TARGET TSPSC-QUICK REVISION SERIES

AGRICULTURE SCHEMES AND POLICIES OF TELANGANA

2
Rythu Bandhu Scheme: A Support System for Telangana's Farmers 3
Rythu Bima: Social Security for Telangana's Farmers 3
Mission Kakatiya: Reviving Telangana's Irrigation Legacy 4
Telangana Launches Saagu-Baagu Project to Drive Agritech Innovation 5
Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP): A Multipurpose Marvel 6
Telangana Sheep Distribution Programme: Uplifting Shepherd Communities 7
Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme Launched 8
Soil Types in Telangana 9
Land Use Pattern in Telangana 10
Land Holding Pattern 11
Agro-Climatic Zones in Telangana 11
Mobile Veterinary Clinics in Telangana 13
Fertilizer Testing Labs in Telangana 13
Telangana Launches India's First Agricultural Data Exchange Platform 14
Agricultural Data Management Framework (ADMF) 15
Key Statistics of Telangana Agriculture Sector 15
Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) Secures
DGCA Approval for Drone Academy 17
Telangana Tests Dual-Purpose Land Use with Agrivoltaic Systems 18
Telangana's Tandur Red Gram Secures Geographical Indication (GI) Tag 18
Telangana's Keshavulu Makes History as ISTA President 20

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Rythu Bandhu Scheme: A Support System for Telangana's Farmers

Objective:
● Relieving Farmers' Debt Burden: The Rythu
Bandhu scheme aims to break the vicious cycle of
debt faced by farmers by providing upfront
financial assistance.
Launch and Implementation:
● Launched in 2018: The scheme was initiated by Chief Minister KCR in May
2018 for the Kharif season onwards.

Eligibility:
● Universal Coverage: All landowning farmers in Telangana, irrespective of
land holding size, are eligible.
Key Features:
● Financial Assistance: The scheme provides an incentive of ₹5,000 per acre
for both Kharif and Rabi seasons, totaling ₹10,000 per year per farmer.
● Disbursement Highlights:
○ Cumulative Disbursement: As of Vanakalam 2022 (crop year), over
₹65,192 crore has been disbursed to 65 lakh beneficiaries.
○ Category-wise Breakdown: The scheme primarily benefits Backward
Classes (BC) at 53%, followed by Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled
Tribes (ST) at around 13% each, with the remaining 21% going to
other categories.
○ Financial Commitment: Since its inception, the Telangana
government has allocated over ₹65,559 crore across 10 crop seasons.
This scheme utilized nearly 55% of the 2021-22 agriculture and allied
activities budget.
○ Continued Support: The 2023-24 budget allocated ₹15,075 crore for
Rythu Bandhu.
International Recognition:
● Success Story: The Rythu Bandhu scheme has been recognized by the Food
and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations as a successful
initiative in agricultural development.
● Global Showcase: Rythu Bandhu, along with Rythu Bima (farmers' insurance
scheme), will be presented as a success story at the International
Symposium on Agricultural Innovation.
Rythu Bima: Social Security for Telangana's Farmers

Objective:

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 ● Financial Security for Families: The Rythu Bima scheme provides financial
relief and social security to the families of enrolled farmers in case of their
death due to any reason, including natural causes.
Launch and Implementation:
● Initiated in 2018: The scheme was launched by Chief Minister KCR on August
14, 2018.
Eligibility:
● Age Limit: Farmers between the ages of 18 and 59 can enroll.

Key Features:
● Government Funded: The entire premium is
paid by the Telangana government to the Life
Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
● Death Benefit: Upon the enrolled farmer's
death, a ₹5 lakh sum insured is deposited into
the designated nominee's bank account within
10 days.
● Swift Claim Settlement: The claimed amount
is transferred electronically through RTGS
(Real-Time Gross Settlement) directly to the nominee's account.
● Technological Implementation: The scheme leverages Information
Technology (IT) with online portals and a Management Information System
(MIS) developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
● Impact: As of today, Rythu Bima has provided assistance of over ₹5,384
crore to around 1 lakh farmer families.

