A central concern is whether farming can remain economically viable and socially sustainable. The average age of farmers in Telangana is currently around 50, and if present trends continue, it could rise to 70 by 2047. This ageing workforce underscores the urgent need for structural reforms to make agriculture attractive to younger generations. These concerns will form the core of discussions at the ‘Telangana Agriculture Futures’ workshop, being organised by the Telangana Rythu Commission on Tuesday. Sustainability challengeCurrently, about 55% of Telangana’s population is directly engaged in agriculture. At the same time, Hyderabad’s urban footprint continues to expand, with projections suggesting that by 2047 nearly 45% of the population will be concentrated in the metropolitan region. This presents a serious sustainability challenge, as Hyderabad accounts for barely 2-3% of the state’s land area, raising concerns over resource distribution, food security and long-term planning. The contrast becomes starker when compared with developed economies, where typically only 5-10% of the population depends on agriculture, highlighting the scale of transition Telangana still faces. G Ramajaneyulu, director of Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, flagged three major challenges confronting the sector if 50–52% of the population continues to rely on farming by 2047. He pointed out that the current average monthly income of farmers is about 30% of the lowest salary earned by state government employees, or roughly Rs 18,000. If existing trends persist, he warned, farm incomes could slide further to just 20% of the lowest govt salary by 2047. This would translate into monthly earnings of only Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 for most farmers, given that the majority own no more than one hectare of land. “In such a scenario, it is imperative that we inspire the younger generation to embrace farming,” Ramajaneyulu asserted. Supplementary incomeHe stressed that improving farm incomes cannot be achieved merely by shifting crop patterns. Instead, profitability must come from diversifying into allied sectors such as animal husbandry and dairy farming, which can provide supplementary income and greater economic stability for farming households. Landholding size also remains a critical constraint. With farmers owning an average of just one hectare, many are compelled to lease additional land to remain viable. “Making tenancy laws defined and favourable to them is also one major area of correction,” he stated. Together, these challenges underline the scale of transformation required if Telangana’s agriculture is to remain productive, profitable and relevant in the decades leading up to 2047.
