KHETI: ICT solution for agriculture extension and its replication in open and distance learning

The advancements in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and their applications in development arenas have tremendously boosted prospects of human development. In education and agriculture domains ICTs have been applied and paid dividends. In this paper, an innovative and participatory designed ICT solution - 'Knowledge Help Extension Technology Initiative (KHETI)' that is meant to ensure flow of agriculture information in real time to poor farmers at remote locations has been discussed. KHETI has leveraged upon the power of ICTs, particularly the multi-media mobiles phones to boost the extension services. It has features to construct, record, play and sending Short Dialogue Strips. The system and its functionalities are speeding-up communications through images and voices amongst various stakeholders and Agriculture Specialist with help of mobiles to get back responses on their queries, problems and other areas of interest. The paper has dealt in detail about KHETI and its possible extension in open and distance learning services for facilitating access to education facilities.