AgroWon ConclaveVoices from Grounds

Nishikant BhaleraoEditor

18-19 Dec 06 Lucknow

Global Quotes

• "In an Age of Globalization we need to recognize that Others problems are our problems too!And we do not have all the answers."

• "China's opening to the Global economy did increase the standard of middle class.but now its argued that Chinese are suffering because of its rapid transition to mkt based economy"

• There is definitely a Distress in Maharashtra Farmers

Why Agriculture?

• As a Strong Media Group having multiple products catering various sections of society we found a SPACE for Areocentric product.

• A large size sample survey in 7 Agro-climatic zones of state and Dozens of FGD(Focused Group discussions) confirmed this SPACE.

India will be the highest populated country in the world in next 15 years. In order to be the granary of the world we have to increase productivity, innovate varieties, encourage R & D, food processing & capture the world market.

In such circumstances, Agrowon will try to make farmers be aware and ready to face the challenges,posed by WTO/GATT/GLOBALISATION

Objective

Entertain me

• HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHEnlighten me

Educate me

Enrich me

• Help me make better decisions to increase my value as a parent, farmer, student etc

• Help me be more secure or healthy

• Help me stay informed on issues that are relevant to me

• Help me feel smart by stimulating my thinking.

• Keep me from boredom• Give me enjoyment or amusement• Help me to relax

Engage me• Connect me with people who share my interests-views

• Make me feel part of a community

Empower me • Help me get action on things that matter to me• Provide me with information to keep our democracy

running

Objective

Inform me on material benefit i.e.make/save money on time/Help me to become a better person

In the Agriculture industry

Equipments

Natural resources

Productivity Yield

Standardization

Price

Agri info

Micro-irrigation, precision farming

Agro tourism, SAZ

ICT

Commodity exchange ,E-choupal, supermarkets

GM crops

Modernization

Agri produce Processing, demand based crops

Disruptive innovation

Disruptive innovation

Farmers select crops

Agri produce

Geographically defined

Few sources of ICT

APMC, cooperatives

No allied businesses

Consumers select crops

Agri produce not geographically defined, WTO

Multiple sources of ICT

Commodity exchanges, contract farming

Agro tourism, etc.

Banking reformsMoney lenders

Old World New World

What Farmers Want to Read

15%

8%

6%

6%

6%4%3%3%3%3%3%3%3%

2%2%2%1%1%1%1%

6%

20%

Modern Tech

Seasonal Harvesting

Seeds

Fertilizers

Maintenance/ Cultivation

Pesticides

Market rates

Pro Agri industries

Experts Advice

Govt Schemes

Water Planning

Farmers' Experiences

Agro Info

Sow ing

Agri related articles

Monsoon

Agri equipments

Pesticide spraying

Market development

Fruit orchards

Rural Development

Others

What Farmers like to read in farming?

Preferred Readable Topics

In just 20 months

• We are selling 1.10 Lacs copies Daily• Reaching 10+ Lac unreached Farmer readers• Reached 26k Farmers through 59 paid workshops

((Topics:Jatropha and Bio-Fuel,Bamboo, Emu Farming,Green House Vegetables,value addition in Core Cereals,Agro tourism,Horti.Mission, Imp of Oilseeds, Medicinal Plants ,Agro forestry farm management ,Micro Credits, etc)

• Getting Daily 1.60 lac hits and 28 k page views to website www.agrowon.com

Voices Say...

• Efficient/ Accessible Certification Agencies

• Updates on Phyto-sanitary regulations

• Weather alerts with Pest forecast

• Post-harvest availability

• Simplified legalities in Contract Farming

• Participation in fixing MSP

• Group Buying-selling

Voices continue...

• Insurance and buyback guarantee• Guidance on Agro based Activities• Recognition to own Research• Varsity research from Lab to Land• Linkages to retail• Seed security-Seed Bill• High productivity Tech.for

Groundnut,Safflower,Sesames,Mustard,Soya, castor.Linseed and oilseeds.

Voices Continue...

• Initiatives in forming Water Bodies,water Banks

• Marketing thru SHG

• Micro-credits is looked as Market based mechanism and transforming power...so..effective Micro credit system in rural Maharashtra.

Thank You