3 weeks ago
Revanth Reddy credits policies, not Kaleshwaram, for record paddy output
In the state of Telangana in India, farmers grow a lot of rice called paddy.
Lately, they grew more rice than ever before.
The leader of the state, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, says this happened because the government helped farmers.
He mentioned programs that forgive farmers' loans, help sick farmers, and give money and free electricity.
He also said good rains and new water pumps, called borewells, helped a lot.
A professor wrote an article that agreed with him.
The professor said a giant water project named Kaleshwaram was not the main reason.
Some other politicians think the water project deserves credit for the good harvest.
Mr. Reddy says those claims are wrong.
He wants farmers to earn more money after paying for water.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said record paddy production over the past two years came from farmer-centric policies, not the Kaleshwaram project.
He cited an article by Prof Aldas Janaiah arguing Kaleshwaram had no significant role in the increased output.
Reddy credited schemes including Rythu Runa Mafi, Rythu Bima, Rythu Bharosa and 24-hour free power supply.
He said 15 lakh new borewells added 40 lakh acres of cultivation, accounting for the entire growth in irrigable area.
Reddy claimed farmers' net income after irrigation costs saw no growth in 10 years and that opposition claims were exposed.
- Who
- Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of Telangana, citing an article by Prof Aldas Janaiah
- What
- Claimed record paddy production was driven by farmer-centric policies, monsoons and borewells rather than the Kaleshwaram project
- Where
- Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- When
- Announced on August 12, 2026
- Why
- To counter opposition claims about agricultural development and credit the Congress government's Praja Palana policies
Government view: policies, monsoons and borewells drove growth
Opposition view: Kaleshwaram project deserves credit
Cause of record paddy production
Government view: policies, monsoons and borewells drove growth
Reddy and Prof Janaiah argue the Kaleshwaram project had no significant role; growth came from farmer-centric schemes, favourable monsoons and borewells.
Opposition view: Kaleshwaram project deserves credit
The opposition has made claims crediting agricultural development to previous investments such as Kaleshwaram; Reddy says those claims have been exposed.
Key facts
- Chief Minister
- A Revanth Reddy
- State
- Telangana, India
- Record period
- Past two-plus years
- Schemes cited
- Rythu Runa Mafi, Rythu Bima, Rythu Bharosa
- Free power
- 24-hour supply
- New borewells
- 15 lakh
- Additional cultivation
- 40 lakh acres
- Source cited
- Article by Prof Aldas Janaiah










