Lok Sabha Question No. 6365 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-05
Subject: Kisan Channel
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: K. C. VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6365 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2018)

## KISAN CHANNEL

## 6365.   SHRI K.C. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  make  newly  proposed  Kisan  Channel  a priority among rural farmers community;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the steps taken so far to expand the outreach of Kisan Channel beyond Hindi belt States to cover Southern and North-Eastern States as well; and
- (d)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government for field based shows and programmes as well as direct communication at grass root levels with the representatives of the Channel?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)

(a) & (b): Prasar Bharati has informed that DD  Kisan channel was launched in 2015 with  the  objective  of  telecasting  meaningful  programmes  for  empowerment  of  the farming community across India.  The channel reaches out to millions of farmers in the country. 73% of total viewership of  the channel comes from the rural areas  as per Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) data.

(c)  According  to  Prasar  Bharati,  DD  Kisan  is  available  throughout  the  country including  Southern  and  North-Eastern  States  through  all  cable  network  and    DTH platform.

(d) According to Prasar Bharati, DD Kisan covers a wide spectrum of issues through its field based  shows and programmes as well as direct communication (interactive shows) at grass root level.   Some of them are: -

(1)  Khet  Khalihan:-  Daily    field  based  programme  on  season  specific  crops, where agricultural scientists and experts give relevant information and advisory. (2)  Chaupal  Charcha:-    Field  based  interactive  show  with  farmers.    This  daily programme gives information on various government schemes in villages across the country.

(3) Hello Kisan:- Daily one hour live interactive phone-in programme that covers all aspects of farming and animal husbandry and grievance redressal, alongwith advice and solutions by a panel of scientists and experts.

(4) Swasth Kisan:- One hour interactive show with eminent doctors in the studio, who address health issues of viewers. (5) Kisan Samachar:-  Daily news bulletin on agriculture and allied  activites.

(6) Vichar Vimarsh:- Studio based discussion show with experts and farmers on current issues affecting the farming community.

(7)  Mausam  Khabar:-    Daily  live  programme,  produced  in  collaboration  with Indian Meterological department, which provides all weather related information and crop wise advisory with a pan India perspective.

(8)  Mandi  Khabar:-  Daily  programme  on  commodity  market,  information  from AGMARK  and  NCDEX  (National  Commodity  and  Derivatives  Exchange)  to update farmers with the latest market reports.

(9)  Vaad Samvaad:-Weekly one hour studio based show where policy makers officials and scientists discuss and deliberate on the current issues affecting the farming and rural communities.

(10) Prakriti Ki Ore:- Programme based on environmental issues with interesting case studies.

Apart from the above, DD Kisan also telecasts programmes on the flagship schemes of government like Farm Credit, e-NAM, Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Card, Krishi Sinchai Yojana etc.

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