IMD DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra says more accurate weather forecasting systems are needed for the fishery sector

The Ministry of Meteorology of India stressed the need to strengthen collaborative scientific efforts to develop more accurate weather forecasting systems for the fishery sector, a key export industry that is crucial to food security.

“As rice and wheat production is expected to decline under the pressure of global warming, fisheries may become a crucial backup for food security. Maintaining weather forecasts that are essential for the industry is essential,” IMD errutyunjay Mohapatra introduced ICARINAR Andive fors ICARICAND, iCARIND-ICARANT a ICRACTRARIAND of ICARINGRAINT, fisheries are essential. Bhubaneswar, Tuesday.

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Mr Mohapatra pointed out that the rapid expansion of fishing ponds in coastal states marked a paradigm shift in aquaculture, highlighting that there is increasing attention to the industry.

“Global temperatures rose by an average of 1.15 degrees Celsius in the last century. In the polar regions, this increase was even more pronounced, at 1.53 degrees Celsius, while India’s land warmed up at 0.67 degrees Celsius. As a tropical country, the temperature between the highest and minimum degrees in India is dangerous compared to the extreme atmosphere. Tornados, thunderstorms, hail and hustle and bustle,” he said.

“Fishers are most affected by climate change due to high exposure to these extreme conditions. Just as humans prefer cooler environments, fish breed in cold water. However, as temperatures increase, the availability of cold water is decreasing. This warming trend is decreasing. This warming trend directly affects fish physiology and disrupts their natural regulatory processes,” said IMD DG.

Mr Mohapatra said: “To find colder habitats, fish move away from the coast. Traditionally, fishermen rely on near-shore fishing, IMD provides offshore forecasts up to 75 kilometers. However, with the decline of coastal fish populations, fishermen are now in trouble due to rising temperatures, and are now trapped in deep attack ranges.

“The shift in rainfall patterns is another change in trends. While rainfall and moderate rainfall benefit the fishing community, the frequency of heavy rainfall events is increasing. Excessive rainfall can lead to higher runoff, reduced visibility and greater water turbidity, all of which adversely affect fishing activities.”

Rainy days and moderate rainy days are decreasing, and heavy rainy days are increasing. If it is rain, it is beneficial for the fishing community. On heavy rainy days, it will have more runoff, less visibility and higher turbidity.

IMD DG highlights the ongoing observations and predictions of the fishery sector, “I can guarantee that IMD can give wise predictions for the region and pond population. We can build an automated weather system in pond clusters. It will strengthen decision support systems and ultimately help farmers.”

Sharing on IMD’s experience with regards to agro-meteorological services for farmers, Mr. Mohapatra said, “India has 130 agro-climatic zones, and weather forecasts are developed in collaboration with the ICAR. Over time, the focus shifted from weather-crop relations to weather-pest dynamics, leading to the creation of crop-weather and pest-weather calendars based on historical data from ICAR institutions.”

“As crop interactions develop, regional level agrometeorological services were introduced in 2008, followed by block-level services in 2021. In partnership with Icrisat, IMD further refined its forecasts for block-specific crops. Farmers use these services to gain less-than-large populations in non-invasive Indian countries (rather than rs a rs of rs of ins of rs of ins of ins of ins of ins of ins of ins of ins of ins of ins of ins of ins of. Go out.

“In addition to various mobile applications for weather forecasting, we have created a WhatsApp group to enhance outreach activities. Our goal is to connect at least five directly with IMD to five villagers to ensure a deeper penetration of agrometeorological services. We are spreading the update of weather through the mouth, and our goal is to reach every farmer,” IMD DG said.

He further said: “We also spread weather information to Sarpanchs, Ward members and Panchayat Secretary through the Panchayati Raj ministry. They are updated in the local language to ensure accessibility and effective communication.”

CIFA Director PK Sahoo considered important achievements in innovative technologies such as smart ponds, biospat fish health systems, and portable hatcheries for Scampi and Pabda. Tej Pratap, Vice President of Sri Sri University, Cuttack, Sujay Rakshit, Director of the Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ranchi, Ranchi and Arjamdutta Sarangi, Director of the Indian Institute of Water Management, Bhubaneswar also published this time.