Andhra farmer turns drought land into crores by using drip irrigation and high value crops

His 180 acres survived drought with a simple system

In drought-hit Anantapur, Andhra farmer Mekala Shiva Shankar Reddy transformed 180 acres into a high-income, water-efficient farm worth crores. By switching to drip irrigation and fertigation, he cut water use and improved yields. He also diversified into high-value horticultural crops such as grapes and even exotic fruits, proving that harsh dry land can become remarkably productive with the right approach.