SHIMLA: In a bid to support agriculturists and horticulturists, the Department of Environment, Science, Technology, and Climate Change announced plans to introduce advanced digital applications.
Inspired by the success of the Meghdoot app, these new tools will equip farmers with vital climate change information.
Chairing the meeting of the stakeholder departments, Director DC Rana disclosed that the department is currently working on a revolutionary Kisan Information System, relying on crowd-sourcing, to deliver real-time updates via SMS and WhatsApp. This includes climate change insights, weather forecasts, and localized weather predictions at the Panchayat level.
During a recent meeting, Rana underlined the effectiveness of existing Government of India apps, such as MEGHDOOT, in assisting farmers with essential information.
The state is in the process of developing a dedicated Climate Change advisory application to cater to the needs of its agricultural community.
To facilitate this initiative, a specialized thematic working group will be formed. It will comprise key stakeholders such as the Indian Meteorological Department, Shimla (IMD), Agriculture Department, Horticulture Department, IT Department, and the Department of Environment Science Technology & Climate Change. The group will collaborate closely to ensure the success of these digital tools.
Furthermore, the Indian Meteorological Department will take the lead in establishing an Agro Met data collection advisory system at the grassroots level, benefiting farming communities across the state.
With these innovations on the horizon, the state aims to empower farmers with cutting-edge technology and information, fostering better decision-making and enhancing agricultural practices.
