Rain short by 57%, Sri Sathya Sai district nudges farmers to adopt protective irrigation

The district administration in Sri Sathya Sai district of Andhra Pradesh has called upon farmers to adopt protective irrigation, water-saving practices, and alternative crops to mitigate the impact of El Niño conditions and the severe rainfall deficit that has left the region parched. Known as a rain shadow area, the district has received significantly less rain than normal, compelling officials to take proactive measures.

Addressing the media on Sunday, District Collector Shyam Prasad said that only 45% of the district's normal cultivated area has been brought under sowing so far. The rainfall deficiency has touched 57%, he noted, adding that farmers must prioritise judicious water management and irrigate crops only as per their actual requirements.

To safeguard farmers against potential losses, the Collector assured that all eligible farmers have been enrolled under crop insurance coverage. In a bid to encourage cultivation of alternative crops should the rains revive in the coming weeks, the administration has readied 16,000 quintals of seeds for distribution at an 80% subsidy. This move aims to provide farmers with viable options that require less water and are resilient to changing weather patterns.

Concerned about livestock welfare, Mr. Prasad said collective efforts are underway to raise fodder across 1,000 acres. This measure is designed to prevent fodder shortages that often arise during prolonged dry spells.

Highlighting the success of the PMDS (natural farming) model, the Collector directed agriculture officials to scale it up from the existing 94,000 acres to two lakh acres. Natural farming methods, which rely on local inputs and minimal external water usage, have shown promise in dry regions. He also urged farmers to dig farm ponds to capture rainwater during any rainfall and use it for protective irrigation when dry spells occur.

For farmers with borewells, the Collector advised adopting drip irrigation to minimise water wastage. Scientists have been requested to demonstrate soil-testing kits at farmer workshops and distribute newly developed castor seeds to selected farmers for experimental cultivation. Castor is a hardy crop that can thrive in low-moisture conditions, making it suitable for deficit rainfall areas.

Mr. Prasad stressed the need for a coordinated approach involving officials from agriculture, DRDA, DWMA, AP Micro Irrigation Project, sericulture and marketing departments, along with scientists, NGOs, FPO representatives and farmers. He said overcoming the El Niño impact requires collective effort and innovative solutions tailored to local conditions.

The Sri Sathya Sai district, situated in the rain shadow region of the Eastern Ghats, often experiences erratic rainfall. El Niño, a climate phenomenon marked by warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, typically suppresses monsoon rainfall in India, leading to prolonged dry spells. With forecasts indicating intensifying El Niño conditions, the district administration's preemptive measures are aimed at reducing farm distress and ensuring sustainable agriculture in the face of climate uncertainty.