Ranchi, Jan. 31: What would a Chennai farmer soon have in common with his Jharkhand counterpart?

The ability to log on and exchange notes about the latest agriculture technology and methods, diagnostic services like soil and water testing, diagnosis of plant diseases, artificial insemination programmes, updated weather and market information, farm trials and frontline demonstrations.

Thanks to the initiative of Birsa Agriculture University (BAU) and Alternative for India Development (AID), a Chennai-based non-government organisation, farmers would soon have access to valuable information at common service centres — Pragya Kendras.

According to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between AID and BAU (picture above) today, the latter would provide information related to its services and products through Pragya Kendras to be established by AID in 600 village panchayats of Palamau, Garwah and Latehar districts.

In Jharkhand, 4,562 such centres are being established through public-private partnership.

These centres will act as delivery points for government, research organisations and private organisations. Villagers can access information through the Internet at these centres.

Farmers can seek information through emails and there are also proposals of interactive sessions with experts through video-conferencing.

BAU vice-chancellor N.N. Singh said the MoU would add a new dimension to transfer of technology and agricultural extension programmes would now be demand-driven.

The centres would be established by rural youths, who would be known as village-level entrepreneurs.

Kisan Diaries, Pathari Krishi and other folders, bulletins, pamphlets and leaflets of BAU would also be available on the website.