VIJAYAWADA: The agriculture department will organise a Kisan Mela-cum-workshop in Guntur on August 11 to help farmers tackle the possible impact of El Nino conditions on crops and prepare for abnormal rainfall. The workshop will focus on the prevailing El Niño conditions, the expected weather pattern and their possible impact on different crops. Agricultural scientists will offer crop-specific advice on paddy, cotton, maize, pulses and horticultural crops, including water management, fertiliser use, pest and disease control and alternative crops. The mela will also feature demonstrations of new seed varieties and modern agricultural equipment, including micro-irrigation, drip irrigation and sprinkler systems. The agriculture department has appealed to farmers and representatives of farmers’ organisations in Guntur district to attend the programme and make use of the scientific guidance.