Introduction to Livestock Meteorology
The science of Meteorology is defined as the science that deals with the physical and chemical processes of the lower atmosphere. The physical and chemical changes in the lower atmosphere produce weather and popularly known as the weather science. The weather science concerns the study of structure, state and behaviour of the lower atmosphere. It is essentially an observational science dealing with different atmospheric variables such as atmospheric pressure, temperature, wind, humidity, density, cloud amount, radiation, precipitation and related variables at a given moment. It attempts to predict the behaviour of the atmosphere over a period of few hours to few days ahead and disseminate the same in time to the users’ community. The statistical approach of weather phenomena deals with the mean state of the physical properties of atmosphere. This branch of science is popularly known as Climatology. The weather science can be categorized into several branches based on method of approach, purpose and function, scale and region. Based on the purpose and function, it can be divided into several branches like Livestock Meteorology, Agro Meteorology, Forest Meteorology, Hydro Meteorology (Fig 1.1).
| Meteorology |
| Livestock Meteorology
– deals with animal agriculture
|
| Agro Meteorology
– deals with agriculture
|
| Forest Meteorology- deals with forests, forest fires, wild life and zoonosis
agriculture
|
| Agricultural Meteorology |
| Hydro Meteorology
– deals with water
|
Fig 1.1 Origin of science of Livestock Meteorology
Livestock Meteorology
Livestock Meteorology is the science which deals with the physical characteristics of the environment of animal species/organisms. It is concerned with the physical processes of the surrounding environment, which can be exploited in the interest of animal agriculture to increase animal products in terms of quantity as well as quality. It is also concerned with the interactions between meteorological factors on the one hand and animal agriculture (animal husbandry) on the other hand. In other words, livestock meteorology is defined in simple terms as the science which deals with the influence and interactions between weather elements and animal husbandry.
Meteorology and Livestock Meteorology
The science of Meteorology and Livestock Meteorology can be differentiated based on its functions and purposes. While Meteorology is a branch of lower atmospheric physics Livestock Meteorology is a branch of applied meteorology or a branch of animal agriculture as it deals with interactions between weather elements and animal husbandry. Similarly, weather service is the concern of the science of Meteorology while livestock advisory based on weather forewarning is the concern of the science of Livestock Meteorology. Like that, it can be differentiated in many ways based on observations, experiments, experience and relevance (Table 1.1).
Table 1.1 Difference between Meteorology and Livestock Meteorology
| Meteorology | Livestock Meteorology |
| It is a branch of lower atmospheric physics | It is a branch of applied meteorology or a branch of animal agriculture as it deals with animals |
| It is a weather science | It is a product of animal agriculture and meteorology |
| It is a physical science | It is a biophysical science |
| It aims at weather forecasting | It aims at improving quantity and quality of animal agricultural production through meteorological skills |
| Weather service is the concern | Livestock advisory service to the livestock farmers is the concern based on weather forewarning |
| It is a linking science to the society | It is a linking science to the livestock farming community |
Greenhouse Effect
Carbon dioxide, water vapour, methane, carbon monoxide, sulphur and nitrous oxides, chloroflurocarbons and cholorofluromethanes are the atmospheric constituents of major importance. Incoming shortwave radiation is not absorbed by the above atmospheric constituents, and the outgoing long wave radiation from the earth is absorbed by them and reradiate back to the earth surface. In the process, earth warms up and its temperature rises. It is known as the greenhouse effect. It is also known as the glasshouse effect as an important property of glass is that it allows solar radiation through it and disallows longwave radiation from the earth; thereby warming takes place. The atmospheric constituents which have the property of absorbing longwave radiation and transparent to shortwave radiation are known as the greenhouse gases (GHG). Human activities like fossil fuel combustion, production of synthetic chemicals, biomass burning, deforestation, excess use of chemical fertilizers, and use of pesticides change the chemical composition of the atmosphere, thereby enhancing the greenhouse effect. The ozone-friendly substitutes such as chloroflurocarbons (CFCs), hydroflurocarbons (HFCs), hydrochloroflurocarbons (HCFCs) and perflurocarbons (PFCs) and cholorofluromethanes (CFMs) are also powerful greenhouse gases contribute to the greenhouse effect and thus global warming. Of course, the methane emissions from animal agriculture are the concern in climate change mitigation.
