GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4768
TO BE ANSWERED ON 27-4-2005

TRANSFER OF AGRO METEORIC ACTIVITIES TO ICAR

4768. DR. K. DHANARAJU:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

whether the Government is aware that Indian Framers are suffering for want of proper information from Meteorological Department regarding weather forecast;

(b) if so, the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to help the farmers in this regard;

(c ) whether the Indian Meteorological Department is the nodal agency of the Union Government for all aspects of weather related matters;

(d) if so, whether the research work in this regard is being done by an institute controlled by Indian Council for Agricultural Research which results in the lack of coordination and also affects research findings related to agriculture;

(e) if so, whether there is any proposal to transfer the Agro meteoric activities handled by the IMD to the ICAR; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT

(SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) and (b) In order to provide timely meteorological information to the farmers the India Meteorological Department (IMD) provides services to the farming communi through its Regional, and State level forecasting offices and dedicated Agro- meteorological Advisory Services. These advisories covering all the States are issued from a net-work of 20 Agromet. Advisory Service (AAS) units, and are disseminated through print media, radio and the Doordarshan in local languages. The forecasting offices issue Farmer Weather Bulletins, twice daily, and are disseminated through AIR in local languages in popular farming programmes. Agromet Advisory Bulletins, issued bi-weekly in consultation with State Agricultural Departments, contains very specific advisories on recommended agricultural operations in the context of the expected weather. IMD is upgrading its observational networks and forecasting systems to further improve these services.

In addition to these services being provided by IMD, the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) of the Department of Science & Technology (DST) is also providing agricultural advisories through agricultural universities. In order to extend the reach of these services, NCMRWF has been operating 83 Agro-advisory services (AAS) units in various agro climatic zones of the country. During this year they have been increased to 107.

(c) Yes, Sir. The India Meteorological Department is the National weather service of the country and the Principal Government agency in all matters relating to Meteorology, Seismology and allied subjects.

(d) Several research groups including ICAR laboratories engage in research in areas related to agro-meteorology. IMD provides all inputs particularly data to these institutions and also coordinates with them in areas of mutual interest. In fact several ICAR centres are functioning as AAS Units of the NCMRWF under DST. NCMRWF works in collaboration with IMD on a daily basis.

(e) No, Sir.

(f) Does not arise in view of (e) above.