Hyderabad: Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao launched the Telangana weather advisory programme to provide farmers with timely weather information and scientific agricultural guidance across the state.
The Agriculture Department is implementing the Telangana weather advisory programme in collaboration with Development Innovation Lab India and Evidence Action. During the launch at the State Secretariat on Saturday, the organisations signed a memorandum of understanding for the initiative.
Evidence Action Country Director Ankur Gaur joined the event virtually from New Delhi. He explained the organisation’s artificial intelligence-based services for farmers and said the programme would benefit lakhs of farmers in Telangana.
Speaking on the occasion, Tummala Nageswara Rao said climate variability has become a major challenge for agriculture. Therefore, providing accurate and timely weather information to farmers is essential.
The minister said the Telangana weather advisory programme will send mandal-wise information on rainfall, temperature, weather conditions and crop advisories through WhatsApp.
He added that AI-based forecasts would help farmers make informed cultivation decisions. As a result, farmers could reduce crop losses and improve productivity. The programme will also support income growth and climate-resilient farming practices.
Telangana weather advisory programme to reach 15 lakh farmers
During the event, the minister sent the first weather advisory message to farmers through WhatsApp. The message covered the upcoming monsoon season and rainfall conditions.
Tummala Nageswara Rao also suggested expanding the platform. He asked officials to develop voice-based features that would allow farmers to ask questions and receive responses on weather and agriculture-related issues.
The minister further recommended extending the service from the mandal level to the village level through additional technological upgrades.
Agriculture Secretary K. Surendra Mohan said Telangana remains a national leader in adopting modern technology. He added that the initiative aligns with the Telangana Rising-2047 vision and will strengthen sustainable agricultural development.
According to the secretary, the AI-powered system can provide accurate and timely information on changing weather patterns, including conditions associated with El Niño.
He said the programme will deliver WhatsApp-based advisories to nearly 15 lakh farmers across 304 mandals in 17 districts who have registered their mobile numbers under the Rythu Bharosa database.
Agriculture Director B. Gopi, Cooperation Department Special Director Rahul Raj and representatives from partner organisations attended the programme.