India’s Agriculture Ministry Charts Joint Drought Strategy for Andhra Pradesh
11 July 2025, Andhra Pradesh: In a decisive step toward addressing the deepening drought crisis in southern Andhra Pradesh, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, chaired a high-level review meeting today with state officials and ministers. The meeting took place at the District Collectorate of Sri Sathya Sai district and centered around comprehensive strategies to alleviate distress in drought-affected Rayalaseema districts.
The Union Minister emphasized a collaborative approach, reaffirming the central government’s commitment to working alongside the Andhra Pradesh government under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. “This region is severely affected by erratic rainfall and recurring droughts. We’ve had a constructive dialogue today with the state’s Agriculture Minister on how to bring both immediate relief and long-term resilience to farmers,” Minister Chouhan said.
Short-Term and Long-Term Strategy in the Works
A key outcome of the meeting was the formulation of a two-pronged strategy — tackling current challenges while laying the foundation for future drought resilience. The central government will soon dispatch an expert team to the region comprising specialists from ICAR, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land Resources, and Watershed Management. The team will design a scientific roadmap to enable crop cultivation even in severely drought-prone areas.
“This plan will not only address drought but also explore innovations in rainwater harvesting and afforestation. We will also collaborate with the Ministry of Jal Shakti to assess the feasibility of diverting water from the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers to affected areas,” Chouhan stated.
Focus on Sustainable and Integrated Farming
The discussions also highlighted the potential of integrated farming systems as a sustainable solution. Future initiatives will support the cultivation of fruit, flowers, vegetables, agroforestry, beekeeping, and animal husbandry in a unified approach. Special emphasis will be placed on developing and distributing high-yield, drought-tolerant seed varieties to strengthen agricultural productivity in adverse conditions.
Correcting Past Injustices and Moving Forward
In a pointed remark, the Union Minister noted that central funds had been misallocated by the previous state administration, denying crucial support to farmers. However, with the current leadership, he expressed optimism: “This is a new chapter. The state and central governments are united in our resolve to help farmers. An Integrated Action Plan will soon be implemented to ensure that drought no longer cripples the livelihoods of those who feed the nation.”
The meeting also featured discussions on organic farming and the National Palm Oil Mission, marking a broader shift toward diversification and sustainability in the state’s agriculture sector.
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