**Executive Summary**
This document summarizes the weather forecasting services provided to farmers by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) under the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme. The IMD delivers weather forecasts and advisories through various channels, including mobile apps and social media, to support informed agricultural decision-making. The information was submitted on 4th February 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **GKMS Scheme and Weather Forecasts:**
* IMD provides medium-range weather forecasts for rainfall, temperature, humidity, cloud cover, wind speed, and wind direction at district and block levels for the next five days.
* Weekly rainfall and temperature outlooks are provided at the meteorological sub-division level.
* 130 Agromet Field Units (AMFUs) prepare Agromet Advisories twice a week in English and regional languages.
* **Agromet Advisories:**
* AMFUs prepare advisories based on observed weather information and forecasts for 127 agroclimatic zones.
* Impact-based forecasts (IBFs) and advisories are prepared based on severe weather warnings.
* **Dissemination of Information:**
* Weather forecasts and Agromet Advisories are disseminated via mobile phones, print, electronic media, Doordarshan, internet, and SMS.
* Approximately 6.16 million farmers benefit under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives.
* SMS alerts and warnings are sent during extreme weather events.
* **Technological Integration:**
* Farmers can access location-specific forecasts via mobile apps like 'Meghdoot' and 'Mausam'.
* IMD services are integrated with the IT platforms of 21 State Governments, reaching about 15.6 million farmers.
* **Panchayat-Level Weather Forecasting:**
* IMD, in collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), launched Panchayat-level forecasts.
* Forecasts cover temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind, and cloud conditions.
* Accessible via e-Gramswaraj, Meri Panchayat app, e-Manchitra of MoPR, and Mausamgram.
* Weather information reaches more people through Pashu Sakhis and Krishi Sakhis.
**Impact Analysis**
**Farmers**
* **Impact:** Improved access to timely and localized weather information to aid decision-making in agricultural operations.
* **Action Required:** Utilize available platforms (mobile apps, SMS, websites) to access and interpret weather forecasts and advisories.
**State Governments**
* **Impact:** Integration of IMD services with state IT platforms to enhance outreach to farmers.
* **Action Required:** Maintain and promote state IT platforms for disseminating weather information and continue collaboration with IMD.
**Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR)**
* **Impact:** Collaboration with IMD to provide Panchayat-level weather forecasts to remote areas.
* **Action Required:** Support and promote the use of digital platforms to ensure that farmers can access weather information at the Panchayat level.
**Agromet Field Units (AMFUs)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for preparing and communicating Agromet Advisories tailored to specific agroclimatic zones.
* **Action Required:** Continue to prepare and disseminate timely and relevant Agromet Advisories to farmers based on weather forecasts.
Key Entities Referenced
Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS): A scheme under which the India Meteorological Department (IMD) provides medium-range weather forecasts to farmers.
India Meteorological Department (IMD): The primary agency providing weather forecasts to farmers across all states.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR): Collaborates with the IMD to launch Panchayat-level weather forecasts.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: WEATHER
FORECASTING DATA PROVIDED TO FARMERS
BY INDIAN METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT
Posted On: 04 FEB 2026 3:26PM by PIB Delhi
India Meteorological Department (IMD) is providing weather forecasts to farmers from all the States.
Under the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme, IMD provides medium-range weather forecasts
for rainfall, temperature, relative humidity, cloud cover, wind speed, and wind direction at district and
block levels for the next five days, along with the subsequent week’s rainfall and temperature outlook at
the meteorological sub-division level. In addition based on the observed weather information and
forecasts, 130 Agromet Field Units (AMFUs) operational across 127 agroclimatic zones of the country
prepare Agromet Advisories twice a week (every Tuesday and Friday) in English and regional languages
for their respective districts, and communicate with farmers to help them make appropriate decisions for
day-to-day agricultural operations. Impact-based forecast (IBFs) and appropriate advisories for agriculture
are also being prepared by AMFUs based on the severe weather warnings for different districts of various
States and UTs across the country issued by the National Weather Forecasting Centre (NWFC), New
Delhi, and Regional Meteorolgoical Centeres and State level Meteorological Centres (MCs) of IMD.
Using Social media in Farmer's Welfare
To provide weather updates and early warnings directly to farmers’ mobile phones, weather forecasts and
Agromet Advisories are disseminated through real-time mechanisms or multichannel dissemination
systems, including print and electronic media, Doordarshan, internet, and SMS under Public-Private
Partnership (PPP) initiatives. Under the PPP mode, about 6.16 million farmers are benefiting from
weather forecasts, alerts, and Agromet Advisories. SMS-based alerts and warnings, along with suitable
remedial measures, are being sent during extreme weather events such as cyclones, deep depressions, etc.,
through the Kisan Portal. Technological advancements have further enhanced accessibility, enabling
farmers to receive location-specific forecasts and advisories through mobile apps such as ‘Meghdoot’ and
‘Mausam’, and social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, etc. Additionally, IMD has integrated its
services with the IT platforms of 21 State Governments, and about 15.6 million farmers are accessing
information in English and regional languages on these State Government IT platforms.
To ensure localised relevance and last-mile connectivity of weather updates in remote and vulnerable
regions, IMD, in collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), has recently launched
Panchayat-level weather forecasts covering nearly all Gram Panchayats in India. These forecasts are
accessible through digital platforms such as e-Gramswaraj (https://egramswaraj.gov.in), Meri Panchayat
app, e-Manchitra of MoPR, and Mausamgram of IMD, MoES (https://mausamgram.imd.gov.in). The
main aims and objectives of Gram Panchayat Level Weather Forecasting (GPLWF) are to provide weather
forecasts up to Gram Panchayat Levels, covering critical parameters such as temperature, rainfall,
humidity, wind, and cloud conditions-essential data that farmers need for informed decision-making
regarding sowing, harvesting, and irrigation. The platform is making weather forecast informationaccessible anytime and anywhere at the panchayat level across the country. This weather information
reaches a larger number of people through Pashu Sakhis and Krishi Sakhis under the Ministries of
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development.
This information was submitted by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences Dr.
Jitendra Singh in Loksabha on 4th February 2026.
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