While whole of India is caught in Barack Obama fever, Indian cooperative institution, IFFCO has stolen his heart quietly. It is indeed a matter of pride for IFFCO in particular and entire cooperative world of the country in general that IFFCO sanchar stall has impressed Obama no end. He seemed to have guessed what is fuelling farm revolution in India.
Obama said ‘It is a great idea. Do it across the world, keep it up”
Kisan Sanchar (Information to farmers) is an idea conceived by IFFCO to empower farmers through telecom for rural communication services by leveraging information and technology. Obama happened to visit one of such stalls during his famous St. Xavier’s college trip and was floored.
When Indian Cooperative contacted Dr U S Awasthi for congratulating him and taking his reaction ,he said “IFFCO, farmers and cooperatives are the only subjects of our interest and it is indeed a matter of pride for us that US President has liked it.
Dr Awasthi further said that IFFCO Kisan Sanchar Limited (IKSL) was started in 2007 in partnership with Airtel and Star Global for empowerment of people living in rural India. It provides pertinent information and services through affordable mobile communications. It has led to improved decision making ability of farmers.
IKSL provides information directly to farmers and delivers location specific, time sensitive information and important alerts. It is also careful that this service does not add economic strain on the farmers. This is a unique service, which has no parallel in the world.
IKSL soon began to have impact not only in India but also abroad. Recently IKSL was invited to participate in the consultative meeting of United Nations Global Alliance Development Goals (UNGAID) as part of efforts to achieve Millennium Development Goals.
