The optimum conditons were experimentally established for the powder synthesis and sintering of the feed-rods for $LiNbO_3$ crystal growth by a floating zone method. At the lower synthesis temperatures(700, $ 800^{circ}C$) the minor amounts of $Li_2CO_3$ and $Nb_2O_5$ were present in the synthesized $LiNbO_3$ powder and at the higher temperature the particle size increased which is not favorable for the sintering process for the feed-rods. $LiNbO_3$ powder synthesized at $950^{circ}C$ for 12 hours was found to be the best because it contains only the$LiNbO_3$ phase with the small particle size and uniform particle size distribution. As the sintering temperature and the soaking time increase, the sintered feed-rods exhibited the higher sintered density and grain growth phenomena. The $LiNbO_3$ feed rods sintering at $1100^{circ}C$ for 2 hours were found to have the best microstructure for the precursor feed-rods of the floating zone crystal growth because of their higher density, small grain size and uniform particle size distribution. As the sintering temperature and the soaking time increase, the sintered feed-rods exhibited the higher sintered density and grain growth phenomena. The $LiNbO_3$ feed rods sintering at $1100^{circ}C$ for 2 hours were found to have the best microstructure for the precursor feed-rods of the floating zone crystal growth because of their density, small grain size and uniform grain size distribution.