Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Collector Urges Water-Based Crop Choices Amid El Niño Concerns
The district collector asked farmers to choose crops based on how much water they have.
Rainfall has already fallen by 32 percent.
Rain may decrease further from October to December because of El Niño.
Farmers without reliable irrigation were told to be careful about growing paddy.
Water in the Telugu Ganga canal system is limited to about 10 to 12 TMC.
The government is cleaning canals and tanks to save water.
It is also giving farmers seed mixtures that need less water and can improve soil.
Officials and scientists will help farmers decide what to plant.
Tirupati District Collector Dr S Venkateswar urged farmers to select crops according to local water availability.
Rainfall has declined by 32 percent and is expected to weaken from October to December because of El Niño.
Cultivated area could rise from about 32,000 hectares to 52,000 hectares this year.
Farmers without assured irrigation in Sullurupeta and Naidupeta were advised not to rush into paddy cultivation.
The government is conserving water through canal and tank desilting and distributing PMDS seed mixtures.
- Who
- Tirupati District Collector Dr S Venkateswar, agriculture officials and farmers.
- What
- Farmers were urged to select water-efficient crops and avoid unsuitable paddy cultivation where irrigation is uncertain.
- When
- The advice was given at the Agri Expo Kisan Mela-2026 on Wednesday; rainfall is expected to decline from October to December.
- Where
- Naidupeta, in Tirupati district, with specific advice for farmers in Sullurupeta and Naidupeta.
- Why
- Rainfall has declined by 32 percent, El Niño is expected to reduce rainfall further, and available canal water is limited.
- Expected rainfall period
- Rainfall is likely to decline from October to December.
- Rainfall decline
- Rainfall has declined by 32 percent.
- Current cultivated area
- About 32,000 hectares are normally cultivated in the district.
- Expected cultivated area
- Cultivation could increase to around 52,000 hectares this year.
- Telugu Ganga water
- Around 10 to 12 TMC of water is currently available under the canal system.
- Water conservation programme
- Jaladhara-Jalaharathi includes desilting connecting canals and tanks.
- Farmer support
- PMDS seed mixtures are being distributed to improve yields with less water and improve soil fertility.