Despite expectations of lower acreage due to El Nino impact, Telangana's area under cotton cultivation increased by nearly 3 lakh acres (1.21 lakh hectares) this season. According to reports from The Hindu BusinessLine, farmers have planted 47.71 lakh acres (19.31 lakh hectares) under kharif crops this year, reaching the normal acreage for the season. This expansion comes amid fears of decline in acreage and production due to delayed and erratic rainfall in recent weeks.
The State government has asked the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to ensure a smooth procurement process and assured it of support. Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao directed officials to set up district-wise monitoring committees, with farmers as members, to oversee the procurement operations. As reported by The Hindu BusinessLine, the Minister also asked millers to open mills in the next 2-3 weeks to ensure they can accommodate the inflows.
Farmers have flagged issues with the designated app for slot booking at procurement centres. According to The Hindu BusinessLine, Rambabu, a farmer from Khammam district, stated that they previously received slots at procurement centres mandal-wise, but are now facing issues as slots are being allotted district-wise. The Minister has asked the Centre to make the Kisan Kapas app more accommodating by incorporating farmers' suggestions.
Despite concerns about reduced rainfall affecting cultivation, farmers have noted that reduced rainfall is proving to be a blessing in disguise as it has helped reduce the weed menace. As reported by The Hindu BusinessLine, this weather pattern has provided some relief to farmers in managing crop conditions during the current season.
