1 week ago
Andhra Pradesh Adopts Four-Pillar Plan Against El Niño Impact
Andhra Pradesh is preparing farms for a possible strong El Niño.
El Niño can make the monsoon weaker, late or irregular.
This can hurt crops that need rain, especially during the Kharif season.
The government’s plan uses four main steps: saving water, choosing stronger crops, protecting farm-related activities and expanding insurance.
Farmers are being encouraged to use less water and plant crops that can grow in dry conditions.
Officials are also checking fields and sending advice by text message.
Some crops are already showing moisture stress, with Kurnool and Nandyal among the most affected areas.
The government says these steps are meant to help farmers reduce losses.
Andhra Pradesh has adopted a four-pillar strategy for Kharif 2026 focused on water management, climate-resilient farming, allied sectors and crop insurance.
The state recorded a 51 per cent rainfall deficit from June 1 to August 25, with all 28 districts reporting deficits.
The government has risk-graded all 8,489 Rythu Seva Kendrams and surveyed 96.9 per cent of 2.7 crore targeted plots.
Kharif crop insurance coverage more than doubled to 16.3 lakh hectares, while the enrolment deadline was extended to August 31.
The area sown so far is 20.3 lakh hectares, with paddy declining and pulses increasing as the state promotes crops suited to water availability.
- Who
- The Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Department and farmers in the state.
- What
- The state adopted a four-pillar strategy to reduce the possible effects of El Niño on Kharif 2026 crops and allied sectors.
- Where
- Across Andhra Pradesh, including all 8,489 Rythu Seva Kendrams and 18,513 villages.
- When
- The strategy was announced on August 26; the state campaign was launched on August 7, 2026, according to the report.
- Why
- El Niño may cause a weaker, delayed or irregular monsoon, while Andhra Pradesh had a 51 per cent rainfall deficit from June 1 to August 25.
Key facts
- Rainfall deficit
- Andhra Pradesh recorded a 51 per cent deficit from June 1 to August 25, compared with 13 per cent nationally.
- Four focus areas
- Water management, climate-resilient farming, protection of allied sectors and crop insurance.
- High-risk service centers
- Of 8,489 risk-graded Rythu Seva Kendrams, 1,357 were classified as high risk and 2,077 as moderate risk.
- Plot surveys
- About 2.6 crore of 2.7 crore targeted plots had been surveyed, representing 96.9 per cent.
- Crop insurance
- Coverage increased from 7.83 lakh hectares in Kharif 2025 to 16.3 lakh hectares in Kharif 2026.
- Current sown area
- Kharif 2026 sowing stood at 20.3 lakh hectares, compared with 25.6 lakh hectares the previous year.
- Farmer advisories
- The department said 189 lakh SMS advisories had been sent to farmers during the season.
Quotes
Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Department
The state department responsible for agriculture policy and implementation
“We have adopted a risk-differentiated, four-pillar strategy to mitigate the impact of El Niño on Kharif 2026, focusing on water management, climate-resilient farming, protection of allied sectors and crop insurance”
theprint.in
Sources
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