Overview of India’s Integrated Agromet-Advisory Service (AAS) Program by Dr. N.Chattopadhyay Head Agricultural Meteorology Division India Meteorological Department Ministry of Earth Sciences Government of India (nabansu.nc@gmail.com)

Outline……. Present day need of weather service to Indian Agriculture Addressing the need of the service by the Indian Government Observation Forecast Agromet Advisory Services system in India District level Agromet Advisories Communication/dissemination Feedback Challenges Preparedness to face the future challenges

Weather & Challenges facing Agriculture in India Agriculture is highly dependent on weather and subject to its variability. Possible impacts of climate change. Sustainability of intensive agriculture using current technologies the context of the global climate change. Long-term changes and the increasing frequency of extreme weather. Changes in hydrological regimes. Therefore, the problem is being addressed collectively by scientists, administrators, planners and society.

Components of Variability in Weather & Climate in India Heat/Cold Wave More variable R/F Increased Extremes Weather Events Erratic Onset, advance and retrieval of Monsoon Shift in Active/break cycles Intensity and frequency of Monsoon lows/depressions

Extreme Weather and Damages to Crops Banana trees damaged by heavy rain and uprooted by high winds in Tamilnadu and Kerala, April 2011 Coconut palms are vulnerable to the effects of heavy rain and lightning, October 2011 Extreme Weather and Damages to Crops

Weather Service to Agriculture There is need to manage agriculture in the face of such challenges and to provide ‘weatherproofing’ for farm production. India Meteorological Department (IMD), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is operating an Integrated Agro-Meteorological Advisory Service (IAAS) at district level in India. Under the Agromet Advisory Services (AAS), the needs of farming communities were established through feedback from end-user groups. This showed that the primary need of the farmer is a location specific and quantified weather forecast, which led to the creation of the IAAS project.

Role of Weather Information in Farm Management Cultivars  Selection Choosing windows for Sowing/harvesting operations Irrigation scheduling – optimal water use Mitigation from adverse weather events such as frost, low temperature, heavy rainfall – at critical crop stages Fertilizer application Pesticide/fungicide spraying schedules Feed, Health and Shelter Management for Livestock [Optimal temperature for dairy/ hatchery etc.]

AAS in India & United Nations Global Framework for Climates Services (GFCS) Ensuring greater availability of, access to, and use of climate services Addressing three geographic domains: district, regional and national Ensuring operational climate services are the core element of the activities Ensuring climate information is primarily provided by governments, which have central role in its management through the GFCS Promoting the free and open exchange of climate relevant observational data while respecting national and international data policies Establishing the role of the AAS activities so that they facilitate and strengthen, rather than duplicating Building AAS activities through user-provider partnerships that include all stakeholders

Objectives & Components of Agromet Service Efficient outreach system Right information/right time through extension and disseminating agencies Location specific weather forecast and Agromet Advisories. Components of AAS Crop Yield Forecasting Network for AAS Dissemination Weather Forecast & Advisory Awareness Programme Feedback Mechanism Economic Benefit Training

Salient features of Weather Based Farm Advisory Service IMD, Ministry of Earth Sciences, is operating an Integrated Agro-Meteorological Advisory Service (IAAS) in close collaboration with ICAR, SAUs, IITs etc. with following key elements: Quantitative 5 day weather forecast at district level Weather based crop/livestock Advisories in vernacular languages Strong Dissemination & extension Mechanism Coordinated review and monitoring mechanism Significant economic impact Good feedback from end-user groups

Collaborating Agencies Multi-Disciplinary & Multi-Institutional Indian Council For Agricultural Research Department Of Agriculture & Cooperation State Departments Of Agriculture State Agricultural Universities And Other Universities Department Of Space Ministry of Information Technology Ministry Of Earth Sciences India Meteorological Department National Centre For Medium Range Weather Forecasting Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology National Informatics Centre Ministry of Science & Technology Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (AIR & TV) Print Media Min. of Rural Development MSSR Foundation & Other NGOs & PP

