Kisan Call Centres
Kisan Call Centres (KCCs) have been established at 14 locations in the country to provide extension support on telephone to farmers in all States and Union Territories using a nation-wide toll free number 1800 180 1551. This number is accessible through all mobile numbers of all telecom networks as well as land lines from 6.00 AM to 10.00 PM on all 7 days a week.
The Government has identified IFFCO Kisan Sanchar Limited (IKSL) as Service Provider of Kisan Call Centre Scheme. IKSL has deployed 376 Farm Tele Advisors (FTAs) to respond to the farmers’ calls.
The Kisan Call Centres are equipped with the state of the art technology having a number of new features viz. Internet Protocol Private Branch Exchange (IPPBX), redundant Internet bandwidth, 100% call recording/ call replay, call barging, voice mail service during call waiting or when KCC is not working and SMS to caller farmers giving a gist of reply given by KCC.
Apart from responding to farmers queries the KCCs also facilitate their registration for availing the SMS services in agriculture and allied areas. Farmer can give up to 8 choices for his preferred crops/activities. This also includes activities under Animal Husbandry, Fisheries & Dairying in addition to Agriculture & Horticulture. Language choice of the farmer is also being taken regarding SMS advisories. Preference of the farmers for receiving market price of selected markets all over the country at desired periodicity with respect to the crops preferred by him is also registered at the KCCs.
The existing 14 Kisan Call Centers are serving the needs of farmers in the entire country. However, the State-wise call flow is being closely monitored at these KCCs. As and when calls increase beyond a threshold in a particular State, decision regarding setting up of a new Kisan Call Center in that State will be taken.
This information was given today by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Shri Mohanbhai Kundaria in the Lok Sabha.
GG: SB:CP : kisan (lok) 2.12.2014