Centre launches ‘WINDS’ portal to provide accurate weather data to farmers

New Delhi: Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju has called for adapting “responsive and appropriate scientific mechanism” in Agriculture sector in view of Climate Change.

“Unless we are prepared to face the grave challenges, the consequences can be grave,” said Rijiju, said while launching program of Weather Information Network Data Systems (WINDS) portal and AIDE mobile app in New Delhi.

Crucial weather related information and data will be available to the farmers through WINDS.

Keeping in view the challenges of obtaining accurate meteorological data from inadequate infrastructure, the WINDS initiative is laying emphasis on setting up a strong network of weather stations.

Through this initiative, the target is to establish a wide network of weather stations at the block and gram panchayat level. This strategic approach will ensure widespread access to accurate and timely weather data.

The goal is to bridge the gap in weather information availability and empower decision makers, farmers and stakeholders at the grassroots level.

This extensive network of weather stations will enable accurate monitoring of weather patterns, effective planning, risk assessment and timely response to meteorological challenges.

Rijiju said all of us are witness to the impact of climate change on Agriculture.

“In our childhood, apple crops grew in Shimla, a few decades later Kinnaur emerged as the apple growing belt and now apple crop is shifting towards the even higher altitude Lahaul-Spiti region,” he said.

Rijiju said changes being made in the Agriculture sector through science and technology are very important. The importance of all these is even more in the era of climate change.

“Our scientists are doing very good work, it should be ensured that 100% utilization of their research should be done in all fields in the country,” he said.

In the programme, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar said that today every scheme is accessible to every farmer by using technology and farmers can take benefits.

“With a view to make it more effective, the manual, portal and app have been launched today. We used to think that why the correct weather information is not available, even if the information is received, there was no means to convey it down to the bottom, so efforts were made to make it accessible to every village by using technology,” he said.

Mr Tomar said there should be a rain watch tower in every village, weather stations can be set up at the development block level, so that the government can get precise information about the weather.

Director General of India Meteorological Department, Dr. Mrityunjay Mohapatra also addressed the gathering.

The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare launched three important initiatives- YES TECH (Technology based Yield Estimation System), WINDS (Weather Information Data Information System) and AIDE (App for Intermediary Enrolment) dedicated to the farmers.