Maharashtra to improve its agro-info services

The Maharashtra government is planning to improve the information disseminated to farmers, along with extending the facilities at information kiosks and LED screens that will be put up in villages through the gram panchayats.

The Maharashtra government, which currently sends 10 lakh texts on weather predictions to farmers on a daily basis, is now planning to improve the information disseminated to them, along with extending the facilities at information kiosks and LED screens that will be put up in villages through the gram panchayats.

By doing this, they are hoping to strengthen the weather prediction methods, which will help farmers grappling with issues such as drought and hailstorms in Maharashtra.

Information will also be put out on the radio, and private television channels. “There is a need to reach out to all farmers in the state. This should be extended not only through SMS, but also through radio and television so that the we cover more farmers in the state,” Fadnavis said.

Fadnavis has also asked officials to take help from mobile companies and compile a database of farmers so that the department can directly connect with them for sharing information.