The 3 days National Level Seventh Annual Review Meeting (ARM) focused on Gramin Krishi Mausam Seva (GKMS) concluded on 22 November 2013 in the premises of Rajasthan College of Agriculture under organizational leadership of Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology (MPUAT), Udaipur.

Dr. N. Chattopadhyay addressing the valedictory ceremony

The 7^th ARM sponsored by India Meteorological Department, New Delhi was attended by 200 distinguished Scientists from different States and Union Territories of India, represented by various organizations- IMD, IIT, IIIT, IITM, IKSL, WOTR, RML Global, ITC Ltd., ICAR, IARI, CIFE, INCOIS, CRIDA, IFFCO, CABI, SAU’s, District and Regional Meteorological Centers.

The organizing Secretary of the event Dr. S. K. Sharma communicated that the Inaugural Session was chaired by Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, MPUAT, Prof. O. P. Gill and Director General, IMD, New Delhi Dr. L. S. Rathore was the Chief Guest. Dr. N. Chattopadhyay, DDG, IMD, Pune and Dr. K. K. Singh, Head, Agromet Services IMD, New Delhi were also present and address the august gathering.

Dr. L. S. Rathore stressed upon value addition of AAS Services and stated that these service shortly be extended to the block level through KVK’s.

Dr. S. K. Sharma addressing the valedictory ceremony

Prof. O. P. Gill appraised the timely focused and AAS for meeting the challenges at farmer’s level. These services have benefited the Indian Agriculture for a value of 50,000 to 2,11,000 crorers as the study revealed by the National Council of Applied Economic Research.

In the 3 days technical deliberation of 7^th ARM the experts of IMD and Scientists of all 130 AMFU’s discussed on Progress Report, Issues and Road Map to strengthen the future activities and also highlighted their specific achievements which are worth transferable to the end users.

Dr. P. L. Maliwal,addressing the valedictory ceremony

The valedictory session held on 22 November 2013 chaired by Dr. P. L. Maliwal, Director Research, MPUAT, conveyed to strengthen the linkage, value addition in AAS Services and stressed to increase the role of KVK Scientists in deal. Dr. N. Chattopadhyay, DDG, IMD and Dr K.K.Singh, Head (Agromet) IMD New Delhi and Dr. S. K. Sharma, Organising Secretary of the 7^th ARM also shared the session as panelist during the valedictory session.

The following recommendations have been released after thorough discussion between the panelists.

1. Linkages with line departments at State level needs to be strengthened to improve the AAS activities

2. Database shall be prepared for weather, climate, crop, contact details of farmers and other related information for developing block level agromet advisories.

3. Research and development component needs to be enhanced.

4. Strengthen state level activities – review, capacity building with the participation of PNOs / NOs / TOs, ATMA/ KVK etc

5. All the SAMCs will give their full efforts to improve the weather forecast through value addition with proper training for achieving desirable accuracy.

6. Stress on improvement in value addition technique and quality of forecast in the. Northeastern region of the country.

7. Block level advisories will be started at selected KVKs through establishment of DAMU during first phase.

8. AMFU will start using eAgromet with capacity building for preparation of agromet advisories.

9. AMFUs will identify new sectors and issue agromet advisories. As the information on wind data and wave details are extremely useful for the fishermen, dissemination of the same through SMS will be started by the RMCs / MCs for coastal areas.

10. Dissemination of agromet advisories through Kisaan portal needs to be increased and also to be crop specific.

11. AMFUs will take initiative to fill up the vacant posts of Technical Officers immediately for smooth functioning of the unit.

12. AMFUs will take initiative to popularize the ‘FAQ’ service during Farmers’ Awareness Programme, participation in Kisan Melas, field demonstration etc.

13. Advisories on animal husbandry and inland fisheries should be weather based at the earliest.

14. All the AMFUs will collect the contact details of the DAOs, BDOs, and other officers for dissemination of advisories during extreme weather situation.