Despite water scarcity, paddy cultivation in Telangana is expected to increase significantly. The consistent support from irrigation over the last seven to eight years has driven this shift. Even with severe water shortages and irrigation system failures causing crop holidays in some areas, the interest in paddy cultivation remains high. Export restrictions on certain rice varieties have limited the growth, but incentives like state-promised bonuses, MSP adjustments by the Centre, and changing crop preferences have strongly boosted paddy cultivation. Despite losing 4-5% of the crop area due to water scarcity in the Krishna and Godavari basins, paddy remains profitable.