Importance of weather prediction for sustainable agriculture in Bihar, India

Abstract

The current study deals with the climate variability leads to economic and food security risks in Bihar state of India and rest of other part also due to its significant influences on agriculture. In the Bihar state, where agriculture is underachieve because of monsoon dependence and out of the 100 percent only 30 percent is fed by canal water. Climate is changing and its effects on agriculture are uncertain, and to get maximize output and to improving their livelihood within the major constraint, there is need for accurate weather forecast and information. Due to this the dependency of the agriculture sector on monsoon correlates accurate weather forecasts with high demand. The key factor in all agriculture policy is the weather forecasting information which involves enhancing farm risk management. The analysis showed that a 75% accuracy of agro-meteorological infor-mation is necessary for the agro-meteorological information to be worthwhile. However, challenges are there to the uncertainty of climate forecasts and to the complexities of agricultural systems. If better predictions of climate were available three to six months ahead of time, it may be possible to modify decisions to decrease unwanted impacts and to take advantage of expected favourable conditions. Also farmer is better geared to decide about his choice on crop management including appropriate time for sowing, wedding, and harvesting and fertiliser application.