Department of Agricultural Metereology

The Department of Agricultural Meteorology is a statutory department and established in 1988.  Two-year - postgraduate Programme “M.Sc. (Ag.) in Agricultural Meteorology” was commenced during the academic year 1994-95 with an intake capacity of two students, including one reserved for ICAR.  So far, seven students were awarded the PG Degree from this department.  All of them obtained NET, conducted by the ICAR. Two Ph.D. students are on roll in the field of Agricultural Meteorology in collaboration with CUSAT. Research projects viz., AICRP on Agrometeorology (ICAR), Agroadvisory Services based on Medium Range Weather Forecasting (MoES, Govt of India) and a research scheme from the State Planning Board (Govt of Kerala) are ongoing in this department. Research funding was also obtained from Private Industries like M/s. Marico Industries (Pvt.) Ltd., Bombay and M/s. Aspinwall and Company, Mangalore. The department in collaboration with IMD, Pune has taken up a separate project on soil moisture observations. The agrometerological station attached to the department is under the supervision of IMD on cooperative basis. Two PG students are supported with fellowship under externally aided projects in this department. A textbook entitled ‘Agricultural Meteorology’ is written and published for the benefit of students / teachers / researchers. Another textbook in Agricultural Meteorology is edited from the department and published by the ICAR. Many research articles have been published in various aspects in the field of Agricultural Meteorology. Several national symposia/workshop were also organized in the field of Agricultural Meteorology. Weekly agroadvisory based on weather forecasting is disseminated regularly to the selected farmers and they appear in print and e-media for the benefit of the farming community of this region.

Education

The department offers fifteen courses, having a total of 42 credits for the B.Sc.(Ag.), B.Sc. (For.), MSc.(Ag.) in Agricultural Meteorology, and Ph. D programmes of allied departments.