Drought Stress Hits AP Crops, Atchannaidu Orders Immediate Action

Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu has directed officials to take immediate measures to protect crops facing moisture stress amid deficient rainfall and the impact of El Nino conditions in Andhra Pradesh. He called for the use of every available water source to provide protective irrigation wherever necessary.

Reviewing the rainfall situation, Kharif cultivation and crop conditions in Amaravati, the minister said the government would stand by farmers and asked the Agriculture and Water Resources departments to work in close coordination. He also directed officials to conduct field-level inspections and assess crop conditions without delay.

Between June 1 and September 12, Andhra Pradesh received 218.2 mm of rainfall against the normal 476.1 mm for the period, recording a 54.2 per cent deficit. Despite the shortfall, Kharif crops had been cultivated across 26.50 lakh hectares by September 12, including 12.01 lakh hectares under paddy and 4.11 lakh hectares under cotton.

The rainfall deficit has affected crops across 284 mandals and 1,792 Rythu Seva Kendras/village areas, with more than 2.4 lakh hectares reporting damage. Officials said over 1.9 lakh hectares were under moisture stress, while crops had wilted across 41,474 hectares and completely dried up in another 10,582 hectares.

Kurnool recorded the highest extent of affected crop area, with more than one lakh hectares impacted, followed by Nandyal with 80,751 hectares and Anantapur with 32,456 hectares. Among crops, red gram was affected across 74,301 hectares and cotton across 73,733 hectares.

Atchannaidu instructed officials to complete the pending crop surveys and update crop health records immediately. He also called for identifying low-water alternative crops and encouraging farmers to take them up in moisture-stressed areas.

Officials said alternative crops had already been taken up across 34,567 hectares, while another 95,112 hectares needed to be covered under the strategy.