A review meeting was held on Seasonal Conditions and Kharif activities today chaired by Dr Yogita Rana, Joint Secretary (INM), MoAFW, GoI and Shri M Raghunandan Rao, APC & Secretary, A&C Department, Govt of Telangana. Apart from this, the implementation of various Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Central Sector Schemes in Agriculture was also reviewed in detail in the presence of all the concerned scheme nodal officers of the State. 

A detailed presentation was made by Shri M Raghunandan Rao, on the current seasonal conditions prevailing in Telangana and Kharif Preparedness activities and drought mitigation measures. The following were highlighted in the presentation.

• The gross cropped area of Telangana state was increased from 129.04 lakh acres (in 2014-15) to 232.58 lakh acres (in 2022-23).
• Paddy sown area predominantly increased from 22.74 lakh acres (2014 kharif) to 64.99 lakh acres (2022 Kharif)
• Seed and Fertilizers availability position as on date is comfortable.

• More than 950 Agro Rythu Seva Kendras (ARSKs) are functioning for supply of agriculture inputs including Fertilizers.

• Promotion of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB), Nano Urea, Split application of Urea and promotion of green manure to reduce use of chemical fertilizers through Rythu Vedikas.

• Initiatives are being taken up to bring mass awareness on Nano Urea by bringing all the stakeholders on a single platform.

He also highlighted that the current rain fall scenario in the state is with – 24% deficit and measures are being undertaken for drought preparedness in the state. District wise, crop contingency plans have already been prepared with the support of CRIDA, Hyderabad. Also, the alternate crops were identified in case of delayed rain.

Dr K Nagaratna from IMD informed that forecasting of the state will be only Normal Rainfall till August and the same scenario is also expected to continue even in September 2023.

As on 12^th July 2023, 42.76 lakh acres of area has been sown in the state and is expected to further pick up over the next few days. Cotton has been sown in 31.88 lakh acres (where as normal area is 45 lakh acres) and Soyabean in 3.19 lakh acres (where as normal area is 4 lakh acres).  Although Cotton sowing window period is up to 20^th July 2023 the other crops have sowing window up to 15^th August 2023.

As far as implementation of Central schemes in the state is concerned, Telangana state has performed exceedingly well in implementing Per Drop More Crop scheme. In the year 2022-23, under this scheme 187.98 Cr of subsidy was provided and an area of 1,01,713 acres land has been brought under irrigation.

Further the GOI has been requested to consider the issues pertaining to PM Kisan, Price Support Scheme and FPOs for which the Joint Secretary, GOI asked for request letters for initiating necessary action.

Dr Yogita Rana, Joint Secretary, GoI also reviewed the status on implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes and the state department officials were requested to provide Utilization Certificates at the earliest for the expenditure incurred.

She appreciated the efforts taken by the state for integration of IT in to Agriculture. She also acknowledged that Telangana State has created many milestones in Agriculture progressively and showcasing best practices specially highlighting the Crop Booking Enhancement for monitoring the crop data validations and crop health status and also Online License Management System (OLMS) for Fertilizers, Seeds and Pesticides. Further, she mentioned that the Seed availability is more than sufficient in the state and hence suggested the Department to have a look at seed contingency plan to limit the movement of seed to other states in view of the deficit rain fall in the state.

The meeting was concluded by Sri M Raghunandan Rao, by extending thanks to Dr Yogita Rana, and other officials who participated in the meeting.

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SS

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