Sri Sathya Sai district administration has adopted a two-pronged strategy to address adverse climatic conditions and ensure drinking water security in light of the El Nino threat perception and deficit rainfall in the second quarter of the year.

As part of the initiative to create awareness among farmers, Collector A. Shyam Prasad inspected the fields in Amidalagondi and surrounding villages of Madakasira division on Thursday. He emphasised the need for climate-resilient agriculture and proactive water management in the face of an El Nino impact.

While reviewing the implementation of the Pre-Monsoon Dry Sowing (PMDS) model under natural farming and inspecting A-grade demonstration plots, the Collector interacted with the farmers. He also examined soil and water conservation measures designed for rainfed agriculture. Mr. Shyam Prasad also participated in seed sowing operations alongside farmers and observed the Half Moon Model land conservation works in sloping fields intended for rainwater retention and to minimise soil erosion.

“Natural farming not only improves soil health but also reduces cultivation costs while helping farmers withstand climatic stresses, including drought-like conditions associated with El Nino. Officials should widely propagate adoption of PMDS across the district as a sustainable agricultural practice,” he said.

Later, addressing a divisional-level review meeting on drinking water management in Madakasira, the Collector announced that works worth ₹24 crore would be undertaken across the district to prevent drinking water scarcity. The programme includes repairs to Overhead Service Reservoir and Ground Level Service Reservoir tanks, rectification of pipeline leakages, and borewell flushing and deepening works in more than 600 villages.

Published - July 23, 2026 06:36 pm IST