Despite the rainfall caused by cyclone Michaung in some parts of Telangana, the Rabi (Yasangi season) activity is progressing well. The unseasonal rainfall has not significantly affected or delayed the Rabi season activity. While paddy and other Kharif crops are being harvested, the cultivation of Rabi crops has already begun.
The abundant rainfall during the South West Monsoon has been beneficial for most major irrigation projects in the State, resulting in reservoirs filled with heavy inflows. However, there is a noticeable shortage of water specifically in the Krishna basin projects. This poses a challenge to water availability and management in this region.
According to a senior official from Prof. Jayshankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), the Rabi season activity is progressing well despite the localized impact of cyclone Michaung’s rainfall in late November and December. The districts of Khammam, Mahbubabad, and a few others were mainly affected, but it has not caused significant setbacks to the overall Rabi season activity in the State. The timely rainfall has actually provided a beneficial boost without causing widespread disruptions.
According to the Agriculture department, the impact of the cyclone is minimal and Rabi season activities are progressing smoothly across the State. As of 13 December 2023, the cultivation of Rabi crops has already reached eight lakh acres this year. Paddy occupies nearly 0.8 lakh acres, wheat 0.25 lakh acres, jowar 0.35 lakh acres, and coarse grains including Bengal gram over 2.23 lakh acres, and maize in 2.03 lakh acres.
The cultivation of Rabi crops, excluding paddy, is mainly concentrated in districts such as Adilabad, Kumaram Bheem Asifabad, Nirmal, Nagarkurnool, Vikarabad, and Kamareddy. In these districts, Bengal gram, groundnut, and jowar crops are grown during this season. The cultivation of Rabi crops in these districts ranges from 31.5 to 56.2 percent. In comparison to the previous Rabi season in 2022-23, where crops were cultivated across approximately 72.63 lakh acres, the distribution was around 56.45 lakh acres for paddy, 6.48 lakh acres for maize, 3.64 lakh acres for Bengal gram, and 2.43 lakh acres for groundnut.
