District Collector Sumit Kumar on Monday (June 22, 2026) urged officials from the agriculture and allied departments to undertake intensive awareness campaigns among farmers regarding measures to mitigate the impact of El Niño-linked dry weather patterns. He stressed the importance of issuing timely advisories to help protect crops and livestock from projected rainfall deficits.

He was speaking after releasing the publicity material for the ‘Rythanna! Meekosam’ initiative at the Collectorate in Chittoor. The Department of Agriculture published the material with the objective of guiding farmers on crop planning, water conservation, and other precautionary measures during adverse weather conditions.

Addressing the officials, Mr. Sumit Kumar observed that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had recently declared El Niño conditions. “El Niño is associated with a rise in sea surface temperatures beyond normal levels that can influence weather patterns, including rainfall distribution. This information should be widely circulated among the farmers to ensure their preparedness,” the Collector said.

“Below-normal rainfall could lead to drought-like conditions in parts of the State, and the district as well, impacting agricultural productivity and putting pressure on the animal husbandry sector. Officials should be ready with contingency plans to make farmers aware of suitable crop choices, irrigation management, and methods to conserve available water,” he said.

The Collector instructed agriculture department officials to organise awareness programmes at the village level and ensure that farmers receive weather-based advisories without delay. “Coordinated action by agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, and rural development departments would be crucial in reducing possible losses,” he said.

Joint Collector Adarsh Rajendran, District Revenue Officer K. Mohan Kumar, and Revenue Divisional Officers from Chittoor, Kuppam, Palamaner, and Nagari were also present at the launch.