MUMBAI: With an aim to provide right information on agriculture to the farmers, Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development had applied for community radio (CR) station at Gola Gokarnnath Lakhimpur in Uttar Pradesh, they were by far successful in getting the approval from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and also from Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC). Currently, they are struggling for the first installment of the grant from the office of Directorate of Agriculture in Uttar Pradesh (UP) towards the purchase of transmitter and others equipment for the establishment of the station.
Speaking to Radioandmusic.com, Center for Agriculture and Rural Development executive director Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar Alam said, “The basic programming for farmers has been planned and fresh survey is being conducted on the preferences of farmers for defining the content of the programming as we have received SACFA clearance and signed GOPA after the allotment of the frequency for community station at Krishak Samaj Inter College, Gola Gokarnath, Lakhimpur. We have received permissions from different ministries now we are waiting for the grant to purchase transmitters and establish the much awaiting community radio station.”
CR stations been received approval for a grant of Rs 14, 55,500 but currently, they are waiting to sort the queries raised by director of agriculture in Uttar Pradesh (UP). “The equipment purchase needs grant and the grant of Rs 14, 55,500 have been approved, but office of the Directorate of Agriculture in Uttar Pradesh has raised a query on the location of the station in spite the fact it is mentioned in the documents. This is the reason for delay for our Community radio station to start,” Alam added.
On asked about the frequency allocation, Alam said, “The delay to start the station in spite the fact we have received the frequency allocation from WPC have resulted them to questions us on the delay. We have to pay frequency charges to WPC to convert the frequency that is allocated into a license.”
In 2009, Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development had started its journey to start CR stations for the farmers. It aims to provide the farmers with information on quality of seed, pesticide, precision farming, irrigation systems, loans and various other topics. In long-run, Alam plans to make this CR station viable and earn revenue through advertising instead of depending on grants and funds for programming.