Collector Nishant Kumar interacting with MGNREGA workers engaged in ‘Jaladhara’ initiative works ahead of monsoon near Piler in Annamayya district.
| Photo Credit: HANDOUT
Farmers across Chittoor, Annamayya, and Sri Sathya Sai districts have begun field preparations ahead of the June southwest monsoon, with Agriculture Department officials expecting an extensive kharif season despite forecasts of below-normal rainfall year, likely due to the predicted impact of El Niño.Official estimates indicate that close to 10 lakh acres will be under cultivation across the three Rayalaseema districts in the coming kharif season. Groundnut is expected to be grown on nearly four lakh acres in Sri Sathya Sai district. Paddy, tomato, red gram, groundnut and millets will take up a large area in Chittoor and Annamayya districts.Officials said that the distribution of seeds, soil testing, and desilting of farm ponds are already under way in several mandals, coupled with the acceleration of the “Jaladhara” initiative. Farmers have started dry ploughing in anticipation of early June showers. “Preparedness is significantly better this year because a good number of water bodies are holding sufficient to moderate water levels than last summer,” said a senior Agriculture official in Chittoor district.Water availability is considered healthy in parts of Rayalaseema districts following good storage levels in the Handri-Neeva and Telugu Ganga systems. Officials said that Sri Sathya Sai district alone received more than 24 tmcft of Krishna water through the Handri-Neeva network during the recent irrigation cycle, while dependence on borewells remains high in rain shadow areas like Madanapalle, Tamballapalle, Punganur, and Rayachoti in Annamayya district, and Palamaner and Kuppam regions in Chittoor district.Farmers are concerned about the weather uncertainty after repeated years of erratic rainfall and heat stress in Chittoor and Annamayya districts. “If the rains arrive on time in June, we can go ahead. However, a delayed monsoon means higher borewell costs and lower groundnut yields. This will create a gambling-like situation,” said Ramachandraiah (65), a farmer of B. Kothakota mandal in Annamayya district.Agriculture Department officials in Sri Sathya Sai district said that, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, below-normal monsoon rainfall is expected nationally this year. As the El Nino conditions raise concerns about dry spells during critical sowing periods, particularly from June till mid July, field officials observed that the Rayalaseema districts remain vulnerable to moisture stress, and could witness uneven rainfall distribution, though the overall seasonal output might appear adequate. Published - May 28, 2026 06:38 pm IST
