Forecasting the Future: Effective Climate Guidance on Monsoons for Farm Prosperity is a timely and pioneering contribution to the field of agricultural meteorology. Focused on the vital relationship between monsoon behavior and agricultural outcomes, this book emphasizes the need for accurate, accessible, and actionable climate guidance to secure farm prosperity in an era of increasing climate variability.

The monsoon is the lifeline of Indian agriculture, and yet, its unpredictability often exposes farmers to significant risks. This book delves into the science of monsoon forecasting, tracing its historical development, current methodologies, and future innovations.

It explores how improved climate information services and early warning systems can transform traditional farming into a climate-smart enterprise. Blending research insights with real-world case studies, the book demonstrates how effective weather-based advisories can lead to better crop planning, risk management, and resource optimization. It calls for a stronger collaboration between meteorologists, agricultural scientists, policymakers, and farmers to bridge the gap between climate knowledge and on-ground decision-making. Dedicated to Shri Nathu Ram Mirdha Ji - a visionary advocate for farmers' rights and the use of science in agriculture — this book captures the spirit of resilience and innovation that rural communities embody. Through its practical insights and strategic recommendations, forecasting the Future aims to inspire a new era of climate-resilient agriculture. It is an essential resource for farmers, researchers, extension workers, students, and all those committed to building a sustainable agricultural future powered by science, foresight, and farmer empowerment.

BV Ramana Rao taught Agricultural Meteorology in the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore during the years 1966 to 1979 and later joined the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and superannuated from service during April, 2000. He served as Head, Division of Climatology, Wind Power and Solar Energy Utilization at ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur (Rajasthan); founder Project Coordinator, All India Coordinated Research Project on Agrometeorology at ICAR Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad (Telangana) during December 1984 to March 1994. His major contributions in the field of Agrometeorology include Agroclimatic Characterization, Delineation of Efficient Cropping Zones, Crop Weather Modeling, Classification and Management of Agricultural Droughts, Operational Agrometeorology, etc. He published about 150 research papers in peer reviewed journals with 50 of his papers appearing in high impact International Journals. He authored 5 books and monographs and a number of scientific and technical bulletins. He served as Editor in Chief, Journal of Agrometeorology during the years 2009 to 2023.

He is the recipient of British Council Fellowship during the year 1986-87 for advanced training at University of Reading, United Kingdom. He was conferred as Honorary Fellow (2011) and Life Time Achievement Award (2025) by Association of Agrometeorologists for his valuable contribution to the growth and development of Agricultural Meteorology in India.

Surender Singh has about thirty-five years of experience with PhD in the field of Agrometeorology. Worked in Agrometeorology encompassing teaching, research, extension and administration at various capacities viz., Principal Scientist, Professor & Head, Advisor (Recruitments) and Associate Director (Students’ Counseling and Placement) at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India. Recipient of Two Gold Medals for Best Research Work during PhD Program and for Best PhD Dissertation (2001-02) awarded by then President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Offered UK Universities Vice Chancellors’ Scholarship for Higher Studies twice (1991 & 1993) under Commonwealth Fellowship Program. Post Doctoral Fellow at Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy; IAC – Instituto Agronômico, Campinas, Brazil and BOKU (Met) - Institute of Meteorology and Climatology, Vienna, Austria.

He is life member of Association of Agrometeorologists, Indian Meteorological Society, Indian Society of Remote Sensing, International Society for Agrometeorology, Society for Sustainable Agric & Resource Management, Environment Science Published for Everybody Round the Earth (ESPERE), European Drought Centre, South Asian Forum on Agriculture Meteorology (SAFOAM) and The Geographical Society of India. Organized quite a few trainings/symposia in Agrometeorology and associated domains at National level. Published more than 250 research papers, popular articles, manuals/teaching aids and research bulletins/book chapters etc. Performed responsibilities as Managing Editor - Journal of Agrometeorology, Research Collaborator, Monsoon Asia Agro-Environmental Research Consortium (MARCO), Japan, Member, Expert Team - CAgM-WMO, Geneva, Switzerland (2018-20). Core Committee Member on Agriculture – Drought at WMO, Geneva, Switzerland (2021-24 & 2024-27). External Expert for evaluation of research projects submitted at COST-Association, European Union, Brussels, Belgium. Many students (UG, PG and PhD) were trained under him and placed across the country and well settled in various positions in the field of Agrometeorology. He is widely travelled researcher/expert across the globe on many academic pursuits. He has been conferred upon Fellow of Association of Agrometeorologists (FAAM) for the year 2024 in recognition of his exemplary achievements and enduring impact on agrometeorological science.

V Uma Maheswara Rao has forty years of experience with PhD in the broader field of Agrometeorology. Worked in Agrometeorology encompassing teaching, research, extension & administration at various capacities viz., Project Coordinator, Principal Scientist, Professor & Head, Agrometeorologist, and Assistant Scientist at CCS Haryana Agricultural University and Indian Council of Agriculture Research in India.

He is life member of Indian Meteorological Society, The Arid Zone Research Association of India, Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Association of Agrometeorologists, International Society for Agrometeorology, and The Indian Society of Dryland Agriculture. Organized several trainings/workshops in Agrometeorology at the International and National level. Published more than 345 research papers, popular articles, manuals/teaching aids and research bulletins/book chapters. Member of the CCI-ET-IIC, WMO, Geneva (2014-2017). Member of XI Plan High Powered Review Committee of Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India (2012). In 2014, the prestigious Chaudhary Devi Lal Award, ICAR’s Best AICRP on Agrometeorology was received under his dynamic leadership as Project Coordinator. Many students (UG, PG and PhD) were trained under him spread across the country and settled in various positions in the field of Agrometeorology. He visited numerous countries in official capacity.

Chapter 1.Introduction
Chapter 2.Global Monsoons
Chapter 3.Global Weather Parameters and Teleconnections
Chapter 4.Regional Phenomena Exerting Influence on Monsoons
Chapter 5.Decoding the Rhythm of Rains - A Detailed Look at Monsoon Forecasting in India
Chapter 6.State of Art: Forecasting Monsoons in Different Countries
Chapter 7.Effective Climate Guidance on Monsoons for Farmers: Principles and Practices
Chapter 8.Infrastructure Development and Enabling Policies
Chapter 9.Climate Intelligence for Assured Harvest
Chapter 10.Real Time Crop Monitoring
Chapter 11.The Future ECG: Predicting Vibrant Heart Beat