Mission Kakatiya: Reviving Telangana's Irrigation Legacy

Objective:

● Boosting Agricultural Income: Mission Kakatiya aims to enhance the

agricultural income of small and marginal farmers in Telangana. It
achieves this by:
○ Developing Minor Irrigation Infrastructure: The project focuses on
accelerating the development of minor
irrigation sources.
○ Strengthening Community Irrigation
Management: The scheme promotes
community involvement in managing
irrigation systems.
○ Restoring Tanks: A comprehensive program ensures the restoration
of tanks to their original capacity.

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Drawing from the Past:

● Legacy of the Kakatiyas: The mission draws inspiration from the technical
expertise of the Kakatiya dynasty in constructing tanks. Examples include
Ramappa, Pakhala, and Laknavaram tanks, which significantly contributed
to agriculture and prosperity during their reign.

Launch and Implementation:

● Inauguration: The Mission Kakatiya pylon was unveiled by the Chief

Minister at Sadashiv Nagar village on March 12, 2015.
● Formal Launch: The mission works formally commenced on April 26, 2015,
with the Chief Minister initiating restoration efforts at the Chandupatla river
in the Nalgonda district.

Key Challenges and Goals:

● Underutilized Water Resources: The government prioritizes restoring minor

irrigation tanks to their original capacity. This aims to effectively utilize the
allocated 255 TMC of water from the Godavari and Krishna river basins for
minor irrigation.
● Bridging the Gap: The target is to irrigate an additional 10 lakh acres of land.
Currently, only 9-10 lakh acres are irrigated through minor irrigation tanks,
leaving a significant gap.
● Reasons for Underutilization: The gap is attributed to:
○ Siltation: Accumulation of silt in tank beds over time has reduced
water storage capacity.
○ Deteriorated Infrastructure: Dilapidated sluices, weirs, bunds, feeder
channels, and irrigation canals hinder water flow.

Identification and Restoration:

● Reconciliation Survey: A comprehensive survey identified 46,531 minor

irrigation sources requiring restoration, including tanks, percolation tanks,
private Kuntas, and small tanks built by the Forest Department.
● Phased Restoration: The program, initially named
"ChinnaNeetiVanarulaPunaruddarana" and later renamed "Mission
Kakatiya," aims to restore all tanks in a phased manner.
○ Annual Target: The plan is to restore 9,306 tanks annually (20% of
the total) to achieve complete restoration within five years.
● Focus on Efficiency: Mission Kakatiya targets bridging the 10 lakh acre gap
in irrigated land without requiring additional water allocation or land
acquisition.
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Telangana Launches Saagu-Baagu Project to Drive Agritech Innovation

A First-of-its-Kind Public-Private Partnership

The Telangana government has launched Saagu-Baagu, a pioneering
public-private initiative focused on agricultural technology (agritech). This project
aims to unlock Ease of Doing Innovation in the agriculture and horticulture sectors.
Farmer-Centric Approach with End-to-End Transformation
Following a farmer-first approach, Saagu-Baagu is a collaborative effort between
the state government and the World Economic Forum (WEF). They have jointly
issued a call for proposals from various stakeholders:
● Startups
● Farm Producer Organizations (FPOs)
● Industries
● Academia
● Civil Society
The project seeks proposals that leverage new-age technologies to achieve
end-to-end transformation across the entire agricultural value chain.
Goal: Value Addition Through Mainstreaming Innovation
Ultimately, Saagu-Baagu aims to bring significant value addition to Telangana's
agriculture sector by mainstreaming innovative new-age technologies. This
initiative has the potential to revolutionize agricultural practices, making them
more productive and profitable for farmers.

Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP): A Multipurpose Marvel

Location:
● Situated on the Godavari River at Kaleshwaram village, Telangana, India.
● The project draws water from the confluence of the Pranhita and Godavari
rivers.
● The Pranhita River itself is formed by the Wardha, Painganga, and
Wainganga rivers, together constituting the seventh-largest drainage basin
on the subcontinent.
Project Distinction:
● Claimed to be the world's largest multi-stage and multi-purpose lift
irrigation project.
● Previously known as the Pranahita-Chevella Lift Irrigation Project.
● A key feature is a series of underground and surface water pumping stations,
reportedly the world's largest such structures.
Function and Scale:
● The 300 km long lift irrigation system pumps water from the river to
channels and reservoirs for further distribution.
● The project aims to provide water to 45 lakh acres of land across Telangana.

