AP Steps Up Four-Pronged Strategy To Tackle El Nino Impact On Kharif 2026

The Andhra Pradesh government has adopted a four-pronged strategy to minimise the impact of El Nino on Kharif 2026, with emphasis on water management, climate-resilient agriculture, protection of allied sectors and crop insurance.

With 62% of the state’s population dependent on agriculture and allied activities, the government has prioritised measures to protect farmers from weather-related risks. The Agriculture Department said El Nino could weaken or delay the monsoon and lead to reduced rainfall. From June 1 to August 25, the state recorded a 51% rainfall deficit, compared with 13% nationally. All 28 districts reported deficient rainfall, including 25 in the deficient and three in the severely deficient category.

The department has been monitoring conditions since February in coordination with the India Meteorological Department and the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture. All 8,489 Rythu Seva Kendras (RSKs) have been classified based on risk, with 1,357 marked high-risk and 2,077 medium-risk.

In areas with adequate water, advance reservoir releases and coordination between the Agriculture and Irrigation departments are supporting cultivation. Water-stressed regions are being encouraged to adopt less water-intensive crops.

Under pre-monsoon dry sowing and seed pelleting, the state aims to cover 23 lakh farmers across 25 lakh acres. So far, 16.3 lakh farmers covering 18.2 lakh acres have benefited. The ‘Raithanna Meekosam – El Nino Effect Mitigation Action Plan – Kharif 2026’, launched on August 7, covers 8,489 RSKs and 18,513 villages. Surveys have already covered 2.6 crore of the targeted 2.7 crore acres.

Crop conditions have been updated across 14.3 lakh acres, with 1.1 lakh acres identified as affected. Kurnool and Nandyal have reported higher levels of stress. Irrigation support, protective sprays, mulching, nutrients, plant protection, alternative short-duration crops and re-sowing are being taken up.

Technology is also playing a key role, with the AP Agriculture Information Management System 2.0, satellite-based crop monitoring and 189 lakh SMS advisories being used. Measures extend to horticulture, livestock, fisheries and sericulture, including micro-irrigation, farm ponds and drought-tolerant varieties.

Crop insurance coverage has risen from 7.83 lakh hectares in Kharif 2025 to 16.3 lakh hectares in Kharif 2026, while PMFBY enrolment has been extended to August 31. Kharif cultivation currently stands at 20.3 lakh hectares, with paddy area declining and pulses increasing in response to water availability.