Sensitization Workshop on “Preparation and Dissemination of Agromet Advisories at Block Level”

IMD in collaboration with ICAR is venturing into implementation of block level agromet advisory service through KVKs under Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS). For this District Agromet Units (DAMUs) are to be established at 530 KVKs across the country.

ICAR-ATARI, Pune in collaboration with IMD, Pune organised a two-day orientation training-cum -workshop on ‘Preparation and Dissemination of Agromet Advisories at Block Level’ for 21 KVKs (10 from Maharashtra, 9 of Gujarat and 2 from Goa) during 6-7 July 2018 at KVK, Aurangabad. Interactive sessions were organised by the experts from IMD, Pune. The participants were oriented about operational Agromet Advisory service under GKMS, observatory network of IMD, AWS, Agromet observatory, different observation like Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) satellite Information, their application, access to data,weather forecasting in spatial and temporal scales, use of agromet products, crop information and components of AAS bulletin and its preparation. In addition, dissemination of Agromet Advisories through multimedia channels including SMS and feedback collection was mentioned.

Hands on training on the preparation of Agromet Advisories for sowing, irrigation, fertilizer and pesticide application, harvesting using realised and forecast weather wasgiven. Advisories for extreme weather situations were also prepared using sample data.

Dr. Lakhan Singh, Director, ATARI, Pune; Dr. N. Chattopadhyay, Head (Agrimet); Scientists and officials from IMD, ICAR and VNMKV, Prabhaniparticipated in the program.

(Source: ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Pune)