FM for ryots from UAS

FM for ryots from UAS
Deccan Herald

From Shyam Sundar Vattam DH News Service Hubli:

University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, will be starting an FM station exclusively for farmers, some time in June 2006. With this, UAS, Dharwad will be a pioneer in the entire country.

The Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, New Delhi has already allotted FM station to UAS, Dharwad and a formal approval is expected within one week. Thereafter, the University will call tenders for supplying the equipment required for setting up FM station and creation of other infrastructure. This will require about two months. The Ministry is yet to allot frequency for the proposed FM station and most likely it will become operational by June - the beginning of khariff season. To begin with, the frequency of the FM station will be 25 kms that would cover entire Dharwad taluk, parts of Navalgund, Hubli, Shiggaon and Kalghatgi.

Dr B S Nadgoudar, Director of Extension, UAS, Dharwad told Deccan Herald that the idea of having FM station was to respond to the needs and aspirations of farmers of Dharwad district, besides giving useful tips on various agricultural activities. The field officers of the university, who visit villages, come across so many problems and these will be redressed by scientists through FM station. The farmers will be advised on various aspects such as availability of seeds, organic farming, containing pest attack, types of crops suited for a particular region and tips on making agriculture profitable with little investment.


The channel will be dedicated to farmers, although agriculture students could also use it occasionally. For instance, a talk by Dr M S Swaminathan, an authority on agriculture, delivered in any part of the country will be recorded and broadcast on the university’s FM station for the benefit of students.

He said the university has earmarked Rs 18 lakh for the FM station. There was no problem of space, which was in plenty, and staff too were adequate. One or two staff members could double up as announcers. No additional costs were involved barring electricity charges. If the proposed FM station idea clicks, plans are afoot to have similar stations for 12 districts of Mumbai- Karnataka and Hyderabad-Karnataka which come under UAS, Dharwad. This may take at least 2-3 years time.