A PROJECT REPORT ON

EFFECTIVENESS OF VILLAGE RESOURCE CENTRE (VRC) &

VILLAGE KNOWLEDGE CENTRE (VKC)OF THIRUVAIYARU IN

TAMILNADU, SOUTH INDIA OF M.S. SWAMINATHAN RESEARCH

FOUNDATIN

In fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY

MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI-110068

By

D.Rojarani

(Enrollment No.064430341)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Title: Effectiveness of Village Resource Centre (VRC)& Village Knowledge

Centre (VKC)of thiruvaiyaru in tamilnadu, south india

The Village Resource Centre (VRC) and Village Knowledge Centre (VKC)

programme is to bring together the experts and grassroots level communities in a

two-way communication with the objective that knowledge should reach every

home and hut. Effectiveness of VRC and VKCs in terms of Input, Output,

Outcome and Impact is a challenge. Hence, this study is needed to find out

whether the VRC and VKC functioning effectively.

This Project was taken up keeping the following objectives:

To anyalyse the current infrastructure and human power involved in VRC

& VKCs

To assess the scope of VRC & VKCs to strengthen its service delivery

(content, capacity building and linkages of VRC /VKCs)

To identify the gaps at different levels towards connectivity and service

delivery of VRC & VKCs.

To recommend a set of management practices leading towards service

delivery to achieve the desired objectives.

The project included field visits to one VRC and 4 VKC’s in the states of Tamil

Nadu where questionnaires were conducted for the VRC and VKC’s associates

and the beneficiaries for the purpose of monitoring and evaluation of VRC and

VKC’s.

The following are the main recommendations suggested to achieve the stated

objectives:

1. Need to create more awareness of village resource centre and village

knowledge centre’s services to the community.

2. Need to provide general management training to Village Resource Centre

and Village Knowledge Centre associates

3. Agriculture expert should be appointed at Village Resource Centre and

have to organize monthly farmers meeting at each VKC’s

4. Monthly target of people to be contacted should be fixed based on the

number of people expected to turn up for VRC as a percentage of people

to be contacted.

TO WHOMSOEVER IT MAY CONCERN

This is to certify that the project entitled “Effectiveness of Village Resource

Centre (VRC)& Village Knowledge Centre (VKC) of thiruvaiyaru in

tamilnadu, south india” is a bonafide record of work done by Ms.D.Rojarani,

Enrolment Number 061341430 of Indira Gandhi National Open University,

Delhi, in fulfillment for the award of degree of Master of Business

Administration. The above project was carried under my guidance.

She has shown keen interest in the project work and completed successfully.

The out come of the project work is beneficial to our ogranisation. I wish her

success in all future endeavors.

Date

S.SenthilkumarnDirector, Information Education & Communication

M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation

CERTIFICATE OF ORGINALITY

I, D.Rojarani here by declare that the report on Effectiveness of Village

Resource Centre (VRC)& Village Knowledge Centre (VKC) of thiruvaiyaru in

tamilnadu, south india undergone at M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation,

chennai is submitted to the Indira Gandhi National Open University is fulfillment

for the award of the Master Degree in Bisiness Administration is a record of

original work done by me during my period of study under the guidance and

supervision of Mr G Shanmugaraman

Mr. G.Shanmugaraman D.Rojarani

Signature of the Faculty Guide Signature of the Candidate

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I cordially thank M.S Swaminathan Research Foundation for giving me the

opportunity to undergo my project work.

I thank Mr. Senthilkumaran, Director, IEC, M.S. Swaminathan Research

Foundation for his full fledge support for having given me the opportunity to study

in the this institution. I would like to thank the staff members Ms.Nancy Anabel,

Dr.Malarvannan, Mr.Maria Philip and Mr.Jegan for their valuable inputs.

Sincere thanks to my faculty guide Mr.Shanmugaraman,MBA, M Phil who guided

me through out the project

I thank Dr. Sadanand Patra, Coordinator, IGNOU-SC, Guru Nanak College,

Velachery, Chennai 600 042, Tamilnadu for his advice to select my guide.

I would like to thank my husband Mr.Jeganmohan for his full support and

encouragement.

CONTENTS

Chapter – 1 IntroductionVKC Scheme & Objective VKC implementation The Hub and Spokes Model Components of VKC Village Resource Centre Village Knowledge Centre VRC & VKC Management Field Visit and Observation Thiruvaiyaru Village Resource Centre Literature Review

1691113151718192224

Chapter – 2 Research Methodology 28

Chapter – 3 Data Presentation Analysis Basic Profile of the Respondent Analysis of the Current infrastructure and human power involvementin VRC & VKC The scope of VRC & VKC to strengthen its service delivery

31

3944

Chapter – 4 Findings 54

Chapter – 5 Suggestions and Recommendations 58

Chapter – 6 Conclusion 63

Chapter – 7 Scope For Further Study64

Bibliography 65 Questionnaire 66 Check list for VRC/VKC 71

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE NO TITLE PAGE

No

3.1.1 Type of Respondent 31

3.1.2 Type of Respondent and their villages 32

3.1.3 Age Range 33

31.4 Education 34

3.1.5 Sex Ratio 35

3.1.6 Type of Religion 36

3.1.7 Community 36

3.1.8 Mode of Accessing 37

3.1.9 Frequency of Visit 38

3.2.1 Infrastructure Facility at VRc/VKC 41

3.2.2 Satisfaction with VRC/VKC services 42

3.3.1 Deliver of Service 43

3.3.2 Understandability of Content 45

3.3.3 Content Relevance 45

3.3.4 Type of Training 47

3.3.5 Capacity building with various aspects 48

3.3.6 Status of Linkage 49

3.3.7 Purpose of the Linkage 50

3.3.8 Type of Organisation 51

3.3.9 Benefits of Linkages 52

3.3.10 Stability of Linkage 53

5.1.1 User’s Suggestions 59

5.1.2 VRC/VKC’s Suggestions 61

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure NOTITLE PAGE

No

3.1.1 Type of Respondent 31

3.1.2 Type of Respondent and their villages 32

3.1.3 Age Range 33

31.4 Education 34

3.1.5 Sex Ratio 35

3.1.6 Type of Religion 36

3.1.7 Community 36

3.1.8 Mode of Accessing 37

3.1.9 Frequency of Visit 38

3.2.1 Infrastructure Facility at VRc/VKC 41

3.2.2 Satisfaction with VRC/VKC services 42

3.3.1 Deliver of Service 43

3.3.2 Understandability of Content 45

3.3.3 Content Relevance 45

3.3.4 Type of Training 47

3.3.5 Capacity building with various aspects 48

3.3.6 Status of Linkage 49

3.3.7 Purpose of the Linkage 50

3.3.8 Type of Organisation 51

3.3.9 Benefits of Linkages 52

3.3.10 Stability of Linkage 53

5.1.1 User’s Suggestions 59

5.1.2 VRC/VKC’s Suggestions 61

CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION

Effectiveness is about outcomes, consequences and results. Effectiveness is

almost a synonym for success, for being effective means achieving the outcomes

and results you had planned all along.

The word effective “stresses the actual production of something or the power to

produce an effect.”

Organizations are constructed to be the most effective and efficient social

units.The actual effectiveness of a specific organization is determined by the

degree to which it realizes its goals. The efficiency of an organization is

measured by the amount of resources used to produce a unit of output. Output is

usually closely related to, but not identical with, the organizational goals. For

instance, Ford produces automobiles (its output), but its goal seems to be profit-

making. The unit of output is a measurable quantity of whatever the organization

may be producing.

Organizational effectiveness can have a broad meaning that includes efficiency,

profitability employee satisfaction innovation rate or patient well-being.

