NATIONAL NATIONAL AGROMET AGROMET CENTRECENTRE

Pakistan Meteorological Pakistan Meteorological Department Islamabad, Department Islamabad,

PakistanPakistan

OverviewOverview• Establishment of Agromet network under National Agromet Establishment of Agromet network under National Agromet

Centre (NAMC) at Islamabad in 1988.Centre (NAMC) at Islamabad in 1988.• Initially the network was based on 13 observatories including 4 Initially the network was based on 13 observatories including 4

Regional Agromet Centers (RAMCs). Regional Agromet Centers (RAMCs). • Presently over thirty Agromet observatories including five Presently over thirty Agromet observatories including five

RAMCs.RAMCs.• The Agromet network covers the maximum agricultural The Agromet network covers the maximum agricultural

plains/areas of Pakistan.plains/areas of Pakistan.• A number of meteorological as well as agricultural based data is A number of meteorological as well as agricultural based data is

being taken directly or calculated, for parameters like; air being taken directly or calculated, for parameters like; air temperature, earth surface temperature, soil temperature, temperature, earth surface temperature, soil temperature, rainfall, air humidity, sunshine duration, dew duration, cloud rainfall, air humidity, sunshine duration, dew duration, cloud cover, evaporation, evapotranspiration (ETo), general weather cover, evaporation, evapotranspiration (ETo), general weather pattern, crop condition report including phenological report pattern, crop condition report including phenological report etc.etc.

• Short agromet trainings and refresher courses were repeatedly Short agromet trainings and refresher courses were repeatedly arranged at NAMC, Islamabad for the officers as well as the arranged at NAMC, Islamabad for the officers as well as the staff working at RAMCs and agromet observatories. The last staff working at RAMCs and agromet observatories. The last one was conducted in November, 2010.one was conducted in November, 2010.

• Computerized compilation of Agromet dataComputerized compilation of Agromet data• Data scrutiny Data scrutiny • Sell data to different organizations/ multinational companiesSell data to different organizations/ multinational companies• Provision of met data, free of cost to researchersProvision of met data, free of cost to researchers• Compilation of crop reportsCompilation of crop reports• Employ different FAO’s recommended agro softwares/applications like Employ different FAO’s recommended agro softwares/applications like

ETo calculator, Budget, DSSAT & CropWat etc for current and future ETo calculator, Budget, DSSAT & CropWat etc for current and future prospective. prospective.

• Administrate and Facilitate the activities at Agromet stations across the Administrate and Facilitate the activities at Agromet stations across the country. country.

• Communicate to agriculture institute and supply information on the Communicate to agriculture institute and supply information on the weekly, decadal and monthly basis in the form of Agromet bulletin.weekly, decadal and monthly basis in the form of Agromet bulletin.

An Overview of Working at An Overview of Working at NAMCNAMC

Pakistan Pakistan Topographical OutlookTopographical Outlook

Agriculture in PakistanAgriculture in Pakistan

Meteorological Observational Meteorological Observational Network (PMD)Network (PMD)

AGROMET NETWORK IN AGROMET NETWORK IN PAKISTANPAKISTAN

•Rawalpindi•Faisalabad•Tandojam•Quetta•Usta Muhammad

National Agromet Centre (Islamabad)

Regional Agromet Centers

AGROMET NETWORK IN PAKISTAN

Pictures from a Pictures from a Regional Agromet Centre,Regional Agromet Centre, TandojamTandojam

(located in southern (located in southern Sindh)Sindh)

Regional Agromet Centre, Tandojam

(southern Sindh)

Regional Agromet Centre, Tandojam

(southern Sindh)

Functions at NAMCFunctions at NAMC• The functions of NAMC include management of the The functions of NAMC include management of the

agrometeorological station network, data processing agrometeorological station network, data processing and its publication, weather-based crop yield and and its publication, weather-based crop yield and production estimates for central planning and food production estimates for central planning and food production strategies for agrometeorological production strategies for agrometeorological advisory, research etc.advisory, research etc.

