Sri Sathya Sai District Expands Farmer Support Amid El Niño

Sri Sathya Sai District is facing drought because it has received much less rain than usual.

The district recorded 57 percent less rainfall, so farmers planted crops on only 45 percent of the usual area.

Collector A Shyam Prasad said the government would support farmers.

Farmers were asked to save water and try crops that need less water.

The government has stored alternative seeds and will sell them with an 80 percent subsidy.

Farmers are also being encouraged to build ponds and use drip irrigation.

A natural farming method called Pre-Monsoon Dry Sowing will be expanded.

Officials will also grow fodder so farm animals have enough food.