Roorkee (The Hawk): The main objective of agro-meteorological advisory services is to reduce the cost of cultivation due to favorable weather and to reduce the loss of crop production due to the impact of adverse weather. These words were said by Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology, India Meteorological Department, New Delhi. He addressed a farmer awareness program as a chief guest organized by the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) Project, running in the Department of Water Resources Development and Management, IIT Roorkee. He apprised that about 2500 people in the country have to lose their lives due to lightning every year. Not only farmers but the general public should install the ‘DAMINI” App on their smartphones for prior information on lightning in their areas.
On this occasion, Dr. Mohapatra also released a technical booklet entitled "Tools for Preparation of Agromet Advisory Bulletins," published by Agromet Field Unit Roorkee. Dr. Arvind Kumar, Technical Officer, GKMS Project, said that this booklet contains information about the congenial weather favorable for the infestation of insects and pests for the major food grains, pulses, oilseeds, horticultural crops of the Rabi and Kharif crops of Haridwar district, including the information related to the fisheries, poultry and animal husbandry too. These information would be helpful in the preparation of Agromet Advisories.