The Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) formerly Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University was established on 12th June 1964 under the APAU (Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University) act 1963. The mandates of the university are to provide technically trained manpower (Education), generate new technologies in Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and related sectors (Research) and disseminate these technologies to the farmers (Extension) for adoption.

The University is functionally organized into three operational wings, viz., Academic Instruction (Teaching), Research and Extension supported by Administrative and functional wings.

The Vice-Chancellor heads the university administration and is supported by the Registrar, who is responsible for the overall general administration, Director of Research, Director of Extension, Deans of Faculties, Comptroller, University Librarian and Estate Officer. The Deans of various faculties are responsible for teaching programmes in their respective faculties and the Director of Research and Extension for research and extension activities respectively. The Associate Deans are the academic and administrative heads for the colleges while the Associate Directors of Research are responsible for planning and implementing the research, extension and administration activities in their respective agro-climatic zones.

The university offers educational programmes both at under-graduate and post-graduate levels in Agriculture, Horticulture, Veterinary and Home Science while only under graduate programmes in Agricultural Engineering, Diary Technology and Fisheries Science. The University also offers a two-year diploma courses in agriculture and veterinary in regional language (Telugu) to 10th class passed rural students.

Research in the fields of Agriculture, Horticulture, Agro-forestry, Veterinary and Fisheries Sciences is conducted throughout a network of 67 research stations, located in seven agro-climatic zones of the state on location specific problems of the farmers to generate production oriented technologies. Research in Home Science is mainly implemented through Adhoc research schemes at Hyderabad through ICAR coordinated research project on home science.

The Extension education activities of the university are carried out through 22 District Agricultural Advisory and Transfer of Technology Centre (DAATTC) located in each district head quarters, 6 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK's) at different locations of the state, Agricultural Information and Communication Centre (AI&CC), Extension Education Institute (EEI) at Hyderabad and Precision Farming Development Centre located in the Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad which was established in the year 1988 as Plasticulture Development Centre.
The University is telecasting the programmes for the farming community in regional languages on Teja TV, ETV etc., daily for about 30 minutes on new agricultural technologies etc., for the benefit of the state farming community.