Telangana Agriculture Commission Proposes Dedicated Minor Irrigation Act and Tank Protection Measures

The Telangana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Commission has submitted a report to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy recommending a dedicated Minor Irrigation Act, demarcation of Full Tank Level boundaries, and the removal of encroachments to secure water resources. The report also emphasizes crop diversification, horticulture expansion, and the promotion of Farmer Producer Organisations.

HYDERABAD — The Telangana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Commission has submitted a comprehensive report to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, calling for structural reforms in water resource management, including a dedicated Minor Irrigation Act and immediate measures to protect water bodies across the state.

Presented during a meeting in Hyderabad, the Commission's recommendations focus on strengthening water security and stabilizing the agricultural sector. The report highlights the need for the immediate demarcation of Full Tank Level (FTL) boundaries of tanks, the systematic removal of encroachments, and the restoration of existing water tanks to safeguard protected areas.

To improve water-use efficiency, the Commission has proposed re-establishing a dedicated minor irrigation system equipped with modern technical units. Additionally, it recommended implementing command-area-based management systems to integrate minor and major irrigation resources, aiming to ensure more efficient utilization of available water for rural livelihoods and agricultural stability.

During the interaction, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy directed the Commission to prioritize broader agricultural strategies. He emphasized the importance of focusing on crop diversification, the expansion of horticultural cultivation, and the promotion of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) as key measures to enhance farm incomes and foster long-term agricultural sustainability in the state.

The briefing was led by Commission Chairman Kodand Reddy alongside members Ramulu Naik, Ram Reddy Gopal Reddy, Gangadhar, and M Bhavani Reddy. The officials updated the Chief Minister on the Commission’s ongoing work over the past two years and detailed the formal recommendations submitted to the state government.

"The recommendations put forward by the Telangana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Commission highlight the critical link between resource management and agricultural stability. For the rural economy and agribusiness sector, protecting water assets through legal frameworks like a dedicated Minor Irrigation Act provides essential long-term security. Furthermore, the emphasis on Farmer Producer Organisations and crop diversification offers a practical roadmap to improve farm incomes and build a resilient supply chain from the grassroots level." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes