El Niño dries out sweet lime farms

Sweet lime orchards in Dharmavaram division of Sri Sathya Sai district face severe stress from irrigation water shortage caused by El Niño impact in the region.

Farmers fear crop loss after years of investment

Farmers say lack of water at a crucial stage could damage crops nurtured over years, making protection of long-duration sweet lime orchards particularly critical in the arid belt.

Health Minister steps in to help

Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav intervened to save the orchards and other horticulture crops, raising the issue with District Collector Shyam Prasad and seeking immediate alternative arrangements.

District offers eight hundred rupees per tanker

District Collector Shyam Prasad said farmers can arrange water tankers to save orchards, and the administration will support the payment of eight hundred rupees per tanker.

“the administration will support the payment of ₹800 per tanker”

Formal proceedings within two to three days

Modalities for eligibility, verification and payment will be finalised in coordination with Horticulture officials, with formal proceedings to be issued in two to three days.

District to step up coordination for quick supply

The Collector said district-level coordination with the Horticulture department would be stepped up to implement tanker supply quickly and keep orchards alive amid current distress conditions.