Telangana’s agricultural growth boom clocks in at 186 percent.

By the fiscal year 2022–2023, the cultivated area, which was 1.31 crore acres in 2014, will have risen to an astounding 2.2 crore acres.

Hyderabad: Telangana’s agriculture sector continues to be essential to the State’s development, with more than 60% of the rural population working in agriculture and related businesses. The agriculture and allied sectors’ Gross State Value Added (GSVA), which contributes significantly to the State’s economy, increased by 186% from Rs. 76,123 crore in 2014–15 to Rs. 2.17 lakh crore in 2022–23.

Telangana has experienced exceptional growth in its agriculture industry since the state’s creation in 2014. By the fiscal year 2022–2023, the cultivated area, which was 1.31 crore acres in 2014, will have risen to an astounding 2.2 crore acres. The current Vanakalam (Kharif) season has seen the cultivation area reach over 1.26 crore acres, and it is anticipated that this will result in an almost 200 percent increase in the GSVA of the agricultural and related industries.

The increase in paddy production is one of the most amazing accomplishments. Telangana only produced 68 lakh tonnes of paddy in 2014–15. However, this number exceeded an unprecedented three crore tonnes annually by 2022–2023. From 41.83 lakh acres in 2014–15 to 60.53 lakh acres in 2020–21, or an increase of almost 18.70 lakh acres, or a growth rate of 44.70 percent, cotton farming has also seen significant expansion. By 2020–2021, the cotton yield will have increased from 35.83 lakh bales in 2014–15 to 63.97 lakh bales.

Numerous initiatives, which have aided in the expansion of the agricultural sector, demonstrate the State government’s dedication to assisting its farmers. In 11 installments, the Rythu Bandhu initiative, which aids farmers, has deposited an astounding Rs. 73,000 crore into their accounts, providing vital financial help. In addition, two tranches of loans totaling Rs. 27,956.23 crore have been forgiven since the establishment of the State, helping 56.66 lakh farmers.

Investments made in irrigation projects, electrical infrastructure, and free power for farmers all played a significant role in the development of a vibrant agricultural ecosystem. An astonishing Rs. 1.59 lakh crore was spent on the development of various irrigation projects, Rs. 32,700 crore on electrical infrastructure, and an additional Rs. 10,500 crore is spent annually for free power supply, improving water resources, and increasing the availability of power for agricultural.

At a cost of Rs. 5,349 crore, Mission Kakatiya resurrected several irrigation tanks, stabilizing 15.05 lakh acres of ayacut with a storage capacity of 8.93 TMCs.

Additionally, the State achieved considerable strides in agricultural mechanization, with the availability of harvesters increasing from 6,318 to 19,309 and the number of tractors rising from 94,537 in 2014–15 to 3.52 lakh in 2022–23. A total of Rs 963.26 crore has been invested in agricultural mechanization so far, helping 6.66 lakh farmers.

The capacity of the godown was increased by the State government as well, going from 39.01 lakh tonnes in 2014–15 to 73.82 lakh tonnes in 2022–23. In addition to establishing a division dedicated to market research and analysis to assist farmers with crop sowing, the government promoted alternative crops like oil palm to guarantee farmers a profit.