Karshakavani @ 90.4 FM

Contact Person:  Mr. T.K. Prasanth

Broadcasting Language: Telugu

Genesis: Karshakavani is owned by the farming community, promoted by the Punganur Mandala Vayalaga Rythula Samakhya. The CRS was established on 20th September 2015, in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The main objective of the CRS is to strengthen the farming community by educating them in the fields of agriculture and its allied sectors, and improving their livelihood. The CRS is also committed to the holistic development of the local community. 

Thematic Focus: The primary thematic focus area of Karshakavani is agriculture. The CRS also focuses on skill development and capacity building, alternative and sustainable livelihood, environment, health, education,  and guiding the youth in the community. The CRS encourages the community to preserve its culture and traditions. 

Sustainable Development Goals: The SDGs that the CRS focusses on are:

SDG 1: No Poverty

SDG 4: Quality Education

SDG 5: Gender Equality 

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Primetime Programmes: The primetime programmes of Karshakavani are Arogayyama Mahabagyam (health-based programme), Bala Vikasam (programme for children), Rythu Bharatham (agriculture-based programme), Yuva Chaitanyam (youth empowerment programme), Mahila Sadikarata (women empowerment programme), and Pale Patalu (songs related to agriculture, like harvest songs). 

Innovations in format or any other way: Karshakavani engages with the local community through on-field interactions, which help create a network with the farmers and share critical information. It also helps in registering the local concerns in the community, and addressing them.

Core Team: Karshakavani has seven members in its Management Committee in addition to Station Manager. The CRMC members of the community meet once a month to review the programmes of the CRS. The leaders of the farmers associations take the responsibility to produce programmes as well as promote listenership. 

Major Projects Undertaken: Karshakavani has collaborated with organisations like UNICEF, SMART, and NABARD for various initiatives in the community. The CRS was an active participant in many COVID-19 and vaccination campaigns. 

Sustainable Strategies: Karshakavani is owned and supported by the farming community through its parent organisation. 

Number of listeners and Potential Outreach: Karshakavani has an active listener base of approximately 61,000 listeners from 122 hamlets in 22 panchayats. 

Major concerns in the Community: The farming community faces many problems like crop failure, pests, lack of adequate equipment, low income, and lack of knowledge about the latest agricultural practices. The changing climatic patterns and other environmental problems also add to their misery.