Shillong, Nov 13: A three-day workshop for Akashvani and Doordarshan producers started on Tuesday with an aim to strengthen agricultural programming to uplift rural livelihoods across the East Zone and North East region.
The workshop titled ‘Impact Assessment & Capacity Building Workshop for Akashvani’s Kisanvani and Doordarshan’s Kisan and Krishi Darshan programme producers from the East Zone and North East Region’ began with an inaugural session at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) at Umiam, Meghalaya by Dr B D R Tiwari, Commissioner & Secretary to the Governor of Meghalaya, and Chief Electoral Officer.
During his inaugural speech, Tiwari made an appeal to the media outlets to document age-old agricultural practices and called for better integration of such knowledge in government schemes. “Our farmers, especially in the North East, have a wealth of agricultural heritage and practices that remain undocumented. This workshop will explore the best ways to broadcast this knowledge, so it reaches every farmer, and to document and preserve these time-tested methods,” he said.
Tiwary also highlighted that channels such as Kisanvani and Krishi Darshan are among the longest-running agricultural programming formats worldwide and are constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of rural communities.
He also commended AIR and DD’s efforts to ensure quality, fact-based news that serves the nation’s population. “Akashvani remains a significant force, touching our hearts with its words. Even with the advances in technology, channels like Kisanvani serve as the true voice of farmers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ashish Bhatnagar, ADG NEZ, Akashvani & Doordarshan, mentioned the significance of November 12 as All India Radio celebrates Public Service Broadcasting Day in India commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s historic visit to All India Radio (AIR) in 1947.
Bhatnagar reiterated that the day serves as an occasion to appreciate the role of All India Radio and Doordarshan, India’s public broadcasting platforms, in providing information, education, and entertainment to the masses.
While hinting on the extensive reach of All India Radio, Bhatnagar said that AIR in North East India disseminates programmes and news in 90 different languages or dialects. AIR’s outreach in rural India, in particular, aligns closely with Gandhi’s principles.
Mahatma Gandhi firmly believed that India’s soul resided in its villages and his vision of development included empowering rural communities, and in many ways AIR has continued to keep this vision alive by addressing issues relevant to rural populations, he added.
The workshop will cover a wide range of topics, including innovations, traditional farming practices, and ways to make scientific knowledge more accessible to farmers.
It may be mentioned that AIR and Doordarshan have been taking up the cause of farming communities since 1967. In particular, AIR has been broadcasting a dedicated programme for farmers in their own languages and dialects throughout the community from 2004 in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