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Benefits and Timeline:
● Started in 2016, the project aims to utilize around 283 TMC of Godavari River
water for irrigation and drinking water purposes in 13 Telangana districts.
Technical Details:
● The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) is divided into 7 links and 28
packages.
● It spans approximately 500 km across 13 districts and utilizes a vast canal
network exceeding 1,800 km.
● The project has a designed capacity of 240 TMC water (195 from Medigadda
Barrage, 20 from Sripada Yellampalli project, and 25 from groundwater).
○ Allocation breakdown:
■ 169 TMC for irrigation
■ 30 TMC for Hyderabad municipal water
■ 16 TMC for miscellaneous industrial uses
■ 10 TMC for drinking water in nearby villages
● The project aims to increase the total cultivable command area by 1,825,000
acre⋅ft (2,251 hm3) across all 13 districts.
Inauguration:
● Officially opened on June 21, 2019, by Telangana governor Narasimhan and
chief ministers K.Chandrashekar Rao (Telangana), Fadnavis (Maharashtra),
and Y.S.Jaganmohan Reddy (Andhra Pradesh).
Additional Notes:
● The project includes four major pumping facilities, with the largest one at
Ramadugu (alongside others in Medaram, Annaram, and Sundilla). This
Ramadugu facility is likely to be the largest in Asia upon confirmation of
consistent measurements. It utilizes seven specifically designed 140 MWh
(500 GJ) pumps manufactured by BHEL.
Telangana Sheep Distribution Programme: Uplifting Shepherd Communities

Objective:
● Socio-Economic Development: The program aims to uplift the economic
status of approximately 4 lakh Yadava, Golla, and Kuruma families in
Telangana who are traditionally skilled in sheep rearing.
Expected Benefits:
● Financial Empowerment: By providing financial assistance, the program
facilitates large-scale sheep rearing, leading to increased income for these
families.
● Enhanced Meat Production: The initiative is expected to significantly
contribute to Telangana's domestic meat production.
Telangana's Position in Meat Production:
● Current Status: Telangana currently ranks fifth in national meat production.
Wool Production Potential:

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 ● National Ranking: Telangana is the third-largest producer of wool in India,
following Rajasthan and Jammu & Kashmir.
Scheme Details:
● Target Beneficiaries: Traditional shepherd families.
● Financial Support: The program offers a subsidy of 75% on the cost of
procuring (20+1) sheep per beneficiary.
● Project Outlay: The total project budget is ₹5,000 crore.
● Veterinary Support: A toll-free number (1962) has been established to
provide veterinary services for the sheep.
Impact:
● Sheep Population Growth: The sheep population in Telangana has
witnessed a significant rise, from 1.28 crore to 1.91 crore, as per the 20th
Livestock Census (2019) conducted by the Central government.

Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme Launched

Telangana Chief Minister Inaugurates Phase-I

On Saturday, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao launched Phase-I of

the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS) at Yellur-Narlapur in
Nagarkurnool district. This ambitious project aims to irrigate 12.3 lakh acres of
parched land across six districts in the southern part of the state.

Project Objectives:

● Addressing Drought: The PRLIS targets drought-prone districts like

Mahabubnagar, Ranga Reddy, Narayanpet, Vikarabad, Nagarkurnool, and
Nalgonda.
● Irrigation and Drinking Water: The project aims to provide irrigation for
4.97 lakh hectares (12.3 lakh acres) and drinking water to 1,226 villages in
70 mandals across these districts.

Project Details:

● Total Investment: The scheme involves a total investment of ₹50,000 crore.

● Phase-I Launch: The Chief Minister inaugurated the first phase with an
expenditure of ₹26,262 crore.
● Focus on Migration Control: The project aims to curb large-scale labor
migration from the Mahabubnagar district.

Technical Specifications:

● Water Source: River Krishna

● Lifting Capacity: The scheme plans to lift 90 TMC of water in 60 days from
the foreshore of the Srisailam reservoir.

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 ● Pumping Mechanism: The project utilizes 31 massive pump sets (145 MW
each) and 3 additional pump sets (75 MW each) for lifting water in five
stages through various pumping stations.
● Destination: The lifted water will be pumped to a height of 670 meters at KP
Lakshmidevipalli village near Shadnagar town.

Phase-I Impact:

● Drinking Water Supply: The first phase will provide immediate drinking
water relief to 1,226 villages across six districts.