Weather and Climate
Weather decides animal production and thereby animal productivity while climate decides selection of animals. Similarly, animal pest and disease incidence and spread is dependent on weather while the hot spot areas of animal diseases can be delineated based on climate (Table 1.2 ). The tropical, temperate and polar animals are classified on the basis of the thermal and precipitation regimes across the globe, rather mostly based on thermal regimes.
Table 1.2 Difference between weather and climate
| Weather | Climate |
| Refers to physical state of atmosphere at a given time in terms of temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, sunshine hours and so on. | Refers to average state of weather
(Required at least 30 years of weather data to find out the climate normals) – Ex. Rainfall and temperature normals |
| Decides animal behaviour and thereby milk productivity in the case of cattle and related animals | Decides geographical distribution of animals and integrated farming systems (Eg. tropical , sub-tropical, temperate and polar animals) |
| Day to day livestock farming is dependent on weather | Livestock farming is dependent on climate |
| Animal pest and disease incidence is dependent on weather | Hot spot areas of animal pest and disease incidence and their geographical distribution can be delineated based on climate |
| Extremes like floods and droughts and cold and heat waves depend on weather | Extreme weather prone areas can be delineated based on climate.
Climate decides sea level rise |
Weather
The physical state of atmosphere at a given point in time at a given location is referred to as ‘weather’. Weather is described in terms of the instantaneous or short period of mean value of the various atmospheric variables such as atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity, cloudiness and sunshine, evaporation and rainfall. Weather determines the day-to-day livestock farming operations and comfort and discomforts.
Climate
Climate is the long-term regime of the atmospheric variables, or the composite of the day-to-day values of the weather elements over a long period of a given place or area. The period of averaging weather may be several days, weeks, months, years or even centuries in the event of climate change. The climate is represented based on the normal values worked out for a period of 30 years, which is considered as the standard to express climatic conditions for a given place. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) used to prepare climate normals for every 30 – year period since 1901.
Importance of Livestock Meteorology
The success or failure of animal agriculture depends upon the chain of several factors viz. breed, fodder and nutrition management, environment and its interactions including weather, technology and live stock farmer. Any weak link in the chain finally determines the animal output. Livestock farmers are encountering new challenges in terms of shortage of labourers, rise in production costs, uncertain markets and more recently, increased weather/climate risks. It is seen that extreme events such as floods and high intensity single day rainfall events and prolonged summer droughts/dry spells and heat and cold waves were on increasing trend from the last one-and-half-a-decades in a projected climate change scenario. Life cycles of animals, reptiles and birds are likely to be adversely affected due to rising mercury in addition to mortality due to heat stress. Animal raids in farmsteads and attacks in peripherals have not become uncommon due to deforestation. The human and wildlife conflicts due to deforestation and temperature rise are likely to emerge under the projected climate change scenario in the ensuing decades. Climate change also affects animal diseases and their dynamics. Interactions of animal insect pest and diseases are likely among various life species and thus the scenario of major and minor animal pest and diseases is likely to change. Vulnerability to extreme events generally is higher than vulnerability to changing average climatic conditions. The economy is likely to hit badly during the years of weather abnormalities. Prolonged summer drought, followed by heavy floods during the monsoon season as noticed in 2013 across the State of Kerala was detrimental to dairy, pig, goat and poultry farming directly or indirectly to a considerable extent. Of course, flood damage is not uncommon during both the monsoon seasons in high rainfall zones. Such weather aberrations are likely to be more frequent under the projected climate change scenario. Therefore, it is high time to take up in detail studies on interactions between weather factors in surrounding environment of animal agriculture, for which fundamental and basic studies need to be carried out in Livestock Meteorology to cope up with climate variability/climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Scope of Livestock Meteorology
