tobacco, oil-seeds, cotton, sugarcane, cashew, mesta, turmeric and chillies. It is the "Seed State" of India, with its progressive farmers taking up production of seed for a variety of crops on behalf of the Government and of private seed companies. Floriculture and the cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants are also rapidly growing sectors. Andhra Pradesh is the second largest producer of silkworm cocoons in the country and sericulture is an important activity in the drought-prone Rayalaseema districts. Andhra Pradesh is the 7th largest milk-producing state in India. Milk production constitutes 11% of Andhra Pradesh's agriculture economy. In terms of gross value-added, the sector has seen growth at 17% in the last five years. The state has one of the largest breedable bovine population, most of it buffaloes. Andhra Pradesh has rich fishery potential-inland, marine and brackish water. The state has a coastline of 974 kms and a continental shelf of 33,227 sq.kms, a river course of over 8,500 kms. and large fresh water and brackish water lakes. 40% of India's fish exports are contributed by Andhra Pradesh.

Currently, Andhra Pradesh produces around 1.80 lakh tonnes of fish (including shrimp and other species) in the marine sector and 3.87 tonnes in the inland sector (including fresh water prawn). Thus, abundant and diverse agriculture and forest wealth of the state, large marine resources and cattle population provide tremendous opportunities for the development of the biotech industry. In Agri-biotech, tissue culture for food crops and ornamental plants has been taken up in several parts of the state with considerable success. There are about half a dozen agri-biotech companies doing flourishing business in this sector in the state.