Operational Agrometeorology The Agromet services provide a very special kind of inputs to the farmer as advisories that can make a tremendous difference to the agriculture production by taking in time actions against extreme weather events. This has a potential to change the face of India in terms of food security and poverty alleviation. TIER 1 Apex Policy Planning Body, Delhi TIER 2 National Agromet Service HQ Execution, Pune TIER 3 State Agromet Centres (28) Coordination/Monitoring TIER 4 Agromet Field Units Agroclimatic Zone Level (130) TIER 5 District Level Extension and Training Input Management as advisory~612 Network of 130 Agromet Field Units Network of AAS units in the country

Network of AAS units in the country Network of 130 Agromet Field Units Network of Agromet Advisory Services Two Ways of Communication System Network of AAS units in the country Network of 130 Agromet Field Units

Network of surface observatories

Agromet Observatories The Division of Agricultural Meteorology maintains and provides technical support to a wide range of Agromet Observatories from where different kinds of data on agromet parameters are generated. Agromet Observations from different observatories are recorded daily and the same was received and archived in Agrimet Division. Agromet observatories supply meteorological data to I. M. D., and are located mostly at the premises of the State Agriculture and irrigation Departments, Agricultural Institutes / Universities and Research farms. Type of observatory Number Agromet 264 Evaporation 219 Evapotranspiration 42 Soil Moisture 43 Dewfall 76

Conducted Brainstorming Session on Standardisation and Integration of Automatic Weather Stations Under National Umbrella Meeting was done to establish a denser network of automatic weather stations across the country under the joint venture of concerned organisations involved in installation, maintenance of AWS and those desire to use the data from AWS for different services in the country. The objective of the meeting was to develop a national consortium by all the concerned organizations to integrate the existing AWS network and install new ones with the required sensors, maintenance, reception of quality controlled and uninterrupted data, data sharing mechanism etc.

District Level Five days Weather Forecast Parameters: Rainfall Max and Min temperature Total cloud cover Surface Relative humidity Surface Wind http://www.imd.gov.in Implemented from 1 June 2008 Rainfall: MME based Members: ECMWF, UKMO, JMA,NCEP and IMD GFS T584

DISTRICT LEVEL FORECAST Generation of district level weather forecast (DLWF) Currently these cover 640 districts of the country DISTRICT LEVEL FORECAST

Preparation of medium range forecast at district level NWP products State Met Centre (SAMC) Value addition Advisory Bulletin (AMFUs) Dissemination of Agromet Advisory through Multi-Channel Dissemination System Parameters Rainfall, Wind speed and direction, Maximum temperature, Relative humidity, Minimum temperature, Cloud cover Agromet Advisory Feedback Economic Benefit: Example: AMFU Sonitpur: Save potato crop (which was at maturity stage in the field) of value of Rs.3,00,000.00 (rupees three lakh) from the damage due in time forecast of heavy rainfall Assessment: At present only10 to 15 percent of the farmers are benefitting from the SMS services and about 24% farmers are aware about Agromet services (NCAER, 2011)

National Level Bulletin State Level Bulletin District Level Bulletin for Chennai

Forecast from IMD, New Delhi Agromet Advisory Bulletin by AMFUs Operational communication linkage between Agromet Advisory Service Unit and end-users (farmers) for effective communication Forecast from IMD, New Delhi State Met Centres Agromet Advisory Bulletin by AMFUs State Agril. Dept. SMS on mobile Personal Contact Postal Contact Farmer KVK Television News Papers Radio

Accurate Plant Disease forecast and minimize the spray of pesticides Internet Cloud Mobile service provider Query Response Farmer with mobile-phone Parameter Update Mobile phone Application for Parameters/Queries/ Symptoms update Wireless Sensor Networks *1 *2 Alert/ Advice Model Generated Disease risk Expert Console mKRISHI Server mKRISHI Weather Station Farms

