HYDERABAD: Expecting weather disruptions linked to El Niño, the Telangana government is planning to reduce large-scale paddy cultivation this Kharif season.
Instead, it wants farmers to grow crops that need less water and can better handle uneven rainfall.
The agriculture and horticulture departments have prepared a joint plan to encourage crop diversification. Field officials will soon visit villages and mandals to advise farmers on suitable crops. Their recommendations will be based on local water availability and monsoon forecasts, as reported by TOI.
Paddy acreage under focus
Early forecasts suggest near-normal rainfall in June. However, officials have warned farmers against expanding paddy cultivation. Agriculture experts say long dry spells in July and August could hurt crops that need a steady water supply.
Officials have advised farmers to grow paddy only in areas with assured irrigation. These regions should have enough water to support the crop until September. In other areas, farmers are being encouraged to switch to pulses, oilseeds and horticulture crops.
Telangana's
This year, the government wants to limit paddy cultivation to about 35 lakh acres. In a normal year,
Diversification to reduce risk
The government is promoting crops such as red gram, soybean, groundnut, sesame, sunflower and safflower. Horticulture officials are also encouraging farmers to grow fruits and vegetables. They point to strong market demand and better income opportunities.
To support the shift, authorities are improving marketing facilities. They are also planning measures to help farmers sell directly in markets. The goal is to secure better prices and reduce dependence on middlemen.
Department estimates show maize may be grown on 5.4 lakh acres this Kharif season. Red gram is expected to cover 5.1 lakh acres, while soybean could reach 4.1 lakh acres. Chilli is likely to occupy 1.9 lakh acres. Green gram, black gram and groundnut will also cover significant areas.
For farmers who continue with paddy, officials recommend coarse varieties over fine-grain types. These varieties need less water, mature faster and cost less to cultivate. This makes them more suitable in a season with uncertain rainfall.
Officials said the government's main focus is to protect farmers from weather-related losses. It also wants to ensure stable incomes through a more diverse cropping pattern.