Telangana Farmers Shift from Cotton to Maize Amid Price and Yield Concerns

Farmers in Telangana are increasingly shifting from cotton to maize cultivation during recent Kharif seasons. The trend, which gained momentum in 2025, is expected to continue into 2026, driven by economic and risk-related factors.

Telangana is witnessing a shift in cropping patterns as farmers move away from cotton cultivation towards maize during recent Kharif seasons. The trend, which accelerated in 2025, is expected to persist into 2026.

The transition reflects changes in agricultural practices influenced by economic considerations, evolving market demand and risk factors. Cotton, traditionally a major cash crop in the state, is gradually being replaced by maize, which is emerging as a more stable and remunerative option.

Official estimates show that maize cultivation in Telangana has expanded over the past two seasons. During Kharif 2024-25, maize was grown on approximately 2.03 to 2.21 lakh hectares, producing around 9.52 lakh tonnes. In Kharif 2025, the acreage increased to nearly 2.60 lakh hectares in some assessments.

The increase has been particularly notable in districts such as Khammam, Nirmal, Warangal (Rural and Urban), and Jagtial, where farmers have shifted to maize cultivation. Mid-season data for 2025 indicated maize sowing at about 6.36 lakh acres, compared to the normal 5.21 lakh acres.

This trend aligns with a broader national pattern. India’s maize cultivation area has expanded by nearly 64.7 percent from 2019-20 levels, reaching about 15.76 million hectares projected for 2025-26, with southern states such as Telangana contributing to this growth.

In contrast, cotton cultivation in Telangana has either remained stagnant or declined slightly. Projections indicate a reduction of around 11 percent in cotton acreage for 2025-26, although some regions have reported marginal increases due to local conditions. Overall, the trend indicates a gradual shift away from cotton in favour of maize and, in some cases, paddy.

Farmers in districts such as Adilabad have also moved away from soybean cultivation due to pest attacks and inconsistent yields, opting instead for maize because of its comparatively lower risk and input requirements.

According to official sources, economic factors are the primary driver of this shift. Maize has offered more stable and, in some cases, better returns compared to cotton, which has faced challenges including price volatility and pest infestations such as the pink bollworm. Lower productivity in recent years has also contributed to the decline in cotton cultivation.

Maize demand has remained strong, supported by the poultry and livestock feed sectors as well as the ethanol industry. The national push for ethanol blending has contributed to improved maize prices.

Input cost considerations have also influenced cropping decisions. Cotton cultivation requires higher investment in fertilizers and pesticides, while maize is considered less resource-intensive in certain conditions. Additionally, maize is less sensitive to erratic weather compared to cotton, which is more vulnerable to excess rainfall and waterlogging.

Farmers have also shifted from crops such as chilli following price declines and losses, further contributing to the expansion of maize acreage.

The change in cropping patterns has impacted fertilizer consumption, particularly urea. As a nitrogen-intensive crop, maize requires higher urea application, leading to increased demand in the state.

The Telangana government has identified this trend as a factor contributing to rising fertilizer requirements and has requested higher allocations from the Centre. For the Kharif 2026 season, the state has sought an increase in urea allocation from around 10 lakh tonnes to 11.50 lakh tonnes.

The expansion of maize cultivation has intensified fertilizer demand during peak months such as July and August. During the Kharif 2025 season, this led to reported shortages, with farmers queuing at distribution centres.

In response, the state introduced measures including a Urea Booking Mobile App to improve distribution efficiency and link supply to crop area and demand.

To support maize farmers, procurement norms have also been revised. The per-acre procurement limit has been increased to 25 quintals from 18 quintals, and plans have been made to procure around 8 lakh tonnes through approximately 125 centres.

Despite the increase in maize cultivation, challenges remain. Issues such as fall armyworm infestations, rising seed costs, crop damage from wild animals and birds, as well as post-harvest and storage losses continue to affect productivity.

Agricultural authorities are focusing on strengthening extension services and promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices to address these concerns.

While the shift is not uniform across all regions, the overall trend indicates a steady move toward maize cultivation in Telangana, reflecting farmer preference for crops offering relatively stable returns and lower risk. With continued demand and policy support, this pattern is expected to influence cropping decisions in the upcoming Kharif 2026 season.