Kerala to set up automated weather stations in all panchayats

This will help the farmers with timely inputs on weather fluctuations.

news Agriculture

In a farmer-friendly move, the Kerala government has decided to set up automated weather stations in all panchayats.

The objective is to provide timely inputs on weather fluctuations to farmers which may help them to stay prepared to face the variations in atmospheric conditions.

Weather stations are equipped for measuring atmospheric conditions. They will provide information on weather forecasts as well.

Minister for Agriculture V S Sunil Kumar said the government has initiated tender procedures to set up the automated weather stations while replying to a question in the Assembly during Question Hour on Tuesday.

The minister also said that an amount of Rs 10 lakh will be allotted to strengthen the activities of agriculture task forces. The state has more than 1,000 panchayats.

“The state has sought assistance from the Centre of Rs 784.6 crore for taking up drought related relief works.

There was a loss in 1,07, 316,59 acres of land in the farming sector in the state,” he said.

Sunil Kumar also said that price stability has been ensured for paddy, coconut and rubber by fixing floor prices, as per a report in Mathrubhumi Online.

The government has also taken efforts to set up farm facilitation centres in Kannur, Thrissur and Kottayam to promote mechanisation in the farm sector, the minister said.

The Centre in April this year declared Kerala drought-hit with seven other states.

The state received 34% less rain during the southwest monsoon followed by a 62% deficit rainfall during the northeast monsoon. Owing to this, the state had declared all the 14 districts drought hit in October 2016. The government had also declared a moratorium on farming loans.

Kerala is facing the worst drought in 115 years which has adversely impacted the farm sector too.