In India, farming depends a lot on the weather. If it rains too much or too little, crops get damaged. If there is a storm or heatwave, farmers suffer. To reduce these risks, the Government of India started a service called Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS).

This article will explain GKMS in simple words — what it is, how it helps farmers, who runs it, and how to use it. You don’t need to be a scientist or expert to understand this. If you are a farmer, this information can help you plan better and save your crops.

🌤️ What is Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS)?

Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) is a special weather-based advisory service for farmers. It gives accurate and location-specific weather forecasts along with crop advice. These forecasts are provided twice a week to help farmers make smart decisions.

The service is run by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) along with agricultural universities and other research centers. GKMS aims to reduce weather-related crop losses and help farmers manage their farms better.

🎯 Objectives of GKMS

The main aim of GKMS is to help farmers know the weather in advance and take action to protect their crops and animals.

Here are the simple goals of GKMS:

  • Give accurate weather forecasts to farmers.

  • Offer crop-specific advice based on weather conditions.

  • Help farmers plan sowing, irrigation, pesticide use, and harvesting.

  • Reduce the impact of droughts, floods, storms, and heat.

  • Increase awareness about climate-smart farming.

  • Use modern tools like SMS, mobile apps, TV, radio, and local meetings to reach farmers.

📦 What Kind of Information Does GKMS Give?

GKMS provides both weather data and agriculture advice. It’s not just about whether it will rain. It tells farmers what to do depending on the weather.

1. Weather Forecasts (5-Day)

Every Tuesday and Friday, farmers get a 5-day weather forecast, which includes:

  • Rainfall chances

  • Temperature (maximum and minimum)

  • Wind speed and direction

  • Cloud cover

  • Humidity levels

2. Agro-Advisory Bulletins

Based on the forecast, GKMS sends crop-specific advice. For example:

  • Whether to irrigate or skip watering.

  • When to spray pesticides.

  • When to harvest or store grains.

  • What to do in case of drought or excess rain.

  • How to protect livestock in extreme heat or cold.

🌾 Who Can Use GKMS?

Any farmer, farm worker, agri-entrepreneur, FPO, or even rural student can use GKMS. It is meant for all Indian farmers, especially those in villages and remote areas.

The service is most useful for:

  • Small and marginal farmers

  • Farmers who rely on rain-fed agriculture

  • Farmers growing sensitive crops like vegetables, fruits, or flowers

  • Livestock owners and dairy farmers

  • Anyone who wants to reduce weather risks in farming

🧑‍🌾 How is GKMS Information Sent to Farmers?

GKMS uses many ways to reach farmers. The goal is to make sure every farmer gets the message in a form they can understand.

1. SMS Services

Farmers get weather and crop tips via SMS in local language on their mobile phones. This is one of the most popular methods.

2. Mobile Apps

The IMD and agricultural universities have apps like:

  • Meghdoot App – for weather and advisory information

  • Damini App – for lightning alerts

3. Radio and TV

All India Radio, community radios, and regional TV channels air GKMS bulletins.

4. Local Newspapers and Notice Boards

Some advisories are published in local language newspapers or pasted at Panchayat Bhavans, Krishi Kendras, and mandis.

5. Village-Level Meetings

Agriculture officers and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) hold meetings to explain the forecast and advise farmers face-to-face.

🧪 Who Creates These Advisories?

GKMS is a team effort. Many organizations work together to run this mission:

  • India Meteorological Department (IMD) provides weather data.

  • State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) help create crop-wise advice.

  • ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) supports research.

  • Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) explain these advisories to farmers in villages.

There are more than 130 Agro-Meteorological Field Units (AMFUs) across India that develop local-level bulletins.

📈 Benefits of GKMS for Farmers

GKMS is not just about giving data. It helps change how farmers work and make better decisions. Here are some major benefits:

1. Better Planning

Farmers can decide when to sow, irrigate, or harvest based on the forecast.

2. Reduced Crop Losses

Knowing about rainfall or storms in advance helps farmers take protective actions.

3. Lower Input Costs

By avoiding unnecessary irrigation or pesticide use, farmers can save money.

4. Higher Yields

Timely advice helps improve crop health and production.

5. Livestock Protection

Special alerts for heatwaves or cold waves help farmers protect animals.

📊 Real Impact of GKMS in India

GKMS has reached over 4 crore farmers through SMS and other platforms. Many states have reported good results:

In Maharashtra:

Farmers growing onions and grapes have used GKMS to avoid rainfall during harvest and improve quality.

In Odisha:

Farmers avoided losses by delaying paddy sowing during a cyclone warning based on GKMS alerts.

In Punjab:

Wheat farmers used GKMS data to avoid late irrigation, saving both water and power.

In Rajasthan:

Cattle herders used GKMS temperature alerts to protect animals during heatwaves.

The service is now growing fast, and many more farmers are joining every month.

📲 How Can a Farmer Start Using GKMS?

It’s very easy to start receiving GKMS advisories. Here are the steps:

Option 1: Through KVK or Agriculture Office

  1. Visit the nearest Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.

  2. Share your mobile number, name, village, and crops grown.

  3. You will start getting SMS advisories regularly.

Option 2: Download the Meghdoot App

  1. Go to the Google Play Store.

  2. Search for Meghdoot App.

  3. Install and enter your location and crop details.

  4. Start receiving daily forecasts and suggestions.

Option 3: Join Farmer WhatsApp Groups

Some districts have WhatsApp groups run by agriculture officers to share weather updates and videos.

🔮 Future Plans for GKMS

The government plans to expand GKMS to reach all 14 crore Indian farmers. Some of the future improvements include:

  • Block-level forecasts for more local accuracy

  • Use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve advice

  • Linking with crop insurance schemes

  • More regional language content and voice alerts

  • Weather kiosks at Panchayat Bhavans and Common Service Centers (CSCs)

🏁 Conclusion

Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa is a game changer for Indian farmers. With timely weather updates and clear advice, it helps reduce uncertainty in farming. It is free, easy to use, and available in local languages.

If you are a farmer or know one, make sure to spread the word. One small SMS or app alert can save a whole season of effort.

Weather will always change. But with GKMS, our farmers can stay one step ahead.

Read about National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) - here​

Got more questions related to Indian government processes and schemes? Ask Jaankaar Bharat below