• The centre is mainly responsible to develop coordination and liaison The centre is mainly responsible to develop coordination and liaison with national authorities of agriculture and water sector to achieve with national authorities of agriculture and water sector to achieve best result from collaboration research and operational work.best result from collaboration research and operational work.

• Establishment of agrometeorological data base for different Establishment of agrometeorological data base for different agroclimatic zones of Pakistan. Agromet computer data processing agroclimatic zones of Pakistan. Agromet computer data processing for different Agromet activities is an additional duty of this centre.for different Agromet activities is an additional duty of this centre.

• NAMC shares the research responsibilities on national level. NAMC shares the research responsibilities on national level. Progressive work on water requirement of major crops, crop and Progressive work on water requirement of major crops, crop and animal diseases and analysis for climatic soil moisture stress animal diseases and analysis for climatic soil moisture stress conditions is an integral part of research at this centre.conditions is an integral part of research at this centre.

Contribution in National Service Contribution in National Service • Monthly and decadal (10 days) Agromet bulletins.Monthly and decadal (10 days) Agromet bulletins.• Decadal crop condition reports for major agricultural plains Decadal crop condition reports for major agricultural plains

of the country.of the country.• Climatic outlook for temperature, precipitation and soil Climatic outlook for temperature, precipitation and soil

moisture.moisture.• Outlook for seasonal precipitation and ETo.Outlook for seasonal precipitation and ETo.• Weather and Crop DevelopmentWeather and Crop Development ReportsReports for some important for some important

cultivars.cultivars.• Crop vegetation index on decadal basis.Crop vegetation index on decadal basis.• Farmer’s forecasts.Farmer’s forecasts.• Provision of Farmer’s forecasts through provincial Provision of Farmer’s forecasts through provincial

agriculture periodicals. agriculture periodicals. • Agromet advisories on monthly, fortnightly as well as Agromet advisories on monthly, fortnightly as well as

decadal basis.decadal basis.

Monthly Agromet bulletin of Monthly Agromet bulletin of Pakistan Pakistan (An important periodical from (An important periodical from

NAMC)NAMC)

Main featuresMain features Moisture Regime during preceding month. Moisture Regime during preceding month. Temperature Regime during preceding month. Temperature Regime during preceding month. Solar Radiations and Wind Regime during preceding Solar Radiations and Wind Regime during preceding

month. month. Expected Weather conditions during next month Expected Weather conditions during next month

(including (including Percentage probability of occurrence of Percentage probability of occurrence of different amount of rainfall) different amount of rainfall)

Monthly and Cumulative probabilities of Precipitation Monthly and Cumulative probabilities of Precipitation (mm). (mm).

Monthly and Cumulative Evapotranspiration (ETo) graph. Monthly and Cumulative Evapotranspiration (ETo) graph. Weather Summary and Crop Report.Weather Summary and Crop Report. Suggestions and recommendation for farmers in national Suggestions and recommendation for farmers in national

language.language.

ETo ETo CalculatorCalculator

Meteorological data and ETo:

The button gives access to the Data and ETo menu, where the data description and meteorological data can be updated, specified and plotted, and where results can be exported;

Update/Display Data Limits:

The button gives access to the Meteorological data limits menu, where the lower and upper limits for the data can be altered.

Utilization of BudgetUtilization of Budget

Observational work at Agromet Observational work at Agromet ObservatoriesObservatories

(Observation taken at 0300, 0900 & 1200 (Observation taken at 0300, 0900 & 1200 UTC)UTC)

• Rainfall Rainfall • Air Temperatures Air Temperatures (Minimum, Maximum & Mean)(Minimum, Maximum & Mean)• Soil Temperatures (at 5, 10, 20, 30, 50 & 100 cm Soil Temperatures (at 5, 10, 20, 30, 50 & 100 cm

depth)depth)• CloudinessCloudiness• Relative humidityRelative humidity• Sunshine Duration Sunshine Duration • Wind VelocityWind Velocity• Evaporation (taken from a water filled tank)Evaporation (taken from a water filled tank)

& any weather phenomena such as Lightening, & any weather phenomena such as Lightening, Dust/Thunder Storm etc.Dust/Thunder Storm etc.

