Telangana’s Plea for Central Support Amid El Niño‑Triggered Drought

On a humid Friday in Hyderabad, Telangana chief minister K. Revanth Reddy sat down with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was in town for the South Zone Agriculture Conference. Reddy’s tone was urgent but measured, as he painted a picture of a state grappling with a dry spell that feels more like a drought than a seasonal lull.

“We’re seeing the classic El Niño fingerprints – erratic rains, dwindling reservoirs and a spike in irrigation demand,” Reddy explained, gesturing toward the maps spread on the table. “That translates into higher electricity bills for farmers, strain on drinking‑water supplies and, frankly, anxiety across rural households.”

He was not alone. State revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, chief secretary Sanjay Jaju and a clutch of senior officials flanked him, nodding as the chief minister outlined the state’s pre‑emptive steps.

Telangana, according to Reddy, has already rolled out a "fine‑quality rice" scheme, delivering premium milled rice through ration shops to the poorest families – a move he described as “unique in the country.” The government is also offering a modest ₹500 bonus per quintal for farmers who cultivate fine‑grade paddy, hoping to keep the market buoyant even as the rains stay away.

But incentives alone won’t solve the bigger picture. Reddy stressed the need for “crop diversification” and “crop‑rotation” practices to reduce dependence on water‑heavy staples. “We’re asking the centre to back us with technical assistance and, where possible, financial aid,” he said, looking directly at Chouhan.

The discussion also touched on the broader agenda of the conference – digital agriculture, farmer registries, high‑value horticulture, self‑reliance in edible oils and pulses, and stricter checks on counterfeit fertilizers and pesticides. Ministers of state Ram Nath Thakur and Bhagirath Choudhary, along with officials from neighboring states, listened intently.

While Telangana has prepared contingency plans to prevent shortages of drinking water and electricity, the chief minister’s message was clear: “We need the centre’s cooperation now, not later.” He left the meeting hopeful that a joint effort could soften the blow of El Niño and keep the fields green, the lights on, and the rice bowls full.