In India, more than 65% of the population is still dependent on agriculture. Since independence, the government has made intensive efforts to modernise the agriculture sector and increase agricultural productivity. Many agriculture universities and a vast network of over 550 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) have been set up by the government to provide agriculture extension services to the farmers. However, in spite of this vast network of KVKs, farmers continue to struggle to find timely solutions for their crop-related problems.

TARAhaat was set up seven years ago precisely for this reason – to help find solutions using information and information-based products and services to rural communities, including farmers.
 
During the last two years, TARAhaat, in partnership with One World South Asia (OWSA), provides agri-advisory services to the farmers of Bundelkhand region using ICTs under the Lifelines India Project. This project, now commonly known as ‘Soochna se Samadhan’ Sewa (meaning ‘Information for Solution’ service) has its origins in the Digital Inclusion Initiative, which is a part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of British Telecom (BT).

Har Govind, Tericher, Bundelkhand

'My pulse crop was infected with a disease, for which I was really worried. I got to know of this farmer helpline number from one of the TARAhaat volunteers. I immediately called on this number. The computer recorded my question and provided me a four-digit query identity and informed me that the answer will be available after 24 hours. After 24 hrs I went back to a STD booth and dialed the number again and on dialing the four-digit query identity I was told to use a specific type of fertiliser in a specific quantity. I used the fertiliser and within 15 days, the disease was under control.'

The project provides voice-based Question and Answer services to farmers. The farmer dials a designated number using a landline / mobile telephone and gets a reference number for his query. The call first reaches the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System, where the farmer registers the query with the help of the voice menu. The query from the farmer is stored as a voice clip in the database server. The Knowledge Worker (KW) logs into the application through the web interface, and views all the calls that are waiting for attention. The KW searches the FAQ database for an answer. If the answer is in the database, a KW worker stores the same for the query in the IVR. If the answer is not in the FAQ database, the KW sends the query to subject matter experts. When the answer is received from the expert, the application alerts the knowledge worker. The knowledge worker then retrieves the text answer, and stores it in the audio database. Finally, the answer in voice mode is played when the farmer calls for answer to his query.

                 
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The farmer can also retrieve the answer in text format from the Information centre near to his village, or even send pictures related to his query for some expert opinion.

Soochna Se Samadhan sewa is a versatile, dynamic application that can be customised and adopted for information sharing in other crucial sectors of education, health, registration and employment.

TARAhaat has currently implemented the programme in the Bundelkhand region. A team of 12 EDVs (Ek Duniya Volunteers) and one agri-coordinator works at the field level. This field team visits farmers to generate agriculture-related queries. The success can be judged from the fact that in the last nine months (April-December 2007), more than 23000 queries have been generated, covering 351 villages of Bundelkhand.
 
Satya Prakash – Tericher, Bundelkand

'This phone facility is really easy. My mustard crop was infected with Mahu. I came to know about this service through one of the TARAhaat field coordinators working in our area. He gave me a mobile phone to register my query. When I registered my question asking for advice on the medicine, after 24 hours I got an answer. I acted upon the advice provided and completely got rid of the disease that was infecting my crop.'

This application has the potential to address a large variety of knowledge and information problems at the local level. Soochna Se Samadhan sewa is a versatile, dynamic application that can be customized and adopted for information sharing in other crucial sectors of education, health, registration and employment. q           

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