Telangana Kharif Acreage Surpasses Last Year Despite Normal Rains

24-Jul-2025 11:23 AM

Despite normal rainfall in Telangana, the area under Kharif crops has surpassed last year's figures. As of July 23, the total Kharif crop area reached 76.28 lakh acres, up by 9.95 lakh acres from 66.33 lakh acres during the same period last year. This increase has been driven by higher acreage under paddy, maize, pigeon pea (tuvar), and cotton, although soybean acreage has declined.

According to data from the Telangana Agriculture Department, paddy cultivation rose sharply from 10.54 lakh acres to 17.52 lakh acres, and maize area increased from 3.64 lakh acres to 5.21 lakh acres. Jowar sowing remained steady at around 29-30 thousand acres. Overall, the foodgrain production area, including paddy, rose from 14.48 lakh acres to 23.03 lakh acres.

Pulses also showed a positive trend, increasing from 4.43 lakh acres to 4.87 lakh acres, mainly due to a rise in tuvar cultivation from 3.66 lakh acres to 4.22 lakh acres. However, the moong area fell from 58 thousand acres to 50 thousand acres, and urad declined from 18 thousand acres to 15 thousand acres.

Oilseed cultivation shrank slightly, with the total area falling from 3.71 lakh acres to 3.51 lakh acres, mainly due to reduced soybean sowing from 3.63 lakh acres to 3.50 lakh acres. Groundnut and castor cultivation also saw a decline.

On the other hand, industrial crops performed well. Sugarcane area surged from just 90 acres to 22 thousand acres, and cotton area grew from 39.81 lakh acres to 42 lakh acres.

The Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rain in Telangana until July 26, which is expected to aid paddy transplantation and improve overall crop prospects.