Executive Summary:
This document addresses Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3816 regarding Kisan Call Centres (KCCs) in Tamil Nadu, answered on August 12, 2025. It details the features, accessibility, services, and financial operations of KCCs, as well as plans for future enhancements to assist farmers. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare operates KCCs to address farmer queries related to agriculture, weather, government schemes, and market prices.
Key Points / Main Content:
Kisan Call Centre (KCC) Overview:
* KCCs address farmers' queries on farming issues, Package of Practices (PoP), weather, market advisories, and government schemes since January 21, 2004.
* There are 17 KCC locations nationwide covering all States and Union Territories, including one at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore.
* A toll-free number, 18001801551, is accessible via mobile phones and landlines across all telecom providers.
Services and Information Provided:
* KCCs address queries related to weather, plant protection, cultural practices, nutrient and water management, fertilizer usage, weed management, crop varieties, sowing times, government schemes, and market prices.
* Farm Tele Advisors (FTAs), graduates in agriculture and allied subjects, provide information on crop management, pest control, government schemes, weather forecasting, and market prices.
* Farmers receive replies in the local language, Tamil.
Accessibility and Promotion:
* The toll-free number 18001801551 ensures accessibility for farmers in rural and remote areas.
* The toll-free number and KCC services are promoted through social media and mass media.
Financials:
* KCCs operate as a Central Sector program through a contracted service provider.
* There is no separate financial allocation for individual KCCs.
Future Enhancements:
* The existing KCC in Tamil Nadu offers advanced features like video conferencing, and video/photograph sharing to provide information on the latest agricultural technologies.
Impact Analysis:
Farmers in Tamil Nadu:
* Impact: Improved access to information on crop management, pest control, government schemes, weather forecasting, market prices, and new agricultural technologies. Potential for increased productivity.
* Action Required: Utilize the toll-free number 18001801551 to access KCC services and information.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare:
* Impact: Responsible for the continued operation and enhancement of KCC services in Tamil Nadu.
* Action Required: Maintain and improve the KCC program, ensure accessibility, and promote awareness among farmers.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare; the department issuing this policy document.
Kisan Call Centres (KCC): A program run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to address farmers' queries related to farming issues.
Tamil Nadu: A state in India where Kisan Call Centres are functioning and the focus of this policy document.
SHRI MALAIYARASAN D: A member of Lok Sabha who raised questions about Kisan Call Centres in Tamil Nadu.
SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR: The Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare who answered the questions regarding Kisan Call Centres.
Package of Practices (PoP): Recommended guidelines and methods for agricultural practices, information about which is provided through Kisan Call Centres.
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore: The location of one Kisan Call Centre in Tamil Nadu.
Farm Tele Advisors (FTAs): Graduates in Agriculture Allied subjects deployed at Kisan Call Centres who attend calls from farmers and provide information.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3816
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12th AUGUST, 2025
KISAN CALL CENTRES IN TAMIL NADU
3816. SHRI MALAIYARASAN D:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण मं(cid:287)ी
be pleased to state:
(a): the features of and the number of Kisan Call Centres (KCC) functioning in the state
of Tamil Nadu;
(b): the details of agricultural topics and challenges discussed by farmers through these
centres
(c): the steps taken to ensure the accessibility of Kisan Call Centres for farmers in Tamil
Nadu, particularly in rural and remote areas, and the availability of services in local
languages
(d): the role of Kisan Call Centres in providing farmers with information on crop
management, pest control, Government schemes, weather forecasting and market prices in
Tamil Nadu ;
(e): the details of financial allocation for the operation of Kisan Call Centres in Tamil
Nadu and utilised thereof for the establishment and running of these centres; and
(f): whether the Government has any plans to expand or enhance Kisan Call Centre
services in the state of Tamil Nadu to further assist farmers in adopting new agricultural
technologies and improving their productivity?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य म(cid:287)ं ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a): Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is running Kisan Call Centres (KCC) to
address the queries from farmers related to various farming issues, Package of Practices
(PoP), weather and market advisories, government schemes etc., on a telephone call in
their own languages, since January 21, 2004. Currently KCCs are run at 17 different
locations in the country covering all the States and Union Territories (UTs), including Tamil
Nadu. A countrywide common eleven-digit Toll Free Number 1800-180-1551 has been
allotted for Kisan Call Centre. This number is accessible through mobile phones and
landlines of all telecom service providers. There is one (01) Kisan Call Centre (KCC)
located at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore to provide the advisories
to farmers of Tamil Nadu.
(b): Queries received from farmers related to weather, plant protection, cultural practices,
nutrient management practices, water management, fertilizer usage, weed management,crop varieties, sowing time, etc., as well as government schemes, market prices etc., are
addressed through Kisan Call Centres.
(c): The Toll Free Number 1800-180-1551 is accessible through mobile phones and
landlines of all telecom service providers in order to reach the unreachable categories of
rural and remote area farmers of Tamil Nadu. Initiatives have been taken to popularize the
Toll free number 1800-180-1551 and services of KCC through social media, mass-media,
etc. Replies to the queries of farmers are given in the local language viz., Tamil to the
farmers of Tamil Nadu.
(d): The calls from farmers are attended by graduates in Agriculture & Allied subjects
who are deployed at KCC, known as Farm Tele Advisors (FTAs) & Supervisors. They
provide the latest information on crop management, pest control, government schemes,
weather forecasting, and market prices to the farmers of Tamil Nadu.
(e): The Kisan Call Centre is a Central Sector programme operated through a service
provider on contract basis. There is no separate financial allocation for individual Kisan Call
Centre.
(f): Existing Kisan Call Centre in Tamil Nadu, is catering to the needs of farmers, having
the advanced features for video conferencing, sharing of videos, photographs, etc. to
provide information on the latest technologies in Agriculture for improving their productivity
from the fields.
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