Despite 51% rainfall deficit, AP sustains kharif cultivation through advance planning: Atchannaidu
The Minister said Andhra Pradesh received only 192.8 mm of rainfall between the first week of June and August 25, against the normal 393.7 mm, recording a deficit of 51%. Despite the adverse conditions, kharif crops had been raised in 20.35 lakh hectares, he said.
Despite a 51% rainfall deficit, Andhra Pradesh continued to practice kharif cultivation through advance planning, claimed Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu. The state received only 192.8 mm of rainfall between June and August, against the normal 393.7 mm. Kharif crops were raised in 20.35 lakh hectares, a 23.6% increase from the previous year.
The area under pulses rose by 23.6%, reaching 2.66 lakh hectares, while red gram and black gram acreage increased by 21.5% and 76.5%, respectively. Green gram and soybean also saw higher acreage. Paddy dominated at 10.37 lakh hectares, followed by red gram, groundnut, and maize. Cotton acreage remained stable. The government had begun preparing for potential El Niño impacts since February and implemented the "Raithanna Meekosam – El Niño Impact Mitigation Plan – Kharif 2026" program starting August 7.
Crop insurance coverage expanded significantly, with insured area rising by about 108% to 15.1 lakh hectares. Farmers enrolled under the voluntary insurance system pay only 2% of the premium, while the Centre and State share the remaining amount. Atchannaidu criticized the previous YSRCP government for failing to provide adequate crop insurance protection and left around ₹2,000 crore in premium dues.
The current coalition government has allocated ₹250 crore in the 2026-27 budget estimates and released the required premium amount to facilitate smooth farmer registration.
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