Relevance (UPSC): GS-III – Agriculture, Science & Technology (Weather Services)

India’s farm weather advice now runs mainly through a national network of Agro-Met Field Units anchored by the India Meteorological Department. These centres issue location-specific farm advisories based on five-day forecasts and seasonal outlooks, helping farmers time sowing, irrigation, plant protection and harvest. 

Where the advice comes from

Agro-Met Field Units (AMFUs) and District Agromet Units (DAMUs) are part of India’s Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) project, which provides weather-based agricultural advisories to farmers. 

• These units, managed by organizations like the India Meteorological Department (IMD), collaborate with State Agricultural Universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to create and disseminate location-specific information via bulletins and digital platforms like the “Mausam” app and SMS. 
• Their goal is to help farmers make informed decisions about farming operations by providing forecasts and warnings tailored to their specific crops and local weather conditions.
• Agro-Met Field Units operate at agricultural universities and research institutes across 127 agro-climatic zones (about 130 units nationwide). They prepare crop-stage tips using forecasts for rainfall, temperature, humidity, cloud, wind speed and wind direction.
  
• Earlier District Agro-Met Units set up in several districts were discontinued from March 1, 2024; the service continues through the field-unit network.
  

How farmers receive it

• Twice-a-week district bulletins are posted on the India Meteorological Department portal; farmers can also read them on the Meghdoot mobile app in local languages. Many farmers receive the advice as text messages.
  

Why it matters

• Studies and field experience show that weather-based advisories help avoid avoidable losses and improve decision-making at the plot level.
  
• The service is free, public and nationwide—important for risk reduction in a changing climate. A policy discussion on district-level units is ongoing, but the advisory backbone remains active.
  

Key terms

• Agro-Met Field Unit: a centre that blends weather forecasts with crop advice for farmers.
  
• Farm weather bulletin: a short, district note that tells farmers what to do in the coming days.
  
• Meghdoot: a government app that shows district and crop-wise advisories.
  

Exam hook

UPSC Prelims question
Q. With reference to farm weather advisory services in India, consider the following statements:

1. The advisory is issued under Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa through Agro-Met Field Units located in agro-climatic zones.
   
2. District-level Agro-Met Units were discontinued in 2024, but advisories continue nationwide.
   
3. Advisories are typically released twice a week and can be read on the Meghdoot app.
   
4. The advisories contain only rainfall forecasts and do not cover wind or temperature.
   Which of the statements given above are correct?
   Answer: 1, 2 and 3 only.
   

One-line wrap: Reliable, free weather advice—delivered locally and regularly—has become a quiet safety-net for India’s farmers.