Andhra Pradesh farmers adopt pre-monsoon dry sowing to counter low rainfall

Andhra Pradesh farmers are increasingly turning to pre-monsoon dry sowing (PMDS) as a strategy to manage water shortages during low-rainfall seasons. As of September 1, 2026, approximately 17 lakh farmers have adopted this practice across 7.70 lakh hectares of farmland in the state.

PMDS involves preparing and sowing seeds before the onset of monsoon rains, allowing crops to utilise available soil moisture and reducing dependence on seasonal rainfall. The technique helps farmers optimise crop yield despite erratic weather patterns.