Organization effectiveness can be defined as the ability of the organization to

attain the goals set by itself or by its ability to function well as a system or by its

ability to satisfy its stakeholders.

Organizational Effectiveness, within the Office of Human Resources, serves as a

gateway to training, development, and consulting resources that build

organizational capacity, increase individual capabilities, and promote a culture of

excellence through strong leadership. The division collaborates with institutional

stakeholders to strategically and systemically address the University's mission

and goals.

Degree to which objectives are achieved and the extent to which targeted

problems are resolved. In contrast to efficiency, effectiveness is determined

without reference to costs and, whereas efficiency means "doing the thing right,"

effectiveness means "doing the right thing."

Organizations are constructed to be the most effective and efficient social units.

The actual effectiveness of a specific organization is determined by the degree to

which it realizes its goals. The efficiency of an organization is measured by the

amount of resources used to produce a unit of output. Output is usually closely

related to, but not identical with, the organizational goals. For instance, Ford

produces automobiles (its output), but its goal seems to be profit-making.

The unit of output is a measurable quantity of whatever the organization may be

producing. Organizational effectiveness can have a broad meaning that includes

efficiency, profitability, employee satisfaction , innovation rate , or patient well-

being.. Organization effectiveness can be defined as the ability of the

organization to attain the goals set by itself, or by its ability to function well as a

system, or by its ability to satisfy its stakeholders

Knowledge is a primary resource, no less important than land, labour or capital

for improving the lives of our people. That it is a vital tool for empowering people

to attain Sustainable Development (SD) has long been recognized in India. Since

the early years of independence, we have allocated close to 1 per cent of our

GNP for scientific research comparable to the percentage spent by some of the

most scientifically advanced nations. The budget for scientific research is now

somewhere in the region of Rs.15,000 crores and research is only one of the

aspects of knowledge management. We spend a great deal also on making

various types of knowledge available, not least to those who can use it to their

own advantage. Yet, very little of this money (not even 0.1 per cent) has so far

ever been put into research that was of direct relevance to the poor. The idea

that knowledge is also needed at the grassroots level does not seem to have

occurred to our decision-makers. It is only now, as a result of massive and

sustained efforts by civil society organizations, helped by the outcome of a

national election that indicated a widespread and growing dissatisfaction by

those who feel marginalised by our lopsided policies, that we can hope to see the

village for what it is: both a consumer and a potential repository of high quality

knowledge.

In the rapidly changing scenario, the extensive use of computers, advances in

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the widespread

introduction of infrastructure in India made it possible to consider a business

model for proliferating information nodes throughout the country in a manner that

is financially viable and therefore sustainable. TARAhaat, an ICT enterprise

focusing on the needs of village communities was set up by the Development

Alternatives Group for precisely this purpose.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is the key enabler and a vital

component of the new knowledge based economy and information revolution. It

is a major factor in economic growth and increasing productivity. India is

increasingly integrating ICT into its national development plans and adopting

strategies for its widespread promotion in all the spheres of economic activities.

There is a need to ensure that the benefit of the ICT percolates to all the different

socio-economic strata and to the grass roots of the rural India.

The rural areas in India cannot be compared with its urban areas, where needs

and service requirements are at a very different level. With poor existing

infrastructure in the rural areas, delivery of services of essential requirements

becomes in itself formidable task in its 6,40,000 villages spread out in every type

of agroclimatic zones. Along with the improvement of physical infrastructure, the

government has shown firm commitment to improve the e-infrastructure

especially in the villages, through its National eGovernance Plan. According to

the guidelines provided by Department of IT, it has been mandated that the

government would create an enabling environment for establishment of at least

100,000 centres in rural areas by the year 2007 to provide all possible services.

Fitting into this overall e-governance plan, CAPART proposes to introduce an

egovernance initiative to reach the un-reached, un-served and underserved

areas more effectively by using state-of-the-art high-tech Information and

Communication Technology through its partner NGOs by setting up Village

Knowledge Centre (VKC).

VKC Scheme

The Village Knowledge Centre (VKC) is a place to render distant services from a

single window point to rural masses especially in remote areas of the country

through modern Information and Communication Technology. The knowledge

centre will be connected to a central studio using technologies viz

WiMax/VSAT/leased line. There will be live interactive sessions in real time by

the central speaker with audience at remote villages or content already prepared

on any subject that the rural communities might need or desire, will be

disseminated. The purpose of setting up of a VKC is to bring access to a range of

services, content and information to people living in remote villages or areas

which do not provide such access otherwise.

Objective:

The VKC programme is meant for reaching the benefits of the Information

Technology directly to the communities at the grass root level for promoting

single window delivery of need-based services relating to the life cycle needs of

rural population, viz. rain water harvesting, nutritional information including

primary processing of fruits and vegetables, rural sanitation, preventive and

curative aspects of health and hygiene, skill development and linkage with

market requirements and demands, capacity building among village based

organisations and people or on any issue that the rural communities would

desire.

information and communication technology (ICT) can play a profound role in

helping individuals and whole communities lift themselves out of poverty. Over

the past decade or so, many initiatives have been undertaken around the world

aimed at bringing the benefits of the Information Age to these communities.

The era of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has brought in

the new wave of community empowerment, efficient delivery of services and

transparent governance. The citizen as a shareholder expects to provide inputs

to policy-making and, as a customer, demands better service from the

Government. Governments the world over is trying to respond to this by

harnessing the power of ICTs. This has, however, only resulted in forming mere

islands of excellence; created further divides between the rural and urban

societies; set in the process of marginalizing the rural poor from their basic

entitlements. Digital divides have started breeding the divides already existing

perpetually in the society.

The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) is a non-profit

organization founded by the noted Indian Food and Agricultural scientist, Dr.

M.S. Swaminathan. The foundation was registered in 1988 to research, advance

and promote coastal systems, biotechnology, biodiversity, eco technology, food

security and information, education and communication in developing countries,

with a specific focus on India. In 1998, the foundation started the “Village

Knowledge Centers” project. The idea was to select villages in rural Tamil Nadu

and the Union Territory of Pondicherry (both in southern India), and provide

adequate telecommunications infrastructure that would enable the dissemination

of appropriate information regarding farming, education, health, weather,

governmental news, job, loans and aid opportunities. The objectives were to

reduce the digital gap and gender divide in rural India using technology –

especially telecommunications technology. Each Village Knowledge Center

(VKC) would serve one or more villages and would act as the knowledge

repository for the villages it served. Pertinent information was stored in

databases in these sites, with appropriate technology for easy access and

dissemination of this knowledge to persons seeking them. The long term

objective was to eventually set up VKCs in each of the approximately 638, 000

villages in India, thus creating a nation-wide rural knowledge repository.

VKC Implementation

The VKC project was started at Villianur, a village in Pondicherry. This location

was chosen because of MSSRF's experience and knowledge of the village,

which also was the center for its “Bio-village” project. The Bio-village project was

started in 1991. Its mission was to provide the above-mentioned services with a

specific “pro-poor, pro-women and pro-nature” foci. The VKC project is purely

developmental in nature.

Typically, MSSRF field officers identify a village to set up a VKC. They identify

and train project associates, and create a core group of associates who then

canvass the idea of setting up a VKC with village leaders, politicians and land

owners. Public meetings are held to “sell” the benefits of VKCs to the villagers.

