Telengana government has decided to discourage cotton cultivation. At present, 2.6 lakh hectares is under cotton cultivation and the government proposes to restrict it to 6.5 lakh hectares across the State this kharif season. The government is looking at promoting cultivation of pulses, millets and oilseeds by offering a 75 per cent subsidy.

Last year as well, the State government had asked farmers not to cultivate cotton in the areas that are not suitable for growth. The government announced farmers can grow cotton in about 4.75 lakh hectares that is suitable for the crop. Farmers grew cotton in 6.75 lakh hectares 2015, down by 1.25 lakh hectares from the 8 lakh ha. in 2014.

Last year, Telangana was first to discourage cotton cultivation which was soon followed by Andhra Pradesh due to pink bollworm infestation which developed a resistance to Bollgard II resulting in a 30 per cent drop in yield. The government was hence looking at reducing cotton cultivation by at least by 33 per cent and decided to promote pulses and millets as alternative crops.