Telangana To Retain The Title- 'Rice Bowl Of India'

With a steep fall in paddy acreage across the nation and an estimated reduction in production, Telangana is likely to retain its title as the 'Rice Bowl of India' with an unprecedented production of about 1.7 crore tonnes during the ensuing Vaanakalam.

While the country's paddy production is expected to decline by nearly 1-1.2 crore tonnes compared to the last season, Telangana is estimated to witness a quantum jump of almost 22 lakh tonnes from 1.48 crore tonnes in the previous Vaanakalam.

Paddy cultivation has been taken up in about 64 lakh acres, an increase of nearly 14 lakh acres over the last Vaanakalam. The overall crop sowing area in the State was more than 1.34 crore acres, with a whopping 10 lakh acres growth during the corresponding period.

Farmers took up sowing operations in Telangana soon after the monsoon became active across the State. The Kharif season contributes to about 80% of India's total rice production.

Over the last 5-6 years, Telangana has emerged as a country's key rice-producing State. Since the State's formation, the increased irrigation facilities, especially KLIS (Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme) and its affiliated irrigation systems, have encouraged farmers to take up paddy cultivation on a large scale.

Meanwhile, the Centre had recently revealed paddy production estimates, announcing that domestic production could fall by 1-1.2 crore tonnes this Vaanakalam due to deficient rainfall in some states.

The Centre recently banned rice exports and levied an export duty of 20% on various grades of paddy. These measures were taken to arrest domestic prices and ensure the availability of rice.