Here, the role of women's “self help groups” is invaluable. Women's self help

groups (SHG) were initiated by NGOs in India. The women's SHGs purport to

help socially and economically disadvantaged women by providing them with

training, micro-loans and ways to organize in small groups. Each SHG consists

of about fifteen women in a village. Women belonging to these SHGs are the first

point of contact to MSSRF field officers, and are highly effective in gaining a

familiarity and foothold in the villages. Once the initial contact is made, and the

idea of the VKC is “sold,” MSSRF sets certain conditions that are required to be

met by the village in question:

• The village must provide a room that is open to and accessible by all members

of the community. This condition is very important, because as noted earlier,

India's villages are still mired in the class and caste system, which inhibits certain

castes and classes from using such centers.

• The village must also pay for the cost of electricity and telephone connection to

the VKC.

Once the villagers agree to the idea and the conditions, MSSRF sets up the

VKC. A local is identified and selected to be the VKC's volunteer operator. This

individual, mostly a woman from the village with at least high school education

(even though there have been some exceptions to this rule based on an

individual’s ability), is then trained by MSSRF on basic computer operations and

applications. The volunteer is given training in Windows O/S, MS Office Suite,

Adobe PageMaker and Photoshop, Visual Basic, Visual C++, HTML, voice

recording, Zip and Unzip utilities and voice and data transmission in a wireless

infrastructure.

The Hub and Spokes Model

The VKC project uses a Hub and Spokes model. The hub is a “Village Resource

Center (VRC),” which is typically connected to 20-30 VKCs spread over a 60Km

radius. The VRC is designed to act as a rural library and technology resource

center. Each VRC consists of at least three networked computers, one scanner,

two web cameras, Internet access, one printer, one digital camera, solar backup

facility, and training rooms. Each VRC is in turn connected to the VKCs (and

VKCs to other VKCs) using Motorola very high frequency (VHF) radios for voice

and data transmission. However, in actual practice, it was noted that this

technology posed restrictions on transmission speeds as well as the size of the

files transmitted. As a result, starting in 2001, spread spectrum wireless

technology was introduced for VRC-VKC and VKC-VKC communications.

Each VRC was also connected to other VRCs and the MSSRF headquarters in

Chennai through satellite link-ups, in collaboration with the Indian Space

Research Organization (ISRO). The ISRO-MSSRF network used one of the

Extended C-band transponders of ISRO's satellite INSAT-3A. Users at each VRC

and at the headquarters in Chennai could communicate through video and audio

links provided by the satellite connection (ISRO, 2004).

The State-level hub at the MSSRF headquarters is connected to the Internet

through Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and to the ISRO up-link satellite

through a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) antenna. The Village Resource

Centers at various rural locations are also connected to the ISRO satellite

through VSAT. Internet connectivity to the various VRCs is achieved through the

ISRO-MSSRF network. The VRCs in turn provide network connectivity to the

VKCs.

Architecture of MSSRF

Components of a typical VKC

Each VKC has one or more desktop computers, at least one printer, radio

communications equipment, a wireless tower antenna mounted on top of the

building, and in some cases, a video kiosk. These are maintained by the

villagers. The villagers fully understand the importance of the VKC – “Even in

times of clashes between different groups (common in Indian villages), the VKC

and its equipment are not damaged.” The videos enable visitors to play and

watch video-tutorials on farming, health and other topics. The computers have

Microsoft Office, Net Meeting, games, publishing software, databases containing

information pertaining to health, education, agriculture, commodity prices,

government job vacancies, etc. The information in the databases are updated at

regular intervals (sometimes daily) by downloading the updates from the VRC

servicing the VKC. Each VRC and VKC has complete training videos and CDs

for the “Microsoft Unlimited Potential Program (MUPP). This is a program from

Microsoft to “provide nonprofit organizations with funding to support technology

training programs ranging from learning basic computer skills to using advanced

business productivity applications (Microsoft Corporation, 2008).

Each VKC selects and helps promising youth to undergo various types of

computer skills training. The training sessions are held at the appropriate VRC.

Additional on-line, video and CD-based training materials and exam practice

materials are available for use by the trainees at the local villages through the

VKCs.

Operations at the VRC

As noted above, the VRC forms the hub of activities for a cluster of VKCs. Local

project staff maintain the systems at the hub. The wireless system and web

server administration are taken care of by the Informatics Center of MSSRF in

Chennai. The VRC creates and maintains numerous databases pertaining to

agriculture, commodity prices, livestock health and welfare, medical data,

governmental data, grants and aid availability from various agencies of the

government, women's welfare-related data, etc. Each VRC has a fully equipped

library containing magazines and other publications in local languages. The VRC

also develops and maintains web portals in Tamil, the local language, to

disseminate information on the above-mentioned issues. Each VRC also uses

DTP tools to publish a Tamil-language newspaper “Namma Oor Saidhi,” which

translates to “Our town's news.” This paper contains news and events of interest

to villages served by the VRC. As can be seen, a key aspect of the VRC

concerns the creation and updating of relevant content to suit local needs. The

VRC plays the role of a “value addition center.”

Dr. Swaminathan did not want the VKCs to be just a commercial enterprise, but

wanted to bring in the idea of a shared “commons” - which is perhaps a layover

from the ideals of socialism engendered by India's first Prime Minister,

Jawaharlal Nehru.

The main aim of the programme is

to empower the vulnerable rural communities in order that they make

better choices and achieve better control of their own development

to build skills and capacities of the rural poor with a view to enhancing

livelihood opportunities.

Village Resource Centre

At present we have set up 17 VRCs and 96 VKCs with the help of different

philanthropic organizations In Tamilnadu, we have VRCs in Thiruvaiyaru

(Thanjavur District), Annavasal (Pudukottai District), Manamelkudi (Pudukottai

District), Sempatti (Dindigul District), Chidambaram (Cuddalore District),

Nagapattinam (Nagapattinam District) and Thangachimadam (Ramanathapuram

District), Nagarcovil (Kanyakumari District). In Puducherry we have VRC in

Pillayarkuppam (near Villianur).

VRC is normally located at block level or at the center point of a cluster of

villages. Normally it is located in ground floor to give access the all sections of

people (including physically challenged people). Normally it consists of 2 rooms,

one a training hall (sitting capacity of 20 people) with an open terrace for setting

up wireless communication. VRC also has a small library of a few reference

books related to that area, major livelihoods, etc. and a few monthly and daily

local newspapers and magazines. Regarding hardware part, VRC has about

have 8-10 systems, internet facility, phone, printer, scanner, web camera, digital

camera, power backup and speakers. One VRC caters to the needs of 15-20

VKCs with the radius of 60-100 km based on the range of access.

Under this VRC programme, most of the MSSRF VRCs are connected through

Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO) uplink and downlink satellite

facilities. The satellite based ISRO-VRCs, aim at digital connectivity to remote

villages for providing multiple services such as telemedicine, tele-education,

interactive farm and fishery advisories, government schemes and entitlements,

weather services and remote sensing applications through a single window.

Users located at one node of this network can fully interact with others located at

another node through video and audio links. Each node can further be expanded

using different technologies such as notice boards, pamphlets, public address

system, community newspaper, press releases, cable TV, audio / video

conferencing through wireless, telephone, meetings, mobile phone and intranet

web site for dissemination of the useful and necessary information.

Village Knowledge Centre (VKC)

VKCs are connected with hub centres through a hybrid wired and wireless

network. The VKCs provide information on agriculture, health, employment,

weather, education, government entitlements, microenterprises training, etc. In

each case, the community or local partner provides an accessible rent-free

building, electricity and volunteers. In turn, the project provides all the needed

equipment, training and helps in collecting data. Gender concerns are central to

the project. More than half of the volunteers are women. This has positively

reflected in the increase in the number of women users. And, the VKCs are

inclusive in the sense that no one is denied access on the basis of caste, creed,

religion, etc.

An important feature of this programme is the strong sense of community

ownership that the village communities have developed towards the village

centers. Almost in all villages, the knowledge centres were demanded by the

local people.

