The Centre for Alternative Agricultural Media (CAAM) - India

CAAM, in general, supports any pro-farmer issue in all possible ways. Objectives include:focusing on need based communication systems for farmers; promoting alternative efforts in agricultural communication; identifying and documenting similar and related initiatives worldwide; encouraging self-help journalism among farmers; bridging the communication gap between farmers and scientists/government; focusing on farmers' innovations and pro-farmer issues; setting up a library on alternative agriculture and alternative agricultural communication; and maintaining a website with all relevant information and bring out e-bulletins for effective networking among like-minded individuals/organisations, engaged in innovative alternative efforts in farm journalism sector. CAAM has released e-bulletins on experimental basis.

Rights, Agriculture.

The myth that agricultural communication is 'transfer of farm information to ignorant farmers' is fast disappearing, of late. Alternative agricultural media have blossomed along with eco-friendly, sustainable farm practices, which are at loggerheads with the 'bannered' green revolution agriculture.
Various alternative communication efforts, which are need-based, pro-farmer and involving farmers' participation, have sprung up all round the world. The alternative agricultural media, which stresses the need for pro-farmer ideologies and practices in agricultural research and communication, is encouraging the farmers' self- respect and self -reliance.
Such agricultural media have strengthened the bond between farmers and farmers; farmers and research sectors. They have thrown light upon farmers' innovations and indigenous treasure house of native technology. These media have also revealed certain other issues related to farm sector."Farm journal published by the farmers and pen to farmers' hands" - this is another unique feature of alternative agricultural media. It is proved beyond doubt that the information, which evolves directly from the kiln of farmer's hard earned farm experience, is more transparent, time tested and authentic. This clearly indicates the need for farmer-to-farmer communication, in the present day. As a result of practical training in journalism given to farmers, they have now started writing farm articles, bringing life and meaning to agricultural journalism. The farmers' journals are not only disseminating farm knowledge but also operating as farmer-friendly centres, catering to the needs of local farmers.
Today, we see many farmer friendly journals brought out successfully from different places all over the world. Adike Pathrike (from Puttur), LEISA (from The Netherlands), DCFRN's bulletin (Canada), Bhoomi Malayalam (Kottayam), Siri Samridhdhi (Tiptur), Sujatha (Mangalore), Honey Bee (Ahmedabad), Hittala Gida (Bangalore), Footsteps (UK), ECHO Development Notes (USA) - to name a few.