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 ’

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 Introduction

NGOs Farmers club

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 Increasing demand for crop model use

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

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” Indian sub continent

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

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

Few experiences

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 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 kg urea and 10 kg Muraite of Potash at 40, 60 and 80 days after sowing. End result: More clarity, effective and advantageous

Date of sowing / risk management option Grain yield (kg/ha) % Dev. over rainfed 26 June- Rainfed June - Nitrogen top dressing + Supplemental irrigation at floral initiation Simulated grain yield of maize using CERES- Maize under different climate risk adaptation strategies at Ippalapalli in Mahabubnagar district

S TRATEGIC IRRIGATION : A CURRENT AND FUTURE CLIMATE ADAPTATION TO SECURE COTTON YIELDS IN G ORITA, AP I NDIA Gorita, Andhra Pradesh, India (16.63 o N, o E) 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 ( ) – ECHAM5 ( ) – GFDLCM21 ( )

G ORITA R ICE Y IELDS - H ISTORICAL AND F UTURE Gorita, Andhra Pradesh, India (16.63 o N, o E) ANGRAU practices: Best conventional practice as recommended by Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) Climate scenarios – Historical ( ) – ECHAM5 ( ) – GFDLCM21 ( )

T HANK YOU 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) Contact Us Phone: Web: ANGRAU