PRELUDE

    Postgraduate education and research at Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) plays a pivotal role in advancing knowledge, innovation and expertise in the field of agriculture and related disciplines. These programs provide students with opportunities to deepen their understanding of agricultural sciences, develop specialized skills and contribute to cutting-edge research that addresses key challenges facing the agricultural sector. Here's a brief overview of postgraduate education and research at ANGRAU

Advanced Academic Programmes: ANGRAU offers a wide range of Master's and Doctoral degrees in disciplines in three different faculties viz. Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering & Technology and Community Sciences

Interdisciplinary Approach: Postgraduate education encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and integration of knowledge from various fields to address complex agricultural problems and find innovative solutions

Research opportunities: Postgraduate students actively engage in research projects led by faculty members and research institutions. These projects explore diverse topics ranging from crop improvement and sustainable agriculture practices to food safety, agribusiness management, and rural development

Laboratory Facilities and Field Research: ANGRAU provides state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, experimental farms and field research stations where students conduct experiments, field trials, and data collection to investigate agricultural phenomena, test hypotheses, and validate scientific findings

Industry collaboration: Postgraduate students often collaborate with agricultural industries, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and international research institutions on research projects, technology transfer initiatives, and industry internships to gain real-world experience and practical skills

Faculty Mentorship:Students receive mentorship and guidance from experienced faculty members who are experts in their respective fields. Faculty mentors provide academic support, research supervision and career advice to help students succeed in their academic and professional endeavours.

Seminars and Workshops:ANGRAU organizes seminars, workshops and conferences where postgraduate students present their research findings, exchange ideas with peers and interact with experts in the field. These events foster intellectual exchange, networking, and collaboration opportunities

Publication and Dissemination:Postgraduate research outcomes are disseminated through scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, technical reports and extension materials, contributing to the global knowledge base and informing agricultural practices, policies, and innovations

ADMISSIONS :

Admission to our postgraduate programs at ANGRAU is highly competitive and based on the rigorous evaluation of candidates' performance in tests conducted by the prestigious Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). For admission to the Ph.D. program, applicants undergo the ICAR entrance test followed by a comprehensive interview process, ensuring that only the most qualified candidates are selected

Our commitment to academic excellence extends beyond the borders of Andhra Pradesh, as we actively welcome students from all corners of the nation through both ICAR and Non-Resident Indian (NRI)/in lieu of NRI channels. Through these channels, we attract talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, enriching the learning environment and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation

In addition to national outreach, we embrace international diversity by warmly welcoming students from around the globe who seek enrolment in our postgraduate degree programs. This is made possible through our collaborations with ICAR and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi. These partnerships facilitate the seamless integration of international students into our academic community, promoting cultural exchange, cross-cultural understanding and global perspectives within our institution

At ANGRAU, we are dedicated to providing a world-class education to students from all backgrounds, ensuring that they have the opportunity to excel academically, contribute to cutting-edge research and become leaders in the field of agriculture and allied sciences.

FRONTIERS OF RESEARCH PRIORITY AREAS IN MASTER'S AND DOCTORAL PROGRAMMES :

    At Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, research under PG Studies is strategically focused on the following thrust areas.

I. FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE:

Genetics and Plant Breeding: Genetic Diversity and Germplasm Characterization, Marker- Assisted Selection, Quantitative Genetics and Trait Mapping, Genome Editing and Genetic Modification, Hybrid Breeding and Heterosis, Genomic Selection and Genomic Prediction, Breeding For Biotic/Abiotic Stress Tolerance, Genetic Resource Conservation and Utilization etc.

Agronomy:Crop Production Technologies, Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management, Water Management and Irrigation, Crop Rotation and Intercropping, Cover Crops and Soil Conservation, Weed Management, Crop Modeling and Decision Supporting Systems, Climate Smart Agriculture, Conservation Agriculture, Precision Agriculture and Remote Sensing, Agroforestry and Alley Cropping, Organic Farming and Sustainable Crop Intensification etc.

Soil Science: Soil Formation and Classification, Soil Quality and Health Assessment, Soil Physics and Chemistry, Chemical Reactions and Transformations in Soil, Carbon Sequestration and Climate Change Mitigation, Soil Contamination and Remediation, Soil Ecosystem Services, Soil Mapping and Spatial Analysis etc.

Entomology:Insect Taxonomy, Biology and Ecology, Insect-Plant Interactions, Insecticide Resistance and Toxicology, Biological Control, Chemical Ecology and Semiochemicals, Insect Genetics and Genomics, Insect Pest Management Strategies, IPM, Climate Change and Insect Pests, Stored Product Entomology etc.

Plant Pathology:Pathogen Biology and Diversity, Disease Diagnosis and Detection, Host-Pathogen Interactions, Epidemiology and Disease Forecasting, Plant Resistance and Immunity Mechanisms, Chemical and Biological Control, IDM, Disease Resistance Breeding, Disease Ecology and Environmental Factors, Disease Management in Specialty Crops, Post-Harvest Disease Management, Emerging Diseases and Invasive Pathogens etc.

Plant Physiology:Photosynthesis and Carbon Fixation, Water Relations and Plant Hydraulics, Nutrient Uptake and Assimilation, Crop Growth and Development, Source-Sink Relationship, Stress Physiology and Tolerance Mechanism, Root Physiology and Rhizosphere Interactions, Plant Hormones and Signaling, Phenology and Crop Modeling, Physiological Basis For Quality Traits, Biotic Interactions and Plant-Microbe Relationships, Gaseous Exchange and Plant Respiration, Senescence and Aging Process etc.

