Current Affair 1:

News:

India Meteorological Department (IMD) is planning to revive District Agro-Meteorology Units (DAMUs) under the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme.

The IMD established 199 DAMUs in 2018 in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

The aim was to use weather data to prepare and disseminate sub-district level agricultural advisories. In March, DAMUs were shut down following an order issued by the IMD.

The DAMUs were located within Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). In March 2024, DAMUs were shut down following an order issued by the IMD.

Significance of DAMUs

1. DAMUs used weather data provided by the IMD, like rainfall, temperature and wind speeds, to prepare agricultural advisories.
2. These advisories, sent in local languages via text messages, WhatsApp, newspapers, and in-person communication, helped farmers plan activities like irrigation.
3. They also served as early warnings for extreme events like droughts and heavy rainfall.
4. With around 80% of farmers in India being small and marginal and the monsoon in India being erratic, the services provided by DAMUs become extremely important.

Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS)

Gramin Krishi Mausam Seva (GKMS) is a program launched under the Atmosphere & Climate Research Modeling Observing System & Services (ACROSS) sub-scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).

Objective:

To prepare and disseminate weather-based farm advisories for different management practices in agriculture and allied sectors, including livestock.

Under it, IMD generates and issues quantitative District and Block level weather forecasts for agriculture.

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