Crop Modeling for better Agro Advisories D. Raji Reddy and K.M. Dakshina Murthy

1. Crop Modeling for better Agro Advisories D. Raji Reddy and K.M. Dakshina Murthy Agro Climate Research Center, Agricultural Research Institute Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad - 30 ’

2. Introduction • Agro-meteorological information helps the farmer to make the most efficient use of natural resources • Important to supply agro-meteorological information blended with weather sensitive management • Climate uncertainty and variability –needs to inform the farming community through agro advisories on real time basis

3. NGOs Farmers club

4. Increasing demand for crop model use • Complement field experiments and historical yield data • Provide excellent information on how crops react to climate change and climate variability • Provide input to economic models for impact assessment, food security, policy analyses

5. Combine with regional / global climate models • Combine with hydrological models • Determine best management practices for economic and environmental decision making

6. Indian sub continent • 1.1 billion people • 2,39,491 Panchayats and 600,000 Villages • 70% population rural • Diversity – language, culture, religion • Diversified farming and cropping systems • Difficult to reach each Panchayats individually • How to reach the farmers effectively ?????? • - “ICT-based advisory services”

7. The Indian smartphone market in 2009 is estimated at 2.1 million pieces • Penetration of smartphones is estimated to have grown from 1% at end 2009 to over 4% by Nov 2010 • (source : The Economic Times) • Can effectively used for dissemination of advisories

8. Weather forecast by India Meteorological Department crop related information received from Satellite (RS &GIS) Crop models Analysis and generation of crop specific Agro Advisories by experts Ground tooth information Delivery of Agro Advisories to Stakeholders and farmers Mass media SMS/ MMS advisories web email

9. Few experiences

10. Bulletins based on farming situations • Bulletins were issued keeping in view the farming situation in • mind instead of regular crop advises. Separate advisories were • issued for rainfed cotton and irrigated cotton grown under • different soils • Cotton • Red and black soils- rainfed • By taking advantage of recent rains, farmers can go for • application of 30-35 kg urea and 10 kg Muraite of Potash at 40, • 60 and 80 days after sowing. • Frequent intercultivation operations may be done to control • weeds and water conservation. • Red and black soils with limited irrigation • By taking advantage of recent rains, farmers can go for • application of 30-35 kg urea and 10 kg Muraite of Potash at 40, • 60 and 80 days after sowing. End result: More clarity, effective and advantageous

11. Simulated grain yield of maize using CERES- Maize under different climate risk adaptation strategies at Ippalapalli in Mahabubnagar district

12. Strategic irrigation: a current and future climate adaptation to secure cotton yields in Gorita, AP India • Gorita, Andhra Pradesh, India (16.63oN, 78.16oE) • Irrigation treatment: 50mm was applied at 50% PAWC with at least 14 days between irrigations and a maximum of 3 irrigations per season • Climate scenarios • Historical (1978-2008) • ECHAM5 (2021-2040) • GFDLCM21 (2021-2040)

13. Gorita Rice Yields - Historical and Future • Gorita, Andhra Pradesh, India (16.63oN, 78.16oE) • ANGRAU practices: Best conventional practice as recommended by Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) • Climate scenarios • Historical (1978-2008) • ECHAM5 (2021-2040) • GFDLCM21 (2021-2040)

14. Agro Climate Research Center Team Dr. D. Raji Reddy, PhD Director Dr. K.M. Dakshina Murthy , PhD Scientist (Agronomy) Dr. R. Sunitha Devi, PhD Scientist (Entomology) Dr SG. Mahadevappa Scientist (Agronomy) Thank you Contact UsPhone: +91 4024016901 Email: dandareddy009@gmail.com Web: www.angrau.ac.in ANGRAU