Bhagalpur, June 7: Bihar Agriculture University (BAU), Sabour, would soon bring advanced broadcasting technology for farmers.

Tillers, who would earlier remain tensed to know the climatic conditions and other information to improve their yield, now would enjoy such facilities through text messaging.

A farmer will now have to send his requirement by text message and would get a reply within seconds. Hindi words would be spelt out in English for the convenience of the farmers.

BAU is all set to offer the advance broadcasting technology like SMS that would enable farmers in any part of the state to access detailed information about better farming.

BAU scientists have developed the high-quality technique to provide the information among the farmers through text messaging. BAU would be the first in Bihar to provide such a facility to the farmers. Developed states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and others in south India have the facility for the farmers.

The university has started to develop an electronic media production centre, which would provide information on more than 60 varieties of crops apart from other information related to climate, fertilisers and others. Apart from that, information related to cattle would also be provided from the centre.

Alok Kumar, the in-charge of the project, said the new system would be introduced as agriculture knowledge broadcasting system. “With this system, advanced techniques of agriculture would be provided to the farmers through broadcasting technology. It would keep them updated on all agriculture-related matters,” he said.

He said under the National Agriculture Development Project, the work would be completed at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore. Launch of the agriculture website, e-portal and mini studios at five Krishi Vigyan Kendras falling under BAU and an electronic media production centre would be some of the features of the project.

Rajesh Kumar, the public relations officer of BAU, said the university is scheduled to sign a memorandum of understanding with New Delhi-based World Development Foundation and soon after that work would start.

The facility would be provided to the farmers against a payment of Rs 20 each and a farmer would receive a reply to his question three times in a day from the system.

Dinesh Prasad Singh, the district agriculture officer, Bhagalpur said the department has received letters from the university. “We have started working in this direction so that maximum number of farmers could enjoy the facility,” he said.