AI Weather Forecasting for Farmers

Source: PIB

Context: MoAFW launched a first-of-its-kind AI-powered monsoon forecasting initiative, sending SMS-based alerts to 3.8 crore farmers across 13 states for Kharif planning.

About AI Weather Forecasting for Farmers:

• What It Is?

• A first-of-its-kind government initiative using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to deliver monsoon forecasts via SMS (m-Kisan) directly to farmers. Covers 3.8 crore farmers across 13 states, focusing on Kharif crop planning and risk reduction.

• A first-of-its-kind government initiative using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to deliver monsoon forecasts via SMS (m-Kisan) directly to farmers.

• Covers 3.8 crore farmers across 13 states, focusing on Kharif crop planning and risk reduction.

• Developed By:

• Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (MoAFW) in collaboration with: Development Innovation Lab – India Precision Development

• Development Innovation Lab – India

• Precision Development

• Technology Used:

• AI Forecasting Models: Google Neural GCM (Global Climate Model) ECMWF’s Artificial Intelligence Forecasting System (AIFS) Blended Models: Provide 4-week advance forecasts with higher accuracy than conventional methods. m-Kisan SMS Platform: Disseminates localized advisories in farmer-friendly language.

• AI Forecasting Models: Google Neural GCM (Global Climate Model) ECMWF’s Artificial Intelligence Forecasting System (AIFS)

• Google Neural GCM (Global Climate Model)

• ECMWF’s Artificial Intelligence Forecasting System (AIFS)

• Blended Models: Provide 4-week advance forecasts with higher accuracy than conventional methods.

• m-Kisan SMS Platform: Disseminates localized advisories in farmer-friendly language.

• Objectives:

• Early Warning: Enable farmers to plan sowing and irrigation ahead of monsoon onset. Risk Mitigation: Minimize losses from mid-season dry spells and extreme weather. Decision Support: Help farmers choose crops and inputs efficiently. Climate Resilience: Strengthen adaptive capacity to climate change-induced variability.

• Early Warning: Enable farmers to plan sowing and irrigation ahead of monsoon onset.

• Risk Mitigation: Minimize losses from mid-season dry spells and extreme weather.

• Decision Support: Help farmers choose crops and inputs efficiently.

• Climate Resilience: Strengthen adaptive capacity to climate change-induced variability.

• Key Features:

• Personalized & Localized Forecasts: Region-specific, actionable information. Weekly Updates: Continuous advisories during monsoon pauses or delays. Farmer-Friendly Communication: Simple language, easy-to-act recommendations. Real-Time Accuracy: Identified 20-day monsoon stall in 2025 successfully. Scalable Model: Can be extended to Rabi season and other states.

• Personalized & Localized Forecasts: Region-specific, actionable information.

• Weekly Updates: Continuous advisories during monsoon pauses or delays.

• Farmer-Friendly Communication: Simple language, easy-to-act recommendations.

• Real-Time Accuracy: Identified 20-day monsoon stall in 2025 successfully.

• Scalable Model: Can be extended to Rabi season and other states.

• Significance:

• Food Security: Timely sowing improves yield and reduces crop losses. Economic Impact: Reduces input wastage, boosts rural income and productivity. Technological Leadership: Positions India as global pioneer in AI-enabled agri-advisories.

• Food Security: Timely sowing improves yield and reduces crop losses.

• Economic Impact: Reduces input wastage, boosts rural income and productivity.

• Technological Leadership: Positions India as global pioneer in AI-enabled agri-advisories.