Telangana has procured approximately 60 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy, accounting for roughly 60% of India’s total procurement so far this season [1].

The scale of this procurement positions Telangana as a primary driver of national food security, especially as central procurement through the Food Corporation of India has decreased [1], [2].

N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, the Telangana Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister, said the state has emerged as the undisputed national leader in Yasangi, or Rabi, paddy procurement [3]. He said that nearly 60% of all paddy procured in India is from Telangana [1].

Comparing the figures to other states, the minister said that Andhra Pradesh has procured about 24 LMT [1]. Tamil Nadu's procurement stands between 11 and 12 LMT [1]. In contrast, Maharashtra has procured three LMT, while Kerala has procured nearly two LMT [1].

Reddy said the state may contribute 75% of national procurement by the end of the season [2]. To reach this goal, the state has set a target procurement of 90 LMT for the season [7].

This aggressive procurement strategy aims to ensure an adequate rice supply for the country while supporting local farmers. The state government has focused on expanding its operational capacity to maintain this benchmark in paddy collection [2].

“Today, nearly 60% of all paddy procured in India is from Telangana.”

Telangana's dominance in paddy procurement indicates a significant shift in the geographic concentration of India's grain reserves. By absorbing a majority of the national procurement share, the state is filling a critical gap left by reduced central procurement activities, effectively becoming the linchpin for the national rice supply chain during this Rabi season.