Lok Sabha Question No. 3019 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-08
Subject: Educating Farmers Through Radio/Television
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Jual Oram, M. Selvaraj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3019

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2023)

EDUCATING FARMERS THROUGH RADIO/TELEVISION

3019. SHRI JUAL ORAM:

SHRI M. SELVARAJ:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of initiatives  taken  by  the  Government  towards educating the farmers through Radio/Television;
- (b)  whether  the  Government is operating any dedicated channels for this purpose and if so, the details thereof along with the quantum of funds  allocated  and  utilized  for  running  such  dedicated  channels  so far;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  set  up  an  All  India Radio Station (AIR) in Tiruvarur district in Tamil Nadu for the benefits of all the farmers who are totally dependant and getting useful news/ information/tips on agriculture broadcasted by AIR;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e)  the  total  number  of  AIRs  functioning  in  Tamil  Nadu  along  with locations thereof as on date?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER  OF  YOUTH  AFFAIRS  &  SPORTS  (SHRI  ANURAG  SINGH THAKUR) (a)  &  (b):  Prasar  Bharati  telecasts  'DD  Kisan',  a  24X7  satellite  TV channel,  exclusively  dedicated  to  the  farmers  and  the  agriculture sector.  DD  Kisan  was  launched  by  the  Hon'ble  Prime  Minister,  Shri Narendra Modi, on 26th May, 2015. The objective of this channel is to serve  the  farming  and  rural  community  in  India  and  to  reach  the remotest  parts  of  the  country,  to  inform  and  educate  the  rural populace  and  work  towards  creating  a  holistic environment  for sustainable and inclusive growth of the farmers. DD Kisan channel is also streamed LIVE on 'YouTube' and all programmes are uploaded on YouTube after telecast for off line viewing. In addition, Prasar Bharati broadcasts a 30 minute, six days a week, dedicated  interactive  programme  'Kisanvani'  in  respective  regional languages in over 96 All India Radio (AIR) stations across the country and 'Kisan Ki Baat' programme over FM  Gold Channel in Delhi, for the farming  community  in  collaboration    with  Ministry  of  Agriculture  & Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Further, programmes towards educating  farmers  on  various  aspects  are  also  being  carried  on  AIR and DD Network across the country. During the years 2020-21 to 2022-23, total funds allocated and utilized for DD Kisan are Rs.78.33 crore and Rs.75.26 crore respectively.

(c)  & (d): No, Sir. The entire area of Tiruvarur district falls under the coverage zone of MW broadcast of Akashvani Chennai. A scheme to set up 10 kW FM Relay station at Kumbakonam (Thanjavur) has been approved, which will broadcast programmes on FM band in Tiruvarur district also. (e): As on date, there are  15  Akashvani  Broadcasting  Stations functioning in Tamil Nadu  at Chennai, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Kodaikanal, Madurai, Nagarcoil, Oottacamund, Tiruchirapalli, Tirunelveli,  Tuticorin,  Rameshwaram,  Salem  (Yercaud),  Thanjavur, Thirupattur and Vellore.

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