Nellore Agriculture Officer Urges Farmers To Choose Short-Duration Crops Amid El Niño

SPSR Nellore District Agriculture Officer (DAO) P. Satyavani has advised farmers to choose suitable short-duration crop varieties in areas receiving low rainfall, citing the impact of El Niño.

Her advisory applies to conditions including below-normal rainfall, delayed rains and prolonged dry spells, when farmers have been asked to take crop-specific precautionary measures.

Plan crops around water availability

Paddy, groundnut, red gram, green gram, black gram, Bengal gram, maize and sorghum are primarily cultivated in the region, according to the DAO.

She urged farmers to formulate their cropping plans after considering water availability, soil moisture, rainfall patterns and local weather conditions.

The guidance places water availability and soil moisture at the centre of decisions on sowing and crop selection.

“Seeds must be sown only when there is adequate rainfall and sufficient soil moisture,” she said.

Satyavani said paddy cultivation requires significant amounts of water, and farmers should assess water availability in advance before planning the crop.

She added that transplanting or sowing should be undertaken only when adequate rainfall and sufficient soil moisture are available.

In areas with limited water availability, farmers should select short-duration paddy varieties based on the advice of officials, she said.

Focus on water management

The DAO also recommended proper water management practices in seedbeds, along with scientific water management and proactive water planning.

These measures, according to her advisory, are intended to prevent water scarcity during critical crop stages.

She asked farmers to seek advice from local agricultural officials about alternative crops when water availability is low.

The recommendations cover both crop planning and steps to manage available water, with separate guidance for paddy and for situations in which farmers may need to consider alternative crops.

Source: The Hindu