NEW DELHI, July 13: Spice farmers will get valuable information on market rates and government schemes through a mobile voice messaging service launched by the Spices Board of India.
The novel venture would connect with farmers on a mobile tele-network for direct interface.
The service was launched yesterday in association with the ISKL (IFFCO Kissan Sanchar Ltd) of Tamil Nadu, Chairman, Spice Board of India, A Jayathilak, told over phone.
“To begin with, the board has launched the service in Tamil Nadu and will soon take it to Kerala, Karnataka, Sikkim, North Eastern States, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh,” he said.
The Board intends to connect with nearly one lakh farmers through the service in one year, Jayathilak added.
The farmers will get the benefit of voice messages every day from the Spices Board on the schemes, projects, prices of spices and announcements from the Board, he said.
The farmers of spices crops like cardamom, chillies, curry leaf, coriander, pepper, nutmeg, cloves and herbs will benefit in receiving voice messages related to various aspects of spices cultivation, processing, marketing and exports.
The Board will also stand to benefit in terms having direct interface with the vast section of growers in Tamil Nadu through the mobile network at the shortest and quickest time possible.
“This Voice based messaging service will provide an interactive medium for the spice farming community”, the Spice Board Chairman said.
IKSL will also transmit messages on weather conditions and forecasts. There are opportunities for Phone-in programme through which farmers can interact with the expert for announced speciality. There will be some Quiz programmes for farmers, who can win some prizes.
Tamil Nadu is a major spices producing state contributing commercially important spices grown by thousands of farmers. (PTI)