Lok Sabha Question No. 852 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Weather Forcasting Data Provided to Farmers by Indian Meteorological Department
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Shri Anil Yeshwant Desai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 852

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 4 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## WEATHER FORECASTING DATA PROVIDED TO FARMERS BY INDIAN METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT

## 852.     SHRI ANIL YESHWANT DESAI:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Indian  Meteorological  Department  (IMD)  is  providing  weather  forecasting data to our farmers from all the States to plan their sowing patterns and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of latest social media platforms used by the IMD to reach farmers living in remote areas of various States;
- (c) whether the IMD has any authentic data about farmers being aware about such weather information and whether the farmers are having such mode etc. with them to get timely information about the weather conditions and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the IMD has any data or system developed with  the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare about access of farmers with these modern information tools and helping poor farmers 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) Yes.  India Meteorological Department (IMD) is providing weather forecasts to farmers from all the States. Under the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme, IMD provides medium-range weather forecasts for rainfall, temperature, relative humidity, cloud cover, wind speed, and wind direction at district and block levels for the next five days,  along  with  the  subsequent  week's  rainfall  and  temperature  outlook  at  the meteorological  sub-division level. In  addition  based  on  the  observed  weather information and forecasts, 130 Agromet Field Units (AMFUs) operational across 127 agroclimatic zones of the country prepare Agromet Advisories twice a week (every Tuesday and Friday) in English and regional languages for their respective districts, and communicate with farmers to help them make appropriate decisions for day-to-day agricultural  operations.  Impact-based  forecast  (IBFs)  and  appropriate  advisories  for agriculture are also being prepared by AMFUs based on the severe weather warnings for  different  districts  of  various  States  and  UTs  across  the  country  issued  by  the National Weather Forecasting Centre (NWFC), New Delhi, and Regional Meteorolgoical Centeres and State level Meteorological Centres (MCs) of IMD.
- (b)-(d) To provide weather updates and early warnings directly to farmers' mobile phones, weather  forecasts  and  Agromet  Advisories  are  disseminated  through  real-time mechanisms  or  multichannel  dissemination  systems,  including  print  and  electronic media,  Doordarshan,  internet,  and  SMS  under  Public-Private  Partnership  (PPP) initiatives.  Under  the  PPP  mode,  about  6.16  million  farmers  are  benefiting  from weather  forecasts,  alerts,  and  Agromet Advisories.  SMS-based  alerts and warnings, along with suitable remedial measures, are being sent during extreme weather events such  as  cyclones,  deep  depressions,  etc.,  through  the  Kisan  Portal.  Technological advancements  have  further  enhanced  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 the IT platforms of 21 State Governments, and about 15.6 million farmers are accessing information in English and regional languages on these State Government IT platforms.

To ensure localised relevance and last-mile connectivity of weather updates in remote and  vulnerable  regions,  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). The main aims and objectives of Gram Panchayat Level Weather Forecasting (GPLWF) are to provide weather forecasts up to Gram Panchayat Levels, covering critical parameters such as temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind, and cloud conditions-essential data that farmers  need  for  informed  decision-making  regarding  sowing,  harvesting,  and irrigation. The platform is making weather forecast information accessible anytime and anywhere at the panchayat level across the country. This weather information reaches a larger number of people through Pashu Sakhis and Krishi Sakhis under the Ministries of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development.

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