Managing the VKC and VRC

The nominated Knowledge worker from the community is given training on how

to run the VKC, manage the users and visitors, build a rapport with the local

community members and are taught to handle basic hardware and software

components like the SHG software accounting program, MUPP program, Adult

Literacy Program and Computer Aided Learning Program. A National Virtual

Academy Fellow, an altruist amongst the community members who has been

associated with the foundation’s activities for a few months and has been helping

the organization in their activities guides the Knowledge Worker in their activities.

The VRC Staff visits the VKC once or twice a week to monitor the activities of

the VKC. “ train the Knowledge Worker so much so that they inspire and

convince the people to attend the programs or clarify their queries from the

organization”. There is no specific turnaround time that the Foundation has set

for the reply of a quire from the people but the KW makes sure that they revert

back as soon as possible. If the Knowledge Worker isn’t able to answer the

queries from their end, then they call the VRC and if the VRC is not able to figure

then we contact the Chennai office for further clarifications”.

Role of a Knowledge Worker (KW)

The Village Knowledge worker conduct classes on the ICT related educational

programs, visit the villagers on a regular basis through meetings and need

assessment surveys interact and familiarize with them. The level of interaction of

the knowledge worker with the community is at the maximum. Being a member of

the community the KW understands their socio cultural set up of the community.

This helps in finding the problems of the villagers first hand so that the members

of the VRC and VKC help them in some manner.

FIELD VISITS AND OBSERVATIONS

I have undertaken the field trip to observe the actual operations of the Village

Resource Centers and Village Knowledge Centers. The interviews and field trips

took place between 19 to29th July, 2009. I have interviewed villagers (categories

of Farmers, students and entrepreneurs) and volunteers. In the following

paragraphs we summarize our observations.

The MSSRF VRCs and VKCs that I visited are located in Thiruvaiyaru a major

metropolis in southern India. The villages that we visited were all within half an

hour's bus journey from the city of Tanjore. However, we observed that the

transformation from an urban to a rural setting occurs quite drastically. Within a

few miles outside of the city, the land is covered with farmlands and villages

where many of the city services (i.e. indoor plumbing, reliable water supply,

reliable supply of electricity, public sanitation, etc) are significantly less prevalent.

The VRC at Thiruvaiyaru consists equipped with a VSAT antenna, computers,

printers, battery packs, and training room. The VRC's VSAT antenna dish rises

prominently from the surrounding farmlands. MSSRF noticed a preponderance of

local traditional knowledge which it wanted to collect, store and disseminate to

the local population. This led to the birth of a Village Knowledge Center. MSSRF

project officers insist on the term “Village Knowledge Center” rather than

“Information kiosk” or “Internet kiosk.”

MSSRF established 8 VKC under Thiruvaiyaru VRC. The date of establishment

and major livelihood of VKC are differ from one another (refer the table).

Sl.No.

VillageLocationof VKC

Block Taluk Established Major Livelihood

1 Iluppakkorai Panchayat

building

Papanasam Papanasam Aug-05 Agriculture,

Horticulture

&Livestock

2 Konerirajapuram Panchayat

building

Thiruvaiyaru Thiruvaiyaru Mar-06 Agriculture,

Horticulture&

Livestock

3 Marur Panchayat

building

Thiruvaiyaru Thiruvaiyaru Apr-06 Agriculture,

Horticulture &

Livestock

4 Panaiyur Rotary

club

building

Thiruvaiyaru Thiruvaiyaru Dec-06 Agriculture,

Horticulture&

Livestock

5 Rajendram Panchayat

building

Thanjavur Thiruvaiyaru Nov-05 Agriculture,

Horticulture&

Livestock

6 Thirupalanam Panchayat

building

Thiruvaiyaru Thiruvaiyaru Apr-05 Agriculture,

Horticulture &

Livestock

7 Vilangudi Panchayat

building

Thiruvaiyaru Thiruvaiyaru Sep-05 Agriculture,

Horticulture

&Livestock

8 Keezhapunal

Vasal

Rented

building

Thiruvaiyaru Thiruvaiyaru March-2008 Agriculture,

Horticulture

&Livestock

In my study I have selected Thiruvaiyaru VRC and after 5 years old VKC namely

Iluppukorai VKC

Rajendram,VKC

Thirupazhanam VKC

Vilangudi VKC.

Thiruvaiyaru VRC

The Thiruvaiyaru VRC controls 213 villages by being the hub of info-tech

services. The VRC disseminates various information using a combination of

wireless (satellite as well as wired telecommunications infrastructure for

connecting to the Internet ). The information disseminated include: government

schemes, commodity prices, information and education on health and hygiene,

results of examinations, computer training, women's health issues, government

loan schemes (i.e. loans for purchasing motors and other farm equipment),

government issued certificates (such as birth and marriage certificates).

Additionally, the VRC also serves as a resource center offering training in various

entrepreneur activities. It also publishes the news paper “Namma Oor Seidhi”

(Community News Paper-CNP) for the surrounding villages. The local specific

demand driven information should be print in the CNP. The VRC's collected and

categorized native herbs and other flora. The VRC have soil health van also

provided soil information to the farmers and doing periodic advice to the crops.

The VKC maintained two-way audio-conferencing with the VRC. When a problem

occurred with any of the computing, the local associate trouble-shot, and then

requested pertinent information via the audio-conferencing tool to the VRC if

further help was required

LITERATURE REVIEW

S. KALIMUTHU KUMARAN, ROLE OF TATA-MSSRF-ISRO VILLAGE

RESOURCE CENTRE ON KNOWLEDGE DISSEMINATION IN

NAGAPATTINAM DISTRICT – The preference, in respect to others, should be

given for national information system in each country. Information centres are the

national sources and essential base for the national development of countries, so

that each member may get benefit from them. M.S.Swamianthan Research

Foundation is providing information to village peoples at the Nagapattinam

district in the field of fishing, agriculture etc. Therefore these information must be

provided in such a way by information centres by which they easily can get. This

study Suggestions are TATA-MSSRF-ISRO Village Resource Centre can

increase number of books related with competitive examinations. 2. TATA-

MSSRF-ISRO Village Resource Centre can also provide information on

scholarships all over the world other than Government sector. 3. TATA-MSSRF-

ISRO Village Resource Centre can take tuitions (or) additional classes for

student’s community.

Mr. S. Surendran-ICT mediated communication strategies for enhancing

agricultural communication and knowledge management in rural -

Pondicherry The Aim of the study To study the information flow and

communication strategies employed in knowledge management, dissemination

and sharing using computer mediated communication in the context of rural

agricultural development in Pondicherry. It is also understood that for any

efficient use of ICT as a medium of development communication a new

consensus is needed on who should pay for

communication and information services for poor rural communities. Promote

local content: it may be more useful to promote more information sharing

between local institutions than bring in new information from outside. Use

realistic technologies: the most effective systems use realistic technologies that

enhance and add value to existing systems. It is understood from the reviews

that for ICT to be successfully employed for agricultural communication the

organisations and departments concerned with agricultural development need to

realize the potential of ICT for the speedy dissemination of information to farmers

and government at national and state level in India has to reorient agricultural

policies so that a fully-fledged strategy is formed to harness ICT’s potential for

assisting overall agricultural development.

