NEW DELHI: A sum of Rs 1.2225 billion was released from 2014-15 to 2016-17 to Prasar Bharati by the information and broadcasting ministry for Dordarshan Kisan Channel.

The total fund allocated for 2017-18 is Rs 800 million, the minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore has told the Parliament.

Fund allocated to DD Kisan are:

The annual operating cost incurred by the channel in the year 2014-15 is Rs.231.1  million. .

DD Kisan was launched in May, 2015. The source of revenue is commercial advertisements aired during the programme. The revenue earned by DD Kisan other than government funding, since its launch from May, 2015 is:

In reply to another question, he said DD Kisan has introduced two daily News Bulletins at 1:30 pm and at 07:00 pm.

The channel continuously receives feedback from its viewers. There is a daily one hour live interactive programme “Hello Kisan”. The farmers can call on the toll free line to ask questions to experts or give their opinion. The channel takes their reactions for improvising the content.

A number of field based shows and programmes are also planned. There is a direct communication at grass root level with the channels’ representatives. The social media links such as web, Facebook and Twitter are also prominently displayed on the channel so that viewers can give their suggestions. Feedback/suggestions, as available, are regularly analysed for improving the programmes and content on the Kisan Channel.

These programmes are produced continuously depending upon the requirement of the channel. There is no proposal at present to translate the programme in other regional languages.

Answering another question, he said Doordarshan telecasts agriculture programmes through its network on National Channels as well as other DD regional channels.

DD Kisan is available throughout the country. As a new initiative, a daily programme titled “Uttar Purvi Rajyon Se” has been scheduled which contains programmes from North Eastern states in their respective languages.

Viewership of DD Kisan channel according to data received from Broadcast Audience Research Council is an average 7.2 million per month.

: :

Average Monthly Viewership (in million)

       Market: All India