The State of Telangana is divided into three agro-climatic zones viz., Northern Telangana Zone, Central Telangana Zone and Southern Telangana Zone based on the geographical characteristics and climatic conditions such as nature of soils, rainfall, temperature etc.,
Northern Telangana Zone
This zone comprises the 180 mandals distributed in 10 districts ; Adilabad, Kumarambheem Asifabad, Nirmal, Mancherial, Nizamabad, Jagtial, Peddapalli, Kamareddy, Rajanna_Sircilla and Karimnagar. The zone has a geographical area of 33110.85 sq. km. The annual average rainfall of the zone is 1033 mm ranging from 867 mm to 1189 mm. South West monsoon season with 840 mm (81%) is the major share, whereas North East monsoon season 104 mm , winter season 30 mm and summer season 58 mm contributes 10,3 and 6 per cent respectively.
The annual mean temperature ranges from 26.70C to 27.20C ,mean maximum temperature ranges from 33.10C to 33.90C, and minimum temperature ranges from 20.10C to 20.90C. The zone has very low mean minimum temperature during the winter season ranging from 15.70C to 16.90C and the mean maximum temperature during the summer season ranges from 38.70C to 39.90C.The dependable rainfall i.e., rainfall at 75% probability from June to October is ranged between 237mm to 812 mm.
Major soils in the zone include shallow black soils (18.4%) followed by deep calcareous soils (16.6%) and red clayey soils (15.2%). However, as a whole, red soils of different textures are predominant in this zone to an extent of 45 percent followed by black soils (24%) and calcareous soils (20%).
Predominant crops in this zone include mango, sapota, guava,sitaphal, tomato,french beans , leafy vegetables, green chillie, turmeric, coriander, etc.
Central Telangana Zone
This zone comprises the 187 mandals distributed in 11 districts viz., Sangareddy, Medak, Siddipet, Jangaon, Warangal Urban, Warangal Rural, Mahabubabad, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Khammam. The total geographical area of the zone is 38746.57 sq. km with an annual average rainfall of 978 mm. Rainfall range from 779 mm to 1213 mm and major contribution is from southwest monsoon season with 758 mm (77%). Remaining rainfall receives from North East season 121 mm (13%) winter season 24mm (2%) and summer season 75 mm (8%).
The annual mean maximum temperature of the zone ranges from 32.80C to 33.70C, minimum temperature ranges from 20.40C to 22.40C and mean temperature ranges from 26.80C to 27.90C. The mean minimum temperature during the winter season ranges from 16.60C to 18.70C and the mean maximum temperature during the summer season ranges from 37.20C to 38.90C.The dependable rainfall i.e., rainfall at 75% probability from June to October is ranged between 250mm and 766 mm.
The major soil groups in the zone are red shallow gravelly soils (12.4%) followed by red clayey soils (12.2%), deep calcareous soils (9%), red gravelly loam (8.5%) and colluvial soils (8%). Red type of soils, as a whole occupies 54 percent followed by calcareous soils (13%), colluvial soils (8%) and black soils (6%).
Major crops in this zone include mango, guava,banana, sitaphal, oilpalm, palmyrah,coconut, cashewnut,watermelon,pomonate,papaya, papripka, gourds,tomato,brinjal, potato,onion, green chillie, dolichus beans, leafy vegetables, red chillies,ginger etc.,
Southern Telangana Zone
This zone comprises of 217 mandals distributed in 12 districts viz., Vikarabad, Medchal_Malkajgiri, Hyderabad, Yadadri_Bhuvanagiri, Rangareddy, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Wanaparthy, Nagarkurnool, Narayanpet and Jogulamba_Gadwal. The total geographical area of the zone is 40177.23 sq. km. The annual average rainfall of the zone is 731 mm ranging from 606 mm to 853 mm. 524 mm (71%) rainfall is received during southwest monsoon season followed by North East 130 mm (18%), winter season 17 mm (2%) and summer season 61 mm (8%).
The annual mean maximum temperature of the zone ranges from 33.20C to 33.90C, minimum temperature ranges from 20.60C to 22.10C and mean temperature ranges from 26.90C to 27.80C. The mean minimum temperature during the winter season ranged from 16.90C to 18.30C and the mean maximum temperature during the summer season ranges from 38.20C to 38.90C. The dependable rainfall i.e., rainfall at 75% probability from June to October is ranged between 166mm to 469 mm.
Predominant soils of the zone are red clayey soils (22.3%) followed by red gravelly loam (16.5%) and alluvio-colluvial soils (14.4%). As a whole, the zone is dominated by different textured red soils with varied depths to an extent of 54.8 percent followed by alluvial-colluvial soils and calcareous soils (11.2%).
Major crops in this zone include grapes, papaya, sweet orange,mango,sitaphal,water melon, pomegranate,tomato,brinjal, bhendi, gourds, gherkins, colocasia, sweet potato,onion, leafy vegetables, green chillie,cucumber, flower and aromatic plants.