Hyderabad: Telangana is on course to achieve the highest-ever paddy production and procurement in India, Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy announced on Tuesday. The State is projected to produce 148.30 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy during the Kharif 2025–26 season — the highest since Independence.
During a review meeting at the Civil Supplies Bhavan, Uttam said this milestone reflects the success of irrigation expansion, efficient procurement mechanisms, and administrative coordination. Civil Supplies Commissioner Stephen Ravindra and other senior officials participated in the review.
Record paddy production Telangana sets 148 LMT Kharif target
Farmers cultivated 67.57 lakh acres this season — 40.75 lakh under fine-grain varieties and 26.82 lakh under coarse types. The State expects 90.46 LMT of fine paddy and 57.84 LMT of coarse, totaling 148.30 LMT.
The Minister confirmed that the Civil Supplies Corporation will procure 80 LMT this season. Procurement operations will require ₹21,112 crore, including ₹19,112 crore for direct MSP payments. He urged the Centre to release ₹6,500 crore in pending rice subsidy to avoid disruptions.
Bonus scheme continues; storage bottlenecks emerge
Uttam announced that the ₹500 per quintal bonus for fine paddy will continue, benefitting lakhs of farmers. For 2025–26 (including Rabi and Kharif), the State requires ₹3,159 crore to fund the bonus.
However, he raised alarm over limited storage space. Of the 22.61 LMT capacity available with the Food Corporation of India (FCI), 21.72 LMT is already filled. Around 20 LMT of boiled rice remains in FCI godowns due to delays in dispatch to consuming States.
He criticised the Centre for failing to act on repeated requests to move stock. “Without additional railway rakes and dispatch approvals, our procurement will face severe congestion,” he warned.
Telangana’s formal requests to Centre
The State has officially asked the Centre to:
- Increase the boiled rice target by 10 LMT
- Extend the Rabi rice delivery deadline beyond October 31
- Approve lifting of 9.43 LMT unallocated fine paddy under the State Pool
- Release the pending ₹6,500 crore rice subsidy
“These are not special requests. Telangana is leading the country in paddy production, and we are simply seeking rightful operational support,” Uttam said.
Paddy output doubled in six years
He noted that Telangana’s paddy output grew from 72 LMT in 2019–20 to 148 LMT in 2025–26 — a twofold increase driven by irrigation, storage capacity, and farmer-friendly policies.
To avoid procurement delays, Uttam instructed officials to develop district-wise schedules, prepare temporary storage at market yards, and revive idle godown space. Weekly reviews will track progress.
“This isn’t just a Telangana record. It’s a national milestone. No other State has achieved this scale. We’ve built a system that works with transparency, efficiency, and the farmer at the center,” he said.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to timely MSP payments and efficient procurement, stating that Telangana will continue to lead India as its rice capital.
