A review meeting was conducted today to assess the current seasonal conditions and Kharif activities in Telangana. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Yogita Rana, Joint Secretary (INM), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare (MoAFW), Government of India, and M. Raghunandan Rao, Agricultural Production Commissioner (APC) and Secretary of the Agriculture and Cooperation (A&C) Department, Government of Telangana.
The gathering also included nodal officers responsible for the implementation of various Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Central Sector Schemes in Agriculture. During the meeting, M. Raghunandan Rao delivered a detailed presentation on the prevailing seasonal conditions in Telangana and the preparedness measures for the Kharif season, including drought mitigation strategies. The presentation highlighted several key points:
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Increase in Cropped Area: Telangana has witnessed a significant increase in the gross cropped area, rising from 129.04 lakh acres in 2014-15 to 232.58 lakh acres in 2022-23.
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Expansion of Paddy Cultivation: The paddy sown area has prominently increased from 22.74 lakh acres during the 2014 Kharif season to 64.99 lakh acres in the 2022 Kharif season.
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Adequate Availability of Seeds and Fertilizers: As of the meeting date, there is a comfortable position regarding the availability of seeds and fertilizers. More than 950 Agro Rythu Seva Kendras (ARSKs) are functioning to supply agriculture inputs, including fertilizers.
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Promotion of Sustainable Farming Practices: The promotion of sustainable farming practices such as the use of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB), Nano Urea, split application of Urea, and green manure is being encouraged through Rythu Vedikas. These initiatives aim to reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers.
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Awareness on Nano Urea: Steps are being taken to create mass awareness regarding Nano Urea by bringing together all stakeholders on a single platform.
Regarding the rainfall situation, M. Raghunandan Rao informed that the state is currently experiencing a rainfall deficit of 24%. In response, the government has initiated drought preparedness measures. District-wise crop contingency plans have been prepared with the support of CRIDA, Hyderabad, and alternative crops have been identified in case of delayed rainfall.
As of July 12th, 2023, a total area of 42.76 lakh acres has been sown in Telangana, with further progress expected in the coming days. Cotton has been sown in 31.88 lakh acres (compared to the normal area of 45 lakh acres), and Soybean has been sown in 3.19 lakh acres (compared to the normal area of 4 lakh acres). The sowing window for Cotton extends until July 20th, 2023, while other crops have a sowing window until August 15th, 2023.
Regarding the implementation of Central schemes in the state, Telangana has demonstrated commendable progress in the implementation of the "Per Drop More Crop" scheme. In the 2022-23 fiscal year, a subsidy of 187.98 crore rupees was provided under this scheme, resulting in the irrigation of 1,01,713 acres of land.
The Government of Telangana has also requested the Government of India to address issues related to the PM Kisan scheme, Price Support Scheme, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). The Joint Secretary, Government of India, requested formal request letters to initiate necessary actions.
Dr. Yogita Rana, Joint Secretary, GoI, reviewed the status of the implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes. She urged state department officials to provide Utilization Certificates promptly for the incurred expenditures.
Dr. Rana acknowledged the state's efforts in integrating IT into agriculture and recognized Telangana's significant achievements in the field. She specifically highlighted the Crop Booking Enhancement system, which monitors crop data validation and crop health status, and the Online License Management System (OLMS) for fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides. Dr. Rana also mentioned that the state has sufficient seed availability and suggested developing a seed contingency plan to limit seed movement to other states due to the rainfall deficit in Telangana.
The review meeting concluded with an overall appreciation for Telangana's agricultural advancements and an emphasis on addressing challenges and leveraging technology to ensure sustainable farming practices and better agricultural outcomes in the state.