Land Acquisition:

● Phase-I: The government acquired 27,000 acres of land for the project's
first phase.
● Phase-II: An additional 39,000 acres will be acquired for the second phase.

Project Components:

● Reservoirs: The scheme involves construction of six reservoirs with a total

capacity of 67 TMC.
● Canal Network: The project includes 30 km of canals and 95 km of tunnels.

Telangana's Irrigation Ambitions:

The Chief Minister highlighted the state's commitment to irrigation development,

with projects like Kaleshwaram on the Godavari and Palamuru-Rangareddy on the
Krishna. He expressed his vision for completing all irrigation projects in Telangana
upon completion of the Sitarama project.

Soil Types in Telangana

Telangana, a state formed in 2013 from the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, boasts a
diverse range of soils across its 114,840 km2 area. Understanding these soil types is
crucial for optimizing agricultural practices in the state.

Dominant Red Soils

● Coverage: Red soils encompass nearly 48% of Telangana's land area.

● Formation: These soils arise from the weathering of ancient metamorphic
rocks.
● Characteristics:
○ Reddish color due to the presence of iron oxides.
○ Found extensively in Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Karimnagar,
Khammam, Rangareddy, and Nizamabad districts.
○ Less prevalent in Adilabad distric

Black Soils (Regur Soils)

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 ● Area Coverage: Black soils constitute around 25% of Telangana's total area.
● Formation: Derived from volcanic rocks and lava flows.
● Suitability: Particularly well-suited for cotton cultivation.
● Characteristics:
○ Black coloration due to iron and magnesium oxides.
○ High water holding capacity.
○ Primarily found in Adilabad, Rangareddy, and Nizamabad districts.
○ pen_spark
○ Smaller pockets exist in Karimnagar, Warangal, and Mahabubnagar
districts.

Laterite Soils

● Area: These soils cover approximately 7% of the state's land.

● Formation: Develop under conditions of intense leaching, high
temperatures, and high rainfall.
● Characteristics:
○ Sticky in nature.
○ Found in Medak and Khammam districts.

Alluvial Soils

● Formation: Deposited by rivers carrying sediments.

● Properties:
○ Rich in humus, making them highly fertile.
○ Found along river banks.

Additional Notes:

● Telangana exhibits a variety of soils, ranging from fertile alluvial soils to

less fertile sandy soils.
● Rocks and boulders constitute around 7% of the state's land area.
● Soil deficiencies:
○ Nitrogen deficiency (less than 44%) is prevalent in Nizamabad,
Warangal, and Nalgonda districts.
○ Phosphorous deficiency (less than 55%) is common in Adilabad,
Medak, Mahabubnagar, and Nizamabad districts

Land Use Pattern in Telangana

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Telangana, the 11th largest state in India, covers a geographical area of over 276.95
lakh acres (112.08 lakh hectares). Here's a breakdown of how this land is utilized:

Land Use Category Percentag Area (lakh

e hectares)
Net Sown Area 52.88% 59.72
Forest Cover 24.70% 27.84
Land put to Non-agricultural 7.46% 8.43
use
Fallow lands 5.26% 5.92

Barren and uncultivable land 5.42% 6.07

Land Holding Pattern

According to the Agriculture Census (2015-16), Telangana's land holding pattern

reveals some interesting insights:

● Average Landholding Size: The average land holding size in the state is 1.00
hectare, which is lower than the national average of 1.08 hectares.
● Number of Operational Holdings: There are a total of 59.48 lakh
operational holdings in the state, covering an area of 59.72 lakh hectares.

Landholding by Size:

● Marginal and Small Farmers: A significant 88.3% of landholdings fall under

the marginal and small farmer category.
● Semi-Medium Farmers: 9.5% of holdings belong to semi-medium farmers.
● Medium Farmers: Only 2.1% of holdings are classified as medium-sized
farms.
● Large Farmers: A mere 0.2% of holdings belong to large-scale farmers.

Landholding by Caste:

● Scheduled Castes (SC): The Scheduled Caste population owns 11.8% of the
land.
● Scheduled Tribes (ST): The Scheduled Tribe population owns 12.0% of the
land.
● 'Others' Category: The remaining 76.2% of land is owned by individuals not
classified under SC or ST categories.

