Socio Economic Outlook acknowledges BRS support to agriculture sector

Report shows growing prevalence of smaller farms, increase in marginal holdings between 2015-16 and 2021-22

Hyderabad: The Socio Economic Outlook 2025, tabled in the State Assembly on Wednesday, acknowledges the support given to the agriculture sector by the previous BRS government, with growth in number of agricultural holdings between 2015-2016 and 2021-22 proving the impact of schemes like Rythu Bandhu.

According to the SEO 2025, as per agriculture census (2021-22), the total number of operational holdings in the State is 70.60 lakh, covering an area of 63.12 lakh hectares. Marginal and small farmers hold about 91.4% of the landholdings (less than 4.94 acres), accounting for 68.2% (43 lakh hectares) of the area. Semi-medium, medium and large farmers hold 7.1%, 1.4%, and 0.1% of the land holdings and account for 20.5%, 8.7%, and 2.6% of the area operated respectively.

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As per the Agriculture Census of 2021-22, the average landholding size in the State is 0.89 hectares, down from one hectare in 2015-16.

Now to the most important part – the SEO notes that between 2015-16 and 2021-22, the distribution and number of agricultural holdings changed significantly. The total number of holdings increased from 59.48 lakh to 70.59 lakh, with marginal holdings (below 2.47 acres) rising from 64.6% to 68.7% and small holdings (2.48-4.94 acres) slightly decreasing from 23.7% to 22.7%. Semi-medium holdings (4.95-9.88 acres) dropped from 9.5% to 7.1%, medium holdings (9.89-24.77 acres) declined from 2.1% to 1.4%, and large holdings (24.78 acres and above) saw a marginal decrease from 0.2% to 0.1%. These shifts, the SEO says, indicate a growing prevalence of smaller farms, with the most significant increase in marginal holdings.

The Scheduled Castes (SC) population owns 13.9% of landholdings, covering 9.7% of the total area. The Scheduled Tribes (ST) population owns 11.8% of agricultural landholdings, covering 11.9% of the total area. 74.3% of the landholdings belong to the ‘Others’ category, covering 78.2% of the area operated.

According to the SEO 2025, the average land holding sizes also vary across districts in the State, reflecting local agricultural conditions and practices. Districts like Adilabad, Kumram Bheem and Bhadradri-Kothagudem have relatively more extensive average land holdings of 1.5 hectares, 1.4 hectares, and 1.3 hectares, respectively. Warangal, Karimnagar, Medak and Kamareddy districts have smaller average land holdings, around 0.6 to 0.8 hectares. These variations highlight Telangana’s districts’ diverse agricultural landscape and land utilisation practices, it says.

Paddy continues to dominates crop area

Meanwhile, agriculture practices, particularly cropping patterns, the SEO points out, saw some changes, particularly in the last two years.

“During the Vanakalam season, the top five crops in Telangana for the years 2023-24 and 2024-25, as a percentage of the total gross sown area, indicate notable shifts in cropping patterns. Paddy remains the dominant crop, with its share increasing from 46.89% in 2023-24 to 47.84% in 2024-25, reflecting farmers’ growing preference for this staple. Cotton, the second-largest crop, also increased from 31.95% to 32.06%. Maize and soybean, which account for a smaller proportion of the total area, have seen slight decreases in their shares. Maize reduced from 3.79% to 3.75% and soybean from 3.19% to 2.72%. These changes suggest a continued focus on high-return crops like paddy, while minor crops experienced a reduction in cultivated area,” the outlook states.

The analysis of crop area distribution for the Yasangi season in Telangana during 2023-24 highlights trends among the top five crops. Paddy accounts for 75.61% of the total cultivated area, slightly lower than the previous year’s 76.66%. “This minor decline suggests a slight diversification in cropping patterns,” the SEO notes.

Maize share increased from 8.71% in 2022-23 to 9.80% in 2023-24. Bengal gram witnessed a significant reduction in its share from 4.87% to 3.47%, Groundnut’s share decreased marginally from 3.13% to 2.96%, while blackgram saw a slight decline from 0.60% to 0.52%.

Major crops show mixed pattern; paddy yield dips

The yield trends of major crops in Telangana for 2024-25 (SAE) present a mixed pattern, with some crops showing improvement while others have witnessed a decline. Maize, cotton, soyabean and sesamum recorded an increase in yield. Maize yield rose from 2,295 kg per acre in 2023-24 to 2,405 kg per acre, while cotton improved from 586 kg per acre to 628 kg per acre. Soyabean showed a significant rise from 600 kg per acre to 735 kg per acre, and sesamum saw a marginal increase from 299 kg per acre to 303 kg per acre.

Interestingly, despite being the preferred crop, paddy yield declined slightly from 2,209 kg per acre to 2,166 kg per acre, the SEO says. Redgram, Bengalgram, groundnut, jowar, greengram, blackgram, safflower and sunflower also recorded lower yields, indicating potential issues such as adverse weather conditions, pest infestations.

Jowar yield saw a notable decline from 887 kg per acre to 772 kg per acre, while blackgram dropped sharply from 498 kg per acre to 350 kg per acre. These trends highlight the need for targeted interventions, including improved seed varieties, balanced fertilization, and better water management to sustain and enhance productivity across different crops, the outlook says.