Over 800 farmers to be trained as best vegetable cultivation volunteers to solve shortage in Telangana

Over 800 farmers in Telangana will be trained as vegetable cultivation volunteers to address local shortages.

The extent of area under vegetable cultivation in India and Telangana, drop in the acreage, revenue generated from it, measures to boost it were discussed at the inaugural day of three-day long annual group meeting of All India Crop Research Project (AICRP) organised at Vegetable Research Centre in Rajendranagar, on Friday (February 20, 2026). 

Area under horticultural crops doubled in the last 12 years, and this sector will be worth $747 billion by 2047, said Sudhakar Pandey, Assistant Director General, Indian Institute of Agricultural Research. Stating that consumption of horticultural products has increased from 5 kg to 9.7 kg, he said that 369 million tonnes of horticultural production is possible in 13% of the cultivated area in the country and 599 million tonnes is required by 2047.

Horticultural products worth ₹5,700 crore per annum are lost post-harvest. The official called for intensified research to develop vegetable varieties that are resistant to climate change, resistant to multiple pests and disease, are suitable for export and rich in nutrients.

Vice Chancellor of Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University, Raji Reddy, said that there is a gradual decrease in the area under vegetable cultivation in Telangana; it dropped from three lakh acres a decade ago to one lakh acre in 2024-25 and there is a need to increase it two-fold.

To solve the issue of shortage of vegetables in Telangana, over 800 farmers will be trained as best vegetable cultivation volunteers, who will in turn train others, said Agriculture Department Secretary, K Surendra Mohan.

On the occasion, the annual reports of AICRP and the Horticultural University, and works on drone research in okra and ridge gourd were released.