Climate-smart agriculture: The role of agromet advisories in promoting sustainable farming in NICRA villages of Chhatarpur district

A study was undertaken in June 2023 to evaluate the effectiveness of Agrometeorological Advisory Services (AAS) in enhancing groundnut crop productivity under the DAMU project at KVK, Chhatarpur, within the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) villages of Chaukhda and Singrawankala. Two farmer groups were considered: one that consistently followed agromet advisories (AAS farmers) and another that was unaware of these services (non-AAS farmers). The research involved 100 farmers, with 50 receiving AAS during the Kharif season. These advisories, issued biweekly, were diligently implemented by the AAS group. The findings revealed that AAS farmers achieved significantly higher net returns compared to non-AAS farmers. This increase was attributed to the timely execution of agricultural operations, accurate rainfall predictions, recommended fertilizer applications, efficient irrigation scheduling, and effective crop protection measures provided through the advisories. The AAS group also experienced reduced input costs and improved yields due to strategic resource utilization and real-time weather insights. This research highlights the critical role of weather-based agrometeorological advisories in addressing climate variability, minimizing agricultural risks, and fostering sustainable farming practices. These services empower farmers in NICRA villages to optimize crop management, thereby enhancing profitability and resilience in agriculture.