Microbiology: Rhizosphere Microbiology, Biofertilizers and Bio-Control Agents, Plant- Microbial Interactions, Microbial Consortia, Soil Microbial Ecology, Microbial Inoculants and Seed Treatments, Microbial Bio-Stimulants, Microbial Control Of Plant Diseases, Microbial Fermentation and Bioprocessing etc.

Molecular Biology and Biotechnology:Plant Biotechnology and Crop Improvement, Gene Expression and Regulation, Genome Structure and Organization, Genetic Engineering and Recombinant DNA Technology, Functional Genomics and Systems Biology etc.

Seed Science and Technology:Seed Quality Assessment, Seed Physiology and Germination, Seed Storage and Longevity, Seed Production and Certification, Seed Health and Pathology, Seedling Vigour and Stress Tolerance, Seed Policy and IPR etc.

Agricultural Economics:Farm Management and Production Economics, Agricultural Policy Analysis, Market Analysis and Price Transmission, Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation, Environmental and Resource Economics, Risk Management and Insurance, Labour Economics in Agriculture, Economic Modeling and Policy Simulation, Economic Evaluation of Extension Services, Economics of Land Use Change and Land Tenure etc.

Agricultural Extension Education:Extension Methodologies and Approaches, Technology Adoption and Innovation, Capacity Building and Training, Gender and Social Inclusion, Rural Advisory Services, Communication and Information Sharing, Extension Policy and Governance, Evaluation and Impact Assessment, Policy Advocacy and Institutional Strengthening etc.

Agricultural Statistics:Survey Design and Sampling Methods, Data Collection Techniques, Data Quality and Measurement, Spatial and Temporal Analysis, Multivariate Analysis, Regression Analysis and Modeling, Mata-Analysis and Data Synthesis, Big Data Analytics, Econometric Analysis In Agriculture, Experimental Design and Analysis, Statistical Genetics and Genomics, Social Network Analysis etc.

Agribusiness Management:Supply Chain Management, Market Analysis and Marketing Strategies, Strategic Management and Business Planning, Financial Management and Investment Analysis, Technology Adoption and Innovation Management, Value Chain Analysis and Value-Added Processing, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management etc.

II. Faculty of Agricultural Engineering:

Farm Machinery and Power Engineering:Farm Mechanization and Automation, Designing Energy Efficient Machinery, Renewable Energy Integration, Electric and Hybrid Machinery, Smart Sensors and Controls, Remote Sensing and Robotics, Machine Harvesting and Post-Harvest Handling etc.

Processing and Food Engineering:Food Processing Technology, Food Rheology and Textural Analysis, Food Engineering Modeling and Simulation, Extraction and Separation Techniques, Food Preservation and Storage Technology, Emerging Processing Technologies, Nutritional Engineering and Fortification etc.

Soil and Water Conservation Engineering:Erosion and Soil Stabilization, Sediment Transport Modeling, Water Harvesting and Management, Surface and Subsurface Drainage, Soil Erosion Measurement and Monitoring, Watershed Management and Planning, Integrated Water Resources Management, Climate Change Adaptation Strategies etc.

III. Faculty of Community Science:

Food and Nutrition:Dietary Patterns and Health Outcomes, Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals, Nutrition and Ageing, Maternal and Child Nutrition, Food Safety and Quality Assurance, Sustainable Food Systems, Food Fortification, Dietary Supplements, Food Allergies and Intolerances< Dietary Guidelines and Public Policy etc.

Human Development and Family Studies:Child Development and Parenting, Family Relationships and Dynamics, Cultural and Ethnic Diversity In Families, Gender Roles and Equality In Families, Adolescent Development and Peer Relationships, Sibling Relationships and Birth Order Effects, Family Therapy and Intervention Strategies etc.

Resource Management and Consumer Science:Consumer Behavior and Decision Making, Finance Management and Consumer Economics, Technology Innovation and Consumer Services etc.

Apparel and Textile Science:Investigating eco-friendly practices in textile production, such as organic fibers, recycling techniques, and reduced environmental impact of textile processes, chemical properties of textiles, dyeing techniques, and the development of non-toxic or natural dyes for sustainable textile colouring, consumer behaviour towards apparel choices, including factors influencing purchasing decisions, trends, and sustainable consumption patterns, innovative design techniques, including digital technologies and 3D modelling to enhance textile aesthetics and functionality, psychological and physiological effects of clothing on individuals, including comfort, performance, and health-related aspects, textile durability, performance characteristics (e.g., thermal comfort, moisture management), and quality control measures, marketing strategies, branding, and retailing practices specific to the apparel and textile industry, including e-commerce trends and omni-channel retailing

Extension Education and Communication Management:Researching methodologies to assess the needs, preferences, and challenges of specific communities, which informs the design of tailored extension programs and communication strategies, designing, implementing, and evaluating extension education programs aimed at addressing community needs and fostering sustainable development, extension strategies and communication methods that promote rural development, enhance agricultural practices, and improve livelihoods within rural communities, adoption and impact of innovative technologies (e.g., ICT, mobile apps) in extending education and communication to diverse communities, including strategies to bridge digital divides, communication strategies for promoting health, nutrition, and wellness behaviours within communities, addressing issues such as food security and dietary diversity, inclusive extension approaches that address gender disparities and social inequalities, ensuring equitable participation and benefits for all community members, communication strategies and campaigns aimed at fostering positive behaviour change among individuals and communities, addressing issues such as sanitation, hygiene, and family planning, investigating the role of extension education and communication in advocating for policy changes and engaging diverse stakeholders (e.g., government agencies, NGOs) for community development.