Andhra Pradesh Orders War-Footing Measures to Protect El Niño Crops

Andhra Pradesh has received much less rain than usual during the farming season.

This dry weather has made it difficult for crops to get enough water.

Agriculture Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu told officials to work urgently to protect the crops.

They were asked to use every available water source for protective irrigation.

Crop problems have been reported in hundreds of mandals and village areas.

Red gram and cotton have some of the largest affected areas.

Officials are checking fields and collecting crop-health information.

They are also encouraging farmers to grow crops that need less water.

Farmers in the Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam areas were advised to choose dryland crops instead of paddy.