Amol Wasnik, a grape grower from Sangli district, saved his crop from cold wave conditions in January and February. He was informed in advance about the expected dip in temperature through agromet advisory service (AAS) and was advised on how to maintain the temperature in the field to save the crop from cold.

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No wonder, requests for more units for AAS are pouring in from grape growers.

For many grape growers in Sangli district, the grape produce would not have been what it has been if it was not the service which prepared them in advance to deal with changes in weather which could damage the crops.

The service is provided by the India Meteorological Department, under the ministry of earth sciences of government of India. IMD has set up nine agromet field units (AMFU) in the state. After these units get the forecast, they prepare agro advisory with the help of experts. This advisory is sent to IMD where the bulletin is composed and then disseminated to farmers through SMS, radio, newspapers and other means.

“When the temperature drops below a certain limit, the grapes are attacked by downy mildew. By the time we realise that the crop is attacked, it is too late. But I now get SMS about the change in weather in advance and also advice about what to do. That helped us a lot,’’ said Wasnik.

Sopan Kanchan of Maharashtra Grape Growers Cooperative Society said even  farmers in Nashik district could save their crops from adverse weather due to the agromet advisory service. “We need more AMFUs. It also informs us about rain, humidity and other factors.’’

Farmers are facing problems related to variations in weather and climate. The agromet advisory service aims to generate agrometeorological information (weather forecast and agro advisory) and develop suitable dissemination system to improve crop and livestock productivity. It helps farmers to minimise the effects of malevolent weather on crops.

The proper system is put in place to implement the project. It includes meteorological (weather observation and forecasting), agricultural (identifying weather sensitive stress and preparing suitable advisory using weather forecast), extension (two-way communication with user) and information dissemination (media, telecom, information technology).

Agriculture department and universities have been included for identifying weather sensitive areas and preparing the advisory. Concerned universities and institutes help to prepare agromet bulletins, which include specific advice on field crops which farmers need to act upon, based on the weather forecast. There are nine stations in the state and the areas have been divided into nine agro climatic zones as per climatic similarities. The numerical weather prediction model is used for prediction.

“Weather changes affects the metabolism of the plant. Hence, if the forecast predicts such weather, we advise them accordingly and they know when to spray pestisides, when to keep the crop warm etc,’’ said N Chattopadhyay, deputy director general of Agricultural Meteorology.