Livestock Meteorology is a multidisciplinary science. Though it is a branch of applied meteorology dealing with interactions between atmospheric variables and animal husbandry it interacts with the disciplines related to animal agriculture viz. Livestock Production Management, Nutritional Management, Animal Physiology and Reproduction, Animal Diseases, and other allied animal agricultural sciences (Fig. 1.2). Hence, Livestok Meteorology puts the science of meteorology to service of animal agriculture to help livestock farmers use their environment for producing more and more animal output in terms of quantity as well as quality. The scope of Livestock Meteorology could also be explained through different ways and means as indicated below:
- To characterize climatic resources of a given area for effective planning
- To evolve weather based effective live stock farm operations
- To study animal – weather relationships in all important animal species and forecast animal output
- To study the relationship between weather factors and incidence of pests and diseases of various animals and forewarn the incidence and spread based on weather forewarning
- To delineate climatic/agro ecological/agro climatic zones for defining agro climatic analogues so as to make effective and fast transfer of technology for improving animal output
- To prepare animal-weather-feed-disease diagrams and animal-weather-feed-disease calendars
- To develop and revalidate animal growth simulation models for assessing and obtaining potential yields in different agro climatic zones
- To understand the impact of climatic variability or climate change on animal agricultural produce including quality and project future trends
- To develop pro-active measures against livestock meteorological risks in varied climates
- To develop weather- based livestock advisories to sustain animal agriculture based on weather forewarning including seasonal climate forecasts
| Livestock
Meteorology |
| Stress physiology and animal reproduction |
| Livestock production and nutritional management |
| Statistical methods |
| Animal breeding and genetics |
| Bio-technology
tools |
| Dairy farming |
| Poultry farming |
|
Zoonosis |
| Livestock advisory based on weather forewarning |
| Epidemiology
|
Fig. 1.2 Scope of Livestock Meteorology
Livestock – Climate Information
The livestock climatic information is nothing but any information on climate/weather which is related to animal distribution and production including dairy and poultry farming. It helps in generating technologies for sustenance of animal agriculture in terms of quantity and quality. For example, the delineation of climatic zones is based on rainfall and temperature or some other integrated climate indices. It falls under the climatic information while the Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) is used to delineate comfort/discomfort zones for a particular animal agriculture it can be classified under livestock-climate information (Table 1.3 ).
Table 1.3 Difference between climatic and Livestock climatic Information
| Climatic information | Livestock climatic information |
| Examples:
· Onset and withdrawal of monsoon Length of monsoon period · Mean annual/seasonal rainfall · Spatial and temporal distribution · of rainfall, wind and temperature |
Examples:
· In low rainfall states like Rajasthan, arid climates and sparse vegetation prevail. Animal agriculture in relation to arid climates is only possible (Camel and sheep) · In high rainfall states like Kerala, humid climates and dense forests prevail. Animal agriculture in relation to humid climates is only possible ( ). |
| Climatic zones based on rainfall and temperature or climate indices
Types of climate |
Livestock climatic zones based on vegetation, climate, topography and altitude and related to animal agriculture
Climatic zones with reference to a specific animal species |
Environmental Stress in Animal Agriculture
The environmental stress, includes the biotic stress (pest and diseases), abiotic stress (influence of weather abnormalities), air pollution, ozone depletion and UV-radiation, livestock production and nutritional management practices, exerts on animal husbandry adversely to a considerable extent (Fig. 1. 3). The impact of these stresses on animal agriculture in varied climates need to be focussed through concerted research efforts.