RAMCs & Agromet StationsRAMCs & Agromet Stations• The RAMCs are responsible for local The RAMCs are responsible for local

agrometeorological observing program, local agrometeorological observing program, local and regional crop weather studies, liaison and regional crop weather studies, liaison with agricultural institutions in the region to with agricultural institutions in the region to determine local requirements and research determine local requirements and research priorities, collection and initial processing of priorities, collection and initial processing of agromet information on regional basis for agromet information on regional basis for on-ward transmission to NAMC, Islamabad. on-ward transmission to NAMC, Islamabad.

• The agromet stations are mainly responsible The agromet stations are mainly responsible for provision of accurate data to NAMC. But for provision of accurate data to NAMC. But it is desirable that the said offices may it is desirable that the said offices may inform about any agriculture related event inform about any agriculture related event about the relevant area.about the relevant area.

Study on Weather and Crop Study on Weather and Crop DevelopmentDevelopment

(A periodical from each RAMC) (A periodical from each RAMC) MotivesMotives

• To study the impact of different meteorological To study the impact of different meteorological parameters on crop growth and its development.parameters on crop growth and its development.

• To develop the yield parameters of wheat crop in the To develop the yield parameters of wheat crop in the Rainfed areas of Pakistan.Rainfed areas of Pakistan.

• To investigate the water satisfaction sensitivity of To investigate the water satisfaction sensitivity of crop in Potohar region.crop in Potohar region.

• To develop the relationship between weather To develop the relationship between weather parameters and crops life cycle.parameters and crops life cycle.

• To determine the onset of pests and diseases related To determine the onset of pests and diseases related to weather elements.to weather elements.

• To organize data for development of crop wheat-To organize data for development of crop wheat-weather model.weather model.

• To cover a step forward for formulation of yield To cover a step forward for formulation of yield estimation.estimation.

AGRO-METEOROLOGICAL SERVICESAGRO-METEOROLOGICAL SERVICESNDVI analysis NDVI analysis

Research Publications from NAMCResearch Publications from NAMC

• A Hydrothermal Stress Model for Agricultural Plains of Punjab.A Hydrothermal Stress Model for Agricultural Plains of Punjab.Rasul, G. Rasul, G. A Hygrothermal Stress Model for Agricultural Plains of Punjab, A Hygrothermal Stress Model for Agricultural Plains of Punjab, 1993. 1993.

• Water Requirement of Sugarcane Crop in Pakistan.Water Requirement of Sugarcane Crop in Pakistan.Rasul, G. Rasul, G. Water Requirement of Sugarcane Crop in Pakistan. Science Vision, Water Requirement of Sugarcane Crop in Pakistan. Science Vision, Vol. 7 No.4. pp. 237-245, 1996.Vol. 7 No.4. pp. 237-245, 1996.

• Water Requirement of Cotton Crop in Pakistan Water Requirement of Cotton Crop in Pakistan Rasul G. and A. Bari. Rasul G. and A. Bari. Water Requirement of Cotton Crop in Pakistan. J. of Water Requirement of Cotton Crop in Pakistan. J. of Engg. & App. Sci. Vol. 6 No.2. pp. 111-119, 1995.Engg. & App. Sci. Vol. 6 No.2. pp. 111-119, 1995.

• Recent Water Requirement of Cotton Crop in Pakistan Recent Water Requirement of Cotton Crop in Pakistan Naheed, G. and G. Rasul.. Naheed, G. and G. Rasul.. Recent Water Requirement of Cotton Crop in Recent Water Requirement of Cotton Crop in Pakistan, Pak. J. of Meteorology, Volume 6,Issue 12,January 2010.Pakistan, Pak. J. of Meteorology, Volume 6,Issue 12,January 2010.

