Collector O Anand and RDT AF-EC Director Dr YV Malla Reddy, and officials inspect climate-resilient farming demonstrations, agricultural exhibits and natural farming stalls during a farmers’ conference on World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought in Anantapur on Wednesday

Hans News Service ANANTAPUR

Assertingthat the district holds the unique potential to establish itself as a pioneering national benchmark for sustainable agriculture, District Collector O Anand on Wednesday announced a massive expansion drive to scale natural farming across two lakh acres by next year.

He was addressing a large congregation of nearly 500 farmers and agri-experts at a conference organized by the Action Fraterna-Ecology Centre (AF-EC) to mark the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2026.

The Collector noted that eco-friendly farming is currently thriving on 85,000 acres in the district. To insulate the region from recurring drought, the administration has locked a target to execute the Pre-Monsoon Dry Sowing (PMDS) program across two lakh acres during the ongoing Kharif cycle, alongside reclaiming 35,000 acres of unused fallow land.

AF-EC Director Dr YV Malla Reddy emphasized that rapidly shifting monsoon timelines necessitate a total transition to climate-resilient farming, which his center has successfully implemented across 12 pilot villages.

Adding an agro-forestry dimension to the drive, Conservator of Forests R Yashodabai announced that the department is ready with 10 lakh specialized saplings for distribution starting July 1.

She urged farmers to plant neem and pongamia varieties, which serve as foundational raw materials for home-brewed bio-fertilizers. Accompanied by top line-department heads including District Agriculture Officer N Salu Reddy and District Horticulture Officer Umadevi, the Collector toured the specialized exhibition stalls demonstrating seed-ball production and water-harvesting machinery.