A 2011 study, by researchers from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center ( CIMMYT), found that this is not always the case. Surabhi Mittal and Mamta Mehar found a number of crucial gaps and limitations in current advisory services being delivered by mobile phone to farmers in the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
For instance, content in messages was often not tailored to the local needs of farmers.The study found that farmers are keen to get very specific information, such as how to manage pest attacks or specific crop varieties that are more climate-resilient, rather than general advisories on the weather or pesticide use.
Following up on this CIMMYT study, the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS)and CIMMYT are implementing a pilot project aimed at improving delivery of climate-related information to farmers in Karnal in Haryanaand Vaishali in Bihar, ' climate- smart villages' that are baseline sites for CCAFS research in the region.
Crucially, the project will measure therealimpact of the service it provides and assess whether it will be sustainable once external funding ends.
The project is sending voice and text (SMS) messages in Hindi to farmers' mobile phones. These are aimed at encouraging farmers to adopt technologies that can mitigate climate risks. Messages include weather forecasts and recommended actions that farmers should take, and information about pests and remedies, seed varieties and climate-smart technologies such as conservation agriculture.
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