Tamil Nadu Agricultural University's community radio channel- Vivasayee

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University's (TNAU) has launched community radio channel Vivasayee FM 107.4. It will go online with a full-fledged archive, enabling people around the globe to listen to their broadcast. The 50-watt broadcast is available in 22 villages falling within a distance of 20 km from the university. Around 10,000 to 12,000 farm families will have access to the broadcast from 10.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day. 

TNAU acquired a license from the ministry of information and broadcasting. The World Development and Media Lab Asia, are TNAU's partners and work closely with the university to create the broadcast.

Topics-talk: mainly topics will be related to agriculture and allied sectors like fisheries and veterinary. Programmes on education, health, development of rural communities and entertainment will be covered. Information on weather and market prices of crops will find prominence. Based on these prices, farmers can choose crops accordingly.

The TNAU is currently scouting for radio presenters from All India Radio(AIR) to host the programme. "We will engage on a casual basis. We will also hire post graduate students. This will be good exposure, especially for students preparing for the communication paper, part of the extension course," said Dr. S P Ramanathan, Professor and head of department of market extension,TNAU.

Success stories of farmers and their experiences form another core aspect of the broadcast. Farmers can call 661523 and fix appointments to meet with the director of technical education

TNAU acquired a license from the ministry of information and broadcasting. The World Development and Media Lab Asia, both NGOs, are TNAU's partners and work closely with the university to create the broadcast.It is an appreciable attempt by TNAU to assist farmer by using radio as mode of communication.