Mrs.K.Jayashree,-Empowerment of Women through Information and

Communication Technologies: Observations from Village Knowledge

Centers of Pudhucherry-The paper explores the avenues created by ICT

enabled networking processes for women in the areas of empowerment and

governance, the hindrances faced in engendering of these processes and goes

on to suggest ways to ensure that greater benefits accrue to women in a

distributed manner. Women are the source of wealth in any given culture or

community because of the numerous roles they play. The entire study

comprehensively looks on their relevance for the global prosperity with their

active role in achieving the target. Information and Communication Technologies

can be effective instrument for increasing choices for women particularly, rural

women, for multifaceted empowerment. The ICTs can be effective tools to

expand the knowledge among the rural women and that can enhance their

abilities to negotiate for their resource share and participation. But it would be

important to review the potential for ICTs in two broad approaches namely, their

application directed to rural women as primary users of this technology and their

application directed to improve the quality of life in rural communities that would

assist rural women to improve their lives.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are for everyone and women

have to be an equal beneficiary to the advantages offered by the technology, and

the products and processes, which emerge from their use. The benefits accrued

from the synergy of knowledge and ICT need not be restricted to the upper strata

of the society but have to freely flow to all segments of the women population.

The gamut of areas in which ICT can put a greater control in the hands of women

is wide and continuously expanding, from managing water distribution at the

village-level to standing for local elections and having access to lifelong learning

opportunities. ICT in convergence with other forms of communication have the

potential to reach those women who hitherto have been not been reached by any

other media, thereby empowering them to participate in economic and social

progress, and make informed decision on issues that affect them.

Vikram Gopinath-Role of Information and Communication Technology in the

Rural Development: Study of Thangachimadam Village Resource Center

and its Village Knowledge Centers

Information Communication Technologies can be powerful tools in promoting

social inclusion that leads to empowerment. Access to relevant information and

knowledge is crucial for empowerment and development. To be effective it has to

be linked to the particular situation, needs and demands of the people. Thus local

knowledge is vital. The relevance of locale specific knowledge is changing and it

varies with different contexts. Therefore, more pragmatic approaches are gaining

importance. It can be more effective to link people with relevant knowledge

directly. Apart from creating the infrastructure and locale specific knowledge a

participatory approach should be carried out in collaboration with ICT to involve

the people at all levels.

CHAPTER 2 – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

2.1 Importance of the Study

M S Swaminathan established 12 Village Resource Centres and 67 Village

Knowledge centre across the India. This research is aimed at finding out whether

Village Resource Centre (VRC) and Village Knowledge Cerntre (VKC) of

Thiruvaiyaru in Tamilnadu is effectively function.

2.2 Scope of the Study

The study was done in a considerably limited time of two months. There is a very

broad scope for further study in this area. Further study can be conducted by all

VRCs in different districts and states of India.. The study can be extended to a

longer period of time to deeply analyze the viability of VRCs in those areas.

Larger number of people can be included to conduct the questionnaire survey to

get more location specific as well as generalized results.

The study was conducted among the users of Thiruvaiyaru -Village Resource

centre- M.S. Swaminathan Research Centre, Iluppakkorai Village Knowledge

Centers, Thirupalanam Village Knowledge Centers, Rajendram Village

Knowledge Centers and Vilangudi Village Knowledge Centers

2.3 RESEARCH DESING

Research design is arrangement of methods in research process. It includes the

statistical tools used in the research. The questionnaire and check list has been

framed in order that the how effectively running of Village Resource Centre and

Village Knowledge Centre of Thiruvaiyaru in Tamilnadu

2.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

To anyalyse the current infrastructure and human power involved in VRC

& VKCs

To assess the scope of VRC & VKCs to strengthen its service delivery (content, capacity building and linkages of VRC /VKCs)

To identify the gaps at different levels towards connectivity and service delivery of VRC & VKCs.

To recommend a set of management practices leading towards service delivery to achieve the desired objectives.

2.5 SAMPLING DESIGN:

Sampling Frame : Beneficiaries of Village Resource Centre and Village

Knowlede Centre of Thiruvaiyaru region Tanjavur District

2.6 SAMPLING METHOD:

Convenience sampling method was adopted by the researcher.

2.7 SAMPLE SIZE:

The size of the sample being 132 beneficiaries, 7 Village Resource centre staff

and 12 Knowledge workers.

33

5148

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Series1 33 51 48

Entrepreneur Student Farmer

Chapter -3 Data Presentation Analysis

My studies targeted are the villager’s/ beneficiaries/users of VRC & VKC, VRC

staff, and VKC knowledge workers. Collected data from 132 villager’s/

beneficiaries/users,

3.1 Basic Profile of the respondent

3.1a. Type of Respondent

I have collected 132 sampling from VRC & VKC beneficiaries in which 33 data

collected from entrepreneur, 51 data collected from students and 48 sampling

collected from farmers.

05

1015202530

Ammanpett

ai

Devabku

di

Elupuk

orai

Illupu

korai

Kallur

Karaipak

kam

Keelap

unalv

asal

Manaka

ramba

i

Maruvu

r

Melapu

nalva

sal

Melava

ttam

Perumbuli

yur

Puduth

eru

Rajendra

m

Sirupu

liyur

Thirupa

zhan

am

Thiruva

iyaru

Vaithya

nathan

pettai

Velang

udi

Villiyara

llur

Enterpreneur Students Farmer

132 Users/ beneficiaries are accessing the VRc/VKC from 20 different villages.

The following table and graph clearly indicating the villages and type of

respondent.

S.No Name of the Village Entrepreneur Student Farmer Total

1 Ammanpettai 3 10 2 15

2 Devabkudi 1 0 0 1

3 Elupukorai 6 7 11 24

4 Illupukorai 0 0 1 1

5 Kallur 0 2 0 2

6 Karaipakkam 1 1 0 2

7 Keelapunalvasal 0 0 1 1

8 Manakarambai 2 0 0 2

9 Maruvur 1 0 0 1

10 Melapunalvasal 0 0 1 1

11 Melavattam 1 0 0 1

12 Perumbuliyur 0 0 1 1

13 Pudutheru 0 3 0 3

14 Rajendram 3 0 7 10

15 Sirupuliyur 0 0 1 1

16 Thirupazhanam 7 11 10 28

17 Thiruvaiyaru 4 9 2 15

18 Vaithyanathanpettai 0 0 1 1

19 Velangudi 4 8 9 21

20 Villiyarallur 0 0 1 1

Total 33 51 48 132

0

10

20

30

40

50

Farmer 0 5 19 8 16

Student 43 5 3 0 0

Enterprenure 4 9 10 6 4

13-23 24-33 34-43 44-53 above 54

High school52%

Higher sec.16%

Diploma6%

UG17%

PG6%

Illitrate2%

Primary1%

3.1b. Age range

Out of 132 users 47

members are between 13-

23 ranges, 19 are between

24-33 ranges, 32 are

between 31-43 ranges, 14

are between 44-53 range

and 20 are above 54 age

3.1c. Education

The majority of the users 69

members are high Scholl level,

the next level 23 members are

under graduation holders, third

level 21 members are higher

secondary level, fourth level 8

members are diploma and 8 members are postgraduate holders and finally one

member are primary school level. Out of 132 2 persons are illiterates.

Male, 7

Female, 26

Male, 20

Female, 31

Male, 38

Female, 10

0

510

1520

2530

3540

Entrepreneru Student Farmer

0

20

40

60

Enterprenuer 33 0

Student 50 1

Farmer 46 2

Hindu Cristian

3.1d. Sex ratio

In three type of users 65

members are male and 67

members are female almost

equal ratio. Among the user

type entrepreneur category 7

are male and 26 are female.

Student category 20 are male

and 31 are female and farmers category 38 are male 10 are female.

