El Niño Forces Telangana Farmers to Drastically Cut Paddy Cultivation, Embracing Diversification

Farmers in Telangana are making a significant shift this Kharif season, drastically reducing the area under paddy cultivation by over 6% – from 21.81 lakh acres last year to 20.46 lakh acres currently – in direct response to the looming El Niño threat and an alarming rainfall deficit. This pivot sees them embracing less water-intensive crops like cotton, groundnut, green gram, and soybean, marking a crucial moment for the state's agricultural landscape. The move comes as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts below-normal rainfall for many parts of India, including Telangana, during the critical August-September monsoon period, with the state already grappling with a 30% rainfall deficit. Recognizing the severity, the Telangana government's Agriculture Department has actively campaigned for crop diversification, even forming an expert committee that recommended an ₹803 crore contingency plan. This plan includes proposals for subsidized drip and sprinkler irrigation, timely seed availability, and essential market support to help farmers transition away from water-guzzling paddy and safeguard their livelihoods. As cotton cultivation surges to 46.33 lakh acres and other pulses and oilseeds gain traction, the immediate future hinges on how effectively these diversification efforts translate into stable incomes for farmers and ensure food security for the region. Experts warn that the El Niño conditions are expected to strengthen further, making sustainable agricultural practices and robust government support vital for Telangana's farming community in the months ahead.