Directive to Raise Farmer Awareness Regarding El Niño's Impact

28-Jul-2026 07:20 PM

Vijayawada: Emphasizing the need for an awareness campaign to inform farmers about the potential impact of the El Niño weather cycle, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh has directed officials to strengthen and operationalize existing measures to tackle this threat.

Officials have been instructed to clearly advise farmers on which crops to prioritize—specifically, which ones to expand or reduce—in the event of deficient rainfall. This guidance will assist farmers in making informed decisions regarding crop selection.

It is noteworthy that despite relatively lower monsoon rainfall in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh this year, the acreage under Kharif crops has surpassed last year's figures; the cultivation area for crops such as paddy, cotton, maize, and *tur* (pigeon pea) has increased.

The Chief Minister noted that farmers in remote areas of the state are not receiving the full benefits of government schemes and services, an issue that officials must address with special attention. Farmers should be encouraged to select suitable alternative crops whenever the need arises.

The Meteorological Department has now forecast good rainfall across various parts of Andhra Pradesh, which will bring relief to the farming community. The sowing campaign for Kharif crops is currently underway in the state.