Indian agriculture is highly diverse, location-specific, and knowledge-intensive. Farmers regularly face challenges related to crop management, pest outbreaks, weather uncertainty, soil health, market access, and government schemes. To address these real-time information needs, the Government of India launched the Kisan Call Centre (KCC)—a toll-free, farmer-friendly advisory service designed to deliver expert agricultural guidance directly to cultivators.
What Is a Kisan Call Centre?
Kisan Call Centres are telephone-based extension services that allow farmers to speak directly with agricultural experts in their local language. By dialing a toll-free number, farmers can receive scientifically sound, location-specific advice without visiting agricultural offices or research stations.
The service operates throughout the year and covers crops, livestock, fisheries, horticulture, soil management, plant protection, weather advisories, and government programs.
Objectives of Kisan Call Centres
The primary goals of Kisan Call Centres are:
- To provide timely and reliable agricultural advice
- To reduce the information gap between farmers and experts
- To promote scientific farming practices
- To support risk reduction and productivity enhancement
- To strengthen the agricultural extension system using ICT tools
How the Kisan Call Centre Works
Kisan Call Centres follow a three-tier advisory system:
Level I – Call Agents
Trained agricultural graduates receive the initial call, understand the farmer’s problem, and provide basic guidance using standardized knowledge databases.
Level II – Subject Matter Specialists
If the query is complex, it is escalated to specialists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), or research institutes.
Level III – Expert Scientists
Highly specialized or unresolved issues are forwarded to senior scientists or domain experts for advanced technical advice.
This structured mechanism ensures accuracy, relevance, and reliability of information.
Key Features of Kisan Call Centres
- Toll-free access from anywhere in India
- Multilingual support for regional languages
- Real-time problem-solving
- Coverage of crops, livestock, fisheries, and allied sectors
- Integration with weather and market advisories
- Farmer-friendly and inclusive approach
Importance of Kisan Call Centres in Indian Agriculture
1. Timely Decision-Making
Immediate access to expert advice helps farmers take quick and informed decisions, especially during pest outbreaks or extreme weather events.
2. Cost-Effective Extension
Farmers save time and travel expenses by accessing advisory services from their fields or homes.
3. Empowerment of Small and Marginal Farmers
KCCs ensure that even remote and resource-poor farmers benefit from modern agricultural knowledge.
4. Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture
By encouraging balanced fertilizer use, integrated pest management, and climate-resilient practices, KCCs support long-term sustainability.
Challenges and Scope for Improvement
Despite their success, Kisan Call Centres face certain challenges:
- Limited awareness among some farmer groups
- Network connectivity issues in remote areas
- Need for regular updating of knowledge databases
- Language and dialect diversity
Strengthening digital integration, expanding outreach, and linking KCCs with mobile apps and AI-based advisory systems can further enhance their impact.
Conclusion
Kisan Call Centres represent a powerful example of how technology-enabled extension services can transform Indian agriculture. By connecting farmers directly with experts, they reduce uncertainty, improve productivity, and promote scientific farming practices. As agriculture faces increasing pressure from climate change and market volatility, Kisan Call Centres will continue to play a crucial role in supporting informed, resilient, and empowered farming communities.
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