LUDHIANA, Aug 9: ``In India, the role of weather and climate in agricultural production is crucial to meet the food needs of the country. Refinement in knowledge about onset, amount, duration, termination of monsoon rains can help agricultural scientists to design appropriate cropping system and prepare contingent plans to meet any expected adversities in weather,'' Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University G.S.Kalkat expressed these views while inaugurating a two-day group monitoring workshop and 30th meeting of programme advisory committee on atmospheric sciences organised by the department of agricultural meteorology here yesterday.Kalkat also applauded the efforts of Department of Science and Technology of Government of India for encouraging interaction between atmospheric scientists and agrometerologists to increase agricultural productivity and maintain sustenance.On this occasion, Y,P.Abrol, eminent scientist from Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) Delhi delivered a special speech on the seminar on ``Rising carbon dioxide levels and their implications in agriculture.'' S.S. Hundal, head, Department of Agrometerology welcomed the distinguished guests and told that more than 25 scientists from all states of India participated in this meet. He further hoped that their deliberation would lead to formulation of research projects in emerging areas of agrometerology in the country.
