Telangana farmers’ preference for veggies, spices over paddy continues in Yasangi 2026

As Telangana farmers grapple with the effects of El Nino, they are increasingly choosing to grow vegetables, spices and other horticulture crops over traditional choices like paddy. This shift, which began during the Kharif season, has continued into the Yasangi (Rabi) season. While Kharif 2025-26 saw 2.25 lakh acres sown in horticulture crops, this Kharif has seen a surge to 3.54 lakh acres, an increase of 1.28 lakh acres.

Officials anticipate that more land may be converted from paddy cultivation to horticulture as paddy is being harvested. Horticulture crops were sown in 6,552 acres between October 1-28, 2025, but this number has risen to 15,864 acres for the same period this year. Rangareddy led in the amount of additional sowing area, followed by Sangareddy, Siddipet, Mahabubnagar, Warangal and Vikarabad.

Director of State Horticulture, Shaik Yasmeen Basha, explained that the water needed for one acre of paddy could be used to cultivate oil palm over four acres, or vegetables over five to six acres. The potential returns on investment are also high. The horticulture yield for the next few months is expected to be about 20% lower due to erratic weather, including high heat, but farmers may still reap good returns from the high demand for these products.

District Horticulture and Sericulture Officers have been directed to support farmers by providing drip irrigation resources and sprinklers. The State Horticulture Directorate has also reached out to the National Seed Corporation and the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research for drought-tolerant seed varieties. The officials mentioned that suitable leafy vegetables, cluster beans, okra and other crops can be grown on paddy fallow lands.