States » SouthPosted at: Oct 26 2026 7:57PM

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 26 (UNI) Kerala is facing a 28 per cent rainfall deficit, with temperatures rising by up to two degrees Celsius in some areas, prompting the state government to intensify efforts to address the impact of climate change on agriculture.
A state-level monitoring unit involving various government departments, the State Disaster Management Authority and NABARD will be set up to coordinate preventive measures and ensure effective implementation of climate-resilience initiatives.
Kuttanad will receive special attention under the proposed action plan, with the government exploring the possibility of a dedicated mission to address the region's specific challenges. The initiatives will focus on water conservation, flood prevention, agricultural protection and the coordinated utilisation of available funds.
The decisions were taken at a ministerial meeting chaired by Agriculture Minister T. Siddique at the Legislative Assembly Banquet Hall on Monday. The meeting decided to formulate short- and long-term action plans to mitigate climate-related challenges, including those associated with El Niño, and improve coordination among departments.
Siddique expressed concern over the possibility of rising temperatures and worsening water scarcity in the coming years. He stressed the need for urgent intervention to protect agricultural land, crops and natural resources, directing the departments concerned to jointly prepare an action plan and make the best use of available funds.
The proposed measures include protecting water sources, restoring canals and ponds, improving water-control systems, promoting drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting, and creating water-storage wells. Increasing green cover in agricultural areas to retain soil moisture and reduce the adverse effects of direct sunlight on crops will also be a priority.
District collectors will convene meetings with the departments concerned to assess climate-related problems and formulate projects suited to local conditions. Local self-government institutions will prepare and implement plans at the panchayat level, while the state government will periodically review progress and ensure follow-up action.
The government will consult the Ministers for Water Resources and Revenue on the possibility of launching a special mission for Kuttanad to address its vulnerabilities, particularly those related to flooding, drainage and agricultural sustainability.
Local Self-Government Minister K.M. Shaji said climate change was affecting natural ecosystems as well as agriculture. He said local bodies would strengthen initiatives to protect natural drainage channels and streams, restore water bodies through cleaning and waste-management activities, and work with the Agriculture Department to safeguard farming.
Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph highlighted the need for better coordination among government departments, noting that fragmented efforts had affected the effectiveness of projects. He called for time-bound action on water conservation, flood prevention, drainage management, bund protection and the agricultural calendar, assuring the Water Resources Department's full support.
Revenue Minister A.P. Anilkumar said long-term interventions were essential to address agricultural challenges following the devastating floods of 2018 and subsequent climate-related disasters.
He stressed the protection of natural drainage systems, canals and water bodies and the effective utilisation of the Agricultural Prosperity Fund to minimise flood impacts. Necessary legal amendments and targeted projects would also be considered to strengthen the agricultural sector.
Land Revenue Commissioner H. Dineshan, Local Self-Government Department Principal Director Divya S. Iyer, Agriculture Department Director Arjun Pandian and representatives of various departments and agencies attended the meeting.
UNI DS