Government’s Micro Irrigation Push Yields Great Results for Horticulture Farmers in Telangana

Before 2014, a greater part of the horticulture farmers was bound to customary farming processes, which was expanding their input cost, other than bringing about a lot of water utility.

Telangana government provided micro-irrigation setup to farmers with subsidy and the result was astounding.
In the duration of 8 years, the Telangana government spent Rs. 2,048 crore towards it, subsidy & irrigation equipment like drip systems & sprinklers that were provided to the farmers.

Consequently, the State Government and farmers have received direct and indirect benefits of almost Rs. 9,455 crore. Farmers who received these rewards largely belong to SC, STs, and small and marginal ryots.
Telangana Government is promoting crop diversification and encouraging farmers toward horticulture crop cultivation.

As of now, various yields are being developed in 2.14 crore acres of land in the State and of these, horticulture crops are yielded in 11.57 lakh acres of land. The complete yield of horticulture crops is 59 Lakh Metric Tons (LMT).
In 2.23 lakh acres (yield 22.03 LMT) vegetables are cultivated. Fruits are cultivated on 4.24 lakh acres (yield 24.07 LMT), aromatic oils are cultivated on 3.56 lakh acres (yield 8.51 LMT) flowers on 9000 acres (yield 47,000 metric tones).
Additionally, Medicinal and avenue plantations nurseries have also been taken up. On 86,000 acres of land, Agroforestry is taken up and sericulture nurseries are set up on 3,000 acres.
Telangana ranks first in turmeric production in the country and second in chilly crop production. It ranks sixth in oil palm cultivation.

Though the horticulture crops cultivation covers only 5.39 per cent of the total agriculture area in the State they contribute 26 per cent in terms of the value of the produce.
The State Government has set up two excellence centres at Jeedimetla, Medchal district and Mulugu, Siddipet district to encourage farmers to take horticulture crops cultivation as a profession where they would train them in using advanced technology and the latest farming practices. 3,936 farmers have already been trained, taking up vegetable cultivation on 4,552 acres.

Over 83,000 acres were brought under the micro-irrigation project limit with an expenditure of Rs.166 crore in the year 2021-22. 31,084 farmers were getting benefited. In 2022-23, the State Government through the horticulture department has targeted the execution of micro-irrigation plans worth Rs.1,218 crore.

Micro Irrigation features in the State (2014-15 to 2021-22)
– Drip irrigation systems provided to 5,42,253 acres
– Sprinklers provided to 2,36,589 acres
– 2,91,486 farmers benefited from micro-irrigation project
– Rs.2,048 crore spent by State Government towards subsidy on drip and sprinklers provided to farmers
– Compared to the past, 25.54 tmc water saved
– 1,703 units of power saved (Rs.76.67 crore financial savings)
– 52.30 percent increase in production
– Labour costs for farmers were reduced by Rs.94 crore