Authorities urge farmers to shift to less water-intensive crops during Kharif 2026
VIJAYAWADA / KRISHNA DELTA | July 25, 2026
Farmers in the Krishna Delta have been advised by Andhra Pradesh irrigation authorities to avoid paddy cultivation during the Kharif 2026 season and consider less water-intensive irrigated-dry (arutadi) crops because of severe water shortages in the Krishna basin.
💧 Why were farmers asked to avoid paddy?
Andhra Pradesh was experiencing an approximately 51% monsoon rainfall deficit when the advisory was issued. Water levels in reservoirs across the Krishna basin were also reported to be depleted.
Irrigation officials said the available reservoir water had to be prioritised for drinking-water requirements, leaving uncertainty over whether sufficient water would remain available throughout the paddy-growing season.
The Engineer-in-Chief of Irrigation, K. Narasimha Murthy, warned that farmers who planted paddy despite the shortage could face serious financial losses if canal supplies dried up midway through cultivation.
🌱 Alternative crops suggested
Instead of water-intensive paddy, farmers were advised to consider arutadi/dry crops that require comparatively less irrigation.
The objective is to reduce farmers’ exposure to crop failure if Krishna River and reservoir supplies remain inadequate during the Kharif season.
🌾 Impact on Krishna Delta agriculture
The Krishna Delta is one of Andhra Pradesh’s major paddy-growing regions. The wider delta covers around 13 lakh acres across Krishna, Guntur and parts of West Godavari districts.
A poor Kharif season could therefore affect not only farmers but also agricultural labourers, rice production, transport, markets and the wider rural economy.
Recent reporting also indicated that water shortages had already affected crop transplantation, with farmers struggling to get sufficient water into their fields.
👨🌾 Farmers’ concerns
The advisory has created concern among farmers because paddy is the traditional major crop in the delta.
Farmers have already invested money in seeds, nurseries, land preparation and labour. Switching crops after those investments can therefore create additional financial pressure.
There have also been protests by farmers dependent on the Krishna Delta ayacut, demanding irrigation water releases. On August 4, 2026, farmers protested in Eluru seeking immediate release of water through the Pattiseema system for delta fields.
🚰 Krishna basin water crisis
The issue is closely connected to the broader Krishna basin water situation.
Low rainfall and reduced reservoir inflows have made irrigation planning difficult. Authorities have consequently been forced to balance drinking-water requirements against agricultural irrigation needs.
This is particularly important for Krishna district because agriculture remains a major part of the district’s economy, with paddy being one of its principal crops.
📌 What farmers are being advised to do
Farmers are being encouraged to:
- Avoid taking up water-intensive paddy where assured irrigation is unavailable.
- Consider less water-intensive crops.
- Assess available water before investing in Kharif cultivation.
- Follow irrigation-department advisories regarding canal releases.
- Use available irrigation water carefully.
📰 Latest situation
As of August 25, 2026, the water shortage remains an important agricultural issue for the Krishna Delta. The original July advisory was followed by continuing concerns over irrigation availability, and farmers have continued to seek adequate water for their crops.