Fig. 1.3 Biotic and abiotic stresses in animal agriculture
Weather Abnormalities
Floods and droughts, cold and heat waves, cyclones and anticyclones, cloudbursts, lightning and thunderstorms, duststorms, icestorms and snowstorms, forest fire outbreaks and sea level rise can be classified under the weather related disasters while the Earthquakes and the Tsunami fall under natural disasters (Fig 1.4 ). Under the projected climate change scenario, the occurrence and intensity of weather abnormalities are likely to be more and more in the ensuing decades. The effects of drought may lead to scarcity of water and fodder during summer as seen in 1983, 2004 and 2013 in Kerala. It adversely affects fodder and dairy farming and the thermal stress during summer is detrimental to poultry farming as both the farming systems are sensitive to drought and heat stress. The occurrence of cold wave is relevant in the temperate regions of the central and northern regions of the Country while the heat wave conditions are prevalent outside the humid tropics (Kerala). However, continuous rainfall with high humidity and temperature always pose a problem in animal agriculture in the humid tropics and efforts are needed in this direction to understand the discomfort and its effects based on rainfall, humidity and temperature (THI) in animal agriculture.
Fig. 1.4 Natural and weather related disasters
Altitudinal Sequence of Animal Species in Kerala
Atmospheric temperature is influenced with altitude. It decreases with height as per the lapse rate. The lapse rate is nothing but decrease in air temperature at the rate of 6.5oC/km with height. It is true in the atmospheric layer (Troposphere) above the Earth surface at which all the living/animal organisms survive. At the same time, the kind of animals which can survive varies depending upon the thermal regime which is reflected with the altitude. The author would like to focus in this direction to understand the influence of altitude on the existence of type of animals. It may be incomplete or requires close examination and subject to modification. Similarly, the kind of animals can be specified with altitude, though it is a complex one, within the tropics/sub-tropics/temperate/polar regions.
Table 1.4 Altitudinal sequence of animals species in
| Class | Region | Temperature conditions | Altitude (amsl) | Animal species |
| Mega- therms | Low land | High to Moderate temperature throughout the year | 0 -10 m | Cattle, goat |
| Meso- therms | Mid land | Moderate temperature throughout the year, winter temperature relatively low | 10 -100 m | Cattle, goat |
| Micro- therms I | High land | Moderate to Low temperature throughout the year, winter temperature low | 100 -500 m | Cattle, goat |
| Micro- therms II | High land
|
Low temperature throughout the year | 500-1000 m | Cattle, goat |
| Micro- therms III | High ranges
|
Low temperature throughout the year, winter temperature is occasionally goes below 0°C | 1000-2500 m | Cattle, goat, elephant |
Seasons
Radiation received from the sun is the main source of earth’s atmospheric energy and ultimately it is the fuel of the atmosphere. The atmosphere acts mostly as the medium which is transparent to the sun’s radiation and opaque to the earth’s radiation, and this is the driving force of atmosphere. Variations in radiation received over different regions of the globe due to its positioning with reference to the sun, together with the features of the earth, produce weather and climate. The seasons form due to the revolution of the earth round the sun. Tilt of the Earth, revolution of the Earth and the North Pole of the Earth always points in the same direction make the seasons different across the Globe. When the Northern Hemisphere experiences six month summer the Southern Hemisphere experiences winter and the opposite happens for the remaining six months. While the seasons in UK/USA are: Spring- March to May; Summer-June to August; Autumn- September to November; and Winter- December to February. The seasons in India based on temperature and precipitation are as follows:
Summer- March to May (Temperature); Monsoon-June to September (Rainfall); Post monsoon-October to November (Rainfall) and Winter-December to February (Temperature).The monsoon and post monsoon seasons in Kerala are similar to that of the Country. Winter season also is similar across the high land and high ranges. Across the low and mid lands of Kerala, winter is very mild and one can consider December and January months in winter whereas February and March falls under the real summer in low lands and temperature falls drastically during April and May depending on the pre-monsoon showers and onset of monsoon. Therefore, one should be careful while interpretation seasonal variations for comparison.