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Observation: Telangana's land holding pattern is skewed towards marginal and
small farmers, highlighting the need for policies that support this landholding
group.

Agro Climatic Zones Based on climatic parameters i.e. Rainfall, Soils and cropping
pattern etc., the State is divided into 3 Agro-climatic zones. The agricultural
planning for each zone is supported with the research and recommendations of
Regional Agricultural Research Stations of PJTSAU setup within each zone.

Agro-Climatic Zones in Telangana

Overview:

Telangana, a state in southern India, is divided into three distinct agro-climatic

zones based on factors such as rainfall, soil characteristics, and cropping patterns.
This zonation facilitates effective agricultural planning and implementation of
region-specific practices.

Northern Telangana Zone:

● Districts: Adilabad, Nirmal, Komurambheem Asifabad, Jagityal, Mancherial,

Peddapally, Karimnagar, Rajanna Siricilla, Nizamabad, Kamareddy.
● Characteristics:
○ Receives moderate to low rainfall.
○ Predominantly red soils.
○ Major crops: Sorghum, cotton, groundnut, sunflower, maize, pigeon
pea.

Central Telangana Zone:

● Districts: Sangareddy, Medak, Siddipet,

Jangoan, Warangal (U & R), Mahabubabad,
Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam,
Jayashankar Bhupalpally.
● Characteristics:
○ Receives moderate rainfall.
○ Predominantly red soils and black soils.
○ Major crops: Rice, cotton, redgram,
sorghum, sunflower, turmeric.

Southern Telangana Zone:

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 ● Districts: Vikarabad, Hyderabad, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Mahabubnagar,
Wanaparthy, Jogulamba Gadwal, Nagarkurnool, Nalgonda, Suryapet,
Malkagiri, Medchal, Rangareddy, Narayanpet.
● Characteristics:
○ Receives low to moderate rainfall.
○ Predominantly red soils and black soils.
○ Major crops: Rice, cotton, groundnut, sunflower, maize, pigeon pea.

Research and Development Support:

● Regional Agricultural Research Stations (RARS):

○ The Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University
(PJTSAU) has established RARS within each agro-climatic zone.
○ These RARS conduct research and provide recommendations tailored
to the specific needs of each zone, supporting effective agricultural
planning and development.

Conclusion:

Telangana's agro-climatic zonation plays a crucial role in optimizing agricultural

practices and ensuring sustainable crop production across the state. The RARS play
a vital role in supporting this zonation by conducting region-specific research and
providing localized recommendations.

Mobile Veterinary Clinics in Telangana

Government Initiative:

The Telangana government has launched a program to enhance veterinary services

for livestock farmers. This initiative involves:

● 100 Mobile Veterinary Clinics: These clinics are equipped with cutting-edge
facilities and provide veterinary services directly at farmers' doorsteps.
● Toll-Free Number (1962): Farmers can call this number to access
on-demand animal healthcare services.

Improved Accessibility:

These mobile clinics significantly improve accessibility to veterinary care for

livestock, especially in remote areas. Farmers no longer need to travel long
distances to seek veterinary services for their animals.

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Fertilizer Testing Labs in Telangana

Composite Fertilizer Testing Labs:

The state government has established two composite fertilizer testing labs to
ensure the quality of fertilizers used by farmers. These labs are located in:

● Rajendranagar
● Warangal Kothapally (Karimnagar)

Testing Capacity:

Each lab has an annual capacity to analyze 4,500 fertilizer samples.

Current Operations:

Presently, the Rajendranagar lab analyzes both inorganic and organic fertilizer
samples collected by fertilizer inspectors across the state.

Benefits:

These labs play a crucial role in:

● Protecting farmers from using low-quality or adulterated fertilizers.

● Ensuring optimal crop yields by verifying fertilizer effectiveness.

Telangana Launches India's First Agricultural Data Exchange Platform

Overview

● Telangana has become the first state in India to launch the Agricultural Data
Exchange (ADeX) and Agricultural Data Management Framework (ADMF).
● These initiatives aim to drive food system transformation and improve the
livelihoods of farmers.

Collaboration and Development

● ADeX was developed in collaboration with

the Telangana Government, World
Economic Forum, and the Indian Institute of
Science.
● It serves as a digital public infrastructure
(DPI) for the agriculture sector.

