Agriculture in Khammam District: Cotton and chilli belt
Khammam is one of Telangana's notable agricultural districts, best known for cotton and chilli belt. Its farmland is fed by Godavari, Munneru and sits on predominantly red & black soil, a combination that favours cotton, chilli, rice. Unlike a generic state average, Khammam's cropping is shaped by this specific soil-and-water mix, which is why the crops and schemes below are weighted to what actually grows and sells here.
What Grows Best in Khammam
The district's main crops are Cotton, chilli, Rice (Paddy), Maize (Corn). cotton leads the local economy, so Khammam farmers should track the Cotton rate closely and plan sowing, inputs and storage around it. The red & black soil here holds moisture well and suits cotton, soybean, pulses and oilseeds.
Crop Calendar for Khammam (Sowing & Harvest)
Based on Khammam's main crops, here is when to sow and harvest locally. Plan inputs, labour and credit around these windows:
| Crop | Season & Window | All-India rate (3 October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 🪴 Cotton | Kharif (Sow: Apr-Jun, Pick: Oct-Jan) | ₹8,250/qtl |
| chilli | Local seasonal crop | - |
| 🍚 Rice (Paddy) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Oct-Nov) | ₹3,680/qtl |
| 🌽 Maize (Corn) | Kharif (Sow: Jun-Jul, Harvest: Sep-Oct) | ₹2,299/qtl |
Soil, Water & Irrigation in Khammam
With red & black soil and water from the Godavari, Munneru, the priority for Khammam farmers is matching irrigation to the crop. Drip and sprinkler subsidies and a solar pump can cut water and power costs significantly. A free soil health card tells you exactly which nutrients your plot needs.
Best Way to Sell cotton from Khammam
Since cotton is central to Khammam, time your sale using the live cotton rate. Compare rates at the nearest APMC mandi with the Telangana price page. Grade and clean produce for a 15-20% premium, and list on eNAM to reach buyers beyond Khammam.
Mandi Prices in Khammam
These are the crops actually trading in Khammam's markets (Burgampadu APMC), with the modal price per quintal reported on 1 June 2026:
| Commodity | Min | Max | Modal Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | ₹420 | ₹420 | ₹420 |
Source: Agmarknet daily arrivals for Khammam, Telangana, as of 1 June 2026.
What Khammam Actually Grows: Official Crop Statistics
In 2024-25, Khammam's largest crops by area were Rice (Paddy), Cotton, Maize (Corn). Rice (Paddy) alone covered 1,97,741 ha (57% of the area under the crops listed below), with a yield of 3,556 kg/ha, 2% below the Telangana average. The biggest shifts since 2019-20: Sugarcane area -53%, Maize (Corn) area +25%.
| Crop | Area (ha) | Production (tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | Telangana avg yield | Area change since 2019-20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (Paddy) | 1,97,741 | 7,03,173 | 3,556 | 3,627 | +13% |
| Cotton | 84,221 | 2,48,949 | 503 | 3,194 | -16% |
| Maize (Corn) | 50,863 | 3,55,658 | 6,993 | 5,860 | +25% |
| Moong (Green Gram) | 9,388 | 5,230 | 557 | 705 | +12% |
| Sugarcane | 1,071 | 1,00,660 | 94,000 | 93,064 | -53% |
| Sesame (Til) | 579 | 281 | 485 | 636 | +360% |
| Arhar (Tur/Pigeon Pea) | 243 | 139 | 573 | 934 | -64% |
| Urad (Black Gram) | 227 | 255 | 1,123 | 1,462 | +23% |
| Groundnut | 223 | 659 | 2,954 | 2,106 | -65% |
| Jowar (Sorghum) | 146 | 191 | 1,311 | 2,301 | -49% |
Source: Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt of India (final estimates), via UPAg. Field crops only - vegetables, fruit and spices are counted separately. Telangana average = sum of the state's district estimates.
Climate & Sowing Windows in Khammam
Khammam receives about 1046 mm of rain in an average year, 68% of it in June-September. The wettest month is August (202 mm). Days are hottest in April (average high 41°C) and nights coolest in December (average low 16°C).
- Rain typically first crosses 100 mm a month in June, the usual cue for kharif sowing here.
- January days still average 31°C, too warm for wheat to yield well; the cool season suits warm-tolerant pulses, oilseeds and vegetables better.
- May days average 40°C, so summer (zaid) crops and young orchards need frequent irrigation and mulching.
| Month | Rain (mm) | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7 | 31° | 16° |
| February | 9 | 35° | 18° |
| March | 11 | 38° | 22° |
| April | 22 | 41° | 25° |
| May | 49 | 40° | 27° |
| June | 137 | 35° | 26° |
| July | 201 | 32° | 25° |
| August | 202 | 31° | 24° |
| September | 171 | 30° | 24° |
| October | 168 | 30° | 22° |
| November | 52 | 29° | 19° |
| December | 17 | 29° | 16° |
Source: NASA POWER long-term monthly averages (satellite and model based, so they can understate rain on coasts and hills) for the centre of Khammam district (17.1729, 80.4058). These are normals, not a forecast for any one year; for this week see the farm weather forecast.
For Khammam Farmers: Solar Pumps & Tractors
Districts Near Khammam
Before you sell, compare mandis in neighbouring districts too (straight-line distance between district centres):
- NTR, Andhra Pradesh - 43 km
- Bhadradri Kothagudem - 63 km
- Suryapet - 66 km
- Mahabubabad - 72 km
- Eluru, Andhra Pradesh - 74 km
- Guntur, Andhra Pradesh - 100 km
Land records and Farmer ID in Telangana
Government Schemes for Khammam Farmers
Farmers in Khammam are eligible for PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Kisan Credit Card, Soil Health Card Scheme, PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, eNAM - National Agriculture Market and more. For Khammam's cotton growers, crop insurance and the soil health card matter most for the black-soil crops here. Apply at the Khammam district agriculture office, a CSC, or online via the Subsidy Finder.