VIJAYAWADA: The State government has set up a State El Niño Command and Control Centre at the Integrated Call Centre (ICC) premises in Gannavaram of Krishna district to provide timely advisories and support to farmers in the event of rainfall deficit and water stress.
The centre uses APAIMS 2.0 digital technology and satellite-based resources to detect drought-like conditions and water scarcity at an early stage. It consolidates 15-day rainfall forecasts and satellite-derived crop condition alerts to facilitate timely dissemination of technical advisories, information and details of government schemes to farmers.
Special Chief Secretary (Agriculture and Cooperation) Budithi Rajasekhar and Director of Agriculture Manazir Jeelani Samoon inspected the centre on Tuesday and reviewed it.
The officials also reviewed the functioning of the Integrated Call Centre’s toll-free number 155251. Besides responding to calls from farmers, control room staff proactively contact farmers in areas identified as vulnerable to rainfall stress based on satellite alerts. Crop conditions are assessed at the field level and technical guidance is provided.
As part of a random check, the officials spoke to farmer Nettem Harikrishna of Shirpi village in Beluguppa mandal, Anantapur district, along with the local Rythu Seva Kendram Agricultural Assistant and Mandal Agricultural Officer. They gathered information on crop conditions and rainfall and compared the inputs with satellite data displayed on the centre’s video wall.
Special officers have been designated to oversee the implementation of El Niño mitigation measures for farmers in agriculture and allied sectors under the State’s Primary Mission, the department said.