**Summary:**
On July 10, 2025, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan convened a review meeting in Puttaparthi, Sri Sathya Sai district, Andhra Pradesh, to address drought conditions in the southern districts of the state. The meeting, held with Andhra Pradesh ministers and officials, focused on developing an integrated action plan to mitigate the impact of drought, promote organic farming, and advance the Palm Oil Mission.
Key outcomes of the meeting include:
* **Integrated Action Plan:** A collaborative effort between the central and state governments to develop short-term and long-term solutions for drought-affected regions.
* **Expert Team Deployment:** A team comprising officials and scientists from the agriculture department, ICAR, rural development ministry, and land resources departments will be dispatched to Andhra Pradesh. Their mandate includes drafting a plan for drought-resistant crop cultivation, rainwater harvesting, afforestation, and exploring water access from the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers in collaboration with the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
* **Integrated Farming Initiatives:** Focus on integrated farming approaches encompassing fruit, flowers, vegetables, agroforestry, beekeeping, and animal husbandry, alongside the development of drought-resistant seed varieties.
Minister Chouhan acknowledged the Andhra Pradesh government's efforts, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Chandrababu Naidu, in promoting drip irrigation and boosting horticulture. He also stated the current government is trying to fix the issue of previous diversion of central funds. The overarching goal is to achieve sustainable solutions for farmers in the drought-affected districts through a coordinated strategy between the central and state governments.
Key Entities Referenced
Shri Chandrababu Naidu: The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
Ministry of Agriculture Farmers Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan: The Union Agriculture Minister who held review meetings on drought-affected districts.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in southern India, specifically its drought-affected districts.
Palm Oil Mission: A government initiative related to palm oil production, discussed during the meeting.
Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh: Location of the meeting in Sri Sathya Sai district, Andhra Pradesh.
Rayalaseema: Region of Andhra Pradesh, specifically districts that face drought problems.
ICAR: Indian Council of Agricultural Research, scientists from which will be part of the central government team visiting Andhra Pradesh.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh
Chouhan holds review meeting on drought-affected
districts of southern Andhra Pradesh
Shri Chouhan also held extensive discussion with
Andhra Pradesh ministers and officials on organic
farming and Palm Oil Mission
“An ‘Integrated Action Plan’ will be developed in
collaboration with the state government for drought-
affected regions” – Shri Shivraj Singh
“A team of officials and scientists from the agriculture
department will visit Andhra Pradesh to find better
solutions” – Shri Chouhan
“Short- and long-term measures will be adopted to
arrive at a sustainable solution” – Shri Shivraj Singh
Chouhan
“Development work done under the leadership of
Chief Minister Shri Chandrababu Naidu is
commendable” – Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh
Posted On: 10 JUL 2025 6:56PM by PIB DelhiUnion Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a review meeting today with ministers and
officials of the Andhra Pradesh government regarding the drought-affected districts in the southern parts of
the state. Detailed discussions were also held on organic farming and the Palm Oil Mission. The meeting was
held at the PGRS Hall, District Collectorate, Puttaparthi, in Sri Sathya Sai district.Speaking to media persons after the meeting, the Union Agriculture Minister said, “Today in Puttaparthi, we
had an important meeting with the Agriculture Minister of Andhra Pradesh regarding drought-affected
districts. This region faces specific challenges — low rainfall and frequent droughts, which put farming and
farmers in distress. Under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Chandrababu Naidu, the
Andhra Pradesh government has taken several significant steps — from promoting drip irrigation to boosting
horticulture.”
Shri Shivraj Singh further said, “The previous government diverted central funds, which was gravely unjust to
the farmers. But the current government is actively working towards changing that. With a visionary Chief
Minister in place, we thought about devising both short-term and long-term plans to resolve the problems of
these Rayalaseema districts, to arrive at a sustainable solution. Today’s discussion concluded with a decision
that both the state and central governments will work together to find solutions.”
Among the various measures, first, a team from the central government, including scientists from ICAR and
officials from the agriculture department and rural development ministry, will be sent to Andhra Pradesh. The
team, which will include experts from agriculture, ICAR, rural development, and land resources departments,
including watershed management, will draft a plan for cultivating crops even in drought-prone conditions, the
minister said.
Shri Chouhan further said, “We will also work on rainwater harvesting, afforestation, and explore with the
Ministry of Jal Shakti how water from the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers can be brought to this region.
Under integrated farming, which includes fruit, flowers, vegetables, agroforestry, beekeeping, and animal
husbandry, several new initiatives will be taken. Additionally, efforts will be made to develop seed varieties
that yield well even in drought conditions.”In conclusion, the Union Agriculture Minister said, “We have discussed preparing an Integrated Action Plan,
on which we will work together with the state government. I am confident that we will be able to help farmers
in the drought-affected districts overcome these challenges.”
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RC/KSR/AR
(Release ID: 2143812)