3.1e. Religion

In Thanjavur district mostly Hindus are

majority and very rare to see Christian

and very few are Muslims. In my study

there is no Muslim users out of 132

users 129 persons are Hindus and

remaining 3 are Christian

BC, 90,

, MBC, 118%

SC, 20, 15%

DNC, 11, 8%

7 78

4

7

1210 10

8

11

7

12

910 10

02468

101214

ThroughFriends

ThroughMedia

TrhoughFamily

ThroughVillagers

Through VRC& VKC

members

Enterprenuers Students Farmers

3.1g. Community

The chart indicate that majority of the users 90 members are backward class,

next is schedule cast 20

members are belongs to this

community 11 members are Most

backward class remaining 11 are

DNC.

3.1h Accessing the VRC/VKC

Users are accessing VRC/VKC

through some other person they

may be friends or Media or

family members or villager and

VRC/VKC members. The graph

clearly indicating that the

number of persons accessing

VRC/VKC through some body

Building FacilityNot

satisf ied 8%

Satisf ied 92%

69 8

3

7

2119

5

1

52

18

9

3

16

0

5

10

15

20

25Ev

ery

Wee

kly

Mon

thly

Thre

eV

ery

Ever

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eekl

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onth

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ree

Ver

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ery

Wee

kly

Mon

thly

Thre

eV

ery

Entrepreneur Student Farmer

3.1h Frequent visit to VRC/VKC

Depending upon the users needs and time they are accessing VRC/VKC every

day , weekly or monthly. The

graph shows the type of

respondent what are interval

to accessing VRC/VKC

3.2 To anyalyse the current infrastructure and human power involved in

VRC & VKCs

3.2a Building Facility

Out of 132 sampling majority of users 122

members and 92% are satisfied the VRC & VKC

building facility of users and 10 user not satisfied

the VRC & VKC. Most of the VKC situated in

panchayat Board premises and few utilixing

community hall with enough space. Village regasource centre building is rented

one.

Furniture Facility at VRC/VKC

Not satisfied 23%

Satisfied 77%

Equipment Availability

Satisf ied 92%

Not satisf ied 8%

3.2b. Furniture Facility

In VRC & VKC using tables, chairs

bureau for keeping all the records

and other equipments The chart

shows majority 77% that means 102

users are satisfied the VRC & VKC’s

furniture facility remaining 33%, . 30

users not satisfied the VRC & VKC

3.2c Equipment Availability

All type of ICT tools,

Telephone, and some

laboratory things are available

well set in VRC. Except

laboratory things remaining all

are available at all VKC. The

chart shows majority 92% that

means 121 users are satisfied

the VRC & VKC’s furniture facility remaining 8%, .11 users not satisfied the VRC

& VKC

Satisf ied 98%

Not satisf ied 2%

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Satis

fied

unsa

tisfie

d

Satis

fied

unsa

tisfie

d

Satis

fied

unsa

tisfie

d

Satis

fied

unsa

tisfie

d

furniture Equipment Building Staff

Frequency

Percentage

3.2d Staff Availability at VRC/VKC

Two Project Associate, two Lab Assistance, four Internships (animators) and one

driver are available at VRC. Two to three knowledge workers maintaining the

VKC and Village Management committee managing the VKC with support of

VRC.

This chart shows majority 98%, 129

users are satisfied the VRC & VKC’s

staff availability remaining 2%, .3 users

only not satisfied the VRC & VKC staff

availability

The following graph shows the overall infrastructure facility at VRC and

VKC

Service sat isf ied, 131,

99%

Service unsat isf ied , 1,

1%

Service sat isf ied

Service unsat isf ied

Majority of users (92%) satisfied VRC/VKC’s building facility

Majority of users (77%) satisfied VRC/VKC’s furniture facility

Majority of users (92%) satisfied VRC/VKC’s Equipments Availability

Majority of users (98%) satisfied VRC/VKC’s Staff Availability

3.2e. Satisfaction with the VRC/ VKC’s services

Users are sequentially visiting the VKC and VRC to fulfill their needs. The same

way VRC staff and knowledge workers are able to fulfill the users needs on time

in the effective manner. Users may farmers, students or entrepreneurs they have

some doubt but they may not express their doubt clearly. VRC staff and

knowledge workers provoke their queries and solve the same in polite manner

with out hesitation and partiality.

For my assessment in the chart 99%

users are satisfied VRC/VKC’s staff

effective services and only 1% person are

not satisfied

Infrastructure Frequency Percent

Satisfied 102 77Furniture unsatisfied 30 23

Satisfied 121 92Equipment unsatisfied 11 8

Satisfied 122 92Building unsatisfied 10 8

Satisfied 129 98Staff unsatisfied 3 2

on t ime, 131

delayed , 10

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Series1

Series1 131 1

on t ime delayed

On the same way VRC staff and

knowledge workers delivering the

information on time without delay. If any

major complication Knowledge workers

contact VRC to get their information. If

VRC fails to give that time VRC contact

Hub or Headquarter to get the

information.

131

10

50

100

150

Series1

Series1 131 1

understand diff icult

3.3 The scope of VRC & VKCs to strengthen its service delivery

(content, capacity building and linkages of VRC /VKCs)

3.3a Content

VRC/VKC providing contact/information related with agriculture, fisheries, animal

husbandry, micro-enterprises, health, education, government schemes and

entitlements and conducting phone-in-programme, GSM based public address

system, Electronic Display Boards, mobile soil and water testing van, community

newspaper, hands on training, screening theme based films using K-Yan PC,

Fixed Wireless Local Loop Closed User Group audio conferencing facility.

The graph indicate that 99% of

users understanding the VRC/VKC

content very easily with the local

language. Users are very comfort

to express the needs and getting

information in both the way either

by oral and written manner by

community news paper. Users feel

that the VRC/VKC content/information is very relevant to their needs and by

using information they are applying to their field and benefited out of the

information.

Series1, relevant to some extent,

18, 14%

Series1, Highly

relevant, 114, 86%

Content users41%

Education28% Agriculture

10%

Animal Husbandry

1%

Micro enterprises

18%

Health2%

The chart indicated that the majority of the users

(86%)are says the content/information is relevant for

their needs remaining 14% users are saying the content

is relevant to some extent.

3.3b Capacity building

VRC/VKC are not only provide the content doing capacity building to the

community. Organizing training programme with agriculture, fisheries, and micro

– enterprises and also conducting focused group meeting with agriculture,

fisheries, and micro – enterprises. MSSRF doing need assessment to find out the

community needs according to their needs providing content and training to

them.

The chart indicate that

the major portion of

users are only getting

content /information

from the VRC/VKC. The

second portion coveting

education part mostly computers training courses. The next is Micro enterprises,

majority of self help groups very interesting to get trainng under micro level

business like ornamental Jewell making, saree embroidery, preparation of

3

19

1 1

34

3 1

13

2

05

10152025303540

Ent repreneur St udent Farmer

phenyl, soap oil, agarbathi, bio-fertilizers etc. the next portin coventing

agricutlucte part. MSSRF providing agriculture latest technology training

programme to the farming community. Thanjavur is a cavey built hence the

agriculture is the major component hence the soil van also available in the VRC,

to analyzing soil status and water content with the farmer’s fields. VRC/VKC

organizing health and animal husbandry camp and training programme related

with the users demand.

The following table clearly shows the capacity building status of VRC/VKC. The

total number of users are 132, depending to their needs conducting training to

improve their knowledge and capacity.

Type of training Frequency Percentage Content users 55 42 Agriculture 13 10 Education 37 28 Micro enterprises 24 18 Animal Husbandry 1 1 Health 2 2 Total 132 100

According to the tabular

column 55 users are

only content users and

remaining 77 users are

undergone training in

22

110

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Linkagers non linkagers

different aspects. The following table indicates the clear picture of the capacity

building with various aspects.

