HYDERABAD: At a time when the Telangana government is urging farmers to grow cash crops in lieu of paddy, agriculture scientists and officials say the conversion is likely to happen in only 20-25 lakh acres against the 45-lakh target in the coming Rabi season.
Officials informed the cabinet sub-committee on agriculture that crop conversion is a difficult task as barring four districts, the remaining ones cultivate paddy, cotton and maize in 90% of the fields.
Authorities said Vikarabad, Ranga Reddy, Mahbubnagar, and Nirmal are districts where a variety of crops, including vegetables, are grown.
This season, the principal crops indicated for cultivation are groundnut (10 lakh acres) and maize (12 lakh acres).
With concern over paddy procurement in the state for the coming Rabi season increasing, officials hope that at least 20 lakh acres can be changed to other crops such as pulses and groundnuts, as opposed to the target of 45 lakh acres.
‘Crop conversion a big concern’
Dr Pravin Rao, vicechancellor of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agriculture University (PJTSAU) told TOI that crop conversion is a big concern not only in Telangana but across India.
“Land parcels with seepage water cannot be converted for other crops. The conversion for rabi season is going on in a positive manner and we can hope a minimum of 20- 25 lakh acres can be diverted to other crops,” Rao said adding that many people were shifting to crops like groundnut. Officials forsee that if market links are established and subsidies are provided, many farmers will be willing to convert to other crops. “Crop conversion will shift in the next half of the next year,” one official said.
