Andhra CM Tells District Collectors to Prioritise Measures to Tackle El Niño

The Chief Minister reviewed the impact of El Niño, the Jaladhara programme, drinking water availability, agriculture and irrigation projects during collectors conference today. He said he would review the El Niño situation every week and personally undertake field visits. Ministers, Collectors and public representatives should also regularly visit the field and create awareness among farmers, he directed.

The Chief Minister said water shortages caused by El Niño could also lead to inflation. If crop production declines, prices of essential commodities could rise, he noted, calling for advance measures to prevent such a situation.He directed Ministers and officials to work in coordination to protect consumers from the burden of rising prices and said the ministerial committee on price control should function continuously. Farmers should be guided in advance on crops that are likely to have greater demand in the future. Where necessary, seeds of such crops should be supplied to farmers at subsidised rates, he said. The government should also examine the possibility of announcing Minimum Support Prices for crops expected to have high demand.The Chief Minister called for promotion of crops such as onions, pulses and millets, along with wider adoption of multi-cropping. Promoting demand-based crops within the State would reduce dependence on imports from other regions, he said.

The Chief Minister directed Collectors to prepare lists of crops covered under insurance and create awareness among farmers to opt for crop insurance.“Take immediate steps to ensure that farmers receive insurance compensation even if their crops are damaged due to El Niño,” he said, stressing that officials have the responsibility of making farmers fully aware of insurance provisions.He also directed officials to fully activate Rythu Bazars, study the crops being procured by the Central Government and advise farmers accordingly on their cultivation plans.The government should provide farmers with market assurance while ensuring that consumers get essential commodities at reasonable prices, he said.

The Chief Minister called for promotion of natural farming and the PMDS system in El Niño conditions. Special measures should be taken to maintain greenery, he said.He directed officials to encourage rain-fed crops and fodder cultivation and use seeds for mulching wherever necessary to preserve greenery. Drone-based seed broadcasting should also be promoted on a large scale, he said.Advance measures must be taken to ensure that El Niño does not cause shortages of drinking water or fodder. Comprehensive plans should be prepared to ensure that no drinking water shortage arises in either urban or rural areas.Wherever possible, tanks should be filled to meet drinking water requirements, and planning should begin immediately to ensure uninterrupted water supply until the next summer. Water should be transported from nearby sources to areas facing shortages, he said.Recalling the drinking water crisis faced by Tirumala in the past, the Chief Minister said the government had overcome the situation by laying a pipeline within 100 days. “With advance planning, any water crisis can be tackled effectively,” he said.

The Chief Minister said irrigation in lakhs of acres in the Krishna Delta could be protected with Pattiseema water even under severe El Niño conditions.At present, 8,100 cusecs of water is being released from Pattiseema, with 6,700 cusecs reaching Prakasam Barrage. So far this season, 39.5 TMC of Godavari water has been diverted to the Krishna Delta through Pattiseema.Irrigation projects are crucial to protecting the State from drought, he said, directing officials to complete 36 priority irrigation projects within three years.The Chief Minister congratulated Water Resources Minister and officials for accelerating works on the Veligonda project, Polavaram Left Canal and Handri-Neeva Canal. He directed them to complete the remaining 36 priority projects with the same determination.Targets should be set to complete works at least one month ahead of the stipulated deadlines, he said, adding that incentives would be provided to contractors and officials who complete projects on time.

The Chief Minister said the proposed Godavari-Cauvery river linkage, along with the Jal Jeevan Mission, could help provide piped water to every household.Water resources plans should be prepared keeping future water requirements in mind. Works under the Jaladhara programme should continue without interruption, including excavation of trenches and construction of required structures.He directed officials to increase groundwater levels by interlinking internal basins on the lines of the initiative undertaken in Annamayya district. A special blueprint should also be prepared for filling tanks, he said.

As part of drought mitigation measures, the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure adequate cattle sheds and prevent any shortage of cattle feed.The Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Water Resources and Rural Development departments should work in close coordination, he said.As part of measures to give greater impetus to the horticulture sector, the foundation stone for the Global Horticulture Hub will be laid this month, the Chief Minister announced.