Technological advancements are shrinking distances and removing barriers to communication and knowledge sharing. Information gathering and dissemination today is easy and convenient.
No wonder that agriculture too has begun to reap the benefits of e-technologies in recent years.
“Having understood the immense potential that e-technology can play in dissemination of agricultural technologies and facilitating adoption of innovations, Indian Institute of Spice Research, Kozhikode initiated various internet and technology based facilities to reach out to the farming community effectively,” says Dr. V.A. Parthasarathy, Director of the Institute.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research, through its VSAT hub and help of Education and Research Network (ERNET) under the department of Information Technology initiated a project for linking around 200 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) in the country through e-connectivity and the Institute's KVK is one among them.
Information hub
The facility acts as an information hub for storing and disseminating information on agriculture and also providing online and offline guidance to the farmers.
The Malayalam version of the official webpage of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) functioning under the Institute is a proactive step towards making information dissemination more easy and bridging the gap between the developers and users of agricultural technologies.
Farmer friendly
“KVK has been maintaining an information portal in English for quite a long time. Realizing the need for an information repository in the local language, we decided to upload a Malayalam version as part of our efforts to become more farmer-friendly,” says Mr. P.C. Manoj, programme coordinator-in-charge, KVK, Peruvannamuzhi.
The portal, >www.spices.res.in/kvk/malayalam helps the visitors to know more about the services provided by KVK. It also updates them on regular training programmes being organised by the Kendra.
Besides, farmers from remote areas can also register their names through the portal for attending these training sessions.
It also provides information on appropriate seedlings and farming methods for different farm areas, information on latest technologies that can be adopted, etc.
“Creating awareness and exposure to new technologies in regional languages is a pre-requisite for adoption of innovations.
“And we feel that communicating in Malayalam is more appropriate to reach local farmers. We are in the process of strengthening the database so that farmers will soon be able to avail more information,” adds Mr. Manoj.
Success stories
Pages containing success stories of farmers and rate and availability of planting materials being sold at the KVK are other attractions of the portal.
“We are also planning to post market prediction information from Agricultural Market Intelligence Centre (AMIC) of Kerala Agricultural University which will help the farmers to know the price forecast of various crops well in advance. Information on various developmental schemes for farmers by the government departments will also be available soon,” says Mr. Manoj.
The official portals of IISR and KVK help the growers across the country to know various cultivation practices of spices and other agricultural crops. The Malayalam adaptation of KVK website launched recently provides agro information in the local language.
Various programmes
Besides, the portal updates the farmers with various training programmes being arranged by the Kendra and farmers can also register their names online to attend these training programmes.
The official website of the institute, www.spices.res.in is another means for reaching out to farmers.
An exclusive ‘Farmers' Corner' arranged in the website gives the farmers a gist of almost all spice crops.
Besides, the site also displays cost and availability of planting materials and cultivation tips to be followed under adverse weather conditions.
Download
Farmers can also download PDF versions of booklets in various local languages published by the institute on various cultivation practices recommended for different spices.
For more details contact Dr. T. John Zachariah, email: >zacjohntj@gmail.com , Principal Scientist, IISR, Marikunnu, Kozhikode-673012, Kerala, Ph; 0495-2731410, Fax: 2731187, mobile: 9446071410.
