(a) whether there is a constant demand to increase the time of agriculture related
programmes on Doordarshan;
(b) if so, whether the Government have so far taken any decision in this regard;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b) to (d): DD-I channel of Doordarshan regularly telecasts agriculture related
programmes, in its fixed chunk titled `Krishi Darshan`. Prasar Bharati has informed
that in addition, all the Regional Kendras have regular telecast chunks for
agricultural programmes. Due to various constraints, Doordarshan is not in a position
at present to increase the time of agricultural programmes. However, Doordarshan
has started narrow casting of programmes, which are predominantly agricultural
programmes, from selected Low Power Transmitters covering an area of 15 Kms.
around each transmitter in the country, for half an hour every week. Besides this,
positive informative programmes of Rural Development covering agriculture are also
being shown.