Hyderabad, May 31, 2026: In a major boost to climate-resilient farming, the Telangana government on Saturday launched an AI-powered weather advisory programme to provide timely weather forecasts and crop-specific advisories directly to farmers through WhatsApp.
Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao officially inaugurated the initiative at the State Secretariat. The new service aims to empower lakhs of farmers with accurate, location-specific weather information, helping them make better decisions and reduce crop losses due to unpredictable weather.
Key Highlights of the Programme:
- Beneficiaries: 15 lakh farmers across all 17 districts and 304 mandals in Telangana.
- Delivery Platform: Real-time updates via WhatsApp.
- Information Provided: Mandal-wise weather forecasts, rainfall predictions, temperature alerts, and scientific farm advisories.
Speaking at the launch event, Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao said, “This AI-based system will help farmers take timely cultivation decisions, minimise crop losses, and improve overall productivity. Our government is committed to using modern technology to support our hard-working farmers.”
How It Will Help Farmers
The AI-powered tool integrates advanced weather data to deliver the following:
- Early warnings for heavy rainfall, droughts, or extreme temperatures
- Crop-stage specific advisories (sowing, irrigation, pest management, harvesting)
- Hyper-local forecasts at the mandal level
This initiative is expected to play a crucial role in minimising weather-related risks, especially amid increasing climate uncertainties in the region.
Telangana’s Push Towards Tech-Driven Agriculture
The launch of this service reflects the Telangana government’s continued focus on leveraging technology in agriculture. From Rythu Bandhu to digital land records, the state has been at the forefront of farmer welfare schemes. This new AI-driven weather advisory is another step towards making farming more predictable, profitable, and sustainable.
Farmers can expect to receive these advisories shortly on their WhatsApp numbers registered with the Agriculture Department.