Monsoon Forecasting with AI Empowers Farmers

An AI-based project initiated by the ministry of Agriculture and farmers welfare (MoAFW) has been done to undergoing forecasts of early monsoon to Indian farmers. By 2025, almost 3.8 crores of farmers in 13 states had been given predictions through SMS in the m-Kisan app up to four weeks ahead of time, so that they could plan their choice of crops, sowing, and utilization of resources.

AI in Weather Prediction

• AI has contributed to improvement of forecasts since 2022.
• Models employed: Neural GCM employed by Google and AIFS used by ECMWF, are doing better than conventional forecasts.
• Capable of forecasting the appearance of local monsoons and rain breaks with increased accuracy.

Dissemination to Farmers

• The farmers were updated with simple language SMS on a weekly basis.
• Risks consisted of a 20-day monsoon pause in 2025.
• Farmer groups were tested on the clarness and applicability of the messages.

Benefits for Kharif Farming

• Early predictions saved the risks of crop failures and enhanced stability of income.
• Increased ability to withstand climatic changes.
• Ensured sustainable agriculture through integrating technology with customary knowledge.

Future Plans

• MoAFW will also grow and develop AI models more.
• Objective is to improve accuracy, coverage and communication with farmers.
• Provides a precedent of AI applications to agricultural policy and resilience to rural area.

Conclusion:
AI-guided monsoon forecasting has been the world leader in focused weather prediction in agriculture. It is a source of empowerment of millions of Indian farmers, and mitigates climatic hazards, and enhances livelihoods.