Type of Users Type of training No.of Users Education 3

Micro enterprise 19 Animal husbandry 1 Entrepreneur

Health 1 Education 34

Micro enterprise 3 StudentHealth 1

Agriculture 13 Farmer Micro enterprise 2 Total 77

3.3c Linkages

VRC/VKC are providing content depending upon to the user’s needs and

conducting training also. The same way creating and connecting/bridging

linkages to the users with concern organization (government agencty,

government hospital, NGO and Educational instritute) related with government

scheme or government related programme, subsidy related scheme, higher

education, college admission etc.

The chart indicating that 22 users are got linkage through VRC/VKC for various

purpose remaining 110 users are

only usage of content and undergone

training alone. They are only

depending the VRC/VKC not any

linkages to the other organization.

Educational institute, 5,

23%

Pancyat Board, 1, 5%

bank, 6, 27%

Community, 1, 5%

Government agency, 2,

9%

NGO, 7, 31%

loan, 8, 36%Higher

education, 11, 50%

agriculture, 1, 5%

micro enterprise,

2, 9%

3.3d Purpose of the linkages

The 22 users got their linkages for various purpose our of 22 linkage users 7 got

NGO linkage, 6 got Bank linkage, 5

got Educational Institutional

linkage, 2 got Government

organization linkage and one got

Panchayt board

3.3e Benefits of the Linkages

Out of 22 users got their linkage

with various organization for their

purpose to getting benefits out of

their linkages. 11 users got their

linkage for their higher education

and their children higher

education. 8 user got bank

linkage for their loan purpose. 2users got linkage with industries for their small

micro enterprises. And reaming 1 got linkage for their agricultural content.

Type of organisation Frequency Percent Government agency 2 9 NGO 7 31 Educational institute 5 23 Panchayat Board 1 5 Bank 6 27 Community 1 5 Total 22 100

4

18

0

5

10

15

20

Series1 4 18

const ant whenever needed

3.3f Stability of the linkages

The graph indicates that out of 22 linkage users 4 users constantly getting

linkage with the other organizations remaining 18 are getting interact with the

organization whenever they needed

CHAPTER 4 – FINDINGS

Findings are nothing but to identify the gaps at different levels towards

connectivity and service delivery of VRC & VKCs for this study

VRC/VKC’s main aim is that knowledge should reach every home and hut. For

this main aim the three tier system could be following in M.S.Swaminathan

Research Foundation. The top most is level his Head quarters located in

Chennai, the key knowledge resource that will create and maintain web sites and

database for the local hubs in close collaboration with national and international

agencies. These will serve as the primary data providers tied up with research

institutions, field stations and government extension departments. The state –

level hub links to block level or equivalent hubs in the state (connecting Villager

resource centre is the next second level). The latter hubs serve a cluster of

villagers mean Village Knowledge centre.

The researcher’s one of the objectives is to identify the gaps at different levels

towards connectivity and service delivery of VRC & VKCs. On the base of the

qualitative data collected which clearly indicate the extent with which each level

respond to it. Qualitative data has been classified at the three levels as follow-up

needs to be done at the respective tier.

4.1 User’s problem

Identified problem Identified level Suggestion

No publicity about

Thiruvaiyaru VRC still

Village knowledge centre To create more

Thiruvaiyaru VRC

services to the

community

Agronomist staff not

available at Thiruvaiyaru

VRC

Chennai, Headquarters To appoint agronomist at

Thiruvaiyaru VRC

4.2 Village Resource centre Staff and Village Knowledge Ccentre

Knowledge worker’s problem

Identified problem Identified level Suggestion

Less community

participation

Village Knowledge

Centre

To create more

Thiruvaiyaru VRC

services to the

community

Difficult to identified

volunteers

Chennai-Head quarter Pay more to animator

and knowledge worker

Farmers asked more

information about the

practical problem of

cultivation

Chennai-Head quarter To appoint agronomist at

Thiruvaiyaru VRC

Very difficult to

identify/get needs form

users

Village Resource Centre

and Chennai Head

quarter

To provide Need

assessment training to

the concern person

Need own building Chennai-Head quarter

Replace Rajendram VKC

from the Panchayath

building

VKC community Village management

committee to take

decision

Need to design new

curricula for CALP

Village Resource Centre

and Chennai Head

quarter

To get the approval form

the funding agency to

design new curricula

Insufficient space at

Thirupazhanam VKC

VKC community Village management

committee to take

decision

Internet connection is not

available at

Thirupazhanam VKC

VKC community Village management

committee to take

decision

Valam software is not

updated at

Thirupazhanam VKC

Village Resource Centre To update the software at

lease a month

Community needs could

not be addressed in time

at Velandudi VKC

Village Resource Centre To provide capacity

building and

management training to

the knowledge workers

Computer advance course

33%

Subsidised farming

equipments17%

Others-spoken english, organising eye camp, CNPupdation news VRC & VKC

awareness21%

Farmers meet6%

Micro enterprise training

15%

CHAPTER 5 – SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

During the interview users, knowledge workers and villager Resource Cetnre

staff expressed their suggestions based on their suggestions researcher

provided recommendations on the other side.

5.1a User’s suggestions

User’s expressed

their suggestions to

improve the village

knowledge centre and

village resource

centre . Researcher

clustered all the

qualitative data and

clubbed all

suggestions. The

chart shows majority of the students who are undergone computer course

suggested advance computer course can be implement at VKC the next one is

create more awareness to the community about the VKC services the third major

one is to provide subsidized farming equipments available centre. The next level

of major suggestion is to provide micro enterprises training to the community.

The final suggestion VRC/VKC can conduct spoken English course because in

rural area students are completed UG and PG but communication in English is

very difficult, but English communication is must at present scenario. Organising

eye camp and local specific new could published in community news paper.

5.1b Recommendation

User’s suggestions Recommendation

Need more VRC & VKC awareness Chennai headquarters and VRC staff can

take the initiate to create VRC/VKC

services to the community or provide

training to the Knowledge worker they can

create awareness with in their village and

they can also identified the need

subsequently

Need to conduct Farmers meet at

VRc/VKC

VRC staff to take a lead to conduct the

farmers meet to address their queries

Needs to be available subsidized farming

equipments at VRC/VKC

VRC/VKC can recommend to the local

government department but they cannot

keep the subsidized equipment inside

To provide more Micro enterprise training Already VRC/VKC organizing many

training programme depending on the

needs and availability of the resource

person. Training needs arise from different

people in different topic but if VRC/VKC

organizes the training programme they

need atlases 30 members to take part in

the same topic. But they can link with other

departments for their training.

Needs to introduce advance Computer

course, spoken English course, organize

eye camp and publish local specific

content in Community News Paper at

VRC/VKC

Chennai headquarters and VRC staff can

take the decision to introduce advance

computer course like Tally, allocate the

space for conducting spoken course,

organizing eye camp link with

Shankaranethlaya hospital (community

need) and provide local area specific new

in community news paper

need more info.on agriculture

8%

Internet facility aVKC8%

need w eather forestation

8%

Micro enterprise training12%

Farmers meeting13%

VRC service aw areness

19%

VRC infrastructure12% Softw are updation

6%Subsidised farming

equipments6%

advance computercourse

8%

5.2a VRC/VKC’s suggestions

Village Resource Centre staff and Village Knowledge Cetnre Knowledge workers

also shared their suggestions. Researcher clubbed and clustered all staff and

knowledge workers suggestions and analysed. All most all suggestions are very

valuable. The pie chart indicates very clearly the percentage of the suggestions

5.3b Recommendation:

VRC/VKC’s suggestions Recommendation

Need to create VRC service awareness Chennai, Head quarters should take a

lead to create more awarness of VRC

services to the community

need more information on agriculture VRC have create link with agriculture

department and educational institutions

for getting content and also get help

from Chennai, Headquarters staff

need weather forestation Chennai, Headquarters staff take a

disicion to establish the forestation or

provide weather detail (especially

Thanjavur district )

Valam software should be update with

all VKC

VRC can take decision to update the

Valam software

advance computer course can be

conduct at VRC/VKC

Chennai headquarters and VRC staff

can take the decision to introduce

advance computer course

Need Internet facility at VKC Village management committee should

take the decision to pay monthly usage

fee

CHAPTER 6 – CONCLUSION

The study was covered 20 villages in Thanjavur district and 132 members

responded for my questionnaire. I have also collected VRC/VKC staff and

Knowledge worker’s view about their respective VRC/VKC.

