Andhra Pradesh plants across 20 lakh hectares despite severe monsoon deficit

Andhra Pradesh has cultivated kharif crops across 20.35 lakh hectares despite recording a 51% rainfall shortfall this season, with the state government attributing the resilience to early drought-preparedness measures and a shift toward pulses and other less water-intensive crops.

The state received just 192.8 mm of rainfall between early June and August 25 against a normal 393.7 mm, yet managed to sustain agricultural activity through an alternative cropping strategy devised in anticipation of El Niño conditions.

Pulses gain ground as farmers adapt

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu said on Wednesday that the area under pulses rose 23.6%, from 2.16 lakh hectares by August 25 last year to 2.66 lakh hectares this year. Red gram acreage climbed from 1.92 lakh hectares to 2.30 lakh hectares, while black gram expanded from 17,000 hectares to 30,000 hectares. Green gram and soybean also recorded higher acreage.

Paddy retained the largest share at 10.37 lakh hectares, followed by red gram at 2.30 lakh hectares, groundnut at 1.37 lakh hectares and maize at one lakh hectares. Cotton acreage held steady at 3.97 lakh hectares, marginally up from 3.96 lakh hectares the previous year.

Early warnings triggered contingency plans

The government began preparing for possible El Niño impact in February after receiving alerts from the Centre, Atchannaidu said. District-wise drought mitigation and contingency plans were drawn up, particularly for Rayalaseema, Prakasam and Markapuram regions, with emphasis on promoting crops requiring less water. The state has been implementing the "Raithanna Meekosam, El Niño Impact Mitigation Plan, Kharif 2026" programme across Andhra Pradesh since August 7.

Crop insurance coverage more than doubles

Insurance applications surged from 19.5 lakh in Kharif 2025 to 35.1 lakh in Kharif 2026, while the insured area rose from 7.83 lakh hectares to 15.1 lakh hectares, an increase of about 108%. Applications from non-loanee farmers jumped from about two lakh to 20.35 lakh, with crops valued at around ₹13,983 crore brought under insurance coverage so far.

Farmers enrolled under the voluntary insurance system pay only 2% of the premium, with the remainder shared by the Centre and the state.

Atchannaidu alleged that the previous YSRCP government had left premium dues of around ₹2,000 crore unpaid. The present government has submitted a roadmap to the Centre for clearing pending liabilities and allocated ₹250 crore in the 2026-27 budget estimates, while also releasing the required premium amount into an escrow account to facilitate smooth registration of farmers for Kharif 2026.

"The coalition government's objective is to ensure crop insurance protection and financial security for farmers' families, particularly during adverse weather conditions," the Minister said.

Source: The Hindu