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Objectives and Functions of ADeX

● ADeX aims to provide a secure, standards-based exchange of data between

agricultural data users and providers.
● It is designed to be open-source, open standard, and interoperable,
facilitating broad-based data exchange.
● The platform democratizes access to data and enables the development of
applications to benefit society.

Implementation and Scope

● In Phase-I, the ADeX Platform is currently deployed in Khammam and will

be expanded across the state.
● The platform allows for collaboration between various stakeholders,
including government agencies, private companies, NGOs, and universities.

Agricultural Data Management Framework (ADMF)

● The Telangana government also launched the ADMF, developed after

extensive public and industry consultations.
● It is designed to facilitate consent-based, responsible data sharing and
focuses on data protection, management, and innovation.
● ADMF is applicable to all government departments dealing with agricultural
activities and all agriculture information users and providers.

Framework and Governance

● The ADMF establishes an Inter Departmental

Committee to guide on key aspects such as access
controls, data quality, and data service providers.
● The framework is informed by domestic laws and
converging global best practices.

Benefits and Impact

● These initiatives are expected to boost the data

economy in the agricultural sector and ensure
efficient usage of agricultural data by the industry and startups.
● By leveraging innovation and technology, Telangana leads the country in
driving food system transformation, aiming to enhance the livelihoods of
farmers.

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Conclusion

● The ADeX and ADMF represent significant steps towards creating a

collaborative and innovative environment in the agriculture sector, with an
emphasis on responsible data usage and management.

Key Statistics of Telangana Agriculture Sector

Growth and Development:

● Irrigation Boost: Gross Irrigated Area (GIA) has witnessed a significant

117% increase from 2014-15 to 2021-22 (62.48 lakh acres to 135 lakh acres).
● Paddy Powerhouse: Telangana has emerged as the second-largest supplier
of Paddy to the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

Oil Palm Cultivation:

● Telangana has become a high-potential state for oil palm cultivation.

● It ranks sixth in the country in terms of area under oil palm cultivation
(68,440 acres).
● The state is second in Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) production and boasts the
highest Oil Extraction Rate (OER) in India (19.32%).

Geographical Recognition:

● Tandur red gram has been awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, the
16th product from Telangana to receive this recognition.

Economic Contribution:

● The agriculture and allied sector contributes a substantial 18.2% to

Telangana's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
● 60% of the rural population relies on agriculture and allied activities for
employment.

Major Crops:

● Paddy, cotton, maize, red gram, and soybean are the major crops cultivated
in the state.

National Standing:

● Telangana produces around 16% of India's cotton and 8% of the total rice
produced in the country.

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Horticulture Sector:

● The horticulture sector significantly contributes 31% to the Agriculture GVA

(Gross Value Added) in terms of the value of produce.

Crop Diversification:

● The state is promoting crop diversification. Districts like Nirmal, Vikarabad,

and Rangareddy show the highest diversification index, while Peddapalli,
Karimnagar, and Suryapet show the least diversification.

Government Initiatives:

● The government provides free power up to 200 units to poultry farms since
2015 to support this sector.
● The Agricultural Market Committees (AMCs) of Nizamabad and
Kesamudram have been awarded the Prime Minister's Excellence Award for
successful implementation of e-NAM (National Agriculture Market).

Telangana's Rankings in Livestock:

● Telangana ranks second to West Bengal among major Indian states in terms
of livestock population growth.
● The state holds the top position in sheep population (19.1 million).
● Telangana ranks third in egg production and fifth in meat production
nationally.
● It stands at 13th in milk production and 10th in food grain production.

Telangana's Positioning in Other Agricultural Products:

● The state ranks fourth in terms of average yield for the groundnut crop.
● It holds the third position in cotton production and wool production in
India.

Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) Secures

DGCA Approval for Drone Academy

Key Initiatives:

● Establishment of Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO): The DGCA

approval paves the way for setting up an RPTO at PJTSAU.
● Focus on Agri-drone Expertise: The RPTO will specifically cater to training
on agri-drones.

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 ● Target Audience: The training program will target farmers, diploma
holders, agricultural graduates, and unemployed rural youth.
● Collaborative Effort: Marut Dronetech Private Limited will collaborate with
PJTSAU to deliver the training program for a period of 10 years.

