Farmers’ Exposure to Communication Tools of Agriculture Information Service (AIS) in Bangladesh

Agriculture Information Service (AIS) is an organization under Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh started its journey in 1961. AIS departed in 1985, and one part merged with Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock taking one-third manpower. Before 2008, there were six regional offices in Sylhet, Chattagram, Khulna, Rajshahi and Mymensingh and liaison office in Thakurgaon and Cox’s bazaar. Presently the media based activities of AIS are running smoothly by establishing 11 regional offices including Barisal, Comilla and Rangamati (AIS, 2020; p.84). The vision of AIS is to make available of modern agricultural information. The mission of AIS is to make available agricultural information and technology for the beneficiaries through print, electronic and mass media. The strategic objective of AIS is to enrich the agricultural knowledge of the farmers and concerned people (AIS, 2020; p.84). The AIS has different programs / development tools such as krishikatha, extension bulletin, khrishi diary, irregular publications, radio / TV agricultural news, agricultural video film, agricultural training, website  (www.ais.gv.bd), ICT lab, agricultural information booth, agricultural information and communication centre (AICC), community rural radio, Krishi Call Centre (KCC), mobile apps, publication and distribution of printed materials from where the farmers can obtain or seek information. Islam (2019) studied the farmers’ exposure to Krishi Call Centre (KCC) of AIS. Besides Ahmed (1994), Sarker et al. (2009), Shaikh et al. (2010), Hossain et al. (2012), Amin et al. (2013) and  Amin et al. (2014) conducted their studies related to exposure to and effectiveness of radio and TV broadcasted agricultural programs of AIS and other satellite channels. Now it is the time to study the farmers’ exposure to development communication tools / programs of Agriculture Information Services (AIS) as a whole.

• Research Project