Evaluation of Agrometeorological Advisory Services for Paddy Farmers
Ramanand Patel
Regional Research Station, GKMS AMFU, Agwanpur Saharsa, Bihar, 852201, India.
Vikas Kumar *
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.
A. L. Yadav
ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.
Sudhir Kumar Rawat
KVK, Aligarh, UP, 208002, India.
Arvind Kumar
KVK, Hapur, UP, 245101, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Agrometeorological Advisory Services (AAS) play a crucial role in reducing weather-related risks in climate-sensitive crops such as paddy. This study statistically evaluates the effectiveness of AAS among 1,980 paddy farmers in Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh during the Kharif season of 2022. Stage-wise farmer responses were analyzed across ten crop growth stages using descriptive statistics, chi-square (χ²) tests, and composite index construction. The analysis reveals high adoption rates (76–88%), strong perceived relevance, and high satisfaction levels (>70%) across most stages. Chi-square results indicate a statistically significant association between crop growth stages and both advisory relevance and farmer satisfaction (p < 0.01). An Advisory Effectiveness Index further confirms maximum effectiveness during tillering, panicle initiation, and maturity stages. The findings underscore the importance of timely, stage-specific, and action-oriented advisories for enhancing climate resilience in rice production systems.
Keywords: Agrometeorological advisory services, paddy, farmer response, advisory effectiveness index, Bulandshahr