Cotton Overtakes Paddy as Telangana Sowing Touches 107 Lakh Acres Despite Rain Deficit

Farmers across Telangana have planted Kharif crops across 107.17 lakh acres by the second week of August, with cotton overtaking paddy as the state's most planted crop for the first time in several years.

According to data from the state agriculture department for the period ending August 12, the total sown area reached 81 per cent of the normal Kharif season target of 132.38 lakh acres. Sowing figures moved close to the 108.49 lakh acres recorded during the corresponding period last year, despite the state experiencing an overall rainfall deficit of 8 per cent.

Cotton acreage expanded significantly across the state, reaching 47,71,698 acres, while paddy was relegated to second place at 41,54,006 acres. During the same period last year, paddy led the Kharif sowing with 45,20,974 acres, compared to 44,63,517 acres under cotton. The shift towards rain-fed cotton has been largely attributed to a government campaign encouraging farmers to move away from water-intensive paddy cultivation.

Late July and early August rains provided momentum to sowing operations, particularly in cotton-growing regions. In Adilabad district, farmers expanded cotton coverage to 4,37,698 acres, up from 4,25,300 acres last year, even though the district recorded a rainfall deficit of 18.9 per cent this season.

Rainfall distribution remained uneven across the state during the current Kharif season. Out of the 32 districts where agriculture is practised, 21 recorded net negative rainfall. Deficits ranged from a marginal 0.9 per cent in Mulugu to a severe 44.6 per cent in Hanamkonda district.

The data showed that the erstwhile combined districts of Warangal, Khammam, Ranga Reddy, Mahbubnagar, and Nalgonda were the worst hit by poor rainfall. Meanwhile, districts such as Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, and Medak fared comparatively better, enabling farmers to sustain planting activity.