Status of Meteorology and Livestock Meteorology
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Government of India, is the unique institution in the country which caters to weather services. It was established in 1875. The headquarters of the IMD are located in New Delhi. The IMD headquarters are known as Mausam Bhavan. Its role in weather forecasting is tremendous. The National Data centre (NDC) created at IMD, Pune in 1977, where large series of climatological data are maintained in computerised form from 1875 onwards. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), located in Pune, is another premier institution in the field of meteorological research in the Tropics. The “National Centre on Climate Change Research” has been established very recently and attached to IITM to take up modelling and other aspects in relation climate change studies. The research findings on climate change from IITM are included in the Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). However, studies in India in the direction of Livestock Meteorology are scanty though a few National Institutes/State Veterinary and Animal Sciences Universities commenced research on climate adaptation in animal agriculture. It is high time to initiate basic studies to understand the interactions between weather elements and animal husbandry including animal disease forewarning. Finally, the goal of livestock meteorology is to develop livestock advisory based on weather forewarning on research and operational mode for the benefit of livestock farming community and sustenance of livestock products under the projected climate change scenario.
Role of Weather Forecasting in Farming
The importance of weather forecasting must be considered as the world continues to deal with global warming, climate change and its devastating effect on global food production. An excellent example is Africa’s climate change-induced agricultural struggles with fluctuating precipitation patterns.
In addition, a publication by the World Resources Institute reveals that global agricultural productivity might be reduced by 17% by 2050 as several fertile farmlands have been ruined due to wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes and constant flooding, depleting the soil of its nurturing properties for sustainable agriculture.
As a result, modern farming through rapid technological advancement, as seen in precision agriculture, creates room to empower modern farmers with the requisite skills and technical know-how to turn their farm fortunes around by applying weather forecasting in farming. The advantages of weather forecasting are akin to possessing superior intelligence or the ability to circumvent unfavorable situations, as is the case with bad weather conditions.
So, whether you are dealing with the indiscriminate wilting of crops, or any of the many issues smallholder farmers experience, you have an unprecedented advantage over the elements and “so called” opposing forces of nature when you can accurately predict the weather.
What is weather forecasting in farming?
Weather forecasting in farming refers to the prediction of the atmospheric condition of a place at a given time to ascertain its suitability or unsuitability for agricultural activities.
This modern agricultural practice stems from the relationship between stable atmospheric conditions such as rainfall, sunshine, temperature, humidity, air, and bountiful yield.
So as a smallholder farmer, your ability to predict the weather by developing practical weather forecast skills adds to your ease at making informed decisions concerning your farm practices that make you a successful farmer — whether you deal in crops or livestock farming.
For example, weather forecasting enables you to properly plan your farm operations, such as planting, irrigation, fertilizer application, pruning/weeding, harvesting or livestock mating, since farming and agriculture as a whole chiefly depend on seasons and weather.
One of the advantages of weather forecasting is its preemptive quality — empowering farmers with knowledge of an area’s climatic changes before they occur!
Previously, farmers relied on their intuition, past experience and power of observation and perception to predict the weather. As a result, they experienced significant losses due to poor judgment. The inaccuracy of these methods has been further compounded by the now frequent and unpredictable changes in weather due to climate change. An example of this is the rise in extreme weather conditions like storms, floods and droughts that were seen in sub-Saharan Africa between 2010 and 2020.
However, technology today adds finesse to modern agricultural practice through the development of simple weather forecasting mechanisms for farmers enabling them to get weather updates on their smartphones.
Why is it beneficial to know the future weather conditions of a place at a given time?
The principal benefit of predicting the weather condition of a place at a given time is proper farming decisions. Prior weather knowledge helps you make choices that minimize costs and maximize agricultural yields and profits. This way, you can, as a farmer, reduce your vulnerability to extreme environmental impact.
Similarly, understanding the importance of weather forecasting is essential for driving agricultural production by influencing crop growth, development and yield, including pest and disease incidence, coordinating water and nutrient or fertilizer uptake, etc.
On the flip side, a farmer’s inability to predict the weather may destabilize plant and animal performance by causing physical damage, erosion, etc.
Types of weather forecast
As a smallholder farmer, knowing various types of weather forecasting will enable you to seamlessly leverage the tools at your disposal for analyzing agricultural weather parameters regarding the estimation of atmospheric precipitation, temperature and historical data to plan your farm operations correctly, whether it be planting, pesticide and fertilizer application or harvesting.
