Farmers advised crop diversification in view of likely El-Nino

Metro India News | MAHABUBABAD

District Agriculture Officer (DAO) Swarna Vijayachandra on Friday advised farmers to adopt climate-resilient farming practices in view of the likelihood of below-normal rainfall. She was the Chief Guest at an awareness program conducted by department of agriculture on "Alternative Crops and Crop Diversification" at Edulapusapalli village in Mahabubabad mandal to educate farmers on strategies to cope with possible drought conditions during the ongoing kharif season. 

The DAO said that the influence of the El Niño weather pattern could result in deficient rainfall during the current monsoon season. The DAO mentioned that in the event of delayed monsoon or prolonged dry spells, farmers could significantly reduce crop losses by opting for alternative crops that require less water instead of cultivating water-intensive crops. Highlighting the importance of crop diversification, DAO Swarna Vijayachandra said farmers should avoid depending on a single crop and instead cultivate a mix of pulses, oilseeds, millets and vegetables.

She also encouraged farmers in suitable areas to expand the cultivation of oil palm, describing it as a commercial crop capable of providing stable long-term returns. The DAO further advised farmers to apply fertilizers based on soil test reports, adopt rainwater harvesting and soil moisture conservation measures and implement integrated pest and disease management practices.