Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for Kuppam on September 21

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference with senior officials, district collectors, and Rythu Seva Kendra staff to review the impact of El Niño conditions and discuss mitigation measures. Naidu emphasized that El Niño would affect various sectors beyond agriculture and directed officials to adopt short and medium-term plans to protect farmers and control prices of essential commodities such as rice, onion, palm oil, and red gram.

The Chief Minister stressed the importance of assessing rice stocks in godowns and releasing them into the market as needed. He encouraged onion cultivation according to future demand while implementing decisions to control palm oil and red gram prices promptly. Naidu advocated for promoting kitchen gardens through self-help groups to boost vegetable production and price control. Farmers were urged to cultivate crops based on market demand, with a focus on pulses, millets, rain-fed crops, and natural farming methods.

The state experienced a 50.7% rainfall deficit, with Prakasam, Annamayya, and Sri Sathya Sai districts recording the highest deficits. Despite the shortfall, 79% of the targeted kharif cultivation area was under cultivation. The government supplied 1.31 lakh quintals of seeds at an 80% subsidy and prepared ₹60 crore for the kharif contingency plan. ₹190 crore had been earmarked to protect horticulture crops in high-risk areas.

Naidu directed officials to ensure drinking water for people and water and fodder for livestock. He highlighted the success of the Handri-Neeva project in delivering water to tail-end areas. The government had invested ₹3,500 crore to bring water into canals within 100 days. The Chief Minister instructed officials to conduct regular field visits and collaborate with public representatives, farmers, and irrigation associations to mitigate the El Niño impact.