Jatin Singh: Revolutionizing India’s Weather Forecasting and Agri-Tech Landscape

In the dynamic landscape of weather forecasting and agri-tech in India, Jatin Singh stands as a visionary force, reshaping the industry with his innovative approach and commitment to precision. The founder and managing director of Skymet, Singh’s journey from a television journalist to a pioneer in meteorology and agri-risk management mirrors the evolution of India’s weather prediction landscape.

Jatin Singh’s journey began serendipitously in 2003 when Sahara Samay, owned by beleaguered businessman Subrata Roy, became Skymet’s first client. Singh, a former television journalist, recalls this as an inflection point that set the stage for Skymet’s transformative journey. Over the past eight years, Skymet has repeatedly outperformed the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in predicting monsoons, establishing itself as a reliable private weather forecaster.

Accurate weather predictions, particularly during the monsoon season, hold immense significance in India’s agrarian economy. Singh’s Skymet, boasting over 6,500 observation centres, provides real-time data on rainfall, thunder, lightning, and heat, aiding farmers, governments, insurance companies, and power distributors in making informed decisions. Skymet’s meteorological prowess, claiming victory over IMD on multiple occasions, reflects Singh’s commitment to proving that forecasting the monsoons can be more precise than conventionally perceived. While weather predictions may not be a significant revenue stream, Skymet’s consistent accuracy has positioned it as a trusted name in the industry.

Singh’s entrepreneurial journey began when he identified the need to present weather forecasts more appealingly during his tenure as a journalist in 2002. His first client, Sahara Samay, paved the way for partnerships with leading newspapers, signaling the potential of weather data in media. The subsequent years saw Skymet diversify into urban-focused ventures, power sector collaborations, and rural initiatives. The pivotal year of 2010 brought challenges, including the closure of Sahara Samay and a slowdown in the power sector. However, Singh’s resilience led Skymet to explore instrumentation and weather-based crop insurance schemes. With the guidance of meteorologist Dev Raj Sikka, Skymet made its first monsoon prediction in 2012, a move that garnered instant recognition.

Recognizing the potential of agri-tech, Singh steered Skymet towards providing data for crop insurance companies. The instrumentation venture not only helped in closing fiscal years with substantial revenues but also solidified Skymet’s position as a comprehensive agri-risk management company. Today, Skymet’s data subscriptions from government entities, insurance companies, and banks form a significant portion of its revenue. The company’s agri-tech play extends to Gram Cover, a venture offering insurance products such as life insurance, crop insurance, and livestock insurance to rural households. Skymet’s agri-risk management services encompass disaster management, fraud exposure, and facilitating government initiatives.

Skymet’s journey doesn’t stop at weather predictions and agri-tech. Singh envisions mapping every aspect of farming, including soil moisture, pests, and fields, using drones. While navigating challenges in the insurance sector and advocating for a change in regulations, Singh is gearing up to address environmental catastrophes such as urban flooding and pollution.

With a focus on leveraging technology for comprehensive solutions, Skymet aims to enhance its capabilities, potentially contributing to policy changes in India’s weather forecasting and environmental management sectors. Jatin Singh’s legacy lies not only in revolutionizing weather predictions but also in laying the foundation for holistic agri-tech solutions and environmental resilience in the years to come.