Proposed dissemination projects Disseminated Agromet Advisory to 3.4 million farmers through PPP mode (Reuter Market Light, Handygo,, IFFCO Kisan Sanchar Limited (IKSL), Nokia and State Govt. of Maharashtra Current dissemination projects Proposed dissemination projects

Impacts of SMS communicated that he was about to sow carrot seeds, but upon receiving an SMS that heavy rains were coming, he postponed the sowing. Had he not received the message and gone ahead with sowing, he would have lost 25,000 rupees and his efforts would have gone to waste Vikas, a farmer in Nizampur village near Delhi had decided to irrigate his paddy crop, but on receiving an SMS that it would rain in the next couple of days, he postponed irrigating, saving on costs, including electricity In Palla village, near Delhi, farmer Surendra was planning to spray fertilizer during September. An SMS text that there would be rains within the next two days convinced him the time was not right. If he had ignored the message, rain would have washed away all the fertilizer A farmer in Nekpur village in Bulandshah in the state of Uttar Pradesh Ways in which farmers have saved money as a result of AAS include the following:

Summer Placement Course Trainings Agromet Core Course Basic Agromet Course Meteorologists Grade II Foreign Training Summer Placement Course Refresher Course  Agromet Observers’ Course Training course on ‘Agrometeorology towards better advisories for serving end users requirement’ Two weeks foreign training for personnel from Africa, Asia including North Korea would be organized from 28th January to 9th February 2013

Popularization Mechanism Done Field visit at Sakurde, Boregaon and Baramati in Maharashtra By the end of January 2012 Farmer Awareness Programme at 79 AMFUs State level Consortium on AAS at 3 States involving KVK, ATMA, NGO and other Stake holders Hindi English Brochures in 14 different languages prepared

to produce location-specific agromet advisories Farmer Awareness Programme By getting involved in the observation of weather data, farmers can help to produce location-specific agromet advisories Farmers are provided with rain gauges by the programme

Development of Feedback Mechanism Quality of Forecast Farmer should contact Whom & How? Answering questions of common interest through bulletins Accessibility to information via internet, ICT Accessibility to Experts & video Conferencing Problem solving through interactive mode Quality & relevance of Advisories

Feedback from Service Providers A number of IKSL and Reuters subscribers reported that they had successfully averted potential losses by reacting quickly to weather and disease information, while others have reported improved yields by adopting new seed varieties and cultivation practices, according to questionnaires and direct contact with farmers. Those acting on cultivation information state that they gained by replacing traditional ‘commonsense’ practices with modern cultivation techniques. Weather information has helped to prevent seed and crop loss too, with farmers in Maharashtra using the forecasts to adjust irrigation levels.

Need Assessment Survey

The following table shows how the farmers are getting benifitted because of the advise given by expert in the agromet filed unit at Coimbatore, Tamilnadu state Weather forecast Advise given Economic benefits Light to moderate rainfall - nursery sowing time Irrigating the nursery during evening hours and keeping standing water during night time so that displacement of germinating seeds will be avoided Rs. 2,500/ha Continuous rain for five days – vegetative stage Postpone of nitrogenous fertilizer application to rice Rs. 750/ha Light rainfall for the next two days - maturity stage of rice Postponement of paddy harvest Rs. 2500/ha Cloud cover, low temp. and higher RH- flowering period Infestation of false smut is expected. Prophylactic spraying of fungicides Probiconozole (or) Carbendazim 0.1% at the time of booting and milky stages is effective against false smut. Rs. 3000/ha Rainfall Delay the potato sowing Rs. 10,000/ha Continuous rain and RH Prophylactic sprays for blister blight control in Tea Rs.1000/ha

Participated in “A Dialogue for Climate Services Users and Providers: Towards Implementation of the GFCS on 26-27 October, 2012 at Geneva Dr. L. S. Rahtore, DGM, New Delhi presented posters on 1. Delivering advisory services by mobile phone 2. Reaching farming communities in India through Farmer Awareness Programmes Case Study I: Dissemination of Agromet Advisory Services on Mobile Phone through Public Private Partnership Programme. Case Study II: Reaching Farming community in India through Farmer Awareness Programmes. Accepted for publication of GFCS document to WMO, Geneva and the same was well appreciated by WMO.

