Collector announces climate resilience plan to mitigate El Niño conditions in Annamayya

Annamayya District Collector Nishant Kumar on Wednesday said the district administration is ready for a comprehensive climate resilience action plan to alleviate predicted El Niño conditions such as prolonged drought, high temperatures, air and soil moisture stress and lack of rainfall.

To talk HinduThe Collector said the strategy will include water conservation modules, climate-resilient farming methods, micro-irrigation, drinking water security and livestock protection to reduce climate-related risks and protect rural livelihoods across the region.

“We are preparing with a proactive approach to ensure that farmers and rural communities are protected from the adverse effects of climate variability,” the Collector said.

Pelletized Pre-Monsoon Dry Sowing (PMDS) will be an important factor promoted as a climate resilient agricultural practice. “PMDS has already covered 50,154.2 acres in Annamayya district and will benefit 47,245 farmers. We have also identified 22 high-risk and three medium-risk mandals for focused interventions. The focus is also on promoting short-lived and drought-tolerant crops suitable for local rainfall conditions,” said Mr. Nishant Kumar.

The Collector said the Jaladhara water conservation initiative has been intensified with 4,304 works across the district. “We have been able to achieve remarkable success by restoring 3,443 kilometers of recharge canals, which has increased water storage capacity and improved groundwater recharge in various mandals. The available groundwater availability has also increased tremendously compared to last year. This clearly demonstrates the impact of sustainable conservation measures,” he said.

While micro-irrigation has been prioritized through significant subsidies to eligible farmers, water-saving cultivation practices have seen a rise in drought-prone mandals. The Collector said the Horticulture department has been instructed to initiate crop-specific measures to protect fruit and vegetable crops due to prolonged drop in temperature and humidity.