Key issues to be addressed by CSIR under this research theme include:  

•  Cereals and Legumes
• Roots, Tubers, Horticultural (Vegetables & Fruits) and Industrial Crops
• Forest, Trees and Plant Resources (Natural Products)
• Livestock and Poultry
• Fisheries and Aqua-culture
• Soils, Mechanization, Agro-food processing
• Biotechnology (Genetics, Germplasm Conservation, Bio-prospecting and Bio-processing)

Other cross cutting research on the theme will focus on entrepreneurial livelihood opportunities in rural labor markets, especially for women, the youth and other disadvantaged groups; Land access rights, Benefit Sharing, markets and micro-finance; ensuring security and improved incomes from agricultural activities; promotion of adequate or relevant agriculture policy; promotion of health, safe environmental conditions, food safety issues, nutrition, and gender equality.