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NEW DELHI: An association of agrometeorologists on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention to continue services of District Agromet Units (DAMUs) at 199 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) for the benefit of farmers in their day-to-day farming operations.
The DAMUs are currently providing agro-advisory services to farmers at micro/block level . Govt, however, recently decided to discontinue the services of such units from March 1 as the data collection and dissemination of weather-related information have now been fully automated.
Since these data can now be analysed centrally and disseminated up to village-level using sophisticated information and communication technology through mobile App and SMS services, it is argued that there is no need to continue with the DAMUs. “In any case, KVKs under the agriculture ministry will continue to serve the farmers with various extension services,” said an official.
The Agrometeorologist Units Association, however, in its letter to the Prime Minister said that the decision to discontinue the services of DAMUs will have “adverse impact on use of resources, agriculture production, food security and livelihood of the farmers community”, and demanded that the existing services should rather be extended in the remaining districts of the country for the benefits of the farmers.
The Association said the “sudden decision” would also affect the 400 employees working under DAMUs. “A viable option would be to adjust the roles and responsibilities of affected employees in related organisations like India Meteorological Organisation (IMD) or KVKs of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR),” it said.
The Association argued that the existing micro/block level weather forecast-based agromet advisory services provided by the DAMUs is beneficial for farmers as it help them choose the type of crop/seed varieties as per weather, and timing of spray/use of pesticides/fertilizers, irrigation and harvest to get the best result of their farming operations.
The DAMUs are currently providing agro-advisory services to farmers at micro/block level . Govt, however, recently decided to discontinue the services of such units from March 1 as the data collection and dissemination of weather-related information have now been fully automated.
Since these data can now be analysed centrally and disseminated up to village-level using sophisticated information and communication technology through mobile App and SMS services, it is argued that there is no need to continue with the DAMUs. “In any case, KVKs under the agriculture ministry will continue to serve the farmers with various extension services,” said an official.
The Agrometeorologist Units Association, however, in its letter to the Prime Minister said that the decision to discontinue the services of DAMUs will have “adverse impact on use of resources, agriculture production, food security and livelihood of the farmers community”, and demanded that the existing services should rather be extended in the remaining districts of the country for the benefits of the farmers.
The Association said the “sudden decision” would also affect the 400 employees working under DAMUs. “A viable option would be to adjust the roles and responsibilities of affected employees in related organisations like India Meteorological Organisation (IMD) or KVKs of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR),” it said.
The Association argued that the existing micro/block level weather forecast-based agromet advisory services provided by the DAMUs is beneficial for farmers as it help them choose the type of crop/seed varieties as per weather, and timing of spray/use of pesticides/fertilizers, irrigation and harvest to get the best result of their farming operations.
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