DR Vaghasiya¹ , JB Gajera² *, UB Parmar³ and PK Chovatia⁴

¹ Assistant Professor, Agrometeorology Cell, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat), India
² Research Associate (GKMS), (AMFU-IMD), Agrometeorology Cell, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat), India
³ Agromet Observer (GKMS), (AMFU-IMD), Agrometeorology Cell, Department of Agronomy, College of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat), India
⁴ Professor and Head, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat), India

*Corresponding Author: JB Gajera, Research Associate (GKMS), (AMFU-IMD), Agrometeorology Cell, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh (Gujarat), India

Received: January 22, 2026; Published: February 13, 2026

Abstract

Indian agriculture, dominated by smallholder farmers and highly dependent on monsoon rainfall, is increasingly exposed to climate variability and extreme weather events. The Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) programme was established to translate weather forecasts into actionable farm advisories and thereby reduce climate-related risks in agriculture. This review synthesizes evidence from programme reports, peer-reviewed studies, and documented case experiences to assess the institutional evolution, operational framework, digital innovations, and field-level impacts of GKMS in India. The review indicates that the use of weather- based advisories under GKMS has contributed to yield improvements of about 10–15 percent in major crops, reduction in weather- induced losses by approximately 15–25 percent, and improved efficiency of water and fertilizer use by 15–20 percent in several regions. Digital dissemination platforms, particularly mobile-based advisory services, have substantially expanded outreach and timeliness of information delivery. Case evidence from semi-arid regions demonstrates improved decision-making in sowing, irrigation scheduling, and pest management, leading to enhanced farm resilience. Despite these gains, challenges remain in the form of digital access gaps, uneven forecast accuracy in complex terrains, and limitations in last-mile communication. The review concludes that strengthening hyper-local forecasting, improving institutional coordination, and enhancing inclusion of small and marginal farmers are critical for maximizing the effectiveness of GKMS as a national climate service for agriculture.

Keywords: Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa; Agrometeorological Advisories; Climate-Smart Agriculture; Meghdoot App; Smallholder Resilience and Digital Agriculture Tools; Indian Farming

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Citation

Citation: JB Gajera.,et al. “Weather-Based Advisory Services for Climate-Resilient Smallholder Farming in India: A Review of the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) Framework". Acta Scientific Agriculture 10.3 (2026): 03-12.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2026 JB Gajera.,et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.