Taking up an initiative to widen the scope of effective communication to the bottom of the pyramid of the Indian economy, the Mudra Institute of Communication Ahmedabad (MICA) has started conducting a research. The research called 'National Agricultural Innovation Project' (NAIP) is funded by the World Bank.
Professor Arbind Sinha and co-principal investigator Vishal Thomas are working on the research project. "The research aims to develop a set of alternative ICT initiatives in the field of agriculture. MICA's responsibility will be to develop communication models on communication needs assessment for effective dissemination of information on these ICT initiatives to the last man in the village,'' said Thomas.
While the preliminary phase of the research has identified 126 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) initiatives in the agricultural domain, MICA will now enter the data collection phase which will also involve field exercises.
The data analysis will then be followed by communication needs assessment. Subsequently, MICA will come up with strategic recommendations to bridge the communication gaps identified.
Referring to a recent visit of additional secretary & financial adviser of the Central department of agricultural research and education, Chaman Kumar, to MICA and their discussions, MICA director Ashok Ranchhod said: "I feel that this link through the efforts of Vishal and Prof. Arbind Sinha provides a great opportunity for MICA to be at the forefront of development communication management which is an area on which MICA is keen to work within its own vicinity. I must appreciate that Mr Kumar is willing to support this initiative."
