How KCR’s initiatives powered Telangana’s rise as India’s agricultural front-runner

Telangana’s GVO in agriculture and allied sectors doubled over the past decade, with the State ranking No.1 in paddy and making significant gains in cereals, livestock, fibres and spices. Flagship irrigation and farm welfare schemes have driven this growth

Hyderabad: Telangana has emerged as a top-performing State in agriculture and allied sectors, with significant gains in rice production, cereals, livestock and spices. Thanks to a series of path-breaking initiatives launched during the regime of former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, Telangana’s Gross Value Output (GVO) in agriculture and allied sectors stood at an impressive Rs 1,12,800 crore (at constant prices with base price at 2011-12) in 2023-24, nearly double compared to Rs 65,822 crore in 2011-12.

In terms of current prices, the State GVO in agriculture and allied sectors is a whopping Rs 2,38,494 crore. In agriculture sector alone, the State GVO increased from Rs 37,908 crore in 2011-12 to Rs 57,768 crore in 2023-24 at constant prices and Rs 1.16 lakh crore at current prices.

According to the latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) report by the Union Ministry of Statistics, covering 2011–12 to 2023–24, the State has seen a threefold increase in paddy production at constant prices. From being a drought-prone region marked by farmer suicides, Telangana has grown into a national leader in paddy production with a GVO of Rs 27,099 crore (at constant prices) in 2023–24, up from Rs 8,291 crore in 2011–12. At current prices, the GVO of paddy production is pegged at Rs 52,596 crore, recording more than six-fold increase.

This turnaround is attributed to flagship schemes like Mission Kakatiya, which rejuvenated over 45,000 village tanks, and the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, which brought Godavari waters to arid lands. These irrigation efforts, combined with 24-hour free power supply to agriculture, Rythu Bandhu investment support and Rythu Bima insurance scheme, significantly strengthened the State’s agrarian economy.

Telangana now ranks fourth in total cereal output, with its GVO rising from Rs 10,500 crore in 2011–12 to Rs 30,400 crore in 2023–24, making it the only Southern State among the top five cereal producers in the country.

The State has also seen progress in livestock and allied sectors. The GVO of meat production rose from Rs 9,224 crore to Rs 24,507 crore, placing Telangana fourth nationally. Telangana also stood third in egg production and registered a sharp increase in milk output, from Rs 11,873 crore to Rs 18,662 crore.

In the fibre category, Telangana moved up to the third spot, increasing its share in cotton and jute output from 9.3 per cent to 13 per cent. This is the highest growth recorded in the sector by any State during the period. The State’s GVO in spices sector doubled its value, from Rs 3,100 crore in 2011-12 to Rs 6,600 crore in 2023-24, securing fifth rank nationally, with chillies alone contributing Rs 6,048 crore.