Telangana Farmers' Associations Demand ₹30,000 Per Acre Compensation Amid El Nino Crop Losses

HYDERABAD — Amid growing concerns over severe drought conditions and the impact of El Nino, farmers' associations in Telangana have formally demanded that the State government release a white paper on water availability and provide financial assistance for crop losses. The development follows an advisory issued by the State government asking farmers not to plant paddy in the upcoming rabi season.

Leaders representing organizations including Telangana Rythu Sangham, Telangana State Rythu Sangham, Rythu Swarajya Vedika, and Telangana Rythanga Samithi met with Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao to submit a memorandum outlining their demands.

The associations have called for the immediate rollout of drought-relief measures, including uninterrupted power supply to save standing crops that have not yet dried. They have specifically demanded compensation of ₹30,000 per acre for paddy, ₹50,000 per acre for cotton and chilli, and ₹20,000 per acre for vegetables and other crops affected by adverse weather conditions.

Highlighting the financial distress spreading through the rural economy, representatives pointed out that agricultural workers, tenant farmers, and landowners face severe livelihood challenges as crops dry up and fail to yield. They suggested that the drought is severe enough to warrant declaring a crop holiday in the rabi season, which would necessitate comprehensive financial support for all affected farmers, including tenant farmers.

Ravi Kanneganti of Rythu Swarajya Vedika noted that the State received 17 percent less rainfall than the average of 740 mm during the kharif season, with nearly half of the State's 33 districts experiencing deficient rainfall. The associations have urged the government to conduct an immediate survey to assess crop damage, officially notify drought-hit mandals, and submit a report to the Union government to seek central relief.

Furthermore, leaders have asked the State to revive the crop insurance scheme, ensure financial relief reaches affected farmers, and procure alternative produce such as pulses, oilseeds, and millets at minimum support prices.

Weighing in on long-term agricultural stability, G V Ramanjaneyulu, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA), emphasized the need for structural support. He stated that the government should build adequate seed stocks to supply alternative crops like pulses, noting that declining groundwater levels require a strategic, long-term approach to protect farmers' interests.

"Climatic shocks like El Nino directly impact rural consumption, agricultural supply chains, and the broader economic stability of agrarian states. When primary producers face severe income shocks, downstream markets and local businesses feel the ripple effects. From a structural standpoint, timely institutional intervention, transparent resource assessment, and robust risk mitigation frameworks such as crop insurance and diversified input support are essential to stabilize rural livelihoods and maintain market confidence during prolonged weather anomalies." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes