Accurate and localized weather insights are invaluable for the Indian agricultural community. To equip farmers with predictive climate data tied to their precise geographies, the government has undertaken the Weather Information Network and Data System (WINDS) program. This expansive network will compile granular meteorological readings across the country to enable databased decisions in the sector.
The Need for Hyperlocal Weather Tracking
As the world’s leading producer of spices, milk, pulses and other crops, India’s agricultural output is closely tied to the vagaries of weather. Losses from disruptive conditions like unseasonal rains, floods and droughts range around INR 50,000 crore every year – underscoring the need for precise and timely agro-climate information.
- To build resilience against intensifying climate instability, the government has operationalized the Weather Information Network and Data System (WINDS) program under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evem Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme.
- With an outlay of INR 1,800 crore, this expansive automated weather station network will provide a dense layer of meteorological data at the village level.
Economic Relevance of Localized Weather Forecasting
- Agriculture engages over 58% of India’s workforce and contributes around 16% to GDP.
- As per NSSO Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households, over 86% of farm households own less than 2 hectares highlighting dependence on small landholdings.
- Hyperlocal weather monitoring is thus essential for devising strategies tailored to micro-level terrain characteristics and individual capacity.
- As per a CRIDA study, Agromet Advisory Services lead to farm efficiency gains of 15-42% for different crops by guiding farm-centric decision making.
Limitations of Current Weather Monitoring Infrastructure
India’s existing weather monitoring networks like automatic weather stations (AWS) and doppler radars have significant coverage gaps that fail farmers.
- Radarsonly provide real-time rain/storm tracking up to 150 kms leaving huge swathes devoid of short-range forecasting. Just 35% of the country is currently covered under doppler radar surveillance as per IMD.
- The AWS network densitystands at 1 station for every 305 sq km – insufficient for capturing microclimate variances across village clusters and individual farms.
- AWS units are unevenly distributedwith higher density in states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu etc. leaving other regions underserved. Being operated across various agencies, AWS data gathering methodologies also lack standardization and integration.
WINDS Overcomes Data Gaps Through Hyperlocal Sensing
To address limitations of existing infrastructure, WINDS adopts an integrated approach for gathering and relaying harmonized weather data.
Pan-India AWS Grid for Density and Balance
- Rolling out 200 AWS unitsin every district across India’s 29 states covering different agro-climatic zones.
- Locating AWS stations directly in agricultural fields for fidelity to on-ground conditions.
- Achieves high density network with >100,000 AWS installations countrywide– 1 unit for every 3 km.
Farm-Centric and Real Time Data
AWS positioned basis cropping patterns to log micro variations within ‘Hobli’ administrative units spanning 80-100 villages.
- Automatic updation every 30 minutesenables dynamic forecasting and alerts rather than intermittent data.
- 11 different parameters recorded like air temperature, rainfall, wind speed, soil moisture across critical farm growth stages.
Interoperability and Standardization
- WINDS integrates platformsof IMD, state agricultural universities, ICAR institutes for streamlined data sharing between AWS stations.
- Unified design and setupof AWS, sensors and data capture mechanics for consistency across network.
Accessibility Through Digital Extension
- Farmers can access location-specific advisories in regional languages via web portal and mobile apps.
- Open data platform also enables agri-service innovators to build customized solutions.
- GIS-tagged informationallows for query-based reporting by commodities/regions.
Equipping Farmers to Counter Climate Instability
- By enabling village level weather monitoring coupled with digitized agro-advisories, WINDS empowers farmers to counter uncertainties.
- Predictive guidance provided for harvest & storage against potential losses.
- The hyperlocal granularity in weather monitoring promised by WINDS will thus provide the informational foundation for transforming climate risk management.
- Alongside ongoing reforms to increase market access, Inputs and credit for farmers, the program has vast potential to strengthen the resilience of Indian agriculture on an expansive scale.
Key Attributes of WINDS
WINDS blueprints a high density automated weather station (AWS) network infrastructure to provide timely and tailored agro-met advisory services.
Pan-India Reach
WINDS will install AWS units across the country capable of recording 11 weather parameters relevant to agriculture.
- Phase 1: Commissioning AWS clusters in 150 districts spread across different agro-climatic zones.
- Phase 2: Expanding to remaining districts for complete nationwide coverage.
Hyperlocal Data Collection
With higher AWS density than existing IMD networks, WINDS will capture micro-climate patterns within districts and across farm sites.
- 1 AWS for approximately every 3km x 3km grid catering to a cluster of 5-6 villages
- Readings logged every 30 minutes enabling dynamic short range forecasting
Standardized Measurement
WINDS protocols standardized AWS design and sensors for consistency in data gathering. Centralized control eliminates anomalies in readings.
Digital Accessibility
Farmers can access location-specific weather analytics via web and mobile apps in regional languages. Open data platform also enables agri-innovators to build customized services.
Hub & Spoke Model
AWS stations connect to hubs at Krishi Vigyan Kendras and ICAR institutes to channel data across the grid to IMD’s central computing facility.
Layered Advisory Mechanism
Automatic weather alerts plus digitized advisories on best farm practices will be relayed through multiple modes – SMS, mobile apps, community radio etc.
Bridging Critical Data Gaps for Farm Optimization
By densifying India’s weather monitoring capabilities, WINDS has the potential to significantly enhance agricultural outcomes.
- Minimize crop losses & stabilize farm incomes through need-based advisories on
- sowing schedules,
- input planning (seeds, fertilizer etc.)
- weather insurance
- harvest timing & storage
- Drive climate-smart agriculture through data on
- soil moisture levels
- pest/disease outbreak probability
- drought/heat tolerance for crops
- Enable rapid emergency response & relief coordination during extreme events like unseasonal hailstorms.
- Plug data gaps hampering sector modernization efforts around precision agriculture, drone farming etc.
The hyperlocal insights unlocked by WINDS will be pivotal in creating resilience for Indian agriculture against mounting climate instability. The project has already been sanctioned INR 1800 crore under the PM-KUSUM scheme. With efficacious execution, WINDS can usher in data-led agro-met intelligence at an unparalleled scale.
