Telangana is preparing a comprehensive action plan to address possible drought and water-stress conditions linked to El Niño, with a focus on rural employment, water conservation and agricultural resilience. The Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department is conducting a one-day workshop on Friday to coordinate measures across agriculture and allied sectors.
The workshop is being held at TGIRD in Rajendranagar from 10 am to 5 pm. Discussions will focus on identifying village-level works under VB-G RAM G, developing water resources, improving water availability for agriculture and creating employment opportunities in rural areas.
A key focus will be the development and use of farm ponds and other water-conservation structures. Telangana’s El Niño action planning has also identified works such as farm ponds, check dams, tank desilting, rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge as potential measures to support rural livelihoods and water security.
The workshop will bring together officials from the Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry departments to establish coordinated measures for villages. The discussions are expected to cover agricultural productivity, livestock and fisheries development, water conservation and employment generation.
Officials from the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department, district administrations and the concerned agriculture and allied departments are participating. Additional Collectors (Local Bodies), district-level officers, DRDOs, DPOs and other field-level officials are also expected to attend, along with 31 sarpanches for discussions on integrated Gram Panchayat planning.
The sessions will cover the El Niño situation and counter-measures through VB-G RAM G, guidelines for integrated farm ponds, the role of different departments and preparation of village-level action plans. Presentations will also focus on the Viksit Bharat Gram Plan and the Gram Panchayat Integrated Development Plan.
The workshop will further discuss the GPSAP software application, financial resources for Gram Panchayat development and awareness regarding Cheyutha pensions. The objective is to align village development planning with drought preparedness and ensure that available rural employment works contribute to long-term water and livelihood security.
Telangana has already been examining contingency measures for El Niño conditions. A government panel had recommended measures including subsidised seeds, crop-loan support, fodder banks, livestock water facilities and continued rural employment through water-conservation works.
The workshop is therefore expected to provide a coordinated framework for implementing preparedness measures at the village level, while bringing multiple departments and local bodies together for effective planning and execution.
