NEW DELHI: The Kisan channel is expected to be launched early next year, as soon as the procedures under the existing rules and norms are completed.
Information and Broadcasting Ministry sources said the channel would be in Hindi to begin with and will have inputs from regional Kendras. These programmes will be shared with the Kendras.
The channel would be an education-cum-entertainment one, encompassing all facets of life of a farmer. Besides the core agricultural issues, the content of the channel will deal with various social and economic issues concerning rural India.
Ministry sources said Prasar Bharati inputs would be taken from different agricultural universities and institutes to develop rich content for the channel and the same would be disseminated among the farmers.
In keeping with the budget announcement about setting up a Kisan channel, by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Prasar Bharati has already invited applications for recruitments in the channel which will be round-the-clock.
DD is hoping to engage people in the field of production as well as marketing in positions ranging from senior to mid to junior level.
There are a total of 67 vacant posts of post production professionals, visual graphics designers, record keepers, senior videographers, junior videographers, senior production executives, production executives, senior creative editors, creative editors, senior presenters, presenters, copy editor–cum-writers, programme trainees, head- sales and marketing, and senior sales and marketing executives.
Other steps being taken by Prasar Bharati for this channel include: production of in-house and outsourced content; liaison with relevant ministries to get inputs for channel content and for which advertisements will be issued; calculation of budget and expenditure for the channel; crowd sourcing for channel name, logo, jingles etc and issue of advertisement for channel packaging and branding along with look and feel and montage.
Jaitley had announced in his budget speech on 10 July that a sum of Rs 100 crore would be allocated for this channel. However, the budget for I&B Ministry shows an allocation of Rs 90 crore for this in the year 2014-15.
Meanwhile, the Krishi Darshan programmes of Doordarshan are being telecast under the ‘Mass Media Support to Agriculture Extension’ funded by the Agriculture Ministry focusing on dissemination of modern agricultural techniques by involving experts from various fields like insurance, banking, credit for farmers, State Government schemes on agriculture/ fisheries/veterinary science/water and soil conservation/social forestry etc.
In addition, a programme ‘Mera Gaon Connection telecast at prime time on DD National also introduces modern agricultural techniques to the viewers.
