Online farmers' awareness programme on Agrometeorological Advisory Services held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 17 2020: A one day online farmers' awareness programme on 'Agrometeorological Advisory Services' was held today at ICAR Manipur Centre organised by the Agromet Field Unit, Lamphelpat under the guidance of Dr I Meghachandra Singh, Joint Director, ICAR Manipur Centre.

Speaking at the programme, Dr T Brajakumar Singh, Deputy Director, State Directorate of Environment said that there is requirement to bring changes in cropping pattern in the State based on the availability of area and also more horticulture crops cultivation needed to be explored.

He further said that the underground water need to be recharged and State Government is working hard in this aspect.

Also, at present there are only 10 Weather Observatories under the State Directorate of Enviroment however work is going on to increase the number of observatories upto 35 soon.

Prof L Nabachandra Singh, Department of Agronomy, CAU Imphal said , most of our farmers are marginal and small farmers.

They had been mostly affected with the rainfall deficit while carrying out agricultural activities.

To minimize this risk farmers need to incorporate the weather forcast and advisories in their agricultural planning to a greater extend so that at least 20 percent of the risk factor is avoided.

With the agromet advisories issued by experts in the AAS Bulletin farmers may reduce the adverse impact by following the advisories on various aspects of agriculture starting from crop/seed selection to harvesting, he added.

Dr L Meghachandra Singh, Joint Director, ICAR Manipur Centre spoke about various aspects of Agromet Advisory Services of the institute benefitting to more than 2000 farmers in the State on the activities being carried out and future aspects of the Service.

He emphasised on the need of feedback from the farmers on the service and their need from this institute so that desired changes may be brought to serve the need of farmers effectively.

Kh Hera, Head of KVK Imphal West detailed about different aspects on how the weather information is needed for our agriculture as different weather parameters have various impact on the yield whenever there is any changes from normal values.

A session of questions and answers with the farmers and experts were held chaired by Dr Ch Basudha Devi, Sr Scientist, Division of Fisheries, ICAR Manipur Centre and supported by Dr Ch Premabati Devi, Scientist, Horticulture Division, ICAR Manipur Centre, Dr A Suresh Kumar Meitei, TO Animal Sc KVK Tamenglong, Dr N Ajit Kumar, ACTO, KVK Churachandpur.

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