Gramin Krishi Mausam Seva (GKMS) scheme is a flagship program of Govt. of India, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) for weather related services provided to the farmers aiding in decision making on a day-to-day agricultural operations. This scheme is collaboratively undertaken by India Meteorological Department (IMD) & Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Under the scheme 200 District Agromet Unit’s (DAMU’s) have been set up till date throughout India.

Nowadays, with the advancement of observational network and forecasting technology, Agromet Advisory Service (AAS) network is being extended to sub-district/block level by setting up District Agro-Met Units (DAMUs) under the scheme of Gramin Krishi Mausam Seva (GKMS) in the premises of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs) of ICAR & State Universities, through Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes (ATARIs) during the year 2018-19 as per the MOU signed between ICAR and IMD, New Delhi.

Accordingly, the District Agro-Met Unit was established and operational at ICAR-IIHR, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Gonikoppal, Kodagu during May 2019 and the Automatic Weather Station (AWS) was installed and started functioning since 27th March 2021. Since then, the unit has been serving the farming community of Kodagu District by issuing District and Block level Agromet Advisory Services (AAS) in both English and Regional languages, twice a week on every Tuesday and Friday, and special bulletins on extreme weather events when required. The AAS bulletins has information on value added weather forecast data for the next 5 days with crop specific weather advisory messages prepared with the help of KVK Scientists and disseminated to the farming community, which helps the farmers plan their day-to-day Agricultural and Horticultural operations accordingly.This will immensely benefit the farmers by preventing crop losses and in turn double their income and contribute to the growth of Indian Economy.