• A Simple Regression Model to Estimate Soil Temperature from Air A Simple Regression Model to Estimate Soil Temperature from Air Temperature over Low Elevation Agricultural Plains of Pakistan Temperature over Low Elevation Agricultural Plains of Pakistan Rasul, G. Rasul, G. A Simple Regression Model to Estimate Soil Temperature from Air A Simple Regression Model to Estimate Soil Temperature from Air Temperature over the Low Elevation Agricultural Plains of Pakistan. J. of Temperature over the Low Elevation Agricultural Plains of Pakistan. J. of Science Vol. 2 No.4. pp. 88-97, 1992.Science Vol. 2 No.4. pp. 88-97, 1992.

Research Publications from NAMCResearch Publications from NAMC• Performance Evaluation of Different Methods for Estimation of Evapotranspiration in PakistanPerformance Evaluation of Different Methods for Estimation of Evapotranspiration in Pakistan

Rasul, G. Rasul, G. Performance Evaluation of Different Methods for Estimation of Evapotranspiration in Performance Evaluation of Different Methods for Estimation of Evapotranspiration in Pakistan’s Climate. Submitted to Journal of Pakistan Agriculture. 2007.Pakistan’s Climate. Submitted to Journal of Pakistan Agriculture. 2007.

• Early Yield Assessment of Wheat Crop on Meteorological Basis in Potohar RegionEarly Yield Assessment of Wheat Crop on Meteorological Basis in Potohar RegionKazmi, D. H., and G. Rasul. Kazmi, D. H., and G. Rasul. Early Yield Assessment of Wheat Crop on Meteorological Basis Early Yield Assessment of Wheat Crop on Meteorological Basis for Potohar Region. Pak. J. of Met. Vol. 6, Issue 11. pp73-88, 2009.for Potohar Region. Pak. J. of Met. Vol. 6, Issue 11. pp73-88, 2009.

• Agrometeorological wheat yield prediction in rainfed Potohar region of PakistanAgrometeorological wheat yield prediction in rainfed Potohar region of PakistanKazmi, D. H., and G. Rasul. Kazmi, D. H., and G. Rasul. Agrometeorological wheat yield prediction in rainfed Potohar Agrometeorological wheat yield prediction in rainfed Potohar region of Pakistan, under review for publication inregion of Pakistan, under review for publication in Pak. J. of MeteorologyPak. J. of Meteorology..

• Water Requirement of Wheat Crop in Pakistan.Water Requirement of Wheat Crop in Pakistan.Rasul, G. Rasul, G. Water Requirement of Wheat Crop in Pakistan. J. of Engg. & App. Sci. Vol. 3 No.1. Water Requirement of Wheat Crop in Pakistan. J. of Engg. & App. Sci. Vol. 3 No.1. pp. 65-79, 1992.pp. 65-79, 1992.

• Recent Water requirement of wheat crop in PakistanRecent Water requirement of wheat crop in PakistanNaheed, G. and A. Mahmood. Naheed, G. and A. Mahmood. Water requirement of wheat crop in Pakistan, Pakistan Journal Water requirement of wheat crop in Pakistan, Pakistan Journal of Meteorology, Volume 6,Issue 11,July 2009.of Meteorology, Volume 6,Issue 11,July 2009.

• Effect of Meteorological Parameters on Pollen Concentration in the AtmosphereEffect of Meteorological Parameters on Pollen Concentration in the Atmosphere Haroon, M. A. and G. Rasul. Haroon, M. A. and G. Rasul. Effect of Meteorological Parameters on Pollen Concentration in Effect of Meteorological Parameters on Pollen Concentration in the Atmosphere of Islamabad.the Atmosphere of Islamabad. Pak. J. of Meteorology Vol.4 No.8. pp. 27-35, 2008.Pak. J. of Meteorology Vol.4 No.8. pp. 27-35, 2008.