Credential of AAS in India The agromet advisory services provided by IMD through various channels have resulted in significant increases in farm productivity, resulting in increased availability of food and higher income generation. At present only10 to 15 percent of the farmers are benefitting from the SMS services and about 24% farmers are aware about Agromet services. The economic benefit of these services which has been estimated by NCAER at Rs.50,000 crores per year is extrapolated to rise to Rs.211,000 crores if the entire farming community in the country were to apply Agromet information to their agricultural activity. Still no doubt there is a long way to go in not only increasing production but raising the income of farmers and reducing their losses and ultimately distress. It is challenging task for government, IMD as well as the other stake holders to achieve this.

Meeting of WMO and SAARC Objective of the meeting To share the ideas and understanding of agromet advisories services among the agrometeorologist from SAARC and non-SAARC countries in the RA-II which will ultimate boost the agriculturist activities and also benefit both the group of countries. To effectively integrate the skills of operational, experimental theoretical aspects of agricultural meteorology and their possible development for the purpose of making the agriculture production system in the country in general more robust

Assistance to AFRICAN Countries in AAS Training course on “ operational Agrometeorology for countries in Africa and the Caribbean under the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS). It is proposed to set up “Medium Range Weather Forecasting Centre” in Africa by the Government of India under the bi-lateral cooperation. It is also proposed to support to start Agromet Advisory Services taking the successful stories of AAS in India..

Personalised Farmer-oriented AAS Precise and accurate weather forecasts at block level Agromet advisories for new sector Mechanism through the Internet, telephone or video conferencing Tie-up with the existing crop growers’ associations Dissemination of advisories using multichannel systems Provision of appropriate training to the farmers through capsule courses

Project Design for XIIth Five Year Plan Establishment of District Agromet Units Preparation of high resolution forecast Research & Development Economic assessment Dissemination Manpower Creation of Centre for Research and Excellence in Agrometeorology (CREAM) Creation of National Agromet Data Centre On line reception of agromet data Reorientation of Agromet Observatories & Establishment of Agro-AWS Advisories for New Sectors Use of satellite data in Agromet Advisory Services Modernization of Agrimet Website Capacity Building

Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa under XIIth FYP Gramin Krishi Seva To deliver crop and location specific AAS to farmers at block level with village level advisory To establish District Agromet Units To communicate weather based agromet advisory on line to the farmers in block / taluka / village level. To establish agromet data centre Creation of Centre for Research and Excellence in Agrometeorology (CREAM) to support AAS and R & D in agrometeorology in operational agrometeorological services Research and Development support

Establishment of DAMU Six tier AAS Units DAMUs under KVK AMFU Under the existing IAAS in the country AMFUs have already been established in different agroclimatic zones in collaboration with State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Indian Institute of Technologies (IITs). As it will not be possible for these centres alone to address the objectives of the project at block level, there is a need to set up District Agromet Units (DAMUs) in the country in KVK. Six tier AAS Units DAMUs under KVK AMFU

Development and establishment of DAMUs To receive and disseminate meteorological information and forecasts for the concerned Districts. To serve as an effective link between IMD and the District authorities and the general public in matters concerning weather forecasts, early warnings and climatological information pertaining to the relevant District. To act as a nodal center to coordinate internal functions of IMD in the District viz. to provide support to maintenance teams visiting the District for rain gauges, Automatic Weather stations and other meteorological equipment and to themselves carry out preventive maintenance. Identify climatic risk for the specified locations based on past weather data. Review the feedback from the stakeholders. DAMUs under KVK Functions of DAMUs Weather based agromet advisory on line to the farmers in block/ taluka/village level 510 District Agromet Units (DAMUs) at KVKs MoU has been made between IMD and ICAR for establishment of DAMUs

