Telangana Government Prepares to Ensure Food Security

Telangana Civil Supplies and Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said the state government is preparing in advance to address possible drought conditions, crop losses and rising food prices due to the El Niño effect. At a review meeting with senior Civil Supplies Department officials in Hyderabad on Monday, he said plans were being developed to strengthen food grain reserves and ensure food security for 3.42 crore people dependent on the public distribution system. He directed officials to prepare for future agricultural seasons without relying entirely on the upcoming paddy harvest.

Officials said Telangana requires around 2.38 lakh metric tonnes of rice every month for public distribution and welfare schemes, amounting to 28.56 lakh metric tonnes annually. As of October 16, the state had 9.64 lakh metric tonnes of rice in buffer warehouses, with another 18.39 lakh metric tonnes expected through pending custom-milled rice and other identified supplies. The total availability is estimated at 28.03 lakh metric tonnes, sufficient for about 11.7 months. The minister also asked officials to assess the feasibility and financial implications of distributing wheat flour, pulses, palm oil, sugar and other essential commodities through ration shops at subsidised prices.