Farmers awareness programme on Agromet Advisory Service held

IMPHAL, Mar 31
A farmers awareness programme on "Methods to access weather and climate services in agriculture" was organised today at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region Manipur Centre, Lamphelpat.
As per a press note by ICAR Manipur Centre, the farmers' awareness programme was held to sensitize the farmers about the Agromet Advisory Services.
In context with the changing climate, impact on agricultural crops cultivation, adoption of climate resilient crops and economically beneficial crops/ poultry/ fishes for farmers of the State were suggested during the programme.
Ways to access weather information and agromet advisories through internet and mobile apps were discussed and demonstration to reduce the adverse impacts on agricultural production due to unfavourable weather conditions was also done.
The programme was attended by Dr Arnab Sen, Head of the Regional Centre, ICAR Manipur Centre; Dr I Meghachandra Singh, Principal Scientist (Seed Tech), ICAR Manipur Centre, scientist and senior scientist, KVKs staff and farmers.
Addressing the gathering, Dr I Meghachandra Singh stated that during the past years the weather forecast accuracy was not there however it has become accurate in recent years due to development in information technologies and satellite services. Accordingly Agromet Advisories have been helping the farmers in proper agricultural planning.
Dr Arnab Sen while speaking at the occasion stressed on the importance of effective dissemination of weather information and Agromet Advisories among the farming community to attain a self-sufficient state in agricultural production.
Also the farmers must be aware of the weather update by using different applications for necessary planning of agricultural practices.
As a part of the programme, a farmers-scientist interaction session was held where issues and problems faced by farmers such as water scarcity, deforestation, water management in rice cultivation etc were raised and the experts of the Centre suggested relevant solutions for these problems as well.
Online demonstration to access weather and crop information was done by the Technical Officer, Agromet ICAR Manipur Centre and the farmers were sensitized to use Meghdoot App in their mobile phones for Agromet Advisory Services.