Abstract
To disseminate knowledge to the rural masses using advances in information and communication technologies, The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) envisaged the concept of ‘Village Resource Centre’ (VRC) in the year 2004. A VRC conducts interactive programmes on a regular basis in the areas of agriculture, water resources management, tele-health care, awareness generation, skill development/vocational training for livelihood support, etc. These VRCs are connected with knowledge producing institutions like universities, development institutes, hospitals and other institutions and have association with NGOs/Trusts and state/central agencies. This study has examined the functioning of a VRC as a knowledge provider and capability builder at the rural level. For study, two VRCs were selected – one at Meppadi in Wayanad district of Kerala and the other at Thiruvaiyaru in Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu. These regions are predominantly agrarian but specialize in different crops — coffee in Meppadi and paddy in Thiruvaiyaru. The study has revealed that the VRCs have been successful in providing knowledge and building skills among the farmers in the study area. It has also been observed that association with a VRC has motivated the farmers towards adoption of new varieties, crops and processes vis-à-vis preferring improvements in the existing varieties, crops and processes.
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