Sharada Krishi Vahini @ 90.8 FM

Contact Person: Mrs. Dipali Kolase

Broadcasting Language: Marathi

Genesis:  Sharada Krishi Vahini is a Community Radio Station (CRS), based at KVK Baramati, that was inaugurated on January 18, 2011 by Ms. Supriya Sule, Member of Parliament, Baramati. The CRS, which broadcasts at 90.8 MHz, strives to give the farming community the most up-to-date information in the field of agriculture. Farmers, farm women, and agricultural communities can use the station to share their experiences, talents, art, needs and other issues.. Farmers, self-help groups, students, doctors, local artists, agro-entrepreneurs, professors, and specialists from other faculties are among the presenters and participants in the programmes. In the quest of critical issues/concerns, the programmers travel to communities to collect farmers’ stories and livelihood issues, which are then broadcast by the CRS. Furthermore, patriotic, folk, devotional, and light music are recorded and transmitted to motivate the local people. Agricultural scientists and specialists are often invited to take part in radio discussions to explore and resolve critical agricultural challenges. 

Thematic Focus: The main focus areas of Radio Sharada Krishi Vanhini are agriculture, education, healthcare, various social and allied issues. Through its programmes and interventions, the CRS aims to create a lasting impact in the lives of the target community. This is done by reaching out to the community members to address their concerns and needs. The CRS also strives to draw the attention of government authorities and other stakeholders to the challenges faced by the community on a daily basis. 

Sustainable Development Goals: Radio Sharada Krishi Vahini focuses its work on the following SDGs:

SDG 1: No Poverty

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

SDG 4: Quality Education

SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

SDG 13: Climate Action

Primetime Programmes: The primetime programmes that are broadcast on Radio Sharada Krishi Vahini are as follows. 

 Sant Tukaramanchi Abhangawani: This programme attempts to transmit positive teachings from Sant Tukaram Maharaj’s Abhangas, fostering good culture in the community. 

Krishi Sandesh: An educational programme that provides farmers with local weather reports. Arogyadhan: This programme provides information on numerous health issues as well as simple home cures. 

Baliraja Tuzyachsathi: An educational programme for farmers that provides information on numerous agricultural techniques, ideas, and other topics. 

Yashogatha: An interactive interview programme that tells the success stories of progressive farmers. 

Tantra Shetiche: A programme that contains technical lectures offered by specialists and scientists on new and important agricultural technology launched for the benefit of farmers. 

Dinvishesh: A daily programme that gives special information on the events that occurred on the day. 

Kilbil: A children’s educational and entertaining programme. 

Pustakwachan: A programme that gives listeners readings from various novels. 

Indradhanushya: A multipurpose programme to address social issues that includes farmers, professors, lecturers, doctors, social workers, writers, poets, authors, experts, scientists, and entrepreneurs. 

Manthan: A conceptual programme that introduces listeners to several ideologies. 

Innovations in format or any other way: While transmitting radio programmes, the CRS also attempts for narrowcasting them on stage, on the streets, in schools, universities, exhibits, industry sectors, and so on. In this effort, the CRS is assisted in various ways by ‘Asha workers from the health department, officers and agents from the agriculture departments, school instructors, and college professors.  

The CRS also deploys additional extension tools and activities in order to reach the unreached, including   – street play, farmers and students seminar, public lecture sessions, newspaper articles,   and banners.  

Core Team: Sharada Krishi Vahini employs nine people, including the Station Director and Station Manager. CRS’ core committee consists of seven members, excluding these employees. CRS relies on five volunteers to help with its community programmes, and has its own technical personnel as well. Members of the core committee oversee radio operations.

Major Projects Undertaken: Initiatives that focus on patriarchy, child marriage, gender equality, sexual assault, gender-based violence, career guidance, and entrepreneurship programmes for women and girls are among the major projects undertaken by the CRS. This includes both internal and external initiatives.  

Sustainable Strategies: Sustainable Strategies: The parent organisation provides financial assistance for technical maintenance to the CRS. It also generates revenue through advertisements from private partners, and some funds are raised through projects funded by UNICEF and government advertisements. Radio Sharada Krishi Vahini also has collaborations with the Departments of Health, Agriculture, and Education. 

Number of listeners and Potential Outreach: The radio coverage area is limited to the rural areas of Baramati, Phaltan, and Indapur. Apart from that, some listeners have access to the radio over the Internet. Every year, the CRS reaches around 3.5 lakh listeners. 

Major concerns in the Community: The major concerns in the society include problems faced by farmers. Weather plays a crucial role in their yield and their income depends on it. The farmers also need access to the latest technologies and knowledge related to the latest farming practices. Procuring the right price for their produce is also important for their well-being.