Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Natural Farming Teams Plan Crops for El Niño Conditions
Natural farming teams from several districts met in Anantapur to plan what farmers should grow.
They discussed how low rainfall and El Niño conditions can make farming harder.
T Vijay Kumar said each area needs a crop plan that fits its local conditions.
The group also talked about dry sowing before the monsoon and using compact farming blocks.
They want plans that continue through March 2028.
Participants discussed choosing suitable seeds, spacing crops well, and growing different crops together.
These steps can help farmers use soil moisture, land, and water carefully.
Teams also shared experiences from compact blocks in Anantapur and Sri Sathya Sai districts.
Rythu Sadhikara Samstha held a natural farming meeting with teams from nine districts at the AF Ecology Centre.
T Vijay Kumar called for separate crop plans tailored to conditions in Rayalaseema and south coastal districts.
District Collector O Anand said the district administration is focusing on Pre Monsoon Dry Sowing and compact blocks.
Participants discussed crop choices and integrated plans intended to run through March 2028.
The meeting emphasized soil moisture awareness, suitable seeds, crop spacing, intercropping, diversity, and efficient use of land, water, and bio-based resources.
- Who
- Rythu Sadhikara Samstha officials and natural farming teams from nine districts, including district officials, project managers, mentors, and farmer scientists.
- What
- A meeting to discuss integrated crop planning for natural farming under low-rainfall and changing El Niño conditions.
- When
- Thursday; the article does not provide a date.
- Where
- AF Ecology Centre, Anantapur.
- Why
- To develop crop plans suited to local conditions and make effective use of soil moisture, land, water, and bio-based resources.
Localised crop planning
Shared planning principles
How plans should be designed
Localised crop planning
T Vijay Kumar emphasized separate crop plans for different cropping situations in Rayalaseema and south coastal districts.
Shared planning principles
The meeting also emphasized common planning principles, including suitable crop selection, intercropping, diversity, and efficient use of land and water.
- Organizer
- Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS)
- Meeting venue
- AF Ecology Centre, Anantapur
- Participating districts
- Nine districts
- Planning horizon
- Through March 2028
- Highlighted practices
- Pre Monsoon Dry Sowing and compact blocks
- Planning considerations
- Root systems, crop spacing, intercropping, crop diversity, soil moisture, seed selection, and bio-based resources