A group of men listens to radio in Rohtas. Picture by Sanjay Kumar Choudhary

The state government has urged Bihar Agriculture University (BAU), Sabour, and Rajendra Agriculture University (RAU), Pusa, to spread community radio network in their respective areas.

At a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself connects with India over radio now and then, the state government’s effort goes to show how radio remains indispensable for the common man.

The state government’s effort would help update farmers with agricultural practices by adopting scientific techniques and increase yield.

The radio centres would broadcast information about scientific farming, weather, how to prevent diseases in agriculture, vital post-harvest information and marketing strategies.

They would also broadcast knowledge-making and entertainment programmes for children and homemakers.

According to R.K. Sohane, director, extension, BAU, Sabour, 20 districts fall under BAU’s jurisdiction in which a community radio centre is functioning at Barh.

Former chief minister Nitish Kumar had inaugurated the centre in May 2011.

The centre has the capacity to cover a 20km radius.

“We had sent a proposal for three more such community radio centres for Katihar, Nursarai in Nalanda and Sabour in Bhagalpur,” Sohane said.

He went to add: “The state government has already forwarded the proposal to the Union ministry for information and broadcasting for issuance of license.”

Sohane also said that the varsity has started work on completing community radio centres for the remaining 16 districts by coordinating with respective Krishi Vigyan Kendras.

Sources from BAU, Sabour, said sponsored advertisements from the clients concerned are very important for running community radio centres. He said Rs 10-12 lakh is required annually to run community centres.

Under agriculture technology management agency (ATMA) project, the central government is funding such community radio centres. “We have government sponsored advertisements for Barh community radio centre,” a source said.

BAU has often come to farmers’ aid in various ways in the past. In May this year, a team from the varsity helped an orchard in the district tackle the menace of borers, a type of insect, which had cut off supply of water and nutrients to mango trees.

The orchard is in Bhavnathpur, a village around 12km west of the district headquarters known for its Jardalu mango production.

The trees’ branches were drying up rapidly and the trees slowly dying. Spotting the attack of mango stem borers, the team suggested remedial measures to the farmers.

RAU, too, has helped farmers in various ways. Some years ago, researchers there had developed a variety of paddy, which could withstand the onslaught of flash floods.