AP to Intensify El Niño Mitigation, Ensure Comprehensive Support to Farmers: CM
Amaravati, July 28(TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday directed officials to intensify preparedness to tackle the impact of El Niño-induced drought and ensure timely support, scientific advisories and relief measures for farmers across the State.
Reviewing the State’s preparedness at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister said the entire administrative machinery should treat the emerging drought situation as a major challenge and work in close coordination to minimise its impact on agriculture and rural livelihoods.
Officials informed the meeting that Andhra Pradesh recorded a 69 per cent rainfall deficit in July and rainfall during the June-November season is expected to remain 35-40 per cent below normal.
Against the normal seasonal rainfall of 844 mm, the State is likely to receive only about 551 mm.
The officials said the impact of El Niño is expected to be more severe than initially projected, with all districts likely to be affected.
West Godavari, Prakasam, Annamayya, Krishna and YSR Kadapa are expected to face acute drought conditions. About 2.78 lakh hectares of cotton and 1.07 lakh hectares of paddy are likely to be affected, with Srikakulam expected to record the highest loss in paddy cultivation.
Naidu directed officials to make optimum use of available Vamsadhara river water to protect standing crops and explore borewell-based irrigation in 122 high-risk mandals identified across the State.
Awareness campaigns on drought management and crop diversification will begin from August 3, with farmers being encouraged to cultivate alternative crops such as red gram, black gram and castor in place of paddy wherever feasible.
Reviewing crop insurance coverage, the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that every cultivated crop is insured under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana or the Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme and warned that District Collectors would be held accountable if any eligible crop remained uncovered. Officials informed the meeting that crops covering 6.30 lakh hectares had already been insured.
The Chief Minister also instructed officials to ensure there is no shortage of drinking water anywhere in the State. While officials said fodder stocks of 286.30 lakh metric tonnes, sufficient for five months, had been arranged,
Naidu directed them to build reserves adequate for one year considering the possibility of prolonged drought conditions.
He ordered the establishment of a dedicated El Niño Control Room for continuous monitoring, scientific analysis and issuance of advisories.
Farmers should receive location-specific guidance through Rythu Seva Kendras based on assessments of crop stress, groundwater availability and borewell resources, he said.
Naidu directed officials to fully utilise the VBG Ram G Scheme for El Niño mitigation and protection of horticulture crops.
He also called for active participation of Market Committees, Water Users’ Associations and agricultural university students in awareness campaigns and crop monitoring.
The Chief Minister directed that implementation committees be constituted at every Rythu Seva Kendra, with field officials regularly touring drought-affected areas.
He also called for promotion of dairy farming and natural farming, measures to prevent a rise in prices of vegetables and essential commodities, and establishment of one Mobile Rythu Bazaar in every district to be operated by farmers or DWCRA women’s groups.
TNT KM