Significance:

This initiative holds promise for empowering the agricultural sector in Telangana
by:

● Skilling the Workforce: Equipping

farmers and rural youth with the
necessary skills to operate
agri-drones.
● Precision Agriculture: Promoting
the use of drones for efficient and
targeted application of crop
protection products and other
agricultural activities.
● Enhanced Productivity: Potentially leading to increased agricultural
productivity and improved farm management.

Telangana Tests Dual-Purpose Land Use with Agrivoltaic Systems

Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU)

Launches Pilot Project:

● In collaboration with a Bengaluru-based solar startup, PJTSAU has initiated

a pilot project on Agrivoltaic Systems.
● This innovative approach allows for simultaneous utilization of land for
solar power generation and agricultural cultivation.

Promising Technology for Increased Farmer Income:

● The system enables farmers to generate electricity while growing cash

crops on the same plot, potentially boosting their income.

Pilot Project Details:

● A 10-kilowatt solar panel system has been installed across 10 guntas at the
university's Ag-Hub-Agri Innovation Hub.
● Shade-tolerant crops like carrot, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and
groundnuts are being cultivated underneath the panels.

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Encouraging Initial Results:

● Dr. Avil Kumar Kodari, Director of PJTSAU's Water Technology Centre, hails
the Agrivoltaic System as an effective solution for optimizing land usage by
creating synergies between renewable energy and agriculture.
● Since project initiation last November, the solar panels have generated over
4,215.07 units of power, showcasing early success.

Telangana's Tandur Red Gram Secures Geographical Indication (GI) Tag

Landmark Recognition for Renowned Pulse Crop:

● The famed Tandur red gram from Telangana has been awarded the
prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
● The application for GI registration was filed by the Yalal Farmers Producers
Company Limited on September 24th, 2022.
● The process was facilitated by the Professor Jayashankar Telangana State
Agricultural University (PJTSAU).

Boosting Telangana's GI Portfolio:

● With this addition, Telangana now boasts 16 GI-registered products.

● Nationwide, the GI tag count reaches 432, with over 1,000 applications
currently in process.

Unique Attributes of Tandur Red Gram:

● The GI recognition acknowledges the distinct qualities of Tandur red gram,

attributed to the region's specific characteristics:
○ Fertile deep black soil
○ Rich deposits of attapulgite clay and limestone minerals

Cultivation and Properties:

● Tandur red gram is a local pigeon pea variety primarily grown in the rainfed
tracts of Tandur and surrounding areas in Telangana.

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 ● Four districts - Vikarabad, Narayanpet, Sanga Reddy, and Adilabad -
contribute over 50% of the total cultivation area (approximately 1.74 lakh
hectares).
● This prized pulse offers exceptional qualities:
○ High protein content: 22-24%, significantly exceeding cereals
○ Superior taste and cooking characteristics
○ Enhanced shelf life
● The estimated annual production of Tandur red gram in the region is around
4.75 lakh quintals.

This GI tag signifies a significant achievement for Telangana's agricultural sector,

potentially bolstering farmer income and recognition for this unique and
nutritious pulse crop.

Telangana's Keshavulu Makes History as ISTA President

K. Keshavulu, a leader in Telangana's seed sector, has achieved a remarkable feat:

● He has been elected as the president of the International Seed Testing

Association (ISTA), the preeminent global organization governing seed
certification.
● This marks a historic moment, making Keshavulu the first Asian to hold this
prestigious position.

Keshavulu's Rise in ISTA:

● His journey within ISTA has been commendable:

○ He was elected as the Member at Large of the ISTA executive
committee in 2016.
○ In 2019, he became the organization's Vice President during the 32nd
ISTA Congress held in Hyderabad.

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 ○ And now, in 2024, he takes the helm as the President for a three-year
term.

Telangana's Seed Industry Champion:

● Keshavulu, hailing from Telangana

(formerly undivided Warangal district),
has been instrumental in propelling the
state's seed sector forward.
● He played a pivotal role in initiating seed
exports under the OECD program in
2016, a first for any Indian state.
● Telangana has since emerged as a
leading seed exporter to OECD nations
like Egypt, Sudan, Philippines, Russia, Italy, and Tanzania.

Keshavulu's accomplishment signifies a significant milestone for Telangana and

India's seed industry. His leadership at ISTA holds immense potential to further
strengthen global seed quality standards and contribute to agricultural
advancements worldwide.

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