How Telangana’s Rs 500 bonus on fine paddy sparked a 61% cultivation surge – Here’s what it means for farmers

In a significant achievement, Telangana has witnessed a remarkable 61 per cent increase in the cultivation of fine variety paddy (sanna vadlu) this kharif season. The cultivated area rose to four million acres compared to 2.5 million acres during the same period last year, according to government sources, reports PTI.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy lauded the farmers for their efforts and highlighted the achievement despite the Kaleshwaram Project’s inability to store water this season. 

“For the first time after the formation of Telangana, paddy was harvested at record levels,” the Chief Minister remarked in a social media post.

Government Bonus Boosts Cultivation

The dramatic increase in fine paddy cultivation is largely attributed to the Rs 500 bonus per quintal announced by the Congress government. This bonus, in addition to the Minimum Support Price (MSP), was introduced as part of a poll promise.

“The incentive has significantly encouraged farmers to shift to cultivating fine paddy varieties,” sources stated.

Shift in Paddy Cultivation Trends

While fine variety paddy cultivation increased, the area under non-fine variety paddy saw a substantial drop, declining from 4.1 million acres to 2.63 million acres. Overall paddy production, however, rose slightly to 15.3 million tons from 14.6 million tons last year.

Procurement and Support Infrastructure

The state’s Civil Supplies Department anticipates procuring 8 million tons of paddy this season. A robust network of 7,411 paddy procurement centers has been set up across the state.
To date, the department has already procured 1 million tons of paddy from 1.41 lakh farmers.

In light of potential disruptions from millers or traders, the Chief Minister has instructed officials to invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) if necessary to ensure smooth procurement.

Rebuttal to Opposition Claims

Taking a dig at the opposition, Chief Minister Reddy dismissed claims by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) that the Kaleshwaram Project boosted paddy cultivation in the state. “The record growth in fine paddy cultivation debunks BRS’ false propaganda,” he said in a post on X.

This landmark increase in fine paddy cultivation underscores the effectiveness of government incentives and the resilience of Telangana’s farmers. The achievement not only strengthens the state’s agricultural output but also marks a step forward in fulfilling electoral promises and addressing the needs of farmers.