Method. Pick one programme and follow it for at least four or five days at the same time each day — Krishi Darshan on Doordarshan, or the farm broadcast on your local All India Radio station, or your state agriculture department's channel. Keep a notebook with the date, programme name, and one line per item. Do not summarise as you listen; write first, sort afterwards.
What a good report must contain: (i) which programme, station and dates you followed; (ii) the information sorted into categories, not just a diary; (iii) at least one example under each category, with the actual figure or name; (iv) the questions the activity raised in your mind; (v) one short paragraph of your own conclusion.
Programme: the morning farmers' programme on All India Radio, listened to on five days.
| Category of information | Example of what was shared |
|---|---|
| 1. Weather forecast | District-wise rainfall expected over the next five days, temperature range, and a warning about strong winds — with advice to delay spraying until after the rain |
| 2. Market prices | The day's mandī rates for wheat, gram, mustard and onion, and which nearby mandī was paying more |
| 3. Crop advisory | When to give the third irrigation to wheat; how deep to sow gram; which variety suits late sowing |
| 4. Pest and disease alerts | A warning about yellow rust in wheat, how to recognise it, and a neem-based treatment before chemicals are used |
| 5. Government schemes | Last date to enrol for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana crop insurance; how to get a soil health card; subsidy on drip irrigation equipment |
| 6. New research and training | An ICAR scientist explaining seed treatment with beejamrit; the date of a training camp at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra |
| 7. Animal husbandry and allied activities | Vaccination dates for cattle; fodder for the dry season; a short item on beekeeping |
| 8. Farmers' own experiences | An interview with a farmer who shifted to organic vegetables and now sells directly to a nearby town |
Questions that came to my mind:
- How many farmers in my area actually listen to these programmes — and how do those who cannot read find out the same things?
- The forecast is given for a whole district. Is it accurate enough for one field?
- The price is announced for one mandī. Can a small farmer with three-fourths of a hectare afford to transport his crop to the mandī that pays more?
- Advice is given, but who helps if the advice is followed and the crop still fails?
- Almost all the advice is addressed to “bhaiyon” — brothers. If more than 75 per cent of rural agricultural workers are women, why are the programmes not addressed to them?