A VRC report by ISRO/NNRMS

Case Studies
Some initial results/ pointers, gathered through the activities of ISRO - MSSRF VRCs in Tamil Nadu have been examined. Some of the interesting outcomes include farmers’ motivation towards scientific advisories and consultations, school children getting enthused - resulting into improved performance, implementation of education and healthcare programmes of the Government, etc. On examining the Users' Registers at the VRCs, feedback from the respective regional coordinator and limited independent evaluation, the following outcomes are highlighted:

Portfolios of Services and Beneficiaries From January 2005 to June 2006, the portfolios of services from VRCs and number of beneficiaries are listed below:

Portfolio of services	No of beneficiaries
Awareness building	4,625
Micro enterprises	999
Health	368
Market	236
Weather	51
Livestock	741
Employment	5,430
Agriculture	554
Govt. Schemes	3,087
Fisheries	632
Education/ Results	2,712
SHG Accounting	3,399
Meetings	1,448
Trainings	5,535
Rural Library	3,546
General/Misc.	20,117
Total	53,477

ISRO-MSSRF VRCs, so far, have provided over 1500 programmes/ advisories to local people. The areas addressed include: agriculture, adult and computer literacy, alternate livelihood related vocational training, marketing of agro-products, micro-finance/ enterprises, livestock management, healthcare, etc. Around 75,000 people have availed the services of VRCs till recently. Employment, training, Self Help Group related activities, access to Governmental schemes and exam results etc have been found to have largers demands. Further, the observations could be summarized as: VRCs have functioned as the local hub for convergent activities - between the Jamshetji Tata National Virtual Academy (NVA) for Rural Prosperity; Microsoft Unlimited Potential Programme (MUPP); taken up earlier by MSSRF. As such, VRCs functioning not as stand-alone system have considerable impacts. VRCs have enabled community networking for empowerment and sharing of knowledge; this is an important step in creating the congenial environment for holistic development in rural areas. Videoconferencing between experts and the rural community - farmers, SHGs, local traders, etc. has been well received. Catalytic Effect VRCs catalyze the on-going activities. In Sempatti, the average consultations per month, has gone up from 134 to 399; in Thangachhimadam, it has moved from 122 to 415; and in Thiruvaiyaru it has improved marginally from 152 to 196 This analysis has covered the data from user’s registers up to April 2005 and in the recent months consultations has registered quantum jump to the extent touching 500 per month. Increasing usages of VRCs are among the good indicators on sustainability. The demand for VRC services match well with those arrived at through the prior PRA exercises; thus emphasizing the importance of need assessment surveys prior to designing of the VRC services. For example, the demand in Sempati has been for agriculture employment and micro-enterprise; in Thangatchimadam for computer training and fisheries; and in Thiruvaiyaru, farmer-to-farmer and farmer-to-expert consultations. Spatial database prepared for Thiruvaiyaru provided useful inputs for farmer-to-expert consultations on natural resources management. The information on fallow lands, sandy area, built-up land, brick kilns, water body, soil characteristics, water availability/ scarcity, etc., was useful in suggesting alternative crops. The farmers also look for information on fertilizer, water holding capacity, groundwater table/ decline, etc in their farms/ villages. In Sempatti and Thiruvaiyaru, VRC services pertaining to agriculture are converging on drought management and cultivation of high value, low water requiring crops like pulses and oilseeds. Catalytic effects of VRCs in improving the quality of services In Thangachhimadam, it is predominantly tele-fishery, computer training and education. Computer Aided Learning Programme (CALP): A unique effort of Azim Premji Foundation through VRCs has demonstrated motivational changes in school children, by way of increased interest in learning and reduced dropouts. The CALP package comprises a set of the educational CDs/ material, provided to schools in phases. A variety of topics viz., Choo Mantar, Chatur Char, A day with Kadooji, Majic Marbles, Our Dream Schools, How Things work - TV/ Fan, etc are covered. ISRO - MSSRF VRCs are implementing the CALP; wherein, after the students view the CDs/ educational material, the teacher - students’ interaction is facilitated by VRCs in virtual atmosphere. Once motivated, the children were found to take more interest in their regular studies, which otherwise was being treated by them as mundane. The CALP is found to attract the children in the age group of 5 to 14. In some villages, children of age group 18 to 20 also participated. The methodology of evaluation of CALP contained questionnaires representing different groups and profiles of the students, teachers and parents; and their analyzing their responses in the light of the performances of the students in their examinations, before and after CALP. It was seen that: (i) school dropouts wanted to continue their education; (ii) below average children had picked up higher levels of performances, scoring > 60-70%; children showed increased learning capacity of different types of subjects; and (iii) parents as well as teachers felt happy. Concurrent Monitoring An independent, concurrent monitoring and evaluation were carried out to assess the performance of VRCs. A questionnaire was conducted at every VRC, which could capture the following details: Attitude of people towards VRC Possible ways of making VRC self-sustainable/Revenue generation Possible reasons for many people not coming to VRC Expectations of beneficiaries/Usability of VRC for people Problems and challenges faced in managing VRCs RRequirements of individual VRCs http://www.nnrms.gov.in/