Lok Sabha Question No. 1626 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa scheme
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil, Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1626

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 10 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## GRAMIN KRISHI MAUSAM SEWA SCHEME

## 1626.   SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL: MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the implementation of the 'Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS)' scheme in Maharashtra, including the number of Agro-Meteorological Field Units (AMFUs) and District Agro-Met Advisory Centres (DAMUs) currently operational;
- (b) whether the  districts  of  Nandurbar,  Solapur  and  Sangli  are  covered  under  the  GKMS network and if so, the frequency and mode of dissemination of Agro-Met Advisories to farmers in the district;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  evaluated  the  impact  of  GKMS  advisories  on  crop productivity, input cost reduction and weather risk mitigation for farmers in Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of the steps taken to improve the accuracy, localisation and digital accessibility of agro-meteorological forecasts under GKMS; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  integrate  GKMS  data  with  Kisan  Call  Centres, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and mobile-based platforms for wider farmer outreach in Western Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) In  order  to  cater  to  the  needs  of  the  farming  community,  the  India  Meteorological Department (IMD) runs a scheme, viz. Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) to render weather  forecast-based  operational  Agrometeorological  Advisory  Services  (AAS)  in collaboration  with  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR),  State  Agriculture Universities (SAUs), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), etc.

In Maharashtra, there are 9 Agromet Field Units (AMFUs), viz. Akola, Dapoli, Igatpuri, Kolhapur,  Mulde,  Parbhani,  Pune,  Rahuri,  and  Sindewahi,  located  at  various  SAUs, institutes of ICAR, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), are currently operational under the GKMS scheme. The AMFUs are preparing the district-level AAS bulletins in English and Marathi language for all agriculturally important districts of Maharashtra and are also involved in the dissemination of AAS to the farmers through a multichannel dissemination system like print and electronic media, Doordarshan, radio, internet, etc., including SMS under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

In addition to this, these units also perform other GKMS activities such as preparation and dissemination of Impact-based forecast (IBFs) and appropriate advisories for agriculture during  severe  weather  warnings,  utilising  available  platforms  for  disseminating  the services to the farming community to cover all farmer households.

- (b) Yes.  The  districts  of  Nandurbar,  Solapur,  and  Sangli  are  covered  under  the  GKMS network,  and  Agromet  Advisories are  being  issued  twice  a  week  (every  Tuesday  and Friday) in English as well as in Marathi for these districts. The agromet advisories are disseminated  to  farmers  through  various  modes  such  as  print  and  electronic  media, Doordarshan, radio, internet, mobile apps, and social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.
- (c) No such study is carried out specifically only Maharashtra State to evaluate the impact of GKMS advisories on crop productivity, input cost reduction, and weather risk mitigation for  farmers  in  Maharashtra.  However,  the  National  Council  of  Applied  Economic Research (NCAER) had conducted periodic surveys in 2009, 2015, and most recently in 2020  to  evaluate  the  economic  impact  of  weather  forecast-based  advisories  in  many districts  across  India.  The  2020  study  revealed  that  98%  of  surveyed  farmers  (3,965 farmers  from  121  districts  across  11  States)  made  adjustments  to  at  least  one  of  nine agricultural practices based on these advisories. As a result of these modifications, the average  annual  income  of  farming  households  increased  significantly.  Those  who implemented all nine recommended practices saw their annual income rise from Rs. 1.98 Lakh to Rs. 3.02 Lakh. This translated to an additional annual income of Rs. 12,500 for agricultural households classified as Below Poverty Line (BPL) in rain-fed regions. In total, the estimated annual income gain amounted to an impressive Rs. 13,331 crores in rain-fed districts across the country.
- (d)-(e)  To improve the localisation and digital accessibility of agrometeorological forecasts under GKMS  and  to  integrate  weather  forecast  and  agromet  advisories  in  mobile-based platforms  for  wider  farmer  outreach,  weather  forecast  and  Agromet  Advisories  are disseminated  through  a  multichannel  dissemination  system  like  print  and  electronic media, Doordarshan, internet, SMS under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives, etc. In addition, SMS-based alerts and warnings, along with suitable remedial measures, are being sent during extreme weather events like cyclones, deep depressions, etc., through the Kisan Portal. Technological advancements have further enhanced digital accessibility, enabling farmers to receive location-specific forecasts and advisories through mobile apps such  as  'Meghdoot'  and  'Mausam',  and  Social  media  platforms  like  WhatsApp, Facebook, etc. Additionally, IMD has integrated its services with IT platforms of 21 State Governments,  and  farmers  are  accessing  the  information  in  English  and  regional languages from these State Government IT platforms.

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, MoES (https://mausamgram.imd.gov.in).

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