Paddy sowing increases despite Telangana Government’s push for crop diversification

Paddy cultivation in Telangana has increased to 6.37 lakh acres despite the State government's push for crop diversification amid rainfall and water concerns. While farmers continue to prefer paddy, pulse cultivation has also expanded, whereas maize and jowar acreage has declined.

Hyderabad: Farmers in Telangana have continued to sow paddy extensively during the ongoing Vanakalam season despite repeated appeals from the State government to adopt crop diversification amid concerns over inadequate rainfall and water availability.

According to official data, paddy has been sown in 6.37 lakh acres up to July 14, compared to 5.66 lakh acres during the same period last year. This accounts for 9.67 percent of the State’s normal Vanakalam paddy cultivation area of 65 lakh acres.

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The increase comes despite a delayed start to the agricultural season due to insufficient rainfall. Citing the possible impact of El Nino and concerns over water scarcity, the State government has been urging farmers to shift to alternative crops. However, many farmers with access to borewell irrigation have continued cultivating paddy.

Telangana Farmers Federation president Yadagiri Reddy said many farmers have adopted a cautious approach by reducing paddy cultivation by nearly 50 percent. For instance, farmers owning 10 acres have sown paddy on only five acres to minimise the risk of losses caused by water shortages.

He also said that crop diversification would not be economically viable unless the government provides incentives. Compared to paddy, alternative crops require higher labour and investment costs, making financial support essential to encourage farmers to switch, he added.
Meanwhile, the area under several traditional crops has declined this season. Jowar cultivation fell from 27,810 acres to 16,835 acres, while maize acreage dropped from 5,70,674 acres to 3,63,552 acres. The total area under major millets also declined from 5,98,607 acres to 3,80,527 acres.

In contrast, pulse cultivation has shown an encouraging trend. The combined sowing area under redgram, greengram, blackgram, horsegram and cowgram increased from 3,74,613 acres last year to 4,10,844 acres this season.

Crop wise area sown till July 14

Crop Normal area (in acres) Last year area sown as on date Current year area sown

• Paddy 6595645 566710 637586
• Jowar 34567 27810 16835
• Maize 616787 570674 363552
• Pulses 649397 374613 410844
• Oilseeds 447585 316599 339405