Hyderabad: Telangana has advised farmers to reduce dependence on water-intensive paddy cultivation as weak monsoon conditions and the growing impact of El Niño raise concerns over groundwater depletion and water availability. The advisory reflects the state’s effort to safeguard drinking water supplies while encouraging more climate-resilient agricultural practices during the ongoing Kharif season.
Following a high-level review of rainfall and reservoir conditions, the state government urged farmers who have already cultivated paddy to avoid extracting groundwater for irrigation wherever possible. Those yet to sow crops have been encouraged to shift towards less water-intensive alternatives, as officials anticipate continued pressure on water resources if rainfall remains below normal. The Telangana paddy cultivation advisory comes amid concerns that reservoir inflows and groundwater recharge may not be sufficient to support both irrigation and urban water demand. Agriculture experts note that paddy is among the most water-intensive crops cultivated during the monsoon season, making it particularly vulnerable when rainfall is erratic. Government assessments indicate that rainfall has remained below the seasonal average across a majority of districts, while inflows into the Krishna and Godavari river systems are expected to remain limited because upstream regions have also experienced weaker monsoon activity. These conditions have heightened concerns over water availability for both the current Kharif season and the upcoming Rabi crop cycle.
To strengthen preparedness, district administrations have been directed to establish monitoring and awareness teams at the mandal and village levels. These teams will work with agricultural scientists and local officials to inform farmers about prevailing weather conditions, groundwater status and crop choices that require lower irrigation demand. Agricultural economists believe the Telangana paddy cultivation advisory reflects a broader shift towards climate-adaptive farming strategies. Diversifying crop patterns can reduce pressure on groundwater resources while improving resilience against increasingly unpredictable monsoon behaviour driven by climate variability. The advisory also highlights the growing need to integrate agriculture, water management and climate planning. Experts suggest that promoting drought-tolerant crops, expanding micro-irrigation systems and improving water-use efficiency will be critical for sustaining farm incomes while protecting limited water resources.
As Telangana prepares for the remainder of the monsoon season, policymakers will continue monitoring rainfall, reservoir storage and groundwater levels before determining additional support measures. The coming months are expected to be crucial in balancing agricultural productivity with long-term water security, particularly as climate uncertainty increasingly shapes farming decisions across the state.
