Economic Impact Assessment of Micro-level Agromet Advisory Services: Evidence from NICRA-AICRPAM Farmers in Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

Farmers need to be made aware of weather contingencies and harmful weather occurrences or extreme weather events viz.,drought, flood, intense cyclones and heat waves which occur quite often. A significant restriction for successful farm planning operations is observed due to the lack of reliable and timely agrometeorological advice. The study was conducted to assess economic impact in AICRP on Agrometeorology- National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA-AICRPAM) project in Mahasamund district and other domain districts of Chhattisgarh like Bemetara, Koriya and Kanker (Chhattisgarh state)sponsored by CRIDA (ICAR), Hyderabad. Project has been implemented in Department of Agrometeorology, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, (C.G.) since 2011. AICRPAM-NICRA has started the Micro-level Agromet Advisory Service (MAAS) cooperative centers across the country. Micro-level advisory based on weather forecast is the newer dimension of the AAS in the country. NICRA Advisories are displayed on white boards in domain villages for having a look by farmers. These messages were also disseminated through Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare m-kisan portal. Studies on economic impact of these micro-level advisories have been conducted recently across the country. Therefore, the present study was conducted using the field survey to assess the farmer’s perception and economic impact of micro-level AAS. Specific methodology included household surveys of 1400 farmers across four domain districts of NICRA-AICRPAM. The study was carried over7-year during the period 2012-2018 retrospective for districts. Viz., Mahasamund, Kanker, Bemetara and Koriya. To maintain the authenticity of information, only information collected by Field Information Facilitators or KVK personnels was used in the study. The study highlights that in addition to cost savings, these advisories assist in operational farm management and planning farming activities, These advisories have immense value in particularly amidst climate variability in rainfed regions. Results of economic impact revealed that the total benefit in 7 years by 1400 farmers who followed MAAS are found to be Rs. 4.829 crore. Success rate of block level forecast was found 65.4% and crop specific yield improvements for crops like paddy, wheat and gram were found 14-30%.