The meeting was convened at the PGRS Hall in Sri Sathya Sai district’s District Collectorate, where detailed deliberations were held on combating low rainfall, promoting sustainable farming practices, and developing long-term strategies for Rayalaseema’s agriculture.
Action Plan for Drought-Prone Areas
Briefing the media after the meeting, Chouhan said that under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the state has begun focusing on drip irrigation, horticulture, and integrated farming systems.
“The past misuse of central funds affected farmers gravely. But with the current government’s proactive vision, we have decided to prepare a Joint Integrated Action Plan to tackle both short- and long-term issues,” he said.
Key Initiatives Announced
A central interdisciplinary team comprising experts from ICAR, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, Watershed Management, and Land Resources will soon visit Andhra Pradesh to draft a sustainable agriculture plan.
The Centre will collaborate with the Ministry of Jal Shakti to explore river-linking options using Tungabhadra and Krishna waters for drought mitigation.
Focus on rainwater harvesting, agroforestry, beekeeping, animal husbandry, and the development of drought-resilient seed varieties will be part of the action plan.
Emphasis will also be laid on organic agriculture expansion and boosting the Palm Oil Mission across suitable agro-climatic zones in the state.
“This integrated strategy is aimed at strengthening farm income and building climate resilience across drought-prone belts,” Chouhan said.
