Use of agro-weather forecast raises crop yield, cuts carbon emission

Tribune News Service

Vijay Mohan

Chandigarh, January 21

Farmers adopting the Agromet Advisory Bulletin (AAB) issued by the Met office for cultivation have been able to increase the productivity of rice and wheat crops, leading not only to enhanced economic benefits, but also reducing environmental risks, a study has revealed.

“Adopters of the AAB were able to increase their rice and wheat productivity by 2.25-3.75 and 1.75-4.50 quintals per hectare, respectively, by managing crops in the climate smart mode like scheduling land preparation, timely sowing and spraying pesticides as per the predicted weather for the next four-five days,” the study states.

Analysis revealed that by using AAB, farmers could generate more income — Rs 4,100-7,000 per hectare for rice and by Rs 3,200-9,200 per hectare for wheat, the study published by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) this month claimed.

Crop production is a direct output of manageable (agronomic) and unmanageable (weather) inputs. Farmers can cut down losses due to aberrant weather conditions by following weather forecasts.

The IMD is providing AAB based on eight climatic parameters at district and block level under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Agrometeorology-National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture.

The agriculture sector contributes about 18 per cent of the GDP in India and 25 per cent of the GDP of Punjab. It is highly vulnerable to weather aberrations, besides being a major source as well as a sink for greenhouse gases.

Titled “Mitigation and Risk Management of Climate Change in Crop Cultivation Through the Adoption of Agromet Advisory Bulletin in NICRA-Adopted Villages in Punjab,” the study has been conducted by experts from the Department of Climate Change and Agricultural Meteorology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.

Three villages in Fatehgarh Sahib and Rupnagar districts were selected for the study. A survey of 110 farmers was conducted, among whom 70 were marginal or small farmers and 40 were medium farmers, who adopted the information given by AAB.

Analysis revealed that 65-93 per cent farmers benefited by managing biotic stresses, 65-85 per cent benefited from irrigation management, 75-78 per cent by adjusting sowing and 62-65 per cent benefited by nutrient management.

The study showed that the expenditure borne by AAB adopters was Rs 690-3,750 per hectare on rice and Rs 320-1,670 per hectare on wheat, which was significantly lower than that of non-adopters.

“Farm inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, irrigation water and biotic stress management are becoming costlier and so scientific application and judicious management can reduce input cost, which actually enhances the cost-benefit ratio,” the study states.

In the present study, it was estimated that 29.1 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions were reduced from 211.3 hectare of rice area by the adoption of AAB by farmers.

MANAGING CROPS THE SMART WAY

Adopters of the bulletin are able to increase their rice and wheat productivity by 2.25-3.75 quintals and 1.75-4.50 quintals per hectare, respectively, by managing crops in the climate smart mode like scheduling land preparation, timely sowing and spraying pesticides as per the predicted weather for the next four-five days.

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