Telangana plans 14-month foodgrain buffer to cover over 3 crore people amid El Niño threat

Telangana plans 14-month foodgrain buffer to cover over 3 crore people amid El Niño threat left The State is planning to build a foodgrain security buffer covering up to 14 months, with officials asked to ensure that pending rice supplies reached government stocks on schedule. File image for representation only. The Hindu The Hindu Lavpreet Kaur _12072 Telangana has 28.03 lakh tonnes of rice available and expected, enough for 11.7 months; wheat flour and other essentials under PDS being considered, says Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy HYDERABAD The Telangana government is planning to strengthen its foodgrain security buffer to protect 3.42 crore Public Distribution System (PDS) users against possible drought, crop losses and rising prices amid the anticipated impact of El Niño.

Civil Supplies and Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to plan procurement and stock management well in advance to ensure uninterrupted supplies even if deficient rainfall affects the forthcoming agricultural seasons. At a review meeting held at his Secretariat chambers on Monday (October 19, 2026), the Minister reviewed the State’s rice stocks and procurement plans and stressed the need to prepare for adverse weather conditions rather than depend entirely on the success of the next paddy harvest.

The State is planning to build a foodgrain security buffer covering up to 14 months, with officials asked to ensure that pending rice supplies reached government stocks on schedule. Telangana requires approximately 2.38 lakh metric tonnes of rice every month, or 28.56 lakh tonnes annually, to meet the requirements of the Central Pool Public Distribution System, other welfare schemes and the State pool, including the mid-day meal programme.

More veggies from Telangana on plate: El Nino changes crop choices, farmers receive returns from harvest More veggies from Telangana on plate: El Nino changes crop choices, farmers receive returns from harvest Agriculture Secretary Surendra Mohan says they have tied up aggregators with farmers, will put in place cold storages More veggies from Telangana on plate: El Nino changes crop choices, farmers receive returns from harvest storyline 1 Stocks sufficient for 11.7 months According to the Civil Supplies Department’s stock position as of October 16, the State has 9.64 lakh tonnes of rice in its buffer godown.

This included 3.50 lakh tonnes under the central pool and other welfare schemes and 6.14 lakh tonnes under the State pool. Another 18.39 lakh tonnes was expected through pending custom milled rice (CMR) deliveries and other identified supplies. With existing stocks and anticipated receipts combined, total availability was estimated at 28.03 lakh tonnes, sufficient to meet the combined PDS and other welfare requirements for approximately 11.7 months, up to September 2027.

The Minister stressed that the department should closely monitor deliveries from rice millers and other sources to ensure that the projected supplies materialised within the stipulated time. He said the government would remain prepared to protect the food security of millions of beneficiaries even if future crops were affected by natural calamities. El Nino effect: Prepare micro level contingency plans to avert drinking water, electricity shortages, says Telangana Chief Secretary El Nino effect: Prepare micro level contingency plans to avert drinking water, electricity shortages, says Telangana Chief Secretary Special Chief Secretary to the government Jayesh Ranjan said that permission to drill new borewells in Hyderabad should not be granted for construction or other purposes El Nino effect: Prepare micro level contingency plans to avert drinking water, electricity shortages, says Telangana Chief Secretary storyline 1 More essential commodities through PDS The government is also examining the possibility of distributing selected essential commodities, including wheat flour, through the PDS to cushion households against potential price increases during a period of hardship.

Officials presented financial estimates for different distribution models, including the supply of commodities at subsidised rates. The commodities under consideration include wheat flour, red gram, palm oil, sugar, tamarind and chilli powder, besides other essential items. The department was asked to work out the quantities required per user, procurement arrangements and the financial implications of the proposed distribution before the proposals are placed for a decision.

Civil Supplies Commissioner Stephen Ravindra and other senior officials participated in the review meeting. Drought conditions in 315 out of 621 mandals; Telangana seeks drought relief measures from Centre Drought conditions in 315 out of 621 mandals; Telangana seeks drought relief measures from Centre The Minister stated that the ‘khet bachao abhiyan’ would be implemented in the State from October 22 to 30 with the national agricultural institutions and universities Drought conditions in 315 out of 621 mandals; Telangana seeks drought relief measures from Centre storyline 1