3 weeks ago
Telangana minister revives Irrigation Advisory Panels to guide farmers
A minister in the Indian state of Telangana called an important meeting with district leaders.
His name is Uttam Kumar Reddy, and he takes care of water and irrigation for the state.
He told the leaders to quickly form groups called Irrigation Advisory Panels.
These groups will check how much water is stored in reservoirs and how much rain is expected.
Then they will tell farmers which crops they can safely grow.
This year, less rain may come because of a weather pattern called El Niño.
Some crops, like paddy which becomes rice, need a lot of water to grow.
The minister warned farmers not to plant those crops where water is low.
Some rain in early August helped a little, but it is not enough to grow thirsty crops.
The goal is to make sure every farmer gets honest information before planting, so seeds and water are not wasted.
Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy ordered the immediate revival of District Irrigation Advisory panels.
Collectors were instructed to hold Irrigation Advisory Board meetings from the next day wherever possible.
The precautionary move comes amid El Niño conditions expected to impact rainfall across the state.
Panels will review reservoir storage, expected inflows, local rainfall, drinking-water needs and command-area needs before advising farmers.
Farmers were cautioned against water-intensive crops, including paddy, in command areas with inadequate inflows this Kharif season.
- Who
- Telangana Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, along with ministers Tummala Nageswara Rao and Jupally Krishna Rao, Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju and District Collectors.
- What
- The immediate revival of District Irrigation Advisory panels, with mandatory meetings before and during every crop season to advise farmers on safe cropping based on water availability.
- Where
- Telangana, India, with the announcement made from Hyderabad.
- When
- Announced on Friday during a video conference; during the current Kharif season in August.
- Why
- El Niño conditions are expected to impact rainfall, requiring cautious crop planning to prevent losses from water-intensive crops like paddy.
Key facts
- Minister
- N Uttam Kumar Reddy, Irrigation and Civil Supplies
- Action
- Revival of District Irrigation Advisory panels
- Reason
- El Niño conditions expected to impact state rainfall
- Meeting mode
- Video conference with Collectors and senior officials
- Crop warning
- Paddy and other water-intensive crops discouraged in low-inflow command areas
- Season
- Kharif
- Recent rainfall
- First week of August brought some relief
- Location
- Telangana, India
Quotes
Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies N Uttam Kumar Reddy
State irrigation minister
“"The Irrigation Advisory Boards should review reservoir storage, expected inflows, local rainfall, drinking‑water requirements and command‑area needs and then issue clear guidance to farmers"”
thehansindia.com
“"You may perhaps be able to support one wetting by taking advantage of the rains received during the first week of August"”
thehansindia.com