For instance, EOSDA crop Monitoring collaborates with aWhere to provide agricultural weather analytics and high-precision forecasts through the following means:
- Globally deployed multiple sensors and stations
- Local topography analytics
- Smaller, more focused operation distance
- Sophisticated algorithm for data procession
The basis for classifying weather forecasts for any given area depends chiefly on the climatic duration.
Below are the types of weather forecasts when dealing with agricultural matters.
NOW CASTING
Now casting describes current weather variables within zero to three hours. It gives a complete set of complex variables such as relative humidity, temperature, wind speed and direction, solar radiation, and type and amount of cloud precipitation. The importance of weather forecasting with Now casting is the instantaneous extrapolation of atmospheric variables in real-time.
SHORT-RANGE WEATHER FORECAST
The short-range weather forecast has a one to two days validity, beyond 12 hours, lasting up to 72 hours and dramatically influences small-scale farmers’ daily routines for food production and personal comfort. It introduces a relatively complete set of variables, just like Now casting.
MEDIUM-RANGE FORECAST
Medium-range weather forecasting lasts three to four days and up to two weeks. They are usually created for modest strategic resolutions vital for advanced agricultural planning and development. When inaccurately done, it leads to severe adverse outcomes for farmers.
LONG-RANGE WEATHER FORECAST
This weather forecast is so named for its extended validity period of ten days to four weeks and is employed chiefly for differentiating from regular predictions. The forecast is usually restricted to only essential variables like temperature and precipitation. Additionally, long-range weather forecasting is used for seasonal planning for the crop type variety, farm input redistribution, harvest arrangement, etc.
Reasons Why Weather Forecasting Plays an Important Role in Farming
The importance of weather forecasting in farming is not exclusive to enhancing crop production, livestock flourishing and income generation. And, while weather forecasting does have a variety of application for farmers, some of the less obvious benefits are as follows:
WEATHER FORECASTING AND FERTILIZER’S TIMING RELATION
Fertilizers are made from a combination of chemical elements, some water-friendly or antagonistic. As a result, with weather forecasting, farmers like you can know the best time to apply fertilizer to your farms. The soil must be neither too dry to prevent penetration nor wet to the extent of runoff for maximum fertilizer effect, which is what a proper weather forecast does for you.
PEST CONTROL
Pests are a significant menace to flourishing farmlands, and they attack plant growth and negatively impact overall yield. However, what use are your pest control measures when the weather seems uncooperative, either via excessive rainfall to wash them off or heavy winds to prevent proper settling? Also, some winds could bring pests to your farm from neighboring locations. As a result, proper weather forecasts will guide you in predicting when pests may come and on the best time to implement pest control measures for optimal results.
RENEWABLE ENERGY IN WEATHER FORECASTING
Smallholder farmers have so much to gain by harnessing renewable energy, like its cost-effectiveness and minimal environmental impact. However, you need precision through accurate weather forecasting to tap into and utilize renewable energy in your farm, whether wind or solar power.
FIELD WORKABILITY
Some days are just more suitable than others for field work. For example, dry, coarse soils on hot days are challenging to till, while moisture-sufficient grounds are easier to work on. This explains field workability in the sense that accurate field meteorological data through weather forecasting guide you on when and when not to work on your farmland, allowing you to plan the best daily schedule for your fieldwork.
IRRIGATION METHOD IS IMPROVED WITH THE HELP OF WEATHER FORECASTING.
The artificial application of water to farmland for increased agricultural production is irrigation. However, due to the adverse effect of climate change and global warming, without proper timing, you could lose all the artificially applied moisture through evapotranspiration caused by extreme temperature and solar radiation or prolonged periods of drought. It means that adequate weather forecasting can help avert such situations of wasted effort, as seen in climate-smart agricultural approaches to managing weather information for accuracy and control in crop production.
