Who said FM radio is only for the younger generation? The University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Dharwad, has proved this by launching an FM station exclusively for farmers.
May 17, 2007 is indeed a red letter day in the history of agricultural varsities. The UAS, Dharwad, became the first agricultural varsity in the entire country to launch an FM radio in the country and the first in the State to launch the Community Radio Station (CRS). This has been set up with the financial assistance of the Union Government.
The basic idea behind this launch was to reach the farmers through the medium of radio and try to address their problems. The channel, with the catchline Raitharinda Raitharige, (by the farmers, for the farmers), not only deals with issues related to agriculture, but also handles issues such as health, nutrition, hygiene and income generating schemes for ryots.
The Union Government which chose UAS, Dharwad to launch this pilot project, plans to extend this facility to other varsities too in the days to come. Perhaps, this was the need of the hour as farmers were feeling the absence of a popular medium for the redressal of their numerous problems relating to agriculture. Hitherto, Doordarshan had a programme called ‘Krishi Darshan’ to address the problems of farmers.
To begin with, UAS, Dharwad is broadcasting programmes for two hours each in the morning and evening. While the programme in the morning, to be aired from 6 am to 8 am, will be a fresh one, the programme in the evening, to be aired from 6 pm to 8 pm, will be a repeat of the morning programme.
The varsity has plans to extend the number of programme hours in the days to come. The varsity staff are equally excited about this new venture, as it is very different from teaching in a classroom.
The effective radius of this FM is around 8-10 km since the capacity of the transmitter itself is very low when compared to All India Radio. Hence, only such farmers who are staying within this 10 km range are taking advantage of the same.
Apart from regular programmes on health, hygiene, environment, agriculture and technology, progressive farmers are also invited to give a talk on the channel to share the secrets of their success. All the programmes are in Kannada, that too in the North Karnataka desi style, to catch the attention of local farmers.
“This is just a beginning and we will try to improve the channel by introducing many more interesting programmes in a phased manner,” remarked Dr Krishna Naik, director of extensions, UAS, Dharwad.
The reach of FM radio is based on terrain based signals. The varsity recently visited all four directions and collected the opinion of farmers about the programmes being aired.
An advisory committee comprising officials from the varsity staff, five men farmers, five women farmers and two non-governmental organisations has been constituted to chalk out programmes that catch the attention of farmers. Besides, it is open to suggestions from the public in general and farmers in particular to improve the quality of programmes.
Care has been taken to schedule programmes depending on seasons. For instance, right now, importance is being given to crops to be grown in monsoon and its care.
Apart from this, plans are afoot to conduct live programmes in folk songs by inviting cultural troupes from various parts of the district. The varsity has set up a studio in its premises and has also engaged some lecturers to carry out this programme everyday. Plans are also being chalked out to increase the transmitter’s capacity to one KV for wider reach.
The Centre, during the 11th Five Year Plan, has plans to set up 4,000 to 5,000 Community Radio Stations in 589 districts across the country.
Recently, UAS, Dharwad prepared a proposal to set up a CRS at KVK in Bidar district. “We have just taken a small step. We still have a long way to go to reach many more farmers,” says Dr Naik.