Telangana advises farmers against paddy and cotton in Rabi and urges dryland crops as El Niño tightens water
12 October 2026
In a government video conference with farmers on Monday, agriculture scientists recommended a crop holiday, especially for paddy, and a shift to crops that need less water.
Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao advised farmers against paddy and cotton in the Rabi season; seeds of rain-fed and short-duration crops would be supplied at subsidised prices.
Recommended crops include green gram, black gram, chickpea and groundnut, and oilseeds such as sunflower, sesame and safflower.
Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju said the State recorded a rainfall deficit of approximately 20 per cent; Krishna basin inflows stood at 80 TMC against an expected 270 TMC, and Godavari basin inflows at 100 TMC against 150 TMC.
Highest priority will go to drinking-water supplies over the next 10 months, with war rooms at State and district levels.
An emergency Cabinet meeting will be convened on the El Niño situation.
In plain words
El Niño Warm phase of the Pacific climate cycle — A climate phenomenon that the Meteorological Department official linked to deficient rainfall and a rise in temperatures.
TMC Thousand million cubic feet — A unit used to measure the volume of water in reservoirs and river inflows.