In VRC/VKC beneficiary/user’s view they feel sufficient infrastructure facility at

VRC/VKC’s , providing need based training/content availability. Content is also

quality with relevant. Staff and knowledge worker’s services also satisfied. Few of

them got linkage out of VRC/VKC’s contact and getting more benefit out the

linkages.

VRC/VKC staff and knowledge workers shared their experience/services and

conducted training programme. Few knowledge workers and VRC staff

expressed their merits and demerits about VRC/VKC. But user’s no one

expressed the draw backs of the VRC/VKC, in the sense they are satisfied

VRC/VKC services. Researcher’s set of questionnaire was fulfilled objectives

content and also given the recommendation for the drawback and suggestions

those recommendations are leads towards the achievement of desired objectives

of VRC and VKC service delivery.

CHAPTER 7 – SCOPE FOR FURTHER STUDY

Totally M.S Swaminathan Research Foundation established 8 village resource

centre in Tamilnadu in different district and four village resource centre in

Maharashtra in different districts. Each village resource centre facilitating few

Village Knowledge Cetnres. At present totally 67 Village Knowledge Centres are

facilitating by these 12 village resource Centres. The researcher had covered

only the Village Resource Centre (VRC) & Village Knowledge Centre (VKC)of

thiruvaiyaru in Tamilnadu. The services quite different in each village resource

cenre because of location specific in formations are providing thorough

VRC/VKC.

However, similar study can be under in the case of all beneficiary, staff and

knowledge worker with all VRC/VKC established by MSSRF, the study can be

replicate in other districts and state, so that an all VRC/VKC’s services can be

evolved.

BIBLOGRAPHY

R.Chapman;T.Slaymaker;J.Young“Communication and information services for

poor rural communities”, FAO; DFID; ODI : Research and Policy in Development,

ODI, 2003

Velden, M. van der (2002) “‘Knowledge facts, knowledge fiction: the role of ICTs

in knowledge management for development”, Journal of International

development, Special Issue: Information and communication technologies (ICTs)

and development, Editor Richard Heeks, Volume 14, No1 January

2002, Wiley

MSSRF. Mission 2007: Every Village a Knowledge Centre - A Road Map.

Chennai, India: AMM Screens, 2004

MSSRF. Towards a Knowledge Revolution in Rural India: MSSRF-TATA Virtual

Academy for Food Security and Rural Prosperity - Concept and Operational

Plan. Chennai, India: AMM Screens, 2003.

Vedavalli, L. Village Knowledge Centres in Pondicherry: An Anthropological

Perspective. Chennai, India: AMM Prints, 2005.

Torero, Maximo, and Joachim von Braun. Information and Communication

Technologies for Development and Poverty

Reduction: The Potential of Telecommunications. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins

University Press and IFPRI, 2006.

QUESTIONNAIRE

S.No:

1. Name :

2. Accessing VRC/VKC :

3. Village :

4. Age :

5. Education :

6. Sex :

7. Religion :

8. Community :

9. Type of respondent : Entrepreneur / Student / Farmer

10. How did you come to know about Village Knowledge Centers?

a. Through Friends b. Through Media c. Through Family d. Through Villagers e. Through VRC & VKC members f. Other specify

11. Are you satisfied with VRC/VKC’s infrastructure and manpower?

a. Building Yes No

b. Furniture Yes No

c. Equipments Yes No

d. Staff Yes No

12. How frequently you come to VRC/VKC’s?

a. Every day b. Weekly once c. Monthly once d. Three months once e. Very rare

13. What is the purpose of your visit to VRC/VKC’s?

Bank Loan Crops, intercrops information Government Scheme Fertilizer Business user guide Market price information on market prices Soil Information New Business Technology General Education Loan facility Computer Education

MUPP CALP INTEL Government scheme Employment Land detail carrier counseling Weather information Other (Specify )

14. Are you satisfied with the services provided by VRC/VKC’s?

Yes No

If No specify the nature of dissatisfaction and your suggestion for improvement?

Nature of dissatisfaction……………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………

Suggestion for improvement ……………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 15. Are the VRC/VKC’s staff effective enough to clarify your doubts? Yes No

16. Did you get information on time?

Yes No

If no what is the feedback from VRC/VKC? ...........................................................................................................................................................……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....

17. Are you able to understand the language and the terminologies used in the content?

Yes No

18. How do you feel about the content?

a. Highly Relevant

b. Relevant to some extent

c. Irrelevant

19. Have you undergone any training programmes?

Yes No

If yes please specify…………………………………………………………………………

20. Have you got any linkage with external organization through VRC/VKC’s?

Yes No

IF yes, provide the name of the organisation and its type?

Name of the organization :………………………………………………………..

Type :

a. Governemnt Agencies

b. NGO

c. Quasi Govt.,

d. Local Organisation

21. What is the Purpose of linkages?

a. Educationb. Micro enterprises c. Agricultured. Banke. Any other (Please Specify)

22. What are the benefits you received through linkages?

23 Stability of the linkages established

a. Constant

b. Whenever needed

c. short-term

24. What are the draw backs you find with the VRC/VKC’s? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

25. Your suggestion for further improvement of the VRC/VKC’s? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Check List for VRC/VKC

Assessment period Jan-December 2008

1. Name :

2. VRC/VKC :

3. Village :

4. Age :

5. Education :

6. Sex :

7. Religion :

8. Community :

9. Type of respondent : VRC Staff/Animator/Knowledge Worker

10.VRC Staff/Animator/Knowledge Worker’s rolls and responsibility

11. VRC/VKC Infrastructure

ConditionInfrastructure Sufficient Insufficient VeryGood

Good Moderate Poor

BuildingToilet facility

office space Electricity Water Furniture Computer Peripherals Software ConnectivityInternet Telephone Video conference Notice Board Community News Paper Compact Disc (CD) Mobile

12. VRC Staff/Animator/Knowledge Worker ability S.No Questions Very Good Good PoorMaintenance

Office Maintenance Bill book maintenance Record Maintenance Computer Maintenance Library Maintenance User register

Management

News through public addressing system

News through Notice Board

Content Management Content to the users Sharing responsibility with KWs

Documentation Reporting to VRC Traditional Knowledge collection

13. Have you got any linkage with external organization through VRC/VKC’s?

Yes No

IF yes, provide the name of the organisation and its type?

Name of the organization :………………………………………………………..

Type :

a. Governemnt Agencies

b. NGO

c. Quasi Govt.,

d. Local Organisation

14. What is the Purpose of linkages?

f. Educationg. Micro enterprises h. Agriculturei. Bankj. Any other (Please Specify)

15. What are the benefits you received through linkages?

16 Stability of the linkages established

a. Constant

b. Whenever needed

c. short-term

17. What are the problems you face in managing the VKC /VRC especially in handling different kind of people?

18. What are the draw backs you find with the VRC/VKC’s?

19. Your suggestion for further improvement of the VRC/VKC’s?