Generation of WRF-ARW Forecast with WRFDA Assimilation 00Z 12Z Time Model State Forecast Global Model WRFDA Observations BE Model Obs. Error WRF -ARW 2-Nest (27,9 km) Run Analysis Nestdown Up to 3 km Forecasts 27 and 9 km WRF-ARW 1-Nest (3km) ICs & BCs (3km) RMCs/MCs Model State Forecast Global Model WRFDA Observations BE Model Obs. Error WRF-ARW 2-Nest (27,9 km) Run Analysis Nestdown Up to 3 km WRF -ARW 1-Nest (3km) ICs & BCs (3km) RMCs/MCs

WRF hourly Rainfall Forecast: Based on 00 UTC 15-08-2011 WRF at 9 km and 3 km Rapid Updates of model run: Three hourly cycle GIS and DWR based Nowcast and mesoscacle forecast system for major cities/airports of India Thrust areas: (a) Assimilation of new observations (b) Land Surface Process with Indian conditions, (c ) GIS applications, (d) Block Level Forecast

Extended Range Weather Forecast in AAS Objectives Timing of farm operations e.g., land preparation, tillage, planting, transplanting, thinning, weeding, irrigation, harvesting, application of insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers. Type of tillage, depth of planting, density of planting choice of crops and crop varieties. Whether or not to adopt water conserving practices and which type to adopt; how much water to store and use for irrigation; and mode of irrigation (flooding or sprinkler); Mode of application of the various inputs; how much fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide, and fungicide to apply; whether or not to use fertilizer, herbicides, or pesticides; Choice of site, e.g., cultivation of fadama (poorly drained) soils during years of drought and deep loamy soils during years of heavy rainfall; Choice of farming systems, e.g., single or multi cropping or inter cropping; Transport facility How much credit to secure; and proportion of production to store or sell. With the above objectives, the work of validation has been carried out for southwest monsoon of 2012 and it is observed that the forecast of rainfall given for Central and Northwest region of the country is matching well with the actual rainfall but failed for NE region. So in order to operationalize the extended range weather forecast in AAS following points should be taken in finer details. Credibility is primarily determined by the level of skill. It is also a function the difference between what was promised by the forecasts and what was realized. At the best, forecasts are probabilistic. Considerable efforts, therefore, need to be put into how the forecasts are interpreted before they are transmitted. Second, the forecasts must be presented in simple, easily understandable language. Third, the department should also bear the responsibility to issue forecasts early enough to be useful in planning the following season’s operations. Fourth, the forecasts must include information that could cause decisions based on tradition or climate-based timing of the farm operational schedule of activities to be altered.

