Lok Sabha Question No. 1361 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-11
Subject: Low-Cost Modern Technologies
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Prof. Sougata Ray, Shri Kishori Lal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1361

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2025

## LOW-COST MODERN TECHNOLOGIES

## 1361.  SHRI KISHORI LAL: PROF. SOUGATA RAY:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has proposed to develop low-cost Modern Technologies to help farmers to face the extreme weather conditions;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reasons  for  not  implementing  such technologies to enhance the efficiency and resilience of Agri-value chains and promote digitization of a catalyst for agriculture transformation; and
- (c) whether the Government has prioritized areas of encouragement in diversification  of  agriculture,  promotion  of  sustainable  agriculture  and  channelising financial resources towards environmentally conscious and climate resilient farming and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी

(SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a)  to  (c):  To  mitigate  the  impacts  of  adverse  weather  on  agriculture,  India Meteorological Department (IMD) runs a scheme viz. Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) to render weather forecast-based operational Agrometeorological Advisory Services  (AAS)  involving  several  leading  organizations  such  as  Indian  Council  of Agricultural Research (ICAR), State Agriculture Universities (SAUs), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), state agriculture departments, NGOs etc. for the benefit of farming community.  This  GKMS  scheme  assists  farmers  in  making  informed  decisions regarding  their  day-to-day  agricultural  operations  for  minimizing  crop  damage  and losses  due  to  unusual  weather  and  taking  advantage  of  benevolent  weather  and climatic conditions.

Under  GKMS,  130  Agromet  Field  Units  (AMFUs)  covering  127  agroclimatic zones located at various SAUs, ICAR, and IIT etc. are operational across the country. IMD  provides  medium-range  weather  forecasts  for  rainfall,  temperature,  relative humidity, cloud cover, wind speed, and direction at district and block levels for the next five  days,  along  with  subsequent  week  rainfall  and  temperature  outlook  at  the meteorological sub-division level. Based on observed and forecasted weather, AMFUs prepare biweekly Agromet Advisories (every Tuesday and Friday) for their respective districts to help the farming community to make appropriate decisions about selection of  appropriate  crop  and  varieties  (including  tolerant/  resistant  varieties),  choosing windows  for  various  intercultural  operations  e.g.  sowing,  harvesting,  weeding, threshing etc, irrigation scheduling, and fertilizer application. Impact-Based Forecast (IBF)  for  agriculture,  along  with  associated  Agrometeorological  advisories  are  also issued by AMFUs during severe weather warnings such as heavy rainfall, hailstorms, heatwaves, cold waves, and strong surface winds etc. for different districts of various States and UTs across the country based on forecasts and warnings issued by NWFC New Delhi, as RMCs and MCs of IMD.

Agromet  Advisories  are  disseminated  through  multichannel  dissemination system, including print and electronic media, Doordarshan, radio, internet, and SMS through  Kisan  Portal  and  Public-Private  Partnership  (PPP)  initiatives.  SMS-based alerts  and  warnings  along  with  suitable  remedial  measures,  are  being  sent  during extreme  weather  events  like  cyclone,  deep  depression  etc.  through  Kisan  Portal. Technological advancements have further enhanced accessibility, enabling farmers to receive  location-specific  forecasts  through  mobile  apps  such  as  'Meghdoot'  and 'Mausam.' Additionally, IMD has integrated its services with IT platforms of 16 state governments,  allowing  farmers  to  access  information  in  both  English  and  regional languages.

IMD in collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), has recently launched Panchayat-level weather forecasts covering nearly all Gram Panchayats in India. These forecasts are accessible through digital platforms such as e-Gramswaraj (https://egramswaraj.gov.in  ),  Meri  Panchayat  app,  e-Manchitra  of  MoPR,  and Mausamgram of IMD, (https://mausamgram.imd.gov.in). To enhance the reach and effectiveness of the GKMS  services,  IMD is actively engaging with various stakeholders,  including  state  agriculture  departments,  NGOs,  and  SAUs  to  create awareness  among  the  farming  community  by  organizing  Farmers'  Awareness Programs (FAPs) in collaboration with AMFUs across different regions of the country. Additionally, IMD, along with experts from AMFUs, actively participates in Kisan Melas, Farmers' Day Programmes, and field visits, facilitating direct interaction with farmers to  promote  the  utilization  of  these  weather-based  agricultural  advisory  services, thereby maximizing their benefits for the farming community.

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