Abstract

                                A study was undertaken between 2022 and 2023 to assess farmers’perceptions of District Agro Meteorological Unit (DAMU) Services inCuddalore, Ramnad, and Aruppukottai districts of Tamil Nadu. DAMU offersspecialized weather information to support local agricultural activities.Employing an ex post facto research design, a random sample of 180registered farmers was selected. Data was collected using a standardizedquestionnaire. Results revealed that Short-Range Forecasts (1-3 days)were most preferred (51.11%) followed by Medium-Range Forecast (4-7days) with 31.11 per cent offering valuable insights to plan their activitiesfor the upcoming week in making decisions related to crop protection,disease management and resource allocation of weather predictions.About three fourth (72.28 %) of farmers held a moderate perception ofDAMU’s agromet services followed by high perception (15 per cent). Thefirst ranked Perception Index (PI: 91.11) statement was that “weather-basedadvice assists in timing of sowing and transplanting” then “Informationprovided under DAMU is clearly understandable” (PI: 89.44); “advisoryservices in the form of video link are understandable, useful & effective”(PI: 86.11) and least agreement for judicious application of fertilizers (PI:66.29) and temperature forecasts (PI: 64.62) aid in safeguarding cropsfrom cold, frost, and heat damage.

Key words : District AgroMet Unit, Weather forecasts, Perception Index, Farmers