With significantly low rainfall in the district till the mid-July due to El-Nino, the district administration has decided to encourage the farmers to adopt pre-monsoon dry sowing (PMDS) method in the district.Collector A. Siri, who reviewed the weather conditions and the mitigation measures, advised all farmers to adopt the PMDS method. Farmers were urged to treat 36 varieties of seeds, including millets, pulses, and oilseeds with 'Jeevamrutham’ bio-fertilizer and broadcast the mixture, combined with soil and ash, across their fields.The PMDS mixture remains in the fields until rainfall occurs and once it rains, the seeds within the mixture germinate. This method also enhances soil fertility, conserves groundwater levels, and provides shade for the main crop.Officials said PMDS benefits the main crop regardless of whether rainfall is scarce or abundant. The PMDS allows the main crop to withstand a dry spell of up to 15 days without distress. Additionally, she noted that the crops sprouting from the broadcast PMDS mixture could serve as fodder for livestock offering a dual benefit alongside the protection of the main crop.A target of 92,000 acres was set for PMDS in the district and the initiative was successfully implemented on 74,000 acres. “Sowing a few varieties of seeds under PMDS, rather than all of them, would prove profitable for farmers,” officials said.Meanwhile, the Irrigation and Animal Husbandry departments are taking steps to facilitate PMDS cultivation on an additional one lakh acres and to promote fodder cultivation in tank beds across the district.The district also wants to promote the farmers to go for crop insurance to to avoid financial loss as there is a possibility of low crop yield due to dry weather conditions. Published - July 14, 2026 04:15 pm IST