Andhra Pradesh is the fifth largest State with an area of 276754 Sq. Kms, accounting for 8.4% of India’s territory. It lies between 120 14' and 190 54' North latitudes and 760 50' and 840 50' East longitudes. The Bay of Bengal is its Eastern Frontier, Karnataka in the West and also South-West, Maharastra both in the North- West and North, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa in the North and Tamil Nadu is the South of the border States. As per the latest (2001) Census, the population of the State is 7.61 Crores occupying the fifth place in the country. The work force existing in the State is about 3.48 Crores of which 2.17 Crores workers belong to the Agriculture Sector.

Andhra Pradesh offers tremendous scope for commercial Horticulture. Andhra Pradesh is one of the largest fruit and vegetable producing states in the country. Andhra Pradesh is a veritable “Akshaya Patra” or vessel of plenty of horticulture produce. Andhra Pradesh, the Horticulture bowl of India, is synonymous with “Annapurna” the land of plentiful harvest on nutritional security. With enterprising farming community, varied agro climatic zones, variety of soil types coupled with endemic irrigation sources, skilled and productive work force, low production cost and a more so pro-active government. The state is a front running producer of variety of Horticulture wealth. Andhra Pradesh is one among the leading states in the Country both in production and productivity in respect of Mango, Orange and Lime crops and in productivity of Papaya, Grapes and Oil Palm. Some other leading crops are Banana, Tomato, Gauva, Onion, Okara, Sapota and Cashew. The state is also a largest producer of Coconuts, Chillies, Turmeric and Coriander. In a nutshell, it produces almost each and every item classified as horticulture produce, except temperate Horticulture crops.