El Niño drives Telangana farmers toward vegetable cultivation for better returns

Changing weather patterns linked to El Niño conditions are prompting Telangana farmers to diversify their crop choices, with vegetables emerging as a more profitable alternative to conventional cultivation. The shift represents an adaptive response to climatic variations that have reshaped agricultural viability across the state.

State Agriculture Secretary Surendra Mohan outlined plans to support this transition through coordinated market linkages. Officials have begun tying up agricultural aggregators with farming communities to ensure stable procurement channels and fair pricing for vegetable produce.

Critical infrastructure development forms a key pillar of the strategy. The state is prioritizing the establishment of cold storage facilities across farming regions to extend shelf life and enable farmers to access broader markets beyond immediate local demand. These facilities will help reduce post-harvest losses and allow cultivators to time sales for better market prices.

Farmers shifting to vegetable cultivation have already begun witnessing improved financial returns during the current harvest season. The combination of aggregator support and improved storage infrastructure is expected to make horticulture a more sustainable livelihood option as agricultural practices adapt to evolving climate realities in the region.