Date:16/03/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/03/16/stories/2004031603410500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Scientists review outcome of climatic predictions

By Our Staff Reporter

KURNOOL, MARCH 15. Scientists from the Regional Agriculture Research Station, Nandyal, and ICRISAT reviewed the outcome of the advanced seasonal climatic predictions at a meeting in Nandyal on Monday.

The RARS and the ICRISAT jointly undertook the project by selecting three villages in Kurnool and two in Anantapur. Ten farmers were selected in each village. Under the project, the scientists predicted the rainfall taking into consideration the scientific data available and advised farmers to take up cropping pattern accordingly. The farmers were advised to sow long duration crops if the rainfall was spread over four months of the monsoon. In case of low rainfall and prolonged dry spells, short duration crops were taken up.

Last year, the project was implemented in Balapanur, U. Bollavaram and Orvakal of Kurnool district, Nusikottala and west Narsapur in Anantapur district. The scientists observed that the rainfall was on predicted lines in July and August while the dry spells were longer than predicted in September and October. Scientists who were associated with the project included T. Giridhar Krishna, senior scientist, RARS, Nandyal, Piara Singh, ICRISAT, S.K. Krishnaiah, Agromet, Anantapur, Nageswara Rao, START-ICRISAT.

The Associate Director of Nandyal station, M.R. Srinivasulu, presided over the meeting. The scientists felt that the narrow grid should be selected for prediction of climatic conditions. At present, Kurnool was considered the grid for predictions. Last year, the project officials considered the data of sea surface temperatures recorded by the International Climate Research Station, New York. Instead, the data recorded by the Australian station would be more relevant for predictions for India and would help reduce the variability. Farmers who were covered by the project were also present.