Telangana To Set Records With 148 LMT Paddy: Uttam

Telangana was poised to achieve a historic milestone in paddy production and procurement during the Kharif 2025-26 season, with an estimated output of 148.30 lakh tonnes and a procurement target of 80 lakh tonnes, announced Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies Uttam Kumar Reddy.

The total funds required for procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) had been estimated at Rs 21,112 crore, of which Rs 19,112 crore would go directly towards MSP payments to farmers, he said.

Farmers would continue to receive the Rs 500 per quintal bonus for fine paddy, amounting to Rs 3,159 crore for the Kharif and Rabi seasons, he added.

Chairing a high-level review meeting at Civil Supplies Bhavan, the minister said that 67.57 lakh acres had been cultivated this season - 40.75 lakh acres for fine varieties and 26.82 lakh acres for coarse (doddu) varieties - resulting in record output.

The State's growth in agriculture was a result of irrigation expansion, efficient procurement systems and strong political will, he claimed.

"Telangana has more than doubled paddy output in six years, achieving India's highest-ever production and procurement. This achievement is a matter of pride for every farmer. It is not just a record for Telangana - it is a record in independent India. No other State has achieved this scale of paddy production and procurement. We have built systems that are transparent, farmer-friendly, and technically robust," he said.

Reddy asked the Centre to release the pending Rs 6,500 crore rice subsidy to support MSP payments. He also expressed concern over the shortage of storage space with the FCI godowns being nearly full and 20 LMT of boiled rice lying idle, and said that the State had requested additional support from the Centre to ensure smooth procurement, storage and movement of rice.