Agricultural stakeholders in North India may soon have access to precise, real-time weather data, thanks to a new automatic weather station (AWS) developed by the Indian Institute of Technology Ropar. As erratic weather patterns linked to climate change continue to jeopardize crop yields, this compact device—priced at approximately ₹15,000—promises to empower farmers and horticulturists with the information they need to make timely, informed decisions in their fields.
Unlike traditional meteorological setups that are often large, costly, and managed solely by government agencies, the IIT Ropar AWS is designed for rapid deployment and ease of use. Individual farmers will be able to install these stations on their own land without waiting for government procurement or assistance. Each unit is equipped with an array of sensors that monitor core weather parameters—air temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, rainfall, atmospheric pressure, and sunlight intensity. Additionally, integrated soil probes measure both temperature and moisture content, offering a complete picture of conditions at ground level.
“The level of precision we’ve achieved with this system is remarkable,” said Professor Rajiv Ahuja, Director of IIT Ropar. “In collaboration with the India Meteorological Department (IMD), we conducted extensive calibration tests and found that the station yields data that is accurate 99 percent of the time.” On average, one AWS can reliably forecast weather events within a 15-kilometer radius, allowing farmers to anticipate changes such as impending storms, heatwaves, or dry spells.
Beyond basic meteorology, the AWS also incorporates air-quality monitoring capabilities. Sensors built into the device detect particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), as well as gaseous pollutants including carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). This feature is particularly valuable for horticulturists growing sensitive crops, where sudden declines in air quality can inhibit growth or raise production costs.
Interest in the IIT Ropar innovation has already been notable among state governments. Authorities in neighboring Uttar Pradesh have placed an order for 3,000 units to be installed across vulnerable agricultural districts. Haryana’s government, too, has requested 500 stations, citing the need to support farmers facing increasingly unpredictable monsoon patterns. While officials in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have yet to commit to procurement, local agricultural experts hope that these states will soon follow suit, given their dependence on smallholder growers.
Farmers who set up the AWS on their own land will gain round-the-clock access to an online dashboard, where data is updated at regular intervals. This information can help them optimize irrigation schedules, decide on the best times to apply fertilizers or pesticides, and plan harvests to avoid weather-related losses. “Timely, localized forecasts can be a game-changer,” said Anil Sharma, a horticulturist from Solan, Himachal Pradesh, who has been monitoring the AWS project. “If we know a heatwave or heavy rainfall is coming, we can adjust practices accordingly—saving both time and resources.”
At a per-unit cost of ₹15,000, the AWS is far more affordable than many existing alternatives, and its modular design allows for future upgrades. Researchers at IIT Ropar are already exploring additional sensors—such as those for leaf wetness or crop canopy temperature—that could be added to tailor the device to specific crops or microclimates.
With climate variability showing no signs of abating, the need for accurate, farm-level weather intelligence is more pressing than ever. By equipping individual growers with these advanced stations, IIT Ropar aims to help secure food production and bolster resilience against an increasingly unstable climate.
