e-Enterprise & livelihood, 2009
ESTABLISHING & OPERATING THE KISAN CALL CENTRE
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Kisan Call Centre Software is an MIS tool capturing the complete milieu of advisory services provided through Kisan Call Centre and providing backend data support to the knowledge worker, while processing queries from the farmers. A central call centre has been established which takes queries of farmers and answers in their language within 72 hours. The software captures callers’ details and the specifications of the query. Above information helps in analyzing area-wise, crop-wise and different quantum related to livestock, policy issues etc. In addition, it also helps identify pest attacks in any particular geographical area and the information collected is provided to the State Agriculture Department for taking timely suitable action through broadcasting on television, radio and Kisan call centre itself.
JUROR’S EVALUATION
The Kisan Call centre of Indian Society of Agribusiness Professionals (ISAP) is a good model of removing the digital divide and triggering growth of rural economy. Agriculture contributes to 35% of India’s GDP and 65% of the population. The Kisan Call centre is acombination of ICT and agriculture technology. It uses Open source software. The call centre works on two levels. On the one hand, the queries are analysed so that area specific analysis can be done and timely advice beamed by the state government through TV, radio etc. Specialists answer farmers’ queries on best agronomic practices and pest outbreaks. It receives about 20,000 calls a month and has reached out to over one lakh farmers in Madhya Pradesh.
To watch other Manthan Award South Asia 2009 Winners’ Films, Kindly log on to – http://youtube.com/manthanawardtv
KHETI: RURAL E-SERVICES IN INDIA
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Kheti is a communication concept combining software on mobile camera phones and web 2.0 services. The current Kheti prototype provides a simple interface for a user to create a multimedia package (known as SDS – Short Dialogue Strip) consisting of up to six pictures and an audio track of one and half minute. This can then be sent to a web site where advisors can view photos in high resolution, and then advise the farmers. Kheti has had a short feasibility test in the Sironj Crop Producers’ Company, a co-operative of small farmers, in Madhya Pradesh, India. In this trial, five members of the cooperative provided the Kheti services to the co-operative members in 25 villages. In three months, over 200 queries were handled and some significant risks to harvests (and household economies) were mitigated.
JUROR’S EVALUATION
Agriculture is the livelihood of 85% of India’s rural community. KHETI is a unique concept, integrating mobile camera phones with web services. The technology has been developed in a participatory manner, involving the farmers in field discussions. The result is that, the user, the marginal farmer, is a codesigner in the process. This also involves capacity building of the stakeholders. These initiatives help in long term sustainability. The project has been piloted successfully with the Sironji Crop Producers Cooperative of small and marginal farmers. The process of handling technology has not only improved incomes and livelihoods of the farmers but also empowered them.
To watch other Manthan Award South Asia 2009 Winners’ Films, Kindly log on to – http://youtube.com/manthanawardtv
Jigyasha 7676, Bangladesh
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Jigyasha 7676 is a call centre based service, launched in Bangladesh, where users are provided solutions to their queries regarding agriculture, poultry, fishery and livestock information. A call center based on agro service has been established, and it collects, screens and serves as an information channel for the farmer and the society as a whole so as to induce wider information exchange. The service is also available for students, rural youth, academicians, researchers, rural women, businessmen and agro related industries as per their need. The content database mainly comprises of different types of necessary information needed in agriculture sector that may provide value for end users.
JUROR’S EVALUATION
Jigyasha is a cross media platform device to help increase the incomes of rural farmers and allied livelihoods. An initiative from Bangladesh, the content is in the local language, Bangla. To set this service, content from various sources like government, research institutes and universities has been digitized. The information ranges from the field of agriculture to poultry, floriculture etc which are the main occupations in the region. It is user friendly as queries are through the mobile phone and the call centre retrieves the data to answer queries. Bangladesh has a high mobile penetration of over 45,000. The call centre receives 4,000 calls a day which is an indication of its success.
To watch other Manthan Award South Asia 2009 Winners’ Films, Kindly log on to – http://youtube.com/manthanawardtv