Agrometeorological Advisory Services (AAS)
Agriculture
- PYQs5
- Articles1
Background
Directly impacts farmer welfare, agricultural productivity, food security, and disaster management in the context of climate change. It showcases the application of science and technology for socio-economic development and last-mile service delivery.
Agrometeorological Advisory Services (AAS) are crucial for providing weather-based information to farmers, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding crop management, irrigation, and protection against adverse weather events, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity and resilience. These services are vital for minimizing agricultural losses due to extreme weather.
Facts & tables
- Issuance Frequency
- Issued twice weekly (Tuesdays and Fridays) by IMD.
- Content
- Provides localised, crop-specific advisories (e.g., paddy, turmeric, maize), including seven-day medium-range forecasts and three-hourly nowcasts.
- Dissemination Channels
- Disseminated through multiple channels like WhatsApp, Panchayat Mausam Seva Portal, Krishi Sakhis, and Pashu Sakhis.
- Purpose
- Aims to minimize agricultural losses from extreme weather and guide farming operations.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Agriculture |
| Conceptual area | Disaster Management |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| India Meteorological Department (IMD) | Implements |
| Ministry of Rural Development | Supports |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- IMD's service for weather-based farm guidance.
- Issued bi-weekly, crop-specific, localised.
- Leverages WhatsApp, Panchayat Mausam Seva Portal.
- Supported by Krishi/Pashu Sakhis for last-mile reach.
- Aims to reduce agricultural losses from extreme weather.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2020 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2017 | Statement-based questions, Purpose or function of a policy tool |
| 2016 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2016 | Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures |
Timeline
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Agriculture
Conceptual area
-
Disaster Management
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2016
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2016
Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2017
Statement-based questions, Purpose or function of a policy tool
-
Prelims 2020
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2023
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
WhatsApp weather alerts for people in Telangana villages under IMD’s Mission Mausam
IMD's AAS provides timely, localised weather and crop advisories to farmers via digital platforms and community networks to mitigate agricultural losses and enhance resilience against extreme weather.
See also
Past papers
2016–2023 · 5 questions
In the news
WhatsApp weather alerts for people in Telangana villages under IMD’s Mission Mausam
IMD's AAS provides timely, localised weather and crop advisories to farmers via digital platforms and community networks to mitigate agricultural losses and enhance resilience against extreme weather.
Try these PYQs
With reference to ‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana’, consider the following statements:
1. Under this scheme, farmers will have to pay a uniform premium of two per cent for any crop they cultivate in any season of the year.
2. This scheme covers post-harvest losses arising out of cyclones and unseasonal rains.
Which of the statements given about is/are correct?
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a government-sponsored crop insurance scheme. Statement 1 is Incorrect: Under this scheme, farmers have to pay a uniform premium of 2% for all Kharif crops, 1.5% for all Rabi crops, and 5% for commercial/horticultural crops. The premium rate is not uniform for all crops in all seasons. Statement 2 is Correct: The scheme does cover post-harvest losses arising out of cyclones and unseasonal rains. Hence, option B is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements:
1. The Government of India provides Minimum Support Price for niger (Guizotia abyssinicia) seeds.
2. Niger is cultivated as a Kharif crop.
3. Some tribal people in India use niger seed oil for cooking.
How many of the above statements are correct?
* Statement 1 is correct: The Government of India provides Minimum Support Price (MSP) for niger seeds to support farmers and ensure a baseline return on their crops. This is especially important for crops like niger which might have volatile market prices. * Statement 2 is correct: Niger is primarily cultivated as a Kharif crop in India. Kharif refers to the monsoon season in India, typically from June to September. Niger thrives in these rainy conditions. * Statement 3 is correct: Niger seed oil has various uses, and some tribal communities in India traditionally use it for cooking purposes. The oil has a nutty flavour and can be used as a substitute for other cooking oils.
With reference to ‘Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. This initiative aims to demonstrate the improved production and post-harvest technologies and to demonstrate value addition techniques, in an integrated manner, with a cluster approach.
2. Poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers have a larger stake in this scheme.
3. An important objective of the scheme is to encourage farmers of commercial crops to shift to millet cultivation by offering them free kits of critical inputs of nutrients and micro-irrigation equipment.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is correct. The Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion aims to demonstrate improved production and post-harvest technologies in an integrated manner with a cluster approach. Statement 2 is also correct. Millets are mainly grown in regions of low annual rainfall and poor arid soil. It is inadequate, small, marginal and tribal farmers, who cannot afford costly irrigation practices, depend on the cultivation of millets. Hence these farmers benefit from the scheme and have a larger stake in this scheme. Statement 3 is not correct. There is no such provision to encourage commercial crop farmers to shift to millet cultivation.
In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture?
1. Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all crops
2. Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
3. Social Capital development
4. Free electricity supply to farmers
5. Waiver of agricultural loans by the banking system
6. Setting up of cold storage facilities by the governments
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Public investment in agriculture refers to government expenditures aimed at improving the agricultural sector, including infrastructure development, technological improvements, and providing institutional support. Statement 1 is incorrect: Fixing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a policy decision, not an investment. While it affects the agricultural sector, it is not a direct public investment in terms of capital expenditure. Statement 2 is correct: The computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) is a public investment because it involves government funds directed towards modernizing agricultural credit systems, enhancing efficiency, and accessibility for farmers. Statement 3 is correct: Social Capital development is a public investment in agriculture, as it involves building networks and community-based resources that help farmers improve productivity and access to resources. Statement 4 is incorrect: Free electricity supply is more of a subsidy, not a direct public investment in the form of capital expenditure. Statement 5 is incorrect: Waiver of agricultural loans is a policy measure aimed at alleviating farmer debt but does not qualify as an investment in infrastructure or capital. Statement 6 is correct: The setting up of cold storage facilities by the government is a direct public investment aimed at improving agricultural infrastructure and reducing post-harvest losses. Hence, option C is the correct answer.
What is/are the advantage/advantages of implementing the ‘National Agriculture Market’ (NAM) scheme?
1. It is a pan-India electronic trading portal for agricultural commodities.
2. It provides the farmers access to the nationwide market, with prices commensurate with the quality of their produce.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
E-NAM (National Agriculture Market) is an online trading platform for agriculture produce aiming to help farmers, traders, and buyers with online trading and getting a better price through smooth marketing. Statement 1 is Correct: Pan-India electronic trading portal (Correct) This is a core feature of NAM. It creates a unified online platform where farmers can connect with buyers from across the country, eliminating geographical restrictions and potentially increasing market access. Statement 2 is Correct: Access to nationwide markets and better prices (Correct) NAM allows farmers to see prices prevailing in various mandis (wholesale markets) across the country. This transparency empowers them to choose the market offering the best price for their produce, potentially fetching them higher returns compared to traditional, localised markets. Therefore, the correct answer is 1 and 2 both are correct.Hence, option C is the correct answer.