Challenges in District Level Weather Forecasting for Tribal Region of Chhattisgarh State

Abstract

Agricultural production in many parts of India continues to be largely dependant on weather and climatic fluctuations despite several impressive advances made in the field of agricultural technology over the last few decades. Bastar Plateau ACZ (agro-climatic zone) is covering four districts i.e. Kanker, Dantewada, Bijapur and Bastar districts with a geographical area of around 39,000 sq. kms. Approximately 6.5 lakh hectares area is under rice crop in this tribal zone and total cultivated area happens to 1.0 million hectares covering other crops like pulses, oilseeds, minor millets, maize and other variable crops in post-kharif and rabi seasons etc. However, cropping intensity in this zone is 105% because of the fact that irrigation percentage is hardly 3–4%. Under changing scenarios and availability of improved techniques of weather information, it is desirable to utilize the weather parameters as agricultural resource for the farmers in this tribal belt. In Bastar Plateau ACZ since year 1999, DST sponsored agroadvisory services project is functional at center S.G. CARS, Jagdalpur (earlier ZARS, Jagdalpur) in co-ordination with National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting. Major objective of the project is to prepare agrometeorological advisory services bulletins (AABs) on the basis of medium range weather forecasting received from NCMRWF, preceding week weather data and current crop situation in consultancy with different disciplines. Main utility of the project has been found to be helping farmers regarding adjustment in routine production and post-harvest operations for achieving maximum productivity and economy, efficient use of weather sensitive inputs and fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation water. On the basis of feedback received from farmers, it has been found that farmers are making use of AABs in epidemic management and adjusting farming operations according to medium range weather forecasting. It has been found that if a forecast of sufficient skill can be generated, returns to the framers can increase substantially as losses many times are high. From the monsoonal season of year 2008, the district level weather forecasting has been started and at AMFU Jagdalpur, the district level weather forecast is available through internet from Regional Meteorological Centre, Raipur. Earlier the AABs were prepared for the Bastar Plateau ACZ. Under changed system of Ministry of Earth Sciences Integrated agro advisory services project, in spite of availability of district level weather forecasting, AABs are not prepared district wise. This is because of the fact that specific features district wise are not available with the advisory panel responsible for preparation of AABs. At present, four districts are covered under Bastar Plateau ACZ viz. Bastar, Narayanpur, Bijapur and Dantewada. It is desired that district wise AABs are prepared for four districts for which specific features are required by the advisory panel. A preliminary effort has been made in this direction and some of the features are compiled. In addition to it, a kind of questionnaire has been prepared and sent to Deputy Directors of Agriculture of four districts.