Rural Voice 2nd anniversary: Experts discuss role of technology and marketing in rural economy

Experts from diverse sectors Friday gathered at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi to discuss the importance of technology and marketing for the prosperity of the farming community at a day-long conclave organized by Rural Voice to mark the second anniversary of the interactive digital media platform dedicated to agriculture and the rural economy.

Panellists of experts drawn from various fields held deliberations on burning issues before agriculturalists and policy framers.

The first session was on “The rationale and basis for a ‘legal MSP’ and its implications - Role of central and state governments”.

The panellists included Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog; Sundeep Kumar Nayak, IAS, DG, NPC, Ministry of Commerce and Industry; Siraj Hussain, Former Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, GoI; and Prof. CSC Sekhar, Institute of Economic Growth and member MSP committee.

Prof. Chand began his address by extending greetings to the audience on the occasion of Kisan Diwas on December 23.

He also lauded the efforts of Harvir Singh, Editor-in-Chief, Rural Voice, for his efforts to highlight the issues before agriculturists and the farming community.

Prof. Chand said he was happy to note that Rural Voice was celebrating its second anniversary.

Harvir Singh said in his opening remarks that Rural Voice highlights local issues, policy matters and technology which don't find adequate space in mainstream media. "Our efforts are to act as a bridge," he said.

Singh said there would be four sessions in all.

The other sessions will deliberate on the Role of cooperatives, agri start-ups and FPOs for the prosperity of the farming community; New-age agricultural marketing – futures and options and electronic trading; and Technology in boosting agricultural growth and farm incomes, Singh said.

He said ministers, officials, agriculture scientists, economists and policy experts, besides farmers, participating in the deliberations, will throw light on the current and future challenges before Indian agriculture.

Rural Voice runs websites www.ruralvoice.in in Hindi and eng.ruralvoice.in in English, both of which are quite a hit. It also runs a YouTube channel, ruralvoicein, carrying video stories, interviews and agricultural technology shows. “Rural Voice is not just a news platform - it's for advocacy for good policies for rural India,” Singh explained.

Rural Voice, in a span of just two years since its launch, has increased the number of its viewers and readers manifold and also its reach among the farming community. It has done thousands of impactful stories and analytical articles for its targeted audience.

A highlight of the event was the release of a print version of Rural Voice.

An award presentation ceremony on the occasion will be graced by Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Minister of State of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GoI, and Dr US Awasthi, Managing Director, IFFCO.