Most of them can be downloaded from the following link;Most of them can be downloaded from the following link; http://www.pakmet.com.pk/rnd/rnd_files/Page707.htmhttp://www.pakmet.com.pk/rnd/rnd_files/Page707.htm

End-users for Agro Publications End-users for Agro Publications • DEPARTMENT OF MYCOLOGY AND PLANT PATHOLOGYDEPARTMENT OF MYCOLOGY AND PLANT PATHOLOGY

UNIVERSITY OF PUNJAB, UNIVERSITY OF PUNJAB, LAHORE.LAHORE.  • AYUB AGRICULTURE RESEARCH INSTITUTEAYUB AGRICULTURE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

JHANG ROAD, JHANG ROAD, FAISALABAD.FAISALABAD.  • WHEAT COMMISSIONER WHEAT COMMISSIONER

MINISTRY OF FOOD AGRICULTURE & COOPERATIVES, MINISTRY OF FOOD AGRICULTURE & COOPERATIVES, ISLAMABAD.ISLAMABAD.  • INSTITUTE OF METEOROLOGY & GEOPHYSICS, INSTITUTE OF METEOROLOGY & GEOPHYSICS, KARACHI-32.KARACHI-32.  • CHAIRMANCHAIRMAN

PAKISTAN AGRICULTURE RESEARCH COUNCIL, PAKISTAN AGRICULTURE RESEARCH COUNCIL, ISLAMABAD.ISLAMABAD.  • THE CHIEF ENGINEER ADVISORTHE CHIEF ENGINEER ADVISOR

CHAIRMAN FEDERAL FLOOD COMMISSION, CHAIRMAN FEDERAL FLOOD COMMISSION, ISLAMABAD.ISLAMABAD.•   DIRECTOR (COMPUTER MODELING)DIRECTOR (COMPUTER MODELING)

PAKISTAN WATER & POWER DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITYPAKISTAN WATER & POWER DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITYPLANNING & DESIGN DIVISION (WATER), PLANNING & DESIGN DIVISION (WATER), LAHORE.LAHORE.

•   DIRECTOR, SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE, DIRECTOR, SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE, CHAKWAL.CHAKWAL.•   CHIEF/PD, NATIONAL FERTILIZER DEVELOPMENT CENTRE,CHIEF/PD, NATIONAL FERTILIZER DEVELOPMENT CENTRE,

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DIVISION, PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT DIVISION, ISLAMABAD.ISLAMABAD.  • SCIENTIFIC OFFICERSCIENTIFIC OFFICER

NATIONAL COORDINATOR WHEAT, NATIONAL COORDINATOR WHEAT, ISLAMABAD.ISLAMABAD.  •   •   •   

End-users for Agro End-users for Agro Publications Publications

• INCHARGE AGRO-CLIMATOLOGY LABINCHARGE AGRO-CLIMATOLOGY LABUNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, FAISALABAD.FAISALABAD.

• LIBRARIAN (CERIAL SECTION), UNIVERSTIY OF CENTRAL LIBRARIAN (CERIAL SECTION), UNIVERSTIY OF CENTRAL PUNJABPUNJABLAHORE 54600.LAHORE 54600.

•   DIRECTOR, SPACE APPLICATION AND RESEARCH CENTER DIRECTOR, SPACE APPLICATION AND RESEARCH CENTER SUPARCO, SUPARCO, ISLAMABADISLAMABAD

• CHAIRMAN, DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY CHAIRMAN, DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, BANNUBANNU

• PAKISTAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGICAL INFORMATION PAKISTAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGICAL INFORMATION CENTRE,CENTRE,PLASTIC NATIONAL CENTER, PLASTIC NATIONAL CENTER, ISLAMABAD.ISLAMABAD.

Future projects1. It is observed that minimum temperature of winter months is

on increase especially for the last 18-19 years, in some cities of Pakistan. Investigation of the impacts being generated on the growth as well as final yield of Rabi crops, in major agricultural plains of the country.

2. Making use of the software Water Budget for better irrigation management, atleast at RAMCs level.

3. Utilizing the software DSSAT crop monitoring may initiated for some important crops.

4. By using NDVI seasonal crop monitoring of cash crops.5. Making use of analyzed agrometeorological data and after

getting the optimum professional skill, a better early warning or pre alert system may be established for local farmers.