Sri Sathya Sai District Adopts Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Water Management Against El Nino
The Sri Sathya Sai district administration has implemented a two-pronged strategy to mitigate adverse climatic conditions and ensure drinking water security, in response to the El Nino threat and deficit rainfall expected in the second quarter of the year.
As part of an initiative to raise awareness among farmers, Collector A. Shyam Prasad inspected fields in Amidalagondi and surrounding villages of Madakasira division on Thursday. He emphasised the need for climate-resilient agriculture and proactive water management to counter the impact of El Nino.
During his visit, the Collector reviewed the implementation of the Pre-Monsoon Dry Sowing (PMDS) model under natural farming and inspected A-grade demonstration plots. He interacted with farmers and examined soil and water conservation measures designed for rainfed agriculture. Mr. Shyam Prasad also participated in seed sowing operations alongside farmers and observed the Half Moon Model land conservation works in sloping fields, which aim to retain rainwater and minimise soil erosion.
“Natural farming not only improves soil health but also reduces cultivation costs while helping farmers withstand climatic stresses, including drought-like conditions associated with El Nino. Officials should widely propagate adoption of PMDS across the district as a sustainable agricultural practice,” he said.
Later, addressing a divisional-level review meeting on drinking water management in Madakasira, the Collector announced that works worth ₹24 crore would be undertaken across the district to prevent drinking water scarcity. The programme includes repairs to Overhead Service Reservoir and Ground Level Service Reservoir tanks, rectification of pipeline leakages, and borewell flushing and deepening works in more than 600 villages.
