El Niño impact: Farmers advised to shift to low-water crops

Amid concerns over the impact of El Niño and declining reservoir levels, horticulture experts have advised Telangana farmers to shift to less water-intensive crops such as vegetables, cereals, oilseeds and pulses and adopt integrated farming systems to improve profitability.

Hyderabad: In view of the El Niño phenomenon and the anticipated drop in water levels in the Krishna and Godavari reservoirs, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University Vice Chancellor Dr D Raji Reddy advised farmers to cultivate crops that require less water, such as vegetables, cereals, oilseeds and pulses.

Addressing the annual action plan programme organised by the 16 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of Telangana at the College of Horticulture in Rajendranagar here on Friday, Dr Reddy noted that while five major crops were cultivated in the State at the time of its formation, cultivation has since become largely restricted to just paddy and cotton.

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He pointed out that this shift has led to a steep rise in the prices of other crops. He urged farmers to opt for eco-friendly crops, noting that the currently dominant crops cannot withstand the rainfall fluctuations associated with El Niño.

Dr Reddy emphasised the need to extensively promote horticultural crops to turn the impact of El Niño into an opportunity. He expressed hope that adopting integrated farming systems would boost the agriculture, horticulture and dairy sectors, thereby ensuring net profits for farmers. He opined that Krishi Vigyan Kendras should evolve into ‘mini-universities’.

ATARI Zone-10 Director Dr Shaik N Meera said KVKs play a crucial role in disseminating modern farming knowledge to farmers. He also advocated the cultivation of local and indigenous varieties of agricultural and horticultural crops.