Annual Report 2009-2010 - Department of Agriculture & Co-operation

Annual Report 2009-2010
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capabilities of in season multiple crop estimation
through a combination of remote sensing,
econometric, agro-meteorological and land
based observations, a plan scheme entitled
Forecasting Agricultural Output using Space
Agro-Meteorology and Land-based Observations
(FASAL) was launched in August, 2006.
Outsourcing agencies involved in the project are
the Space Application Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad,
the Institute of Economic Growth (IEG), New
Delhi, and the India Meteorological Department
(IMD), New Delhi. SAC, Ahmedabad and IEG,
New Delhi have provided forecasts for area and
production of a few selected crops for Kharif
2009-10, using remote sensing and econometric
parameters, respectively. The development of a
methodology for other specified crops is in
progress. A proposal of the India Meteorological
Department (IMD) for agro-meteorological
forecasts has been approved for implementation
by them.
3.37 To further expand the scope of Remote
Sensing technology for a more accurate and
detailed assessment of the crop situation in the
country at the national and district level, the need
for establishing adequate infrastructure within
the Ministry itself was considered necessary.
Accordingly, a proposal from SAC, Ahmedabad,
to develop a National Centre for Crop Forecasting
on a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) basis is
under consideration.
3.38 Development and Application of
Extended Range Forecast System For Climate
Risk Management in Agriculture (ERFS): In view
of the immense importance of extended range
forecasting in agriculture applications, the DES
in the DAC has sponsored a project titled
Development and Application of Extended Range
Forecast System for Climate Risk Management
in Agriculture (ERFS), in collaboration with other
partner organisations. i.e., IIT Delhi, India
Meteorological Department (IMD), National
Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast
(NCMRWF), Space Application Centre (SAC),
Ahmedabad, and the Indian Council of
Agriculture Research (ICAR). The six partners
have signed a cooperative agreement in the
December 2005, to work jointly on various
implementation aspects of the project.
3.39 The objective of the ERFS is to generate
and disseminate information on rainfall and
temperature with a lead time of 25-30 days. It is
expected to give sufficient time to farmers to
plan their cropping activities and help policy
makers to take necessary corrective measures
for any contingency, which may arise. Under the
ERFS, a forecast for each month at the regional
and district level is the ultimate goal. The project
is likely to be completed in a time frame of five
to six years, and in two phases. In the first phase
(of two to three years), the development of a
seasonal forecast system for meteorological subdivisions
and agro-climatic zones is envisaged.
In the second phase,a monthly forecast is
targeted. Experimental monthly rainfall forecasta
for monsoon 2009 were generated on a
meteorological sub-division scale and with
respect to 13 identified districts.