Weather Based Agro Advisory Services
India Meteorological Department (IMD) runs an operational Agrometeorological Advisory Services (AAS) viz., Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme for the benefit of farming community in the country. Under the scheme, medium range weather forecast at district and block level for next five days is generated and based on the forecast, 130 Agromet Field Units (AMFUs) located at State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), institutes of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) etc. and District Agromet Units (DAMUs) at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) under ICAR network prepare Agromet Advisories on every Tuesday and Friday for the districts under their jurisdiction and for the blocks of the district of their location and communicate to the farmers to take decision on day-to-day agricultural operations.
Presently agromet advisories are being prepared on every Tuesday and Friday for all the agriculturally important districts (~700) and around 3100 blocks by 130 AMFUs and 199 DAMUs.
Weather plays a crucial role in agriculture and changes in weather patterns can have a significant impact on crop yields. Weather-based crop advisory services can provide real-time information about weather patterns, crop health and appropriate measures to the farmers enabling them to make informed decisions about various crop management practices leading to higher yields and increased income. In order to cater the need of the farming community, District level AAS was initiated in collaboration with ICAR and SAUs through the network of 130 AMFUs located across the country with an aim of providing more relevant weather information and location and crop specific advisories. After successful implementation of district level AAS, with the introduction of upgraded high-resolution models, the service has further extended to the block level with the establishment of DAMUs in the premises of KVKs of ICAR. AAS rendered by IMD is a step towards weather-based crop and livestock management strategies and operations dedicated to enhancing crop production and food security besides reducing crop damage and loss due to unusual weather.
Along with the biweekly bulletins, daily weather forecast and nowcast information are also disseminated to the farmers by Regional Meteorological Centres (RMCs) and Meteorological Centres (MCs) of IMD. Impact based forecast (IBFs) for agriculture are also being prepared by AMFUs and DAMUs based on the severe weather warnings for different districts of various States and UTs across the country issued by National Weather Forecasting Centre (NWFC), New Delhi and RMCs and MCs of IMD.
Agromet Advisories are disseminated to the farmers through multichannel dissemination system like print and electronic media, Door Darshan, radio, internet etc. including SMS using mobile phones through Kisan Portal and also through private companies under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
Farmers access the weather information including alerts and related agromet advisories specific to their districts through the mobile App viz., ‘Meghdoot’ launched by Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India. These weather details are also accessible by farmers through another App ‘Kisan Suvidha’, launched by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
Social media like ‘WhatsApp’ is also used for quicker dissemination of weather forecast and agromet advisories. WhatsApp groups of farmers have been created by various AMFUs and DAMUs to disseminate agromet services. State Agriculture Department officials of District and Block level are also included in these WhatsApp groups.
IMD is also taking continuous efforts to popularize the services among the farming community by organising Farmers’ Awareness Programmes (FAPs) in collaboration with AMFUs and DAMUs in various parts of the country. IMD along with the experts from AMFUs and DAMUs also participate in Kisan Melas, Farmers’ Day etc. to create awareness about the services, so that more farmers get benefitted.
To assess the economic impact of weather forecast-based advisories, multiple studies were conducted by an independent third-party organization viz., National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) in 2009, 2015 and also recently in 2020.
The recent study of 2020 concluded that 98% of surveyed farmers (3,965 farmers across 121 districts of 11 states of India) made modifications to at least one of nine practices based on weather advisories. Average annual income of farming households increased from 1.98 Lakh, which adopted no modifications to Rs 3.02 Lakh which adopted all the 9 practices. An additional annual income was estimated of Rs. 12,500 per agricultural household belonging to Below Poverty Line category in rain-fed areas, while total income gain was estimated at Rs. 13,331 crore per annum in rain-fed districts. An investment of Rs 1000 crores will yield economic benefits of about Rs 50000 crores over a reiod of 5 years.
This information was given by the Minister for State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in Lok Sabha.
Compiled & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.
SUSTAINABLE & CLIMATE RESILIENT LIVESTOCK FARMING & MITIGATION STRATEGIES IN INDIA
