ACRC

Agro Climate Research Unit, ARI, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad

Name of the Research Station : Agro Climate Research Unit, ARI, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad

Address (Village/Town, Mandal, District) : Rajendranagar Mandal, Rangareddy District

Google Location Coordinates : Latitude: 17.19oN; Longitude: 78.23oE

Agro-Climatic Zone : Southern Telangana Zone

Year of Establishment :

  • TheCentrewasestablishedatUniversityHeadQuarters in 1978 under control of the Senior Scientist (Agro), Main Farm, Agricultural Research Institute, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.
  • Started Experimental Agromet advisory services under DST sponsored project in collaboration with NCMRWF in 1993.
  • In 2003, it was separated from Main farm, ARI and became an independent office as Agromet-Cell
  • Again renamed as Agro Climate Research Centre (ACRC) during 2012
  • Again renamed as Agro Climate Research Unit (ACRU) in 2025

Total Area (in acres) : Total Area – 2.15 acres, ID area – 1.40 acres, Dry area – 0.77 acres; Cropping Intensity – < 1

  • Climatic Characterization of Telangana state to determine crop growing season and extreme weather events
  • Contingent crop planning for aberrant seasonal conditions
  • Crop management decisions based on medium range weather forecast
  • Crop weather relationship studies
  • Crop weather modeling studies
  • Development of weather based crop pest and disease forewarning models
  • Application of Remote Sensing & GIS in Agriculture
  • Capacity building to farmers, scientists on weather based agriculture, climate adaptation strategies for rainfed crops.

Crops handled

  • Rice, Maize, Cotton, Soybean, Groundnut, Sunflower, Tomato and Redgram

Key Research Themes / Focus Areas

  • Climate Characterization
  • Crop Modelling
  • Crop weather relationships
  • Contingency Crop Planning
  • Generation of weather based Agromet Advisories
  • Application of Remote Sensing and GIS

Current Projects

National Project

Name: “GraminKrishiMausamSewa (GKMS)”

Funding Agency: India Meteorological Department, New Delhi; Duration: 2025-26

Infrastructure Facilities Available

  • Seminar Hall (20-25 members), Agromet Observatory, Automatic Weather Station and Ovens

A range of climate-resilient technologies and decision-support tools were developed to support sustainable agriculture in Telangana. Mandal-level climate characterization identified areas frequently prone to extreme rainfall, heat, cold waves, and drought, guiding the delineation of 194 drought-prone mandals to inform resilient farming strategies. Crop-weather relationships were established for key crops like rice, maize, cotton, soybean, groundnut, and tomato. Climate-resilient practices such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) in rice and management strategies for Dry Direct Seeded Rice were standardized using the CERES-Rice model. District-wise crop weather calendars and pest/disease forewarning models were developed for rice (BPH, blast), cotton (sucking pests), redgram, mango, and grapes. Agromet advisory services

based on medium-range weather forecasts were disseminated biweekly, aiding real-time farm decisions. Crop simulation models (DSSAT) under the FASAL project supported yield forecasting, agronomic management, yield gap analysis, and impact assessment of future climate using GCMs (RCP 4.5 & 8.5), showing significant yield reductions across rice, soybean, and cotton under climate change scenarios. Geospatial technologies were used for crop monitoring and stress assessment. Adaptation tools included sowing rules, sowing season maps, critical irrigation schedules, and length of growing period (LGP). Integrated seasonal and medium-range forecasts helped optimize crop choices and farm practices based on rainfall projections. Climate risk assessments and simulations supported management decisions in rice, maize, and cotton. Mobile apps like “GrayMold of Castor” and “Crop Darpan” were developed for real-time disease monitoring and crop diagnostics. The program earned several accolades, including the IMD’s Award of Excellence (2018) for agromet outreach, CSIRO’s Excellence in Research Ethics Award (2014), and fellowships/awards to scientists for international contributions in irrigation and climate adaptation research.

  • Agromet Advisory Services to Address Weather Variability:Medium range weather forecast based advisories were issued twice in a week i.e., on every Tuesday and Friday at district and block level based on the forecast weather, crop stage and soil type. These agromet advisory bulletins contain past one week weather and weather forecast for coming five days.  
  • Sensitization of the farmers, line department officials and policy makers through organizing Farmers Awareness Programmes and Stakeholders meetings about Seasonal forecast, Extended Range Forecast and Medium Range Forecast and its influence on crops.
  • Climate Information centers (CLICs) to adapt to climate change
  • Assessing climate risks in rainfed farming using farmer experience, crop calendars and climate analysis
  • Engaging farmers on climate risk through targeted integration of bio-economic modelling and seasonal climate forecasts

 

Sl. No Full Name & Designation Department / Discipline Areas of Specialization Mail Id Photo
1 Dr. S. G. Mahadevappa
Principal Scientist		 Agronomy Agrometeorology, Crop Simulation Models and Irrigation Water Management sgmahadevappa@gmail.com
2 Dr. P. Leela Rani
Principal Scientist		 Agronomy Weed Management, Crop Modelling, Agrometeorology and Nutrient Management, leelagro@gmail.com