New Delhi: In a major step towards boosting agricultural productivity and supporting rural communities, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, today addressed the launch and training workshop of a new weather forecast initiative aimed at benefiting Gram Panchayats across India. This initiative seeks to provide localized and timely weather information to over 2.6 lakh panchayats, offering direct support to the nation’s farmers.
The initiative, utilizing the innovative Mausamgram platform developed by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, delivers precise weather forecasts, offering hourly updates for the next 36 hours and comprehensive 10-day forecasts. These updates will cover critical parameters such as temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind, and cloud conditions—vital data for farmers making decisions about sowing, harvesting, and irrigation.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that this technological advancement will make weather forecasts accessible “anytime and anywhere” at the panchayat level, significantly benefiting the lives of farmers and rural citizens. “This initiative will ensure that farmers receive timely updates, helping them make informed decisions to improve both productivity and safety,” he said.
The Mausamgram platform builds on the Indian Meteorological Department’s (IMD) longstanding services, such as the Agro Advisory Services (AAS) and Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS), which provide crop-specific advisories to over 28 million farmers. The forecasts, available through the Meghdoot app and WhatsApp groups, can now be accessed by pincode or Gram Panchayat name, further enhancing their reach.
Dr. Singh also highlighted the remarkable improvements in weather forecasting over the last decade, with a 40% increase in accuracy and lead times for severe weather warnings now extending to seven days. These improvements are crucial for managing the risks posed by extreme weather events like cyclones and heatwaves.
In line with these advancements, the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched Mission Mausam, a ₹2,000 crore initiative aimed at enhancing India’s observational systems, expanding radar networks, and improving public outreach. This initiative is designed to meet global standards and ensure India’s resilience in the face of climate challenges.
The event also underscored India’s global leadership in climate resilience. The IMD is serving as a peer advisor to five developing nations as part of the United Nations’ Early Warning for All initiative, further cementing India’s commitment to enhancing early warning systems worldwide.
Dr. Jitendra Singh commended the collaboration between the IMD, Ministry of Earth Sciences, and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in making this groundbreaking initiative a reality. He noted that the accessibility of weather forecasts at the grassroots level will have a transformative impact on agricultural practices, ensuring that millions of farmers are equipped with the information they need to thrive in an increasingly unpredictable climate.
