Perception, adoption and utility of weather based agro advisory services by farmers of Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The study was conducted at Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh by District Agromet Unit (DAMU) to know the farmer’s perception and adoption about the weather forecast and weather based agro advisory services provided to them by DAMU unit. Total 100 farmers from 10 blocks of district were randomly selected in which two groups of farmers were there, one who follows the agro advisory advisories (50 farmers), regularly for their farm operations (AAS Farmers), and another group (50 farmers) that doesn’t follows the agro advisory advisories (Non -AAS Farmers). The data was collected by using questionnaires. The results of study revealed that 52 percent of old aged registered farmers have integrated and adopted the weather based advisory services. Socio-economic survey showed that most of the farmers who have adopted agro advisories were small and marginal farmers, having farming experience of more than 25 years. About perception of agro advisories services as it provided comprehensive information on agriculture and allied sectors majority (76%) selected farmers reported their satisfaction with present system of biweekly agromet advisory bulletins. 71.80 percent of farmers preferred weather forecast before sowing/transplanting, 69.20 percent for planning harvesting and threshing operations, 59.20 percent for managing their insect and pest, 45.20 percent for timely and optimum use of fertilizer. A total of 71 percent farmers were highly satisfied, 18 percent were satisfied, 8.20 percent were partially satisfied and 2 percent were not satisfied with the advisory. The study indicated that the farmers focused more on the weather forecast related to rainfall followed by temperature.