Telangana plans 14-month foodgrain buffer to cover over 3 crore people amid El Niño threat

The Telangana government is planning to strengthen its foodgrain security buffer to protect 3.42 crore Public Distribution System (PDS) users against possible drought, crop losses and rising prices amid the anticipated impact of El Niño.

Civil Supplies and Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to plan procurement and stock management well in advance to ensure uninterrupted supplies even if deficient rainfall affects the forthcoming agricultural seasons.

At a review meeting held at his Secretariat chambers on Monday (October 19, 2026), the Minister reviewed the State’s rice stocks and procurement plans and stressed the need to prepare for adverse weather conditions rather than depend entirely on the success of the next paddy harvest.

The State is planning to build a foodgrain security buffer covering up to 14 months, with officials asked to ensure that pending rice supplies reached government stocks on schedule.

Telangana requires approximately 2.38 lakh metric tonnes of rice every month, or 28.56 lakh tonnes annually, to meet the requirements of the Central Pool Public Distribution System, other welfare schemes and the State pool, including the mid-day meal programme.

Stocks sufficient for 11.7 months

According to the Civil Supplies Department’s stock position as of October 16, the State has 9.64 lakh tonnes of rice in its buffer godown. This included 3.50 lakh tonnes under the central pool and other welfare schemes and 6.14 lakh tonnes under the State pool.

Another 18.39 lakh tonnes was expected through pending custom milled rice (CMR) deliveries and other identified supplies.

With existing stocks and anticipated receipts combined, total availability was estimated at 28.03 lakh tonnes, sufficient to meet the combined PDS and other welfare requirements for approximately 11.7 months, up to September 2027.

The Minister stressed that the department should closely monitor deliveries from rice millers and other sources to ensure that the projected supplies materialised within the stipulated time.

He said the government would remain prepared to protect the food security of millions of beneficiaries even if future crops were affected by natural calamities.

More essential commodities through PDS

The government is also examining the possibility of distributing selected essential commodities, including wheat flour, through the PDS to cushion households against potential price increases during a period of hardship.

Officials presented financial estimates for different distribution models, including the supply of commodities at subsidised rates.

The commodities under consideration include wheat flour, red gram, palm oil, sugar, tamarind and chilli powder, besides other essential items.

The department was asked to work out the quantities required per user, procurement arrangements and the financial implications of the proposed distribution before the proposals are placed for a decision.

Civil Supplies Commissioner Stephen Ravindra and other senior officials participated in the review meeting.