Realized Rainfall for previous week Forecasted Rainfall Realized Rainfall for previous week Ensemble forecast rainfall (mm/day) based on 12th July valid for 14th Jul – 20th Jul Ensemble forecast rainfall (mm/day) based on 12th July valid for 21st Jul – 27th Jul MME1 Rainfall Anomaly (mm/day) Week 1   MME1 Rainfall Anomaly (mm/day) Week 3   Homogeneous Regions Northwest India West Central India Central Northeast India Northeast India Peninsular India Hills Region Mostly all districts in the region received significant rain during last week. It is forecasted that some parts of Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Vidarbha and Madhya Pradesh receive insufficient (1-5 mm) rainfall in first week but improvement(10-20 mm) in monsoon in second week is predicted. In NIK due to moisture stress condition, as contingent plan, farmers are advised to undertake sowing of other crops. Arrangement for irrigation is advised. As heavy rainfall (>30 mm) is forecasted in some parts of the region farmers are advised to arrange drainage to remove excess water from the fields immediately, wherever possible. Farmers are advised to postpone irrigation, intercultural operation and application of fertilizers and plant protection measures. Transport of goods for next few days is not advised. Significant rainfall occurred in most of the districts of the States of the region during last week. Some parts of the will receive less rainfall (1-5 mm) in first week but there will be improvement in rainfall (5-10 m) in the second week. Farmers are advised to prepare for sowing of kharif crops with available irrigation facilities. In last week sufficient amount of rainfall is received in most of districts of the region and in next week 1-10 mm rainfall is expected over most parts of the region. But in second week there is forecast of insignificant rainfall. Farmers are advised for re-sowing with available irrigation facilities. Significant rainfall occurred in most of the districts of the States of the region during last week. As compared to the first week there will decrease in rainfall in the second week . In some parts as heavy rainfall is forecasted farmers are advised to arrange for drainage. In other parts farmers are advised to continue transplanting of rice. Transportation should be taken care of in parts of heavy rainfall. Significant rainfall occurred in Jharkhand, Bihar and Orissa, E.UP and W.UP in last week and 10-30 mm rainfall is expected during next two weeks nursery sowing of rice, transplanting and also sowing of fodder crops and pulses can be continued in the region.

Pre-Pilot Block Level AgroMet Advisories Understanding variability in Agrometeorological parameters (time and space). Monitoring spatial and temporal resolution at block level. Generating suitable agromet products. Generate block level weather forecast. Develop mechanism for preparation & dissemination of advisories. Monitoring crop/soil/weather Monitoring for Agromet Advisory at Block Level.

Pre-Pilot 1: Watershed Organization Trust IMD has started providing local specific medium range weather predictions for Sangamner and Akole clusters (WOTR’s operational area) of Ahmednagar district from April 2012. The weather predictions are used by WOTR to prepare agro advisories. WOTR’s agriculture team prepares agro advisory according to the conditions of the major crops standing in the field. The advisory is in the form of wall paper. WOTR’s field agronomists share it with the farming community at 5-6 locations in every village. Station N DAY1 DAY2 DAY3 04-03-2012 04-04-2012 04-05-2012 R/F Max. Min. Akole 0.3 37.6 22.3 0.6 37.7 21.3 0.0 19.3 Sangamner 0.1 38.2 21.9 0.5 38.6 21.6 38.8 20.2 International Water Management Institution (IWMI) for establishing

Pre-pilot 2: CCAFS & IKSL Established climate smart villages in pilot districts of punjab and bihar in collaboration with Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and IKSL to evaluate its effectiveness. In its initial phase villages selected for the project in two states are:   Bihar - Vaishali dist. 1. Raja Pakar, Block Raja Pakar 2. Bali Bathna, Block Mahua 3. Lal Pokhar, Block Hazipur Punjab – Sangrur dist. 1. Kheri, Block Sangrur 2. Gaggarpur, Block Sangrur 3. Chaneri, Block Bhawanigarh

Pre-Pilot 3: Collaboration with NABARD Need-based agro-meteorological advisory services to the farmers at the right time based on local context and culture. To bring together experts and grassroots level communities in a two-way communication with the objective of making knowledge accessible to village of the country. Dissemination of Agro-Advisory and feedback from farmers through the involvement of Farmers’ clubs, Joint Liability Groups, Village watershed Committees. collaborative project with NABARD in Maharashtra involving Six AMFUs ( Akola, Mulde, Parbhani, Pune, Rahuri and Sindewahi) and 10 KVKs ( Amaravati, Wasim, Yawatmal, Sindhudurg, Hingoli, Jalna, Baramati, Ahmednagar, Bhandara and Gadchiroli). . 51

