Advanced technologies to transform Telangana’s farm sector, boost farmers’ income

Utilising cutting-edge technologies such as precision irrigation, nano-fertilisers and IoT-based crop monitoring, Telangana aims to enhance crop production, with a particular focus on oilseed production. It aims to increase oilseed production from 5.39 lakh metric tonnes (MT) to 14.86 lakh metric tonnes and double productivity to 1,076.89 kg/acre by using improved seeds.

As per the Telangana Rising Vision document 2047, the State is planning to implement a slew of measures aimed at developing a globally competitive and sustainable oil palm ecosystem in the State and expand oil palm cultivation from the existing 2.43 lakh acres to 11.83 lakh acres.

To achieve this goal, the State government plans to adopt a cluster-based extension and market linkage model and encourage farmers adopt water-efficient micro-irrigation, intercropping models and carbon-neutral processing systems.

With its plans to create district-level oilseed hubs for processing, storage, branding, and cooperative-led market access to stabilise prices and boost farm incomes, Telangana plans to bring an additional 15.61 lakh acres under high-density fruit crops, 10.74 lakh acres under vegetables, 13.92 lakh acres under spices, and 0.25 lakh acres under flowers by 2047 by encouraging region-specific crops and adopting modern technologies.

As part of this ambitious initiative, the State is planning to develop five mega clusters, focusing on major fruit and vegetable crops such as mango, sweet orange, chilli, turmeric, grapes, exotic fruits like dragon fruit and avocado, and vegetables.

Moreover, 100 peri-urban and 20 semi-urban vegetable clusters will also be developed to ensure a consistent, safe and affordable supply of vegetables. The peri-urban clusters, located around major cities like Warangal, Nizamabad, Karimnagar and Khammam, will specialise in hydroponics and protected cultivation for year-round, residue-free vegetables. And the semi-urban clusters will feature community greenhouses, cold storage and digital platforms to connect directly with retailers, reducing post-harvest losses. These initiatives are expected to generate jobs across production, logistics and retail, boosting the local economy.

Modern grading units, cold storage and export-oriented packaging facilities will also be set up in these clusters, strengthening linkages with processors, e-markets and export channels through FPO-led value chain models, promoting Telangana-branded horticulture.

The State is also planning to implement a State-wide programme to guide farmers towards Global GAP-compliant production of high-quality fruits and vegetables for premium market as Global GAP certification ensures food production safety and sustainability and help farmers gain consumer trust and access better markets.

Further, the State plans to develop 500 Agtech Clusters equipped with advanced machinery, drones, precision tools and AI-based farm analytics to support 25 lakh acres of major crops through Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) operated by farmer producer organisations (FPOs) and agri-tech startups.

The State government is aiming to achieve higher water-use efficiency and farm productivity by adopting IoT-based micro-irrigation technologies. It plans to cover 39.5 lakh acres with smart irrigation systems, including automated drip and sprinkler networks, with a focus on solar-powered irrigation technologies. These systems will be integrated into the Telangana Smart Irrigation Dashboard, enabling predictive analytics, groundwater management and district-level water-use planning, ultimately benefiting small and marginal farmers.