Telangana records lowest cultivation area in last five years as Vanakalam nears end

As of September 12, sowing operations have been completed in only 1.23 crore acres, around 95 per cent of the normal cultivation area of 1.29 crore acres for the ongoing Vanakalam season.

Hyderabad: Crop cultivation has taken a severe beating in Telangana this Vanakalam (Kharif) season, with overall crop sown area restricted to around 1.23 crore acres. During the corresponding period last year, about 1.28 crore acre was cultivated against normal sown area of 1.29 crore acre. With less than two weeks left for the season to end, the total cropping area is unlikely improve any further.

The decline marks a significant departure from the previous years under the BRS government, when improved irrigation water supplies and the Rythu Bandhu farm investment support spurred agricultural growth. When compared to previous years, this is the lowest crop sown area during the Vanakalam season in the post-COVID era.

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As of September 12, sowing operations have been completed in only 1.23 crore acres, around 95 per cent of the normal cultivation area of 1.29 crore acres for the ongoing Vanakalam season. This is a stark contrast to the corresponding period last year, when sowing was completed in 1.28 crore acres. The cultivation of major crops like paddy, cotton, and pulses were severely affected.

This is being attributed to uncertainty over irrigation water supply and the absence of Rythu Bharosa investment support and limited crop loan disbursement. Adding to the woes, the recent heavy rains have fully or partially damaged crops in more than 20 lakh acres which is feared to have an adverse impact on the overall crop production.

Sugarcane, paddy, pulses, major millets, oilseeds, and cotton are among the worst affected crops. Paddy which is mostly sown in the last month of the season due to its short span of cultivation, witnessed a decline in cropping area from 62 lakh acres in last Vanakalam season to 59 lakh acres during the current season.