Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Telangana Farmers Increase Planting Despite Eight Percent Rain Deficit
Telangana has not received as much rain as usual this monsoon.
Even so, farmers planted crops on about 107.17 lakh acres by August 12.
This was 81% of the area normally planted during the Kharif season.
Recent rain in late July and early August encouraged many farmers to begin planting.
Cotton was planted on more land than paddy for the first time in several years.
The government had asked farmers to reduce paddy cultivation.
Adilabad planted more cotton than it did at the same time last year, despite having below-normal rainfall.
However, 21 of the state’s 32 farming districts still recorded rainfall deficits.
Telangana farmers planted crops across about 107.17 lakh acres by August 12, covering 81% of the normal Kharif area.
The state recorded an overall eight percent rainfall deficit during the period.
Cotton became the largest planted crop at 47,71,698 acres, surpassing paddy at 41,54,006 acres.
Cotton acreage exceeded last year’s level, while paddy planting remained below its previous-year figure.
Twenty-one of Telangana’s 32 farming districts reported below-normal rainfall, with Hanamkonda recording the largest deficit at 44.6%.
- Who
- Farmers in Telangana, with planting data reported by the state Agriculture Department.
- What
- Farmers planted about 107.17 lakh acres of Kharif crops despite an overall eight percent rainfall deficit, with cotton overtaking paddy in planted area.
- When
- By August 12, during the Kharif crop season.
- Where
- Across Telangana, including districts such as Adilabad and Hanamkonda.
- Why
- Late July and early August rainfall encouraged planting, while a government campaign urged farmers to reduce paddy cultivation.
- Total planted area
- About 107.17 lakh acres by August 12
- Normal Kharif area
- 132.38 lakh acres
- Area planted against normal
- 81%
- Overall rainfall status
- Eight percent deficit
- Largest crop by acreage
- Cotton, with 47,71,698 acres planted
- Paddy acreage
- 41,54,006 acres planted
- District rainfall deficits
- 21 of Telangana’s 32 farming districts recorded below-normal rainfall
- Highest reported deficit
- Hanamkonda, at 44.6% below normal