Hyderabad: Amid concerns over El Nino-induced dry conditions, agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Tuesday urged farmers to diversify crops and adopt scientific farming practices, stressing that careful crop planning based on water availability will be critical for a successful kharif season.Addressing the 100th episode of the agriculture department’s Rythu Nestham programme via video conference from the secretariat, Tummala called on farmers to move beyond conventional cropping patterns and take up oil palm and other region-specific alternative crops wherever suitable.He advised farmers to follow scientific recommendations issued by agricultural universities and the agriculture department to improve productivity, conserve resources and safeguard farm incomes.Chief secretary Sanjay Jaju said farmers should prepare weather-based crop plans and use available water judiciously in view of the prevailing El Nino conditions.The programme saw participation from nearly three lakh farmers through 2,601 Rythu Vedikas across the state. Agricultural experts briefed participants on alternative cropping options, scientific crop management, water conservation techniques, crop protection measures and modern farming technologies.
