Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister of Earth Sciences, has emphasized the urgent need to adapt agriculture practices to the challenges posed by climate change. Speaking at the launch program of Weather Information Network Data Systems (WINDS) portal, Rijiju stressed the gravity of the consequences if we fail to prepare adequately.
Rijiju highlighted the observable impact of climate change on agriculture, citing the shifting apple crop belts in India from Shimla to Kinnaur and now to even higher altitudes in the Lahaul-Spiti region. He acknowledged the commendable efforts in the agricultural sector over the past nine years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, making India a leading nation in this domain. Rijiju further emphasized that incorporating science and technology into agriculture is of utmost importance, particularly in the era of climate change.
Appreciating the contributions of scientists, Rijiju called for the full utilization of their research in all fields across the country. This utilization, he believes, will be crucial in effectively tackling the challenges posed by a changing climate.
In the same program, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, highlighted the significant role of technology in making various schemes accessible to farmers. He emphasized the launch of the manual, portal, and app as a means to provide accurate weather information to every village, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of agricultural practices. Tomar suggested the establishment of rain watch towers in every village and weather stations at the development block level to provide precise weather information to the government.
The program also saw the participation of Union Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Director General of India Meteorological Department Dr. Mrityunjay Mohapatra, and CEO of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Joint Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture, Ritesh Chauhan.
The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare launched three crucial initiatives dedicated to farmers. The YES TECH (Technology-based Yield Estimation System) aims to enable accurate yield estimation through modern technology. WINDS (Weather Information Data Information System) provides crucial weather-related information and data to farmers.
To overcome the challenges of obtaining accurate meteorological data due to inadequate infrastructure, WINDS emphasizes the establishment of a strong network of weather stations at the block and gram panchayat level. This strategic approach ensures widespread access to timely and accurate weather data, empowering decision-makers, farmers, and stakeholders at the grassroots level.
The extensive network of weather stations established through WINDS will facilitate precise monitoring of weather patterns, efficient planning, risk assessment, and timely response to meteorological challenges in the agricultural sector.
