Deficit rains affect sowing in Telangana

Crops sown in only 55 Lakh acres so far as El Nino raises alarm

MAHESH AVADHUTHA I hyderabad

Concerns are mounting over Telangana's Vanakalam agricultural season as below normal rainfall and the looming impact of El Nino have significantly slowed crop sowing across the state, prompting farmers' organisations to urge the government to step in with immediate relief measures.

According to official figures, Telangana recorded an average rainfall of 154.9 mm between June 1 and July 8, 2026, against the normal 177.9 mm, reflecting a 13 percent rainfall deficit. The shortfall has been particularly severe in 16 districts including Adilabad, Mancherial, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Jagtial, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Jangaon, Vikarabad, Medchal Malkajgiri, Mahabubnagar, Narayanpet, Jogulamba Gadwal, Wanaparthy, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri and Hyderabad.

The weak monsoon has directly impacted agricultural operations, with farmers delaying sowing due to inadequate soil moisture and uncertainty over rainfall.

Against the normal Vanakalam cultivation area of 1.32 crore acres (132.38 lakh acres), only 55.31 lakh acres have been sown so far, accounting for just 41.79 percent of the seasonal target.

The situation is particularly worrying in 11 districts including Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Jagtial, Rajanna Sircilla, Medak, Siddipet, Mahabubabad, Mulugu, Medchal Malkajgiri, Wanaparthy and Suryapet, where sowing has remained below 25 percent of the normal area. Another 14 districts have recorded crop coverage between 26 and 50 percent, while only Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad and Sangareddy have achieved between 76 and 100 percent of their normal sowing.

Among major crops, paddy has suffered the sharpest decline, with only 6.40 percent of the normal seasonal area brought under cultivation. Jowar has reached 41.67 percent, maize 46 percent, pulses 56.48 percent, while overall food grain coverage stands at just 13.77 percent. Oilseeds have covered 75.57 percent of the normal area, and cotton has emerged as the lone bright spot, with sowing reaching 83.19 percent of the seasonal target.

Farmers' organisations have warned that the delayed and erratic monsoon, coupled with the anticipated El Nino effect, could further affect crop productivity. They pointed out that many farmers have already been forced to re sow their fields after initial sowing failed due to lack of rain.

Telangana Rythu Sangham State General Secretary Teegala Sagar urged the government and the Agriculture Department to intervene immediately.

"The impact of El Nino could severely damage crops. Many farmers have already sown twice and are still waiting for timely rains. The government must create awareness about alternative crops, ensure the availability of suitable seeds and encourage short duration and rainfed crops. Otherwise, the state could witness a significant decline in agricultural production," he said.