Advisories for new sectors Livestock Understanding the weather sensitivity of animal shelter, health, feed and productivity and to prepare the advisory. Horticulture crops By linking the programme with the existing projects of the Ministry of Rural Development and Ministry of Environment & Forest advisory will be prepared. Post Harvest and Storage Suitable agro-met advisory may be evolved to protect the crop from the inclement weather after the harvest of the crops. Wasteland and forest fires To involve a number of crop grower associations dealing in crops like tea, coffee, apple, mango, sugarcane, cotton, grapes etc. to develop suitable products and mechanism to disseminate the information to the targeted grow Mushroom culture Apiculture Piggery and duckery

Dissemination A DAMU would have its own communication system which will connect it to the overall IMD network. The information to be generated under this project will be communicated to the farmers at village level by mass media, SMS, Internet, Farmers Club, disseminating agencies, etc. Linkages will also be made with Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies to disseminate the agromet advisories to the famers in each village in the country through different stake holders and private firms.

Research & Development Research on agrometeorological aspects of management in agriculture Increasing efficiency of weather-based use and management of resources, including the whole production environment: soil, water, nutrients, germplasm and biomass Validation and application of crop models Research methods and approaches at the eco-regional level, including the assessment of socio-economic effects of weather/climate variability on food production Determination of the impact of climate change/variability and matters of climate forecasting and prediction Crop pest/disease/climate dynamics, animal and climate relationships Assessment of economic impact

Capacity Building 1. Periodic training programmes for scientists, extension workers, media persons and farmers at appropriate levels will be organized to sharpen the service. Skill improvement of Technical Officers / Nodal Officers in the area for understanding the weather processes and their impact on crops / animals should form the integral part of HRD process. 2. Training to observers for recording, maintenance of agromet observatories. 3.Training to extension workers as well as farmers along with climate awareness programmes. Trained staff posted at these sites would interpret the information to concerned officials.

Use of RS the Cutting Edge Technology in Agro-Met To gather information about Crop Micro-climate (Canopy information) Soil (moisture, temperature) Vegetation/Crops (Vigor, Stress Type) Pest & Diseases (Outbreak, Infestation Level-density & spread, Migration) Water Information compatibility to ICT, GIS and GPS Area of RS Applications in AgroMet Soil (Moisture, temp., Nutrient, Erosion) Crop (Coverage, vigor, yield assessment) Crop sowing/Harvesting Time Forest Status Monitoring & Forest Fire Bio-diversity Assessment Mapping Of Ag. & Land Resources Biotic & Abiotic Stresses On Crops Pest Disease Surveillance We need to develop RS based products which can assist in selecting sowing/harvesting time, scheduling irrigation, nutrient management, P&D management, intercultural operations, beside defining the initial condition of the atmosphere for NWP models.

Possible roadmap linking satellite, weather forecast and agro-advisories Historical agriculture knowledge and data Translation/interpretation of weather forecast & agromet indicators with reference to agricultural risks In-season crop info from point source Agro - Advisory Services Medium range Weather forecast NWP/Synoptic weather forecast models In-season near-real time spatial land-atmosphere & agromet products from satellites

Mission of CREAM (Creation of Centre for Research and Excellence in Agrometeorology Objectives: Becoming world class Centre supporting operational agrometeorological advisory services in national and international level. To explore, create and develop knowledge through applied and conceptual research in agricultural technology and management areas. To become leading Multi- disciplinary research & operational centre in agricultural meteorology. To bring agricultural fraternity both at national and international level under single umbrella for exchange of ideas and implementation. To become an excellent platform to achieve precisely the above mentioned objective by imparting multi-disciplinary activities. To make world class training facilities affordable to other organizations/ individuals. To hold exhibitions / conferences / international seminars in agriculture.

Conclusions Integration of all stake holders of the country in the field of agriculture under one roof for block/taluka level advisories More precise and accurate weather forecast and advisory as per the need of farmer in the country. Incorporation of all modern technologies in generation of agromet advisories and improvement in crop and location specific weather forecast and agro advisories . Intensive advisories for live stock, fisheries, poultry etc.

One rain gauge for One village Thank you 60