Ranichauri - Agricultural Meteorology Division

local weather, effects of climate change as evident from Gangotri Glacier continuously receding overthe years, on apple orchards i.e. new apple orchards being raised in higher hills from mid hills tomaintain the quality as well as quantity observed from the research conducted viz. an increase of 1 0 Ctemperature in the region will compel to shift apple orchards by about 300m altitude and advised thefarmers to follow the suggestions provided through the Agromet Advisory Services in whichadvisories being imparted through biweekly bulletins and the website: imd.gov.in;cropweatheroutlook.ernet.in for coming week for different agricultural operations to be carried out aswell as contingency measures according to the prevailing weather conditions, knowledge onoccurrence of pest and diseases and their preventive measures were given in the bulletins & websitesbased on medium range weather forecast received from India Meteorological Department,Meteorological Centre, Dehradun and Pune and same was broadcasted regularly on Tuesday &Friday in Krishi Jagat Programme from All India Radio, Nazibabad.Dr. Anuradha Dutta, Professor Extension (Home Science) explained the climate change hasbecome a threat to the entire ecosystem since the past few decades. However it is the farmingcommunity that is the most severely effected. The condition in the Hill region is even worse as thefarming system here is basically rainfed. Farming in the hills is mainly done by women, therefore itis they who are worst affected by climate change. Procurement of fuel, fodder and water too is thewomen’s responsibility, in addition to care of livestock. Therefore it is very important that womenhave to be sensitized about climate change and prepared to adopt the alternate crop contingencyplans whenever they face the eventuality like drought, break in SW monsoon resulting the midseason drought and improved technologies in order to mitigate the impact of global warming and theresultant changes. Women of the hills are by nature very shy and reticent. Organizing them intogroups helps to generate confidence and enthusiasm in them regarding the changes in weather fromyear to year.In the past few years the women farmers of the hill region have been encouraged to form selfhelp groups as a step to empower them. However these groups need regular strengthening andcapacity building to keep pace with the fast changing needs of agriculture due to climate change. Inorder to keep the self help groups proactive the members should ensure that:1. All members are aware about the rules and regulations of the SHG2. All rules are strictly adhered to.3. There is complete transparency in the financial dealings of the group4. The SHG should hold regular meetings5. The SHG should have regular contact with the sponsoring agency.