Weather forecasting key to protecting agriculture

Dharwad

World Meteorological Day was observed in collaboration with North Karnataka Agrometeorological Forecasting Centre (NKAFC), Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Department of Agrometeorology, Universiry of Agricultural Sciences.

The event highlighted the significance of meteorology in agriculture, particularly in early warnings for mitigating crop losses and enhancing food security.

JA Hosmath, Head of the Department of Agrometeorology at UAS, Dharwad, inaugurated the event and shared his expertise on the critical role of early warning systems in reducing major crop losses. He underscored the importance of agrometeorological advisory services in saving farmers' resources and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

He said that implementation of climate-smart agriculture informed by the accurate weather forecasts boosts productivity and ensures food security across north interior Karnataka.

Assistant Professor Sumesh KG stressed the important of strengthening collaborations with the IMD on upper air observation to study wind dynamics, particularly during the monsoon season.

He asked scientists, professors and other professionals to join the Indian Meteorological Society and help establish an IMS chapter in Dharwad. He envisioned making Dharwad a hub for meteorological research and higher education in the field of meteorology.

NKAFC Project Scientist M Guna highlighted the importance of early warning systems in protecting agricultural production and minimising crop losses.

Technical officer CB Kabadagi spoke on the role of trees and forest cover in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

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NKAFC officer in-charge Raju Rokhade elaborated on the role of weather observation in early warning predictions. He also presented a book on observational meteorology to the students of agrometerology, to help them gain a deeper understanding of practical aspects of weather monitoring.