New Delhi: Agri-news for the rural farmers will be at the press of a button following the launch of "Kisan Channels" and Agri Call Centres by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on January 21.

Agriculture Minister Rajnath Singh told reporters after a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) that this was part of the Government's mass media support for Agriculture during the ongoing five-year plan.

The setting up of cable satellite channels, FM stations and Call Centres for providing technological and other details for the farmers is expected to cost about Rs 315.28 crore during the 10th plan period.

Denying that this decision was taken with an eye on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Singh said he had spelled out his plans six months ago.

He said the cable Agri-channel carrying Agriculture related information will have a one-hour broadcast on the available transponder with the IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University), which would be repeated four times a day during the current year.

He said this would be enhanced upto two-hours in the last year of the 10th Plan.

In addition, 12 low-power transmitters will be used to broadcast one-hour programmes that address the problems and issues specific to the local farming area at a cost of Rs 179.42 crores for the 10th Five Year Plan.

Eight Call Centres in regional languages are being